CQ Politics has changed its outlook on three Illinois House races and one Minnesota race. One Illinois rating -- the 11th District race between Republican Martin Ozinga and Dem Debbie Halvorson -- changed in favor of the Republican (from "Democrat Favored" to "Lean Democratic"). The remaining two Illinois races and the Minnesota race changed to favor the Democrat.

Here are the races, the ratings changes and a brief excerpt from the CQ Politics explanation for the changes:

* Illinois' 8th (New Rating: Democrat Favored. Previous Rating: Leans Democratic): [Republican Steve] Greenberg hasn't raised the kind of money needed to take on [two-term incumbent Dem Melissa] Bean in a suburban Chicago district that falls in a pricey media market. Bean's district historically has leaned Republican, but the congresswoman turned back a big-spending Republican challenger in 2006.
* Illinois' 11th (New Rating: Leans Democratic. Previous Rating: Democrat Favored): Republican Martin Ozinga III, a concrete company executive, has done a good job playing catch-up against Democratic state Sen. Debbie Halvorson ... CQ Politics still gives Halvorson the edge, but this race will be highly competitive.
* Illinois' 13th (New Rating: Republican Favored. Previous Rating: Safe Republican): Republican Rep. Judy Biggert , who has centrist GOP leanings, has been very politically secure in a mostly Republican-leaning district that includes Naperville, Bolingbrook and other suburbs southwest of Chicago. But she may need to keep an eye on Democratic businessman Scott Harper, who already has raised more money than 2006 Democratic nominee Joseph Shannon
* Minnesota's 2nd (New Rating: Republican Favored. Previous Rating: Safe Republican): Steve Sarvi is an Iraq War veteran and the former mayor of Watertown whose biography and experience make him a strong recruit for Democratic efforts to take over the 2nd District from three-term Rep. John Kline. ... [The DCCC] lists the 2nd District race as one of its 20 "Emerging Races," which means the party is keeping an eye on the race and will get involved if Sarvi meets certain criteria to prove the strength of his campaign. However, weak fundraising for Sarvi and overall demographics give Kline the advantage in holding the district.

See the full CQ Politics item