CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Three candidates running for Illinois governor traded jabs over a union deal.
During a Thursday night debate at Southern Illinois University, Republican Bill Brady blasted Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn for cutting a deal he says would make former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich proud.
Brady linked the deal not to lay off state workers or close facilities until 2012 with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union endorsement of Quinn.
The Green Party's Rich Whitney said Quinn's deal managed to "sell out" the public interest and union members.
Quinn largely dodged the question about the deal. He says he has gotten concessions from unions members.
Under the deal, the union agreed to come up with at least $50 million in spending cuts.
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