Today is the first day candidates for elected office in Illinois can start gathering signatures to get on next year’s primary ballot. IPR'S Alex Keefe reports how some Republican candidates spent their holiday.
NAT: (Marching band scales...)
As the Schaumburg High School marching band warmed up for the town’s Labor Day parade, some Republican gubernatorial candidates were warming up for the March primary.
"It’s just a good opportunity to visit and mingle with the voters, people who care about Illinois."
State Senator Bill Brady’s tune? Attack the Democratic incumbent.
"This election’s gonna be about who can best lead our state. Clearly Pat Quinn’s failing."
Another GOP candidate, venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, is hoping to strike a chord by playing the outsider.
"Taking the government in Springfield back from the corrupt, career politicians who are controlling it for their own benefit, and get it so it’s responsive to the voters again."
State Senator Kirk Dillard and Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford are also seeking the Republican nomination.
Governor Quinn and former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley face off on the Democrat side.