News Local/State

Gubernatorial Candidates Make Final Campaign Stops Before Election Day

 

The major-party candidates for Illinois governor toured the state Monday in a final surge of campaigning before Election Day on Tuesday.  

Governor Pat Quinn started his tour in Chicago, appearing with Democratic party leaders at a South Side campaign office on Monday morning.

"I love Illinois; this is home. Home is worth fighting for, home is worth sacrificing for”, said Quinn.

Those in attendance at the rally included Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan who's seeking re-election against Republican Paul Schimpf and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin who is being challenged by GOP state Sen. Jim Oberweis. 

The Democrats continued their plug for raising the minimum wage and stressed the state's union strength. 

Quinn was set to appear in Illinois cities the rest of Monday including Rockford, Peoria and Marion. 

Meanwhile, some of Illinois' top Republicans joined GOP candidate Bruce Rauner as he urged supporters to go to the polls  --- and bring their friends. 

Rauner was joined Monday by former Gov. Jim Edgar, U.S. Congressmen Aaron Schock and Rodney Davis, and 2012 GOP gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Bill Brady. 

"I love Illinois, this is home”, said Rauner at a rally in Bloomington. “Home is worth fighting for, home is worth sacrificing for.”

During a stop at a Bloomington diner, Rauner told supporters to ``Get out there and vote.'' 

Edgar supported then-state Sen. Kirk Dillard during the Republican GOP primary. But he says ``Illinois is in trouble'' and the state needs a governor who can get the budget and the economy on track. 

Rauner started his day at a Chicago diner before planned stops in Springfield, Moline, Rockford and Lincolnshire. 

Election eve for both candidates ended with Get Out the Vote events in the Chicago area.

And both Quinn and Rauner "celebration parties" scheduled in the city, for once the polls close.

Libertarian Chad Grimm of Peoria is also on the gubernatorial ballot.