Democratoc Governor's Association poll puts Quinn ahead of Rauner for first time since primaries

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It appears the race for Illinois governor is getting tighter as a new poll - albeit commissioned by Democrats - shows Gov. Pat Quinn gaining ground in his bid for re-election. The poll results were revealed on Thursday, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"I lost some close, personal friends in the towers. It is a very emotional day for me," said Rauner.

Republican Rauner paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 in Lockport. He appeared as part of the town's Patriot Day remembrance.

"Today is really not about politics. We're not campaigning today, we're honoring those who gave their lives and remembering those who lost their lives in this horrible tragedy," said Rauner.

"A day we will never forget 13 years ago," said Quinn on the UIC campus Thursday as he opened "Portrait of a Soldier," a display of hand-drawn images of Illinois service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

"It's our duty, the living, to remember and carry on the wonderful life of service of these men and women," said Quinn.

The governor's campaign is encouraged by a Democratic Governor's Association poll showing Quinn-- for the first time since the primaries-- leading Rauner by three points. The survey is one of the first to include Libertarian Party candidate Chad Grimm.

The September 8 survey is one of the first taken after pro-Quinn political ads began airing blasting Rauner's position on the minimum wage and praising the governor's effort to cut state government.

Businessman Rauner was not impressed by the new poll, commissioned by Democrats. And despite earlier surveys showing him with a big lead, Rauner suggested he didn't believe those polls either.

"We have long expected and planned for a very close race," said Rauner. "In the end it's going to be a close race. It's all about getting our message out to the voters. We're highly confident we'll win," said Rauner.

Rauner said his campaign has expected a close race for a long time, suggesting he did not believe those polls a few weeks ago that had him leading Gov. Quinn by double digits.