Quinn says no Democrat rally, speeches at state fair

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn says Democrats will skip the traditional rally and speeches at this year’s Illinois State Fair.

The Chicago Democrat says Wednesday’s Governor’s Day will instead feature music and family activities.

Angry union members booed Quinn at last year’s event. He’s currently being sued by Democratic legislative leaders because he cut lawmakers’ pay. And he’s facing a 2014 primary challenge.

But Quinn told reporters in Springfield Friday that this year’s changes aren’t due to intraparty conflict or last year’s boos. He says he’s been in public life a long time and “I’m used to being received that way sometimes.”

Quinn says he and other Democrats will speak at a breakfast for the party’s county chairmen Wednesday morning.

Republicans have a full day of events planned for Thursday’s Republican Day.