POSHARD IN CAIRO TO DRUM UP VOTES IN GOVERNOR'S RACE

CAIRO, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, a Democratic candidate for Illinois governor, addressed a crowd of well-wishers during a campaign appearance in Cairo Friday.

Poshard, 52, of Marion said he feels great. Poshard suffered a dizzy spell while exercising in the House gym Tuesday. He spent the night in a hospital, and doctors detected what he described a "harmless irregular heartbeat"

Following a thorough physical exam, Poshard said the problem "is more of a nuisance than a serious medical problem."

The congressman was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. He resumed his normal schedule Thursday.

That schedule included a Friday morning visit to a third-grade classroom in the Carterville School District. There, Poshard delivered flowers and a valentine to his wife, Jo, a schoolteacher. Poshard also spoke briefly with the class.

Following the noon visit to Cairo, the congressman visited the Olmsted Dam and Locks project and attended a gala in Carbondale Friday night.

"Our campaign is on the rise," Poshard told more than 100 supporters who crowded into the Laborers International Union of North America Local 73 union hall in Cairo. "We have endorsements from 89 counties and 16 wards in Cook County."

The momentum is building, said Poshard. "Although the polls have us in second place, we're looking at No. 1," he said. "Give me a chance and I will beat Ryan."

George Ryan is the major Republican candidate for governor. Other notable Democrats in the March 17 gubernatorial primary are former attorney general Roland Burris, who was in Cairo recently; former U.S. attorney Jim Burns; and Chicago lawyer John Schmidt, a former Justice Department official and former chief of staff to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Recent Copley Press polls showed Burris a leader by only 6 percentage points over Poshard. Burris also led in a Chicago Tribune poll, 28 to 18 percent over Poshard.

"Poshard has been an underdog in other races," said Cairo Mayor James Wilson, who introduced him Friday. "But he emerged a winner."

Wilson was Poshard's campaign chairmen during Poshard's first run for the U.S. House 10 years ago.

A number of county candidates attended the meeting, including David Phelps, an Illinois state representative who has filed for Poshard's congressional seat.

Poshard told the group he was looking at three principles in his run for governor: balancing the checkbook, helping those who can't help themselves and emphasizing education.

Poshard said his formula for overhauling public-school financing in Illinois includes changing the financing system for Illinois public schools by reducing property taxes and increasing state income taxes, a formula that could result in a net tax increase.

He said if elected governor his office would be open to anyone for suggestions.

"They say I can't win because I won't take big money," said Poshard. "I say right back the reason I'm going to win is because I won't take the big money."

Poshard has long shunned campaign contributions from special-interest groups. He promised no change in that policy.

Poshard set a goal of collecting $1.7 million for the Democratic primary by squeezing out money in amounts of no more than $2,000 from individual contributors.