![]() The state's finances are a mess, even with a "temporary" hike in the personal income-tax rate to 5% in 2011 (which is likely to become permanent). The state has high unemployment, $5.4 billion in unpaid bills and a looming pension crisis in Chicago and other cities. Yet the govenor is vulnerable, despite his populist appeal. ![]() ![]() Mr Quinn has lambasted Mr Rauner as a "one percenter" with "nine mansions", while touting his own record of pension reform. He is a strong pro-business, anti-establishment, low-tax candidate, running against a governor who claims to be a "man of the people". Mr Rauner offers the GOP the best shot at winning an Illinois gubernatorial race in years. At least $400,000 was donated directly to his GOP opponents by unions. Three unions are so worried by him that they have already spent at least $800,000 apiece on attack ads via a political action committee. The Republican Governors Association-which smells blood in Illinois-has sent Mr Rauner $750,000. Mr Rauner spent more than $14m on the GOP primary, including $6m of his own money. Republicans are excited by Mr Rauner, who styles himself as Mr "Shake up Springfield" and who wields a sledgehammer in his television advertising. This sets the stage for a showdown in November between him and Pat Quinn, the incumbent governor, a Democrat. BRUCE RAUNER, a wealthy venture capitalist, won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Illinois last week. ![]()
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