SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The two top contenders for Illinois governor got an early jump today on the traditional Labor Day start of the political season. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bill Brady both were traversing the state talking jobs, with stops for both in Springfield.
It provided what's probably a good setup for the coming campaign, which is likely to focus heavily on the state's $11 billlion deficit and stagnant economy. Brady was on a factory floor, in a suit, showing off his support from the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, a core chunk of the state's business lobby. Quinn stood in a parking lot near a soon-to-be-renovated intersection, in shirt sleeves, surrounded by union laborers. You get the idea.
Brady outlined an economic plan that would to give tax credits to businesses for job creation, and eliminate the state's estate and gasoline sales taxes. Since he's opposed to any tax increase, he acknowledged his plan will add to the state's already-unprecedented deficit, but he says the turnaround in the economy that his programs will foster will be the ultimate deficit cure. In the meantime, he would cut even more deeply from the budget, including from schools. He admits (when pressed) that he might have to borrow to make up the remaining gaps.
Brady's strategy vis a vis Quinn is already clear: Tie Quinn at every turn to the man for whom he was lieutenant governor. Brady made repeated references to the ``Blagojevich-Quinn Administration,'' which is an iffy allegation (the governor and lieutenant governor don't get to pick their runningmates).
Quinn, with the benefit of the office, is touting building projects under the state's new capital improvement plan, including an $11 million Springfield road-construction project he was highlighting today. While it took legislative approval to pass the capital plan, Quinn takes credit for bringing it together, noting that it failed to pass for years before he got into office.
Brady ``hasn't created one job,'' said Quinn -- maybe a risky statement for a career politician to make about a guy who runs business (he was talking about Brady's opposition to the funding sources used for the new building program).
Quinn favors a hike in the state's current 3 percent income tax, to 4 percent, saying it's the only way out of the budget mess. He's staking his election on hopes that voters will reward him for political courage, and he slams Brady for his failure so far to specify exactly how he will pay the bills without raising taxes. (It is, in fact, an issue about which Brady remains vague, saying he needs a detailed audit of the state's finances before he'll know.)
Lots more to come . . .
