The Illinois Republican Party plans a statewide pre-primary straw poll ahead of the 2012 presidential election.
The party made the announcement Sunday night at an event marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Ronald Reagan. The Illinois GOP says the straw poll will be Nov. 5 and measure the support of Republican presidential hopefuls.
The party's central committee will determine balloting rules. The rules will be published in time for Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair in August.
The party says in a statement that the straw poll will give Illinois Republicans a "new voice" in determining the 2012 GOP nominee.