Quinn, Rauner address Illinois millennials

CHICAGO - Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Bruce Rauner each appealed to younger voters Saturday for help in winning the Illinois governor's office, telling a crowd of about 1,500 that much is at stake for their generation.

The candidates separately addressed what was billed as the first statewide convention for millennials, or Illinois residents ranging from the late teens to about 34. The gathering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and several smaller events like it held throughout Illinois over the summer, were intended to increase political participation among the age group, which typically turns out to vote in midterm elections at lower rates.

Rauner, a businessman and first-time candidate, told the crowd they are "the key" to Illinois' future, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. He referenced his six kids, ages 16 to 30, and said he wants to get Illinois' economy going again by cutting income tax rates.

"Your generation, young voters are going to suffer the most from the failures in Springfield," Rauner said. "You're going to get stuck with high taxes. You're going to get massive deficits. You're going to get stuck with the deep funding of deteriorated schools."

His speech was briefly interrupted when six attendees held up signs that read "Rauner's policies are bad for IL" and some in the crowd cheered.

Quinn, who said he'll be campaigning on a lot of college campuses as he seeks his second full term, reminded the audience he wants to raise Illinois' minimum wage, from $8.25 to $10 per hour. He urged them to go to the polls in November to vote yes on a non-binding question asking if the rate should be increased.

Quinn also noted he signed a law legalizing same-sex marriage and has proposed doubling funding for the state's monetary award program, which provides grants to college students based on financial need. The state gave out about 140,000 of the grants last year, but about 150,000 students were denied the awards because of a lack of state funds.

"I have to live to be 102 to pay off my kids' student loans," Quinn joked.

Quinn has cited the program as one reason he wants Illinois lawmakers to make the state's 2011 income tax increase permanent. Rauner supports reducing the rate, which is scheduled to drop from 5 percent to 3.75 percent for individuals on Jan. 1.

Quinn has said that would leave a huge hole in the state budget.