CHICAGO (AP) — The candidates for Illinois governor are sharpening their attacks on each other as they head into the Labor Day weekend.

Republican Bruce Rauner on Thursday called Gov. Pat Quinn’s efforts to address improper political hiring “a charade.” He says dozens of people who got jobs because of their political connections still work for the state.

Quinn fired back that the wealthy Rauner wants to impose a tax on some services while decreasing taxes on income and investments. Quinn says that’s “the wrong way to go” because it will hurt hard-working families.

The candidates separately addressed a Metropolitan Planning Council forum in Chicago.

Labor Day weekend typically marks the start of election season. But the bitterly contested race for Illinois governor is already well underway.

The election is Nov. 4.

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