Illinois Republicans' questionable effort to segregate 5,000 ballots in north suburban Lake County hit a wall yesterday.  A federal court remanded the case back to the county late last week and a circuit court judge then declined to take it up before Election Day:

On Monday, the issue wasn't brought up in a courtroom, essentially allowing the targeted would-be voters to cast ballots - and have those ballots counted - unhindered.

The suit has not been withdrawn, Illinois GOP spokesman Lance Trover said.

"We're still reviewing our legal options," he said.

If Dan Seals squeaks out a win today -- within a 5,000 vote margin, for instance -- expect the GOP to challenge the results.  Speaking of which, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is still raising money -- "this time so that it can afford to contest the results of any House elections it deems were adversely affected by fraud or irregularities," according to Roll Call.