Ill. GOP to crack down on negative ads

CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Republican Party is feeling positive about its chances to win key elections next year after a GOP rout in governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.

State chairman Pat Brady says wins by Republicans in those two states are the start of a comeback for the GOP.

And Brady on Wednesday said he's taking steps to help Republican chances in Illinois next year as they shoot for the governor's office and President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

Brady says the state GOP would clamp down on any negative ads that "cross the line" by Republican candidates in crowded primary fields in both races.

Brady says the party "will call people out" over their ads because he doesn't want to have a bloody, divided primary.

So far, he says, everyone has behaved well.