4 state superdelegates yet to take sides

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has sealed the deal with most of Illinois' 29 Democratic superdelegates. But not all.

Just four of them haven't declared their support for the state's favorite-son Democratic presidential hopeful -- U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Will County Board member Margie Woods and Downstate labor leader Edward M. Smith.

If Obama and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton end up having the same number of delegates pledged to support them, the tie-breaking votes at the Democratic National Convention could be in the hands of the roughly 800 superdelegates from across the nation.

A year ago, Emanuel comically confessed to hiding in a fetal position under his desk as he weighed whether to support his old friend Clinton or his new friend and fellow Illinois congressional delegation member Obama. Emanuel still hasn't decided, according to a spokeswoman.

Lipinski and Woods are still waiting to be contacted by either side. Smith could not be reached for comment.

Woods said she'd hoped that last Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate would help make up her mind, but she said she still hasn't decided. "No, I haven't," Woods said. "I guess I'm going to wait to see what Hillary does. If she concedes, then it wouldn't make any difference."