Earlier this week, both Democratic gubernatorial candidates released new attack ads. First, Comptroller Dan Hynes jumped on Gov. Pat Quinn for the way he handled the unpublicized "MGT Push" prisoner release program. Then Quinn knocked Hynes for "grossly distorting" his gubernatorial record. Today, Hynes released yet another spot, this time asserting that the latest Quinn ad is an "insult to our intelligence." Watch it:

Trying to change the focus of the race, Quinn continues to assert that he is the only candidate with a tax reform plan sufficient to address the state's massive deficit.  In a new interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, he says that a primary victory would bode well for his efforts to pass an income tax hike:

Quinn also continued pressing his case for a hike in the state's 3 percent flat rate income tax hike, to 4.5 percent, to address an $11 billion state budget deficit that has the state failing to pay its bills. He suggested that if he wins the Democratic gubernatorial nomination next month while pressing for the tax hike, it will spur support for it in the Legislature, which refused to pass the measure last year.

"Perish the thought, but if I don't prevail, it will be extraordinarily hard to get any revenue reform in Illinois," Quinn said.

Hynes got a boost this morning from the Daily Herald, who called him the "clear choice" for the Democratic nomination. Here's an excerpt from their editorial:

Quinn is a decent public servant, but he has shown a propensity to do the political thing. Too often, he seems lost. Hynes is a budget wonk and pragmatist more in the mold of former GOP Gov. Jim Edgar. We endorse Hynes as the much stronger manager and leader for the Democrats. He sees the problems and has a detailed plan.

Quinn has already secured the backing of the Sun-Times. The Tribune declined to endorse either candidate in the primary because "neither one has inspired confidence that he can make the difficult, unpopular decisions that must be made to resolve this state's financial crisis."

Finally, check out the latest Quinn Stories video, in which the governor meets with John Clark, owner of Reggio's Pizza in Chicago:

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this website, has endorsed Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary for governor.