CHICAGO -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is back at work after some time off due to the congressional recess, and it looks like he will soon have a major announcement.

Slideshow: Obama Tours Africa Slideshow: Obama's Travels Video: Announcement Expected Soon

NBC5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern reported on Wednesday that it appears that Obama will soon announce that he is running for president.

"You must have a fire in the belly," said Roosevelt University political science professor Paul Green. "You cannot be a reluctant candidate --you're either in it, or you're not in it. And, he's going to be facing at least one person who has a fire in the belly, and that is Mrs. Clinton."

A political insider, who has already committed to work for Obama, said people should look for the senator to make his intentions known very soon. The reason for that is Obama needs to get his infrastructure in place to satisfy federal election guidelines.

The New York Times reported that New York Sen. Hilary Clinton views Obama as her biggest obstacle in her quest for the presidency, but believes he is inexperienced in government and foreign affairs.

"If Obama enters the race, and Senator Clinton comes into the race which I expect, there is not going to be a lot of room for anybody else in the Democratic party," Green said.

Obama is also facing new scrutiny for words he wrote 11 years ago in his first book, "Dreams From My Father." In that book, he spoke of experimenting with drugs more than 20 years ago. The Washington Post wrote that "Obama has become the first potential presidential contender to admit trying cocaine. What remains to be seen is whether the candor he offered will be greeted with a new-style acceptance by voters."

"All the good stuff has been out there -- now, can he take a hit?" Green said. "He has had a couple of pinpricks -- a couple of jabs, shall we say. But, he hasn't been hit with a right cross. Now, it's a question of can he take it?"