Quinn refused to officially declare victory and so far Republican Bill Brady is refusing to concede.
The AP declared Quinn the winner after its analysis of absentee ballots showed Brady won't be able to close the gap.
"We were confident that we ran a great campaign. We were confident that we earned the support of the voters," said Brady.
Sen. Brady tried to put the best spin he could on a worsening situation. ABC 7 asked the senator how he reacted when he saw the reports that Governor Quinn's lead had swelled to 19,000 votes with 100-percents of the state's precincts counted.
"We hoped that wouldn't have done that but this is an election. Votes need to be counted, they are good votes and we're going to deal with all the data that's there and then deal with the decision making process as we gather all the data," said Brady.
All that is left are the absentee, military and provisional ballots that the Associated Press estimated number around 50,000. If there are that many votes uncounted, Brady would have to win 70-percent to have a chance to win.
"The numbers are basically there. The basic laws of arithmetic are on our side. Those wondering about the results of the election, they just have to look at the count right now and that will tell them the results right there," said Quinn.
The governor made his first public appearance since election night Thursday afternoon confidently thanking voters at Manny's Deli on the city's near South Side and calling his lead insurmountable.
"I think the result is obvious," Quinn told reporters.
Meanwhile, at the capitol there is still no three-fifths senate majority to borrow nearly $4 billion to pay the state's pension obligation.
"We've been working on getting bi-partisan support but we're not there yet," said John Cullerton (D), senate president.
Republicans won't budge, especially after Tuesday's election.
"I don't think the people of Illinois at all sent any kind of message to borrow more money," said Sen. Kirk Dillard (R) of Hinsdale
But Democrats say Gov. Quinn's apparent victory is a signal that Illinois residents are prepared not only to borrow but also to pay more.
"The governor, as you are well aware, is the only governor that I know of campaigned on he's going to raise taxes and he's still here. The people of Illinois know that we have to do something," said Sen. Donne Trotter (D) of Chicago.
The Illinois Senate and the House will reconvene on November 16.
