Republican Rauner Makes His Case Before Black Forum; Quinn A No-Show
(CBS) -- An expected showdown between candidates for Illinois governor ended up a one-sided affair Monday.
Republican Bruce Rauner attended the Black Economic Forum at Chicago State University. Incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, the Democrat in the contest, did not.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine was there as GOP candidate ventured alone into what might be described politically as enemy territory.
Picture a Bears fan visiting Green Bay's Lambeau field, though the reception Rauner got was at least courteous, with many in the crowd listening carefully to what he had to say.
"Thank you very much. Good afternoon everybody, good afternoon. It's an honor to be here with you," Rauner told the audience before launching into a speech about opportunity.
Rauner got a polite welcome, and -- for this group, anyway -- said all the right things.
"Right now, we're not getting results, we're getting a lot of talk. Talk's cheap," he said.
The group had been expecting to hear from Quinn as well. His spokesman said he never confirmed he'd be there and couldn't make it.
"There's a level of discontent with the present governor," said Country Club Hills pastor Keith Williams. "People are hurting in so many different ways, that we have to listen to everybody."
Still, some were still skeptical of Rauner. And at a separate event, Quinn running mate Paul Vallas claimed Rauner's company hired few, if any, minorities.