Governor Pat Quinn and the Democratic challenger for his job, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes square off in a Rockford debate dominated by the budget and economy.

"I'm the governor, my opponent wants to be the governor but I'm getting the job done right now," says Quinn.

In a classic battle of incumbent versus challenger, the state budget takes center stage.

"I'm managing the crisis you haven't been able to solve," Hynes tells Quinn.

Hynes argues Quinn has not taken responsibility for chopping down a ten billion dollar budget deficit and Hynes says he has a plan to do it.

Hynes says, "A way that will cut unnecessary government spending but not hurt human services or fire union workers and a way that will bring in more money to the state of Illinois, but not raise taxes on the middle class."

Quinn believes an income tax increase is the only responsible way to generate necessary revenue, while cutting spending.

"I've cut the budget more than two million dollars, the most of any governor in the history of Illinois," says Quinn.

Quinn adds he's focusing on public works to create new jobs, starting with the recent passage of a state capital improvements plan. "And we passed our own Illinois economic recovery bill that's worth about $400,000 in the next six years."

Both candidates promised to zero in on the Rockford area, where unemployment is the worst in the state. Quinn pointed to efforts to keep the Fiat-Chrysler plant running in Belvidere. He touted a bill that passed through the state legislature last month, providing a tax credit for auto manufacturers, to encourage them to stay.

"In my mind I keep adding up all the numbers and the costs and I don't know how all this is affordable," says Hynes. He believes it all comes back to the budget.

Hynes says, "Make sure we have manufacturing jobs in Rockford and Northern Illinois, making sure we invest in clean energy and we're a transportation hub but we have to pay for it. We have to make sure we balance our budget."

Democratic candidates for U.S. Senator Roland Burris' open seat also squared off. Four of the six Democrats running were in attendance and again the economy was front and center.

Candidate David Hoffman says, "The fact that our unemployment rate has doubled as quickly as it did, in Rockford it's the highest in the state at 15%, it's just a disaster and we need more from Washington. Better stimulus packages and getting that stimulus package out the door more quickly and increased lending."

Cheryle Jackson adds, "Most people's experience is being a paycheck away from losing their homes, health care and their job and that's what I understand and that's what I've been working on."

Jacob Meister counters, "We need to elect someone who has my type of background in the real world, dealing with not only government but in business. Areas that are very important to helping reestablish our manufacturing base, put us into high tech businesses."

Corey Dabney says, "It's enough division, it's time for us to come together and really deal with the things that are facing us: poverty in our state, jobs and how do we create a safe environment for our children to go to school?"

Ethics was another big issue in both debates, especially since the senatorial candidates are vying for the senate seat ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell.

Local political activists are hoping to keep Rockford in the loop this campaign season by bringing the candidates for governor back for a second debate, including their Republican counterparts.