State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) is dubious of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's endorsement of Pat Quinn in the Illinois governor's race.

Dillard believes the endorsement is actually a back-handed approach to helping Republican venture capitalist Bruce Rauner's campaign.

“I suspect he’s really rooting for Bruce Rauner," Dillard told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Bruce Rauner is the man who made Rahm Emanuel rich right after he left the Clinton administration. Chicago Magazine just had a story with pictures of the two vacationing together. He’s a member of Rahm Emanuel’s inner circle. . . . That cozy relationship is problematic governmentally. It’s too close for comfort.”

“Rahm is very smart. He knows he helps Rauner in a Republican primary by strongly endorsing Quinn,” Dillard added.

Rauner's campaign rejected Dillard's theory, saying it is logical that Emanuel would back the Democrat in the race.

“Bruce is the most fiscally conservative Republican in the race. He’s a committed free-market Republican. It’s no surprise the Democratic mayor of Chicago, who is fiscally much more liberal would back the Democrat in the race,” Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf told the newspaper.

Emanuel admits that Rauner is "a friend," but says they "vigorously disagree on policy," according to a conversation the mayor had with the Crain's Chicago Business editorial board.