Candidates Brady and Giannoulias Visit Champaign on Day Before Illinois Primary

A Republican running for governor and a Democratic Senate hopeful both stopped in Champaign Monday, during the last day of campaigning before the Illinois Primary.

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady flew into Willard Airport, where he told reporters that his ten-percent across-the-board budget-cutting plans would not result in voter backlash.

Brady's proposals would mean about 75-million dollars less coming to the University of Illinois. But the state senator from Bloomington says the university will have an easier time solving its problems, if state leader live up to their commitments.

"Governor Quinn just recently admitted he spent money that he promised to the U of I", said Brady. "As governor I won't do that. I'll give the U of I a balanced budget that they can count on. Then, we begin building state revenues by partnerships between the University of Illinois and businesses to bring jobs back. It's the job growth and the natural revenue growth associated with the job growth in this state that will give us the resources we need to fund out universities and our schools."

Brady says all state agencies, including the U of I, have to share in getting Illinois' finances back in order.

Brady also cited new poll data, suggesting that he and State Senator Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale are now in a virtual dead heat for the GOP nomination for governor. Brady says his campaign has benefited from negative campaign ads by Dillard and former state GOP Chairman Andy McKenna attacking each other.

The crowded GOP gubernatorial primary also includes businessman Adam Andrzejewski, political commentator Dan Proft and former state Attorney General Jim Ryan. Bob Schillerstrom's name is on the ballot, but the DuPage County Board chairman has dropped out of the race, and is endorsing Ryan.

Later in the day, Democratic Senate Alexi Giannoulias called on his supporters in Champaign last to keep up their efforts through primary election day and beyond.

Giannoulias told about 30 campaign volunteers at the Clybourne tavern in Campustown that these are challenging times, but Americans always stand up to challenges, "and not only have we gotten by, but we've actually thrived." Giannoulias exhorted his supporters to "get to work", promising them that "we're going to kick some butt tomorrow, we're going to kick some butt in November, we're going to make history, and we're going to move this country forward."

Giannoulias declined a meeting with reporters, and spent much of his time at the Clybourne meeting one-on-one with supporters.

Giannoulias is one of four remaining candidates for the Democratic Senate nomination, along with former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, Chicago Urbana League President and former NPR executive Cheryle Jackson and radiologist Robert Marshall. A fifth candidate, attorney Jacob Meister, has dropped out of the race, but is endorsing Giannoulias.