Alexi Giannoulias will be pleased with the new poll conducted by Research 2000 for Daily Kos. After surveying 600 likely voters between February 22 and 24, the treasurer holds a seven-point advantage (43-36 percent) over Rep. Mark Kirk. Even more encouraging for the Giannoulias camp, the Democrat holds a one-point edge among independents, a 14-point lead among women, and boasts higher favorables than the GOP nominee. A few campaign assists from the president wouldn't hurt, either; 60 percent of Illinoisans still view Barack Obama favorably. Nineteen percent of voters are still undecided.

Research 2000 also tested the Illinois gubernatorial race. While Gov. Pat Quinn holds a sizeable lead over both prospective GOP nominees, his advantage is four points higher over Bill Brady (47-32) than Kirk Dillard (46-35).

Click here to read through all of the data.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m., 6/29/2010): The DailyKos, who commissioned this poll, has renounced all of their polling conducted through Research 2000, including this survey.