Joe Walsh, the freshman Republican Congressman from Illinois who has been a lightning rod for controversy since taking office, is in serious trouble:

Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth has opened a double-digit lead over freshman Republican Rep. Joe Walsh, an edge fueled by a huge advantage among female voters as women’s issues have taken center stage, a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows.

With less than two weeks until the election, Duckworth had the backing of 50 percent to 40 percent for Walsh, the controversial tea party-backed incumbent. An additional 9 percent were undecided, which is significant this close to the Nov. 6 balloting, particularly for a highly visible contest that has been combative for months.

The poll results, however, indicate difficulties for Walsh in trying to rally and earn a second term in Washington. Walsh is not viewed favorably. The 8th Congressional District takes a dim view of Republicans in Congress. And independent voters are breaking for Duckworth.