Quinn, Rauner focus on jobs, minimum wage a week before election

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Just over a week away from Election Day, the race for Illinois governor heats up with Governor Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bruce Rauner talking about two key issues: job creation and minimum wage.

Monday night Governor Quinn is also getting more help from the White House, this time from Vice President Joe Biden.

The governor began the final eight days of the campaign at Coyote Logistics, a North Side tech firm to announce the creation of 500 new jobs.

The governor used his taxpayer-supported "official" visit to repeat one of his campaign themes: That Illinois, second only to Texas in September job creation, was coming back on the employment front.

"In the last two months, we're created 40 thousand jobs in Illinois," Quinn said.

Coyote in Logan Square, already the workplace for 1,000 people, received a $2.5 million state grant to help expand its headquarters.

ABC7 Eyewitness News asked the firm's CEO if he thought the governor used the jobs announcement to promote quinn's political agenda.

"I really had nothing to do with the timing of this, but we're happy to have him and we're happy to have the support," said Jeff Silver.

Meanwhile, Rauner toured the non-union, Lapham-Hickey Steel Plant in Bedford Park.

"Manufacturing jobs are some of the best jobs available in the American economy," he said.

But some Lapham-Hickey workers say they are paid at or just over the $8.25 an hour minimum wage.

"It depends on the job function, the skill level. Like everything else, it's the skill level," said CEO Bill Hickey.

Despite low-paid workers a few feet away, Rauner held firm his position to raise the wage only under certain conditions.

"The most important thing is we grow and we need a comprehensive reform package as part of raising the minimum wage," he said.

Later, Governor Quinn campaigned in Rockford alongside Biden. Biden follows campaign visits by President Barack Obama, the first lady, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.

"The folks standing behind me and the reason I'd go anywhere to be with them, to campaign with them, to work with them, is that they get it," Biden said.

A Monday New York Times poll showed Quinn leading Rauner by four percentage points with 13 percent undecided.

Other polls have shown Rauner in the lead. Both sides agree the race is still a dead heat.