The 2014 Illinois campaign season includes a U.S. Senate seat and the governor's mansion in Springfield. Many candidates marched in parades across the state, seeking votes.
Most folks who line the parade routes probably aren't thinking politics. But those running for election certainly are.
"I get things done. I deliver results. I know how to unify the Republican Party and I know how to reach across the aisle," Bruce Rauner said.
On Monday, businessman Bruce Rauner was reaching as many hands as possible.
"We need a governor to bring permanent jobs back to Illinois - not minimum wage jobs but jobs that will raise a family," Senator Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said.
Bill Brady thinks that hiking the minimum wage - as Governor Pat Quinn proposes - is a bad idea. And what of that pension gorilla?
"Governor Quinn's party controls the legislature and if you can't get your own party to take care of matters as large as pension reform than you're not a leader," Kirk Dillard said.
"Nobody likes what's going on now and unfortunately that weighs against Quinn in a lot of ways, but I think he's trying," Mark Stimec, parade watcher, said.
Incumbents typically take the hardest hits. Sometimes they land. Sometimes they don't.
"We should not let taxpayers have to pay for the failure of pension reform. It's important for the legislature to understand this is our time," Gov. Pat Quinn said.
There is no immediate timetable for a vote, or even a pension proposal to vote on. Monday's handshaking is all well and good, but parade goers are more focused on candy, and bubbles, and cart dancing librarians. The pols can wait.
"I start thinking when it gets down to the wire. Before that, I just don't," said Amy Higgs, parade goer.
