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Candidates Take Part in Final GOP Primary Forum

WTTW

The four Republican candidates for governor met for their final debate of the primary race.

Unions were the subject of several questions in Thursday’s debate on Chicago Public Television stationWTTW. Bruce Rauner implied that the government unions endorsing State Senator Kirk Dillard  now have Dillard in their back pocket: "When government union power can influence politicians in the contract negotiations for pensions, for pay scales, for health care, it’s a direct financial incentive—in effect, it’s a bribe.”

Dillard says his record as a legislator proves Rauner wrong: “I’m somebody that will negotiate only with the kinds of moneys that the state has, and I can certainly tell unions know.” Dillard says it’s Rauner, not him, that has been involved in so-called pay-to-play activities. Dillard has consistently placed second in recent polls since gaining endorsements from groups like the Illinois Education Association, but still trails Rauner by double digits heading into Tuesday’s primary.

All four candidates discussed their opposition to a graduated income tax, how they would govern with a Democrat-controlled Legislature, the role of unions and their feelings about assault weapons.  There were light-hearted, more personal moments as well. Brady said his biggest splurge was buying his wife a 10-year-old red Porsche, while Rutherford's was his home in Chenoa.      Asked about hobbies, Dillard and Rauner admitted they have tickets to both Chicago Cubs and White Sox.
 

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