Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.). (Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP) SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — If Democrats have any hopes of closing the gap with Republicans in the House of Representatives then they must win several seats in the Chicago suburbs.

That’s why The 5 in 5 Project has come to the outskirts of the Windy City for the next two days to see how Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents are faring in must-win races.

Today, we're tracking the race between Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) and his Democratic challenger, Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran and former Veterans Affairs official. The contest in recent weeks has turned nasty as Walsh, a freshman tea party-backed lawmaker, continues to direct personal attacks at Duckworth, a popular figure among Democrats and liberal activists who has enjoyed a large national following ever since becoming one of the first Iraq war veterans to run for Congress.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), photographed on Capitol Hill, in July 2011. (Harry Hamburg - AP)

DIXON, Ill. — The 5 in 5 Project has moved on to Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, the home state of President Obama and a key state for the Democratic Party’s hopes of retaking the House of Representatives.

But we’re nowhere near the competitive congressional districts today and instead plan to visit the 16th Congressional District, which stretches from Joliet south of Chicago and arcs to the northwest, beyond Rockford and out west towards Dixon.

The state’s Democratic-controlled redistricting process merged parts of the old 16th District with areas of other GOP-leaning districts that stretched from the Chicago suburbs into central Illinois. Obama narrowly won this part of Illinois four years ago and it is expected to remain a solid Republican hold in the House race. Though the final outcome of the House race is all-but certain, this region is better known for the bitter primary earlier this year between Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.).

Former Iowa first lady and current congressional candidate Christie Vilsack. (Charlie Neibergall - Associated Press)

Christie Vilsack is one of those Democrats who may benefit from having Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on the GOP presidential ticket. She’s been running against his budget proposals since she launched her campaign last year. Vilsack will face Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

Her district has one of the oldest populations in the country and some of the nation’s most abundant farm land.

So how is she planning to address her concerns with Ryan’s plan? And is she taking any flack for the agricultural policies established by her husband, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack?

Read my interview with her below, conducted Monday at the Iowa State Fair. The transcript is edited for length and clarity:

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) (Chip Somodevilla - GETTY IMAGES) As part of The 5in5 Project, I spoke with Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) about his chances, his focus on attracting national attention to himself and the emergence of his colleague, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as the GOP’s vice presidential pick.

A transcript of our conversation, conducted Monday at the Iowa State Fair, appears below. It has been edited for length and clarity:

2chambers: What was your reaction to Paul Ryan’s selection as the vice presidential candidate?

King: He speaks, people listen, he listens to them. Paul listens to me. To have someone who has as deep an understanding of our financial situation and our budget, I don’t think there’s anyone else like that. He’s an outstanding debater, he would love to be debating President Obama directly.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) could have a major impact on the presidential race. (AP) The 5in5 Project rolls next into Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, a region that stretches from Des Moines to the north and west, towards Sioux City.

The race here pits Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) against former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack, who moved from her native southeast Iowa into the district to challenge the five-term lawmaker in what promises to be the most significant fight of his political career so far.

Voters here face a distinct choice: They can go with an experienced political operative though first-time candidate who vows to focus on local issues of concern and shun the national spotlight. Or they can stick with a veteran lawmaker who says he can balance his time on national television and radio programs with his commitment to his home district.