Illinois Primary 2014: Wasting No Time, Quinn To Air TV Political Ads On Tuesday Night

By John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The general election campaign for the next governor of Illinois appears to be starting before voters know the GOP candidate.

In an unusual political maneuver, Gov. Pat Quinn has purchased commercial time to air political ads on all major Chicago TV stations on Tuesday night, sources tell CBS 2.

Quinn's camp believes Rauner will win, as the ad it produced before the primary takes dead aim at the billionaire businessman's comments that he supported rolling back the minimum wage in Illinois. Rauner later said he would support a hike to the wage, along with reforms that would help small businesses.

It is rare for an incumbent candidate to run ads for the General Election on the night of the primary.

Quinn is spending about $40,000 in Chicago, which is a relatively small buy. The ads will run in late news, morning news and midday newscasts on Wednesday.

The news was first published by Rich Miller on his Capitol Fax political blog.

Quinn is facing minimal opposition in today's primary.

He will face either Rauner, State Sen. Bill Brady, State Sen. Kirk Dillard or State Treasurer Dan Rutherford.

Rauner has raised about $14 million, including about $6 million of his own money, for his primary campaign.

He is the front-runner in today's contest and it appears Quinn is taking an aggressive approach early.