Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner butted heads Tuesday while discussing hot-button issues, including education, ethics, and the state budget, during a joint appearance in front of the Chicago Tribune editorial board. 

Quinn went after Rauner for his questionable business practices as a venture capitalist, accusing the Republican of having “made a fortune out of the misfortune” of everyday people. 

Meanwhile, Rauner made attempts to put Quinn in the same league as imprisoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, accusing Quinn of being under investiigation for corruption, which public record does not show to be true, according to a Tribune article published following today’s joint appearance.

“The only difference between Pat and Rod is the hair,” Rauner said.

“Pat Quinn’s in trouble because he’s engaged in cronyism and corruption and he’s a failed governor,” Rauner added.

Quinn batted away Rauner’s accusations, saying that the Republican has been spreading “one falsehood after another” during his campaign. The sitting governor also called Rauner out for his desire to reduce the state’s minimum wage to the federal level and his budget blueprints.

“Every one of your budget presentations has no specifics. You wouldn’t pass muster with any credit rating agency because it is totally lacking,” Quinn said.

Quinn specifically went after Rauner on his plans on education funding, as we reported earlier today. 

“It’s all about arithmetic, Mr. Rauner, and you don’t know arithmetic,” Quinn said. “You don’t want kids to learn arithmetic because you want to slash their budget in their schools.”

After the event, the campaigns of both candidates sent out emails to supporters seeking donations and touting how the appearance illustrated why they are the better candidate for governor. 

“Wow! The contrast was on full display today. On one side, a corrupt failed governor who’s broken every promise he made. On the other, Bruce and Evelyn with their vision to shake up Springfield and bring back Illinois,” reads the email from Rauner’s camp.

“Voters were reminded what Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn have done to our great state. And they were presented with a clear alternative in Bruce Rauner: lower taxes, more jobs, world-class schools and term limits,” the Rauner note added.

And from Quinn’s camp: “The Chicago Tribune joint interview between Bruce Rauner and Governor Quinn just wrapped, and one thing was clear: Bruce Rauner as governor would be disastrous for Illinois.” 

“Watching Governor Quinn and Bruce Rauner on the same stage was the perfect reminder of what’s at stake in this election — but it was also a reminder of why we have to win,” the note continued.

Read more about the gubernatorial candidates’ appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board here and here.