Gov. Quinn running mate Vallas unleashed as campaign attack dog

Gov. Pat Quinn’s running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor, Paul Vallas, was unleashed as a campaign attack dog on Monday.

Vallas brought attention to a weekend report by Lee Enterprises about the death and mistreatment of residents at rehabilitation homes owned by Republican gubernatorial opponent Bruce Rauner.

Rauner’s private equity firm launched American Habilitation services, a group of homes, that now face lawsuits.

“Mr. Rauner is in the business of creating profit by squeezing companies by cutting expenses so he can sell those companies at a higher cost,” Vallas said. “Now that might be okay if you’re talking about shopping malls or maybe construction companies…but is it okay when you’re talking about nursing homes?”

A statement released by the Illinois Republican Party said it was Quinn who was guilty of neglecting state-run facilities including nursing homes and youth prisons.