Quinn: State will 'prevail' in Shakman lawsuit

Gov. Pat Quinn says attorneys representing the state will be ready to defend their position in a lawsuit scrutinizing hiring in his Department of Transportation.

The next court hearing falls weeks before the November contest where Quinn is seeking re-election. The Chicago Democrat told reporters Wednesday he's confident attorneys representing his administration will "prevail."

In a federal lawsuit, anti-patronage attorney Michael Shakman has requested an investigation of department hiring and is calling for a monitor to ensure compliance with political hiring bans. Quinn's attorneys argue the judge should reject the request because it'd be detrimental to state officials' duties of hiring workers. This week, a judge gave attorneys time to file motions and told them to return Oct. 22.

Quinn faces a Nov. 4 challenge from Republican Bruce Rauner.