Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he plans to invest more in the state Department of Agriculture.

The Chicago Democrat is making a tough, nationally watched election bid against Republican Bruce Rauner (ROW'-nur) of Winnetka.

Quinn at a forum in Bloomington Wednesday coordinated by the Illinois Farm Bureau blasted Rauner's pledge to roll back the state's income tax which is set to expire at the end of the year.

He says the state must ensure the department has proper resource to perform important regulatory functions.

Quinn has advocated for keeping the tax increase in place at its current 5 percent for individuals and 6.75 percent for corporations.

Along with Quinn, Rauner, Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis are participating in the forum.