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GOP Candidates for Illinois Governor to Spar
Produced by Sam Hudzik on Thursday, November 05, 2009

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady (AP/File)

The first big debate among Republican candidates for governor takes place Thursday tonight in Chicago. A crowded field is vying for support ahead of the February primary.

There are seven candidates who filed petitions to run for governor as Republicans. And state GOP chair Pat Brady says they've all RSVPed yes to tonight's debate. Despite some campaigns already in attack mode, Brady says he expects a "good, through, substantive discussion of the issues."

BRADY: We're not allowing any bomb-throwing in the sense of negative attacks based on things that don't pertain to the issues that are of concern to the citizens of the state of Illinois.
HUDZIK: And there will be interruptions of candidates if it gets too heated?
BRADY: You betcha. We got a mic turn-off switch.

Brady says he doesn't think that'll be needed, though. The debate starts Thursday night at 6:30.

Rolf Goehler, Schaumburg Township // Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 6:53 AM

Will the candidate have the guts to attack the budget, debt and exorbitant pension funding problems. We need to reduce Illinois government and eliminate these bloated and inefficient operations that means RIFs of at least 20% across the board and pension reform. All tax increases, salary increases and pension operations need to be approved via a public referendum because the state government to date is not competent nor trustworthy.