Alexi Giannoulias unveiled a new TV spot today, highlighting his job creation platform -- with an assist from his mother.  Watch:

David Hoffman also released a new television ad.  It pulls glowing quotes from his string of recent newspaper endorsements. Watch:

Speaking of endorsements, Hoffman won the support today of the State Journal-Register this morning, which described him as "head and shoulders above the field in this race." More from the editorial:

Since officially announcing his candidacy in September, Hoffman has demonstrated a keen grasp of details on complex issues like health-care reform, government intervention in reviving the economy and our approach to Afghanistan. Philosophically, there is not a wide gulf separating him from State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who polls have indicated is the front-runner in this race, on many national issues.

Yet Hoffman’s vast experience — from U.S. Senate staffer to federal prosecutor to political reformer — place him head and shoulders above the field in this race. For Democrats voting in the Feb. 2 primary, we believe Hoffman represents the best chance to fend off what promises to be a strong GOP effort to retake this Senate seat in the fall.

The Journal-Register wasn't the only media outlet to endorse this week. Yesterday, Cheryle Jackson won the backing of several black-owned media companies, including the Chicago Defender, WVON radio and N'Digo Magazine.

Tonight, the candidates will spar in another debate, this one hosted by Southern Illinois University.  Tomorrow evening, they will also face-off on WTTW's Chicago Tonight at 7 p.m.

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this website, has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.