By Dave Dahl

QUINCY– The two main candidates for governor found their way out of the Chicago area for a joint appearance, this one a statewide broadcast debate in Quincy. And, given the venue, it’s not surprising the investigation into whether the Rauner administration did enough, soon enough, on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the state veterans’ home there was an early topic.

“Much of this so-called criminal investigation is a political ploy to divert attention from the tax fraud that Mr. Pritzker has engaged in,” said Rauner, calling the investigation “shameful” and an “abuse of power” by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

“It took the governor three years to finally do something to keep those vets safe,” said Pritzker. “Everybody knew for a long time that something needed to be done, and he did virtually nothing.”

While Republican incumbent Rauner and Democratic challenger Pritzker were on the air on radio and television stations around the state for an hour, the other two candidates, Libertarian Kash Jackson and Conservative State Sen. Sam McCann (Conserv.-Plainview) were deemed not to have sufficient support to share the stage.