.a. A county court in Illinois is deciding a case involving an issue that has never beenaddressed before in that state's courts. The Iowa Supreme Court, however, recently decided a case involving a very similar fact pattern. Is the Illinois court obligated to follow the Iowa Supreme Court's decision on the issue? Explain your answer fully and completely.

b. If the United States Supreme Court had decided a similar case, would that decision be

binding on the Illinois court? Why or why not? Explain your answer fully and completely.