* NEW: Congressman, challengers have differing ideas for economy

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus never wanted 13 years in Congress until he realized what it meant for his constituents in the sprawling 19th District.

The Collinsville Republican is running for his seventh term in Washington, D.C., this fall after deciding before his re-election in 2006 that he couldn’t stick with his pledge to leave after six terms.

“I made the promise. I reneged, OK?” Shimkus said. “I promise never to make a promise again. I’ve learned my lesson.”

* NEW: Candidates to replace Weller talk priority No. 1: The economy

* NEW: Foster in 14th District

* NEW: Kirk the easy choice in 10th District

* NEW: Dan Seals’ full answer on bailout bill (VIDEO)

* NEW: Several lawmakers face same opponent again

* NEW: Illinois Congressional Races Update

* NEW: Callahan releases personal, campaign finance records

* NEW: Durbin, Sauerberg are classic match-up

* State voter registration reaches record highs

Cook County added 60,000 people since Oct. 1, bringing rolls to a new record high of more than 1.4 million, officials said. Cook’s voting district is separate from Chicago’s.

In Lake County, about 28,000 people have registered since the primaries, setting a record of 395,003 voters on the rolls, officials said.

Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots said she receives 1,000 registrations a day. That county’s rolls have increased since February by more than 30,000 to nearly 365,000.

As in other election offices throughout the state, Schultz’s employees are working into the night and over the weekends to deal with the influx.

* Avoid long lines, vote early, officials recommend

*Early Voting Begins Across Illinois

Early voting for the 2008 general election begins Monday in Cook County and much of Illinois, and polling locations are set up at dozens of locations in the city and suburbs.

“Early voting gains popularity with each election because it’s convenient,” Cook County Clerk David Orr said in a news release. “Any registered voter who is worried about scheduling conflicts, long lines or the weather can pick the time and place to vote that works best for them.”

The early voting period runs through Oct. 30. Unlike with absentee voting, early voting does not require a reason or excuse for casting your ballot ahead of time.

* Blaming Cook County Judges

In a federal courtroom this morning, opposing attorneys and the judge were all in agreement that Cook County Judges aren’t doing their jobs.

Federal Court Judge Virginia Kendall said Cook County’s central bond court is a mess, that’s where suspects have their first hearing after arrest. Civil rights attorney Locke Bowman agrees that county judges are dropping the ball there.

* The list of Cook County judges to vote against this election

* DuPage tackles domestic violence

The proportion of people convicted of domestic violence crimes in DuPage County has more than tripled in recent years, but progress has stalled and officials must work together better to help women suffering abuse, a report finds.

Convictions on domestic violence charges jumped from 7 percent of cases to 25 percent from 2002 to 2004 and since then have held steady, according to data released with the study by the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform.

The vast majority of criminal cases—78 percent from 2002 through 2006—ended when women refused to testify, according to the study data.

A Tribune investigation last week found that Cook County’s conviction rate has declined to about 16 percent in 2007.

* Green for State’s Attorney Opposes Death Penalty

* Elmhurst College rallies in support of Muslim student attacked by masked man

* Villa Park mosque vandalized for 4th time

* Flooding aid comes in waves

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Human Services, Internal Revenue Service and Cook County have established a disaster recovery center at Oak Forest Hospital, at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue.

* COLUMN: Lincoln’s legacy takes an unfair hit on Coles debate site marker

* Heat again a concern for marathon

* Marathon sends 61 to hospitals

* Runners kept well-watered

Despite the heat, Carey Pinkowski, executive race director, said it was “an extremely good day” and that the 20 aid stations along the course kept up with the demand for fluids.

Still, there were 110 calls for medical transport, and 61 runners were taken to area hospitals, said Dr. George Chiampas, marathon medical director

* Grand Kenyan wins Marathon

* Illogical Illinois Law?