Illinois Governor Race 2014: Speculation, Rumors And Confirmations

With the dust settling on the 2012 election, the focus in Illinois politics has already shifted two years into the future.

Tuesday was a bruising election for Illinois Republicans--particularly in the Statehouse--leaving the GOP hoping it can knock Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn out of Springfield when it gets its chance in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

The names of several Republican state senators have been thrown around, like Matt Murphy and Kirk Dillard to name a few, with several more trickling in.

There's even interest from outside the political arena, as some speculate influential businessman Bruce Rauner will toss his hat into the ring for 2014.

Named to Chicago magazine's list of "100 Most Powerful Chicagoans," the publication mused whether the recently-retired Rauner (with close ties to Rahm Emanuel) could be the Windy City's equivalent to Michael Bloomberg.

Then, of course, there's the comely Congressman Aaron Schock. At 31, Schock is the youngest member of Congress, and has made no secret he's harboring gubernatorial ambitions.

Despite his incumbent status, Gov. Quinn has more than just GOP hopefuls nipping at his heels.

Whispers that some credible contenders within his own party, like Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan or Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, could run against Quinn are only likely to grow louder in the coming months.

Quinn first took office after the ouster of now-jailed Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and clinched a full-term after a close electoral race with Senator Bill Brady (who is also running in 2014).

Quinn's popularity has been on the wane since the downgrade in the state's credit rating and the cancellation of raises for state workers.