Quinn for Illinois

CHICAGO (September 29, 2010) – Governor Pat Quinn and State Senator Bill Brady met in their first public debate at the Union League Club in Chicago today. The debate demonstrated the clear distinctions between the candidates on job creation and ethics.

Governor Quinn highlighted his record of job creation, including: passing Illinois’ first jobs bill in 10 years; a job creation tax credit for small businesses that hire new workers; incentives for business, which have encouraged companies like Ford and Navistar to grow in Illinois; and continuing funding for Put Illinois to Work, which has employed and trained over 26,000 this summer. The Governor pointed to Brady’s aversion to job creation measures, such as voting against the Illinois Jobs Now! capital bill and criticizing the continuation of Put Illinois to Work.

“Governor Quinn came strong out the gate,” said Campaign Manager Ben Nuckels. “The record is clear: Governor Quinn works every day to put people back to work, while Bill Brady actually argued against keeping over 26,000 people employed.”

The two candidates also sparred over ethics in Illinois government. Governor Quinn is Illinois first honest Governor in 10 years, and has worked to restore voters’ faith in Illinois’ political system by passing the state’s first campaign ethics and finance reform laws. In contrast, Brady’s 17 years in the legislature have been marked by conflict of interest voting, including multiple votes on bills that directly benefitted his own businesses.

Nineteen months ago, Governor Pat Quinn rolled up his sleeves and got to work, facing a national recession, a state ethics scandal, and a state economy suffering under two decades of mismanagement. Governor Quinn’s economic plan of strategic investment in public infrastructure and private business has Illinois’ economy in recovery; the state is outpacing the nation in economic growth.

Meanwhile, Senator Brady has refused to outline a budget plan. His own proposals to date include tax cuts for the rich, which Brady admits would add $1 billion to Illinois’ deficit, while analysts predict the state would lose 128,000 private-sector jobs with his reckless cuts to state government.

“I got [the capital bill] passed in 10 weeks as Governor. That’s a record of accomplishment. Again, my opponent’s been in Springfield 17 years. He’s a career politician. He hasn’t one single accomplishment as a legislator,” said Governor Quinn during the debate. “[Senator Brady’s] very good at giving pie in the sky promises. I’ve got a record of getting the job done for the people of Illinois.”

The Quinn/Simon campaign has challenged Brady to a series of public debates, to allow the voters of Illinois to properly vet the two candidates.