CHICAGO (AP) – Famed women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem did not make it to Chicago as scheduled Friday to personally endorse Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn in a tough re-election race but her support allowed the Democratic governor to tout his support from women anyway.

Steinem’s flight to Chicago from New York was cancelled after a fire at an air traffic control facility halted all flights in and out of Chicago.

The “Women For Quinn” event went ahead without Steinem, with the Governor stressing his support for abortion rights, equal pay for women and other issues. Quinn is in a tight re-election battle with Republican candidate Bruce Rauner, who says he is focused on the Illinois economy and does not have a social agenda.

Rauner has aired ads on cable television in suburban Chicago aimed at women, stressing his support for school funding and abortion rights. Another commercial features his wife Diana who notes she’s a Democrat and doesn’t always see eye to eye with her husband on issues.

 

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