Six candidates from three parties fighting for two offices voters know little about — but probably should

Comptroller candidates (top row, left to right) Democratic incumbent Susana Mendoza, Republican Shannon Teresi, Libertarian Deirdre McCloskey; Treasurer candidates (bottom row, left to right) Republican Tom Demmer, Libertarian Preston Nelson; Democratic incumbent Michael Frerichs (Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times-file; Facebook; Facebook; Facebook; John Merkle-Provided; Rich Hein/Sun-Times-file)

Illinois is on a path of financial recovery. Or is it hurtling downward in a fiscal free fall?

Depends on whom you ask: the Democrats seeking to maintain their long hold on the state comptroller’s and treasurer’s offices — or the Republicans looking to replace them.