Quinn, Rauner Head Into Home Stretch On Eve Of Election Day
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With polls showing a tight race, the two major candidates for governor of Illinois launched a whirlwind day of campaigning on Monday to fire up their voters on the eve of Election Day.
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports both Republican challenger Bruce Rauner and Gov. Pat Quinn were going virtually non-stop through the end of the day.
At campaign stops Sunday, Quinn reaffirmed his commitment to raising the state's minimum wage.
"If you're working hard … and raising your family, you shouldn't have to live in poverty," he said.
The governor began his day Monday in Chicago, before heading downstate, and then wrapping up the day with a rally back in Chicago.
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At a field office in Bronzeville, the governor thanked campaign volunteers for their help. Several key Democratic leaders came out to help Quinn, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.
The governor started his day in Pilsen, having breakfast at Nuevo Leon with members of the group Latinos United. The governor ate a couple tacos, drank tea, and chatted with supporters. He said it was just what he needed to fuel him for one final campaign push.
"We have government of the many, we're going against government of the money, and I think the many are going to beat the money," Quinn said. "We've got to get everybody who believes in our cause, believes in raising the minimum wage, to come to vote tomorrow, please. It's all about helping everyday people."
Rauner also was criss-crossing the state, campaigning with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and former Gov. Jim Edgar.
He started the day Monday by meeting a crowd of supporters at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant in the West Loop, where he said Illinois voters are ready for a change.
"We'll get a booming economy with more jobs. We'll get the best schools in America. We'll bring down the tax burden. And we're going to rip this patronage system, and this cronyism system out of Springfield," he said.
After starting the day in Chicago, Rauner was scheduled for campaign stops in Bloomington, Springfield, Moline, and Rockford, before ending his day at a rally in Lincolnshire.
Quinn was scheduled to visit Rockford, Moline, Peoria, Savoy, Marion, East St. Louis, and Springfield before returning to Chicago.
Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday across Illinois.
