First Lady Michelle Obama campaigns for Governor Pat Quinn at UIC Pavilion

CHICAGO (WLS) -- First Lady Michelle Obama was in Chicago Tuesday afternoon as part of a campaign swing through Wisconsin and Illinois.

The purpose of the rally was to fire up the Democratic Party base, especially in Chicago, where Democrats are notorious no-shows in off-year, or non-Presidential elections.

The First Lady focused her efforts on the re-election of Pat Quinn.

The Governor introduced the First Lady, a South Sider who said her and her husband's decision to support Pat Quinn's re-election was personal.

"Pat believes like we do, that when you get to the top you don't pull up the ladder after you. You reach back and you help other folks get the same opportunity you had to succeed," Obama said.

Mrs. Obama is already featured in a Quinn campaign television ad and the President came to Chicago last week to help raise over $1 million for the Governor.

Meanwhile, a new Bruce Rauner television ad blamed the Quinn administration for the deaths of children under DCFS care.

"Ninety-five deaths since 2011," Rauner said. "More deaths than were reported in the past."

In a statement, a Quinn spokeswoman called the DCFS charge "a false and malicious attempt to smear the Governor... despicable and a new low."

The rally at UIC attracted an estimated 5,500 people who were issues tickets by the Quinn campaign.

Other speakers included all the statewide Democratic candidates.

"I have seen people who spent a lot of money and make a lot of promises, but at the end of the day, we have got to ask ourselves what do these folks really stand for?" Obama said.

Democrats said that during non-Presidential elections, 1.5 million fewer Illinois voters go to the polls, and 1.2 million of those are Democrats, and they don't want that scenario to repeat itself in 2014.

Mrs. Obama recently appeared at events for gubernatorial candidates in Maine and Massachusetts. She is also expected in Michigan and Iowa this week.

Last week, President Barack Obama campaigned for Quinn and attended a fundraiser.

Tuesday is the last day for regular voter registration in Illinois. But other types of registration have been extended under a new state law the legislature passed last spring.

Starting Wednesday, voters have a chance to take part in "grace period" registration which runs through Election Day. People registering that way must vote early.

Check out ABC7 Eyewitness News' "Meet the Candidates" page for more information on voter registration and profiles of the candidates in the November election.