Rauner holds roundtable with Latino voters | Quinn meets with gun control advocates

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In the race for Illinois governor on Wednesday, Republican Bruce Rauner's campaign was questioned about their support on key issues for Latino voters and Gov. Pat Quinn focused on another big election issue- assault weapons.

The day after the Latino Policy Forum publicly criticized the Rauner campaign for not providing written answers to its questions, the Republican candidate held a roundtable for Hispanic supporters.

"It's exciting to be here in Little Village for me," said Rauner.

With his Latina running mate, Evelyn Sanguinetti, at his side, Rauner held his first event of the day in Little Village. He promised help for Hispanic-owned businesses and support for immigration reform.

"We want to be good partners and good allies with you. We want to understand the issues occurring in your neighborhoods, in your communities," said Rauner.

But Chicago's influential Latino Policy Forum is concerned about Rauner's sincerity because - unlike Gov. Quinn - the Republican did not respond to the group's candidate questionnaire that eventually will be used to inform Hispanic voters.

"That is an issue because then their voting patterns will be only for one candidate," said Maricela Garcia, Latino Policy Forum.

Sanguinetti said she was interviewed last spring by the forum board and answered all their questions in person.

"We'll continually meet with Latino organizations and I look forward to that," said Sanguinetti.

"We're coming together, every day between now and election day to win this election," said Gov. Quinn.

The governor was joined by gun control advocates and the families of gun violence victims concerned that during last night's debate, Rauner would not support a ban on military style assault weapons.

"The real answer to deal with our crime problem is to create opportunity," said Rauner.

"My opponent doesn't have the strength to stand up to the special interests that are protecting military style assault weapons. He won't do that, he's afraid of them. I'm not," said Gov. Quinn.

The governor's campaign is scheduled for a boost Sunday night when President Barack Obama will lead a rally for Quinn and other democratic candidates at Chicago State University.

On late Wednesday afternoon, Rauner's campaign reported having raised $20.5 million since July.