Madigan, Cullerton absent from State Fair event as Quinn trails in polls
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn led the cheers for Democrats during Governor's Day at the State Fair in Springfield Wednesday, but many party members were buzzing about who did not attend the event.
"I'm running against somebody that's got more money than King Midas and likes to stash some of it in a place called the Cayman Islands," Quinn said.
At breakfast, they applauded the governor's repeated jabs at wealthy opponent Bruce Rauner and later a clown symbolizing greedy billionaires the democrats say are trying to destroy the middle class.
Just outside the picnic grounds, republicans defended their candidate.
"People are more interested in their pocketbook than Bruce Rauner's pocketbook," said State Sen. Matt Murphy.
For democrats, the music and political fun had a nervous undercurrent - party leaders are aware that Quinn is trailing Rauner in virtually every recent poll.
"He's behind," said Sen. Dick Durbin. "I think he knows it; a point, two points, four points, depends on the poll."
"I'm concerned about it," said Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State. "This is one of the most hotly-contested races I've ever experienced."
And other democrats who made the trip to Springfield wondered why their state party chairman, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, did not attend the events during a year with six statewide offices on the ballot.
ABC7's Charles Thomas: "He's the party chairman and he's not here?"
Quinn: "Well, everybody in, nobody left out in my book, yeah."
"He's the hardest-working party chair the state has," said Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
ABC7's Charles Thomas: "So he's not here, does that mean anything?
Lisa Madigan: "Apparently, it does to you. So you can comment on it."
A spokesperson for Michael Madigan said he is out of state on a fundraising mission. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton was also absent. Both Madigan and Cullerton sued Quinn during a 2013 dispute over lawmaker pay.
