Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

Candidates Announce Debate Schedules


Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner agrees to a series of debates with Gov. Pat Quinn. But why is the Quinn camp calling Rauner’s debate schedule "phony" and "concocted?" Paris Schutz has the latest.


Today, Republican candidate Bruce Rauner confirmed he would participate in eight gubernatorial debates and candidate forums ahead of the November election.

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“I look forward to comparing my vision of freezing property taxes, rolling back the Quinn-Madigan income tax hike and reversing the governor's education cuts to Pat Quinn's failed record of job losses, broken schools and Blagojevich-style corruption,” Rauner said in a statement. “I am running to be governor for all people in Illinois and our debate schedule should reflect the diversity of our state.”

Gov. Pat Quinn announced he would participate in 11 debates, and following Rauner’s announcement issued the following statement from Quinn for Illinois Communications Director Brooke Anderson:

"The public knows virtually nothing about Republican billionaire Bruce Rauner and he wants to keep it that way. In limiting the number of debates to a paltry three, he is hiding from a transparent airing of his views and plans for Illinois,” she said in a statement. "This is unworthy of a candidate for governor and a disservice to the people of Illinois. Mr. Rauner won't let us know about his finances. He won't let us know about the shady dealings of his business.

“He won't let us know about his foreign investments and partnerships. He won't let us know about the exotic vehicles he uses to dodge Illinois and U.S. taxes. In the 2010 election, Republican nominee for governor Bill Brady readily agreed to five debates without condition. By hiding from debates about the future of Illinois, Bruce Rauner is letting us know one thing: he wants to hide from the judgment of the people. By doing so, Mr. Rauner is disrespecting Illinois voters."

Quinn and Rauner will only face off in three debates, with first scheduled for Oct. 9 and hosted by the League of Women Voters/PBS Peoria. Both also agreed to appear at the Oct. 14 event hosted by the Urban League and Business Leadership DuSable Museum and the Oct. 16 League of Women Voters/ABC 7 Chicago debate.

Listed below are the 11 confirmed debates and forums Quinn has agreed to:

  1. Sept 17: Daily Herald
  2. Oct 1: Governor’s State University
  3. Oct. 7: University of Illinois in Champaign
  4. Oct. 9: League of Women Voters/ PBS Peoria
  5. Oct. 14: Urban League and Business Leadership DuSable Museum
  6. Oct 16: League of Women Voters / ABC7 Chicago
  7. Oct. 19: Elmhurst College 
  8. Oct. 23: NBC5/U of C Institute of Politics
  9. Oct. 28: CBS2/Daily Herald/WBBM Radio
  10. Oct. 30: WTTW/ Chicago Tonight
  11. Date TBD by debate host: WGN/Channel 9 (Oct. 22nd or Oct. 29th)

Listed below are the eight confirmed debates and forums Rauner committed to:

  1. Aug. 27: Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable Candidate Forum
  2. Aug. 28: Metropolitan Planning Council Candidate Forum
  3. Sept. 9: Chicago Tribune Joint Endorsement
  4. Sept. 10: Polish-American Leadership Political Action Committee Candidate
  5. Oct. 9: League of Women Voters/PBS Peoria Debate
  6. Oct. 14: Urban League/Business Leadership Council/DuSable Museum Debate
  7. Lake County Municipal League Candidate Forum*
  8. League of Women Voters /ABC7 Chicago Debate*

*Dates pending.

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