Politicians March for Support in St. Patrick's Day Parades

Chicago - Parades and politics go hand in hand in the windy and today, wet city.

As the marching band drum rolled, Governor Pat Quinn tried to drum up support for his master budget plan unveiled this week. "This is the toughest economic time we've had in our lifetime."

Quinn's Republican opponent Bill Brady, who marched in two suburban parades today, is strongly opposed to a tax increase. Quinn says raising taxes, borrowing money and jobs will help get the state back on track. "I think jobs are the number one way of balancing the budget."

Mayor Daley welcomed the Irish Prime Minister who has his own concerns about money woes in Europe. He's on his way to Washington to talk with President Obama about the state of the World economy.

State Treasurer and US Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias used the parade route as a meet and greet street with supporters. There was more trouble for Giannoulias and his family owned Broadway Bank this week. The co-owner of Boston Blackies and a big donor to the Giannoulias campaign, Nick Giannis, was arrested for bank fraud. We asked Giannoulias, "Do you have any comments to make today about your bank ties to the Boston Blackies owners?"

Giannoulias replied, "I have made them and I really have no comment to make today. Uh, you know the donations were sent back. Thanks guys." Giannoulias told us he has sent back any and all campaign donations from Giannis.

Giannoulias is facing off against Northshore Republican Congressman Mark Kirk for the Senate seat in what's being called one of the top ten races of the year.