Rauner to release tax info 3 weeks before election

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner will release his income taxes from last year three weeks before Election Day. Democrats have been calling on Rauner to release the information immediately.

Rauner confirmed his release date as incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn released a new campaign commercial.

Businessman Rauner who estimates his net worth in the "hundreds of millions of dollars" called his annual return "complicated" and usually filed by October of the following year.

"I believe that they're going to be done and submitted to the IRS October 15th and that's when we'll make them public," Rauner said Tuesday.

Rauner's 2012 tax information, without the detailed schedules, was released during the Republican primary campaign and reported $53 million of income that year.

Democratic Quinn has demanded the venture capitalist release the 2013 numbers sooner than later. Quinn's running mate Paul Vallas wants the details, or so-called schedules, to find out how Rauner made his money.

"If he's not hiding anything then he'll release his tax returns with the schedules," Vallas said.

If Rauner's tax release happens on the 15th, that will be a week after the Legislative Audit Commission is supposed to hear witness testimony on the governor's controversial Neighborhood Recovery Initiative. That sets the stage for critical developments during the last few weeks of this campaign.

Meanwhile, Rauner made another foray into Quinn's political base by campaigning at the National Black Wall Street Business Association.

A poll conducted Monday by the online publication Reboot Illinois showed the challenger with a 14 point lead over the incumbent.

"We're just working hard, bringing our message to the voters and I think the voters appreciate our message," Rauner said.

After releasing a new television ad listing the governor's accomplishments, Quinn's campaign cited other recent polls showing the race a dead heat. The governor smiled when asked about the latest poll and said Reboot Illinois is owned by billionaire Ann Dias Griffin.

"A lot of these polls are supported by my opponent's supporters. So you've gotta be careful, there," Quinn said.