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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Tensions Rise Between Illinois GOP And Democrats Over Fall Election

Flickr user / kristin_a (Meringue Bake Shop) "Vote!" (CC BY 2.0)

Illinois Democrats are working hard to promote awareness of the Republican presidential nominee.

    

Donald Trump polls far behind Hillary Clinton in Illinois.

Many local Republicans are keeping their distance, but Democrats want to push them back together.

At a Democratic meeting today in Springfield, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos linked Trump’s rhetoric with that of Governor Bruce Rauner.

“Rauner’s trying to drive that wedge between Chicago and downstate Illinois ... at the same time that Trump is trying to drive that wedge by talking about racism, about hatred, and about religious bigotry," Bustos said.

Governor Bruce Rauner has been repeatedly asked to weigh in on Donald Trump - but he refuses to talk about the race.

Meanwhile, Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin today latched onto that while speaking before a crowd of Democrats in Springfield.

DURBIN: Why would they not support him [Donald Trump] proudly and openly? Because they refuse to admit he is unfit to be president of the United States of America.

Durbin is considering a run for Illinois governor in 2018.

Republicans have been campaigning this week against Durbin -- saying he’s a career politician since he was elected to Congress in 1983.

Republicans are also spending millions of dollars in an attempt to flip seats in the Illinois House and Senate.

Democrats are counting on Trump’s unpopularity to help them hold off that effort.

  • Tony Arnold and Brian Mackey contributed to this report.