SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Republicans have a series of events planned for the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

Thursday is Republican Day at the fair, and the big event is the Republican Day Rally at noon with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and the party's candidates for Illinois governor. Those candidates include state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, businessman Bruce Rauner and Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford. The rally will be on the Director's Lawn at the fairgrounds.

Later in the day Topinka and Kirk will attend Harness Racing Day at the fair grandstand.

GOP Day opens with a meeting of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee and Republican County Chairmen's Association.