Quinn Counting On Support of Illinois Veterans in Governor’s Race

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

Despite attacks by Bruce Rauner, Gov. Pat Quinn is sticking by his record on veterans’ issues.

Rauner has claimed Illinois veterans have been hurting under Quinn’s leadership of the state, but Quinn says his record says otherwise, pointing to programs designed to help veterans get jobs and buy homes.

“We do want to be the most veteran-friendly state in the union every day,” Quinn said.  “We owe that to our veterans, our service members, our Gold Star families, all those who serve.”

Rauner appealed to veterans by announcing a veterans’ coalition supporting his candidacy, and Quinn launched a similar group at an event at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

Several Democratic state lawmakers who once served in the military called Quinn “the veterans’ governor” and predicted Rauner’s budget proposals would result in cuts to programs for veterans.