SPRINGFIELD - Less than six months after a bitter and divisive primary election, Republicans hit the road Friday pushing a message of unity.

Led by GOP gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, members of the statewide Republican ticket boarded a plush motor home with a plan to visit at least 30 cities and towns across the state over a seven-day stretch.

"Together, we're going to get Illinois moving in the right direction," said Topinka, as their convoy departed an historic train station in Springfield - the same one Abraham Lincoln used when he left Central Illinois for Washington, D.C.

The tour comes a day after Republicans sought to contrast their unified ticket with Democrats, who spent a Wednesday rally at the Illinois State Fair fending off questions about internal bickering between House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and others on the Democratic slate.

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, who is running for lieutenant governor, quipped, "We actually enjoy spending time together."

Also on the trip is state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, who is running for secretary of state; state Sen. Carole Pankau, R-Itasca, who is running for comptroller; state Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, who is running for treasurer; and Tazewell County State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz, candidate for attorney general.

Topinka said her message during the trip would be the "three E's" the economy, education and ethics.

Sheila Nix, a campaign spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, downplayed talk of Democratic discord, and said the governor is working to improve health care and create jobs, rather than worrying about party concerns.

"The Republicans seem to be spending their time focusing on these side issues," said Nix.

ONTHEROAD

Here is a sampling of stops planned by the Republican statewide ticket, which is spending seven days on a bus tour of Illinois. A complete list with times of the stops was unavailable because of possible changes.

- Today: Mount Vernon, Nashville, Belleville, Germantown

- Sunday: Highland, Fairfield, Olney, Effingham

- Monday: Vandalia, Pana, Decatur, Tuscola, Rantoul, Danville

- Tuesday: Bloomington, Canton, Macomb, Peoria

- Wednesday: Geneseo, Dixon, Peru

- Thursday: Ottawa, Morris, Plano, Wheaton

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 782-1249.