With an April 14 press conference, Oberweis, who made two unsuccessful bids for U.S. Senate seats in the past two years, became the entrant in what is expected to be a heated Gubernatorial race in 2006.

In a speech before about 50 supporters, Oberweis said the Illinois' first-term Democratic governor, Rod Blagojevich has made the state inhospitable to businesses as if they were "a cow to be milked for more and more taxes."

Among other Republicans expected to run are Congressman Ray LaHood, and state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, a former chair of the state Republican committee.