The publisher and editor of the Chicago Sun-Times has denied a former reporter's claims that the newspaper's owners improperly influenced newsroom decisions during the governor's race.

Dave McKinney was the paper's Springfield bureau chief. He resigned Wednesday, saying he was put on temporary leave after Republican Bruce Rauner's campaign accused him of a conflict of interest.

McKinney co-wrote a story about a lawsuit alleging Rauner threatened a former employee. Rauner's campaign called the story "irresponsible."

Publisher Jim Kirk says in a statement Wednesday that McKinney is "among the best" in the profession but his work was put on "pause" to ensure no conflicts of interest. Kirk says the paper's management respects journalistic integrity and never quashed a story.

Rauner is a former investor in the paper's parent company, Wrapports LLC.