* After running a TV ad that is deliberately designed to insult our intelligence, Pat Quinn is now saying he’ll stop the negatives if Dan Hynes stops. From a press release…

We are perplexed by Comptroller Hynes’s concerns with our latest TV ad, given that everything in our ad is factually correct and based on the Comptroller’s own public schedules, which are readily available to all. These schedules make it clear that, during the greatest budget crisis in Illinois history, the state’s comptroller was largely absent from the scene. […]

It remains our intention to conduct a campaign of ideas and principles. But given Hynes’ unrelentingly negative TV campaign, we are firmly committed to forcefully responding to his distortions of the Governor’s record.

Dan Hynes made the decision last month to run a negative campaign based on misleading voters about the Governor’s decades-long record of fighting for tax fairness and tax relief for working families. He can make another decision today to end this negative approach. Upon his pledge to pull his latest attack ad, we will pull our response ad from the air and will devote all future TV advertising to Governor Quinn’s record and his plans for moving Illinois forward.

That is today’s choice: Dan Hynes can continue down the negative TV campaign path that he started, or he can join Governor Quinn is restoring this campaign to the informative, issues-based principles that Democratic primary voters deserve.

Awaiting Hynes’ response.

*** UPDATE *** From the Hynes campaign.

“Two days after launching an embarrassingly absurd attack ad that continues to draw derision from outside observers, the Quinn campaign wants a way out. No thanks. We will continue to run our campaign based on a discussion of the central issue facing the state of Illinois and its future – the budget crisis. Pat Quinn is free to continue talking about haircuts.” -Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman

* Democrat Alexi Giannoulias has released results of a new poll that shows him ahead of Republican Mark Kirk. From a press release…

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias leads Republican Mark Kirk in the race for U.S. Senate in Illinois, 46 – 43 percent. In addition, voters approve of the job that Giannoulias is doing as state Treasurer by more than a 2:1 margin.

In a matchup against Democrat David Hoffman, however, Kirk fares much better. Kirk leads Hoffman by a 48 – 39 percent margin. Giannoulias outpaces Hoffman’s performance in every region of the state, including the city of Chicago.

Giannoulias currently leads Kirk in the Chicago media market by a 51 – 38 percent margin. David Hoffman, who has spent the last four years in the public eye as the city’s Inspector General and generated 405 news stories, trails Kirk inside the Chicago market (41 – 47 percent).

The general election findings are based on a sample of 805 likely general election voters conducted October 25th – 28th conducted for the Alexi for Illinois campaign. A sample of this size is subject to a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

Speaking of the US Senate race, this is from ABC’s The Note…

With a conservative revolt pushing a Republican candidate out of a key House race in New York State, the head of the conservative group Club for Growth is warning that other Republicans could face similar fates in primary races next year — and Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., is at the top of that list. […]

Chocola said other candidates could also come under scrutiny from the right. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who’s running for the Senate next year, is “probably not” someone the club would support, he said.

It’s not at all clear from that piece if the Club for Growth will take after Kirk. Seems kinda doubtful.

By the way, Democratic candidate Jake Meister has posted a web video about filing day.

* Today is the last day to file for the February 2nd primary. Click here to watch them come in. Several candidates have submitted their petitions...

Among filers today is Ed Scanlon, a lawyer from Oak Park, running for the Democratic nomination for governor. He’s against any state income-tax increase, and wants the state to save money by putting new employees on a defined contribution retirement plan - such as a 401(k), instead of a defined benefit plan that pays monthly for life.

Scanlon said he might spend as much as $500,000 on his own race.

As of 2:04 pm, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger had not yet filed for reelection. State Rep. Michael Boland hadn’t yet filed for lieutenant governor.

But there have been a few who did hand in petitions. Among them is Chicago Ald. Brian Doherty, who will run as a Republican for retiring Democratic Sen. James DeLeo’s seat. As subscribers know, this has been one drama after another. Conservative Republican Patrick Hughes has filed for US Senate.

Sen. Don Harmon has filed for 7th District State Central Committeeman against Congressman Danny Davis. Davis has filed for Congress and Cook County Board President. He has until next Monday to decide which office to seek. Former congressional candidate Christine Cegelis has filed for the 6th District Democratic Central Committeewoman slot against Joan Brennan.

Republican Rosanna Pulido has filed again for the 5th District congressional slot. Pulido is an anti illegal immigrant activist who won the special Republican primary to replace Rahm Emanuel and was stomped by Mike Quigley. Aurelia Pucinski has filed for a vacant slot on the 1st Appellate bench.

* Related…

* Schillerstrom congratulates Dillard for folding on video poker