Gov. Quinn, Bruce Rauner debate in Peoria

PEORIA, Ill. (WLS) -- Illinois governor Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bruce Rauner faced off in their first formal debate, Thursday night in Peoria. Polls say it is a very close race.

Compare to the campagins' television ads, tonight's debate was relatively civil.

The opponents had an all-too-familiar word fight over the minimum wage. Quinn would unconditionally raise it. Rauner would only raise it under the right circumstances.

Rauner said that a former CEO like himself would make a good governor, but Quinn listed problems at businesses Rauner formerly owned or controlled.

Quinn wants to continue the 5 percent income tax rate, and says Rauner wanted to lower it to benefit himself.

On education, Rauner accused Quinn of cutting funding while Quinn says he has increased school spending. Rauner continued to link Quinn to former Illinois governor Rob Blagojevich, while Quinn talked about the his work to fix damage done by his predecessor.

When it was over, both candidates thought they had exposed their opponent.

At the end of the debate, the two men shared a quick, wordless handshake.