Illinois governor candidates tour statewide

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The candidates for Illinois governor are making the last push for votes ahead of Election Day with Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Bruce Rauner traveling the state.

Quinn and Rauner are kicking off Monday morning in Chicago.

Rauner is scheduled to stop at the historic diner, Lou Mitchell's Restaurant. He is slated to appear at several stops the rest of the day with former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican. The two are expected in Bloomington, Springfield, Moline, Rockford and Lincolnshire.

Quinn is starting Monday morning with breakfast at a Mexican restaurant and a stop at a campaign office before visits to Rockford, Marion, Peoria and Springfield. Quinn is returning to Chicago for an evening rally.

The contest is one of the closest gubernatorial races nationwide.

Also facing re-election is Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield with a challenge from Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove.

A number of congressional matchups, including in Chicago's suburbs, are also contested.

The campaigning is nearly over, and soon voters will cast their ballots, but Quinn and Rauner still have some time to try and convince voters that they are the right person to lead the state for the next four years. Both have waged two of the most negative campaigns in state history. So perhaps they needed the time in church Sunday.

By mid-afternoon Sunday in the seventh of eight church services on his schedule, Governor Quinn was still in praise mode.

"This faith we hold dear is our rock," he said. "This pastor is our rock."

Most of the churches had predominantly African-American congregations. The Democratic governor, who dominated the black vote in 2010, promoted his support this year for an increase in the minimum wage.

"It's important that we pay people who work hard a decent wage," Quinn said.

Earlier, it was a subdued reception for Rauner and wife Diana when they were greeted at the church of prominent African American Rauner supporter, the Reverend Stephen Thurston.

"Thank God's grace for sustaining us and bringing us to this day," Diana Rauner said.

To polite applause, the Winnetka couple stressed their commitment to improving education.

"I'm running to accomplish many goals, but one of them is to have the best public schools in America for every family in every neighborhood," said Bruce Rauner.

Meanwhile, the last day of early voting continued, headed for off-year records in both the city and suburbs.

"Turnout is good," said Quinn. "I think the more people who vote, the better. That's what our country is all about."

"We need change, we need to go in another direction in the state of Illinois," Rauner said.

The wealthy businessman Rauner, who also brought his adult son and three daughters to a get-out-the-vote rally in Hickory Hills Sunday night, was relentless as he took shots at Quinn and other Democrats Mike Madigan, John Cullerton and Rod Blagojevich.

"One hundred years of failure is enough," said Rauner. "No more. You're out of office on Tuesday."

"Obviously I don't have as much money as my opponent, but we have people," Quinn said. "We're the government of the many, and we're taking on the government of the money."

Rauner also campaigned downstate Sunday with Republican Governor's Association Chairman Chris Christie.

On Monday, the Republican will be joined by Edgar and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk at six stops around the state.

The governor has ten stops planned before he ends his campaign in Chicago Monday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.