U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, was instead at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, campaign officials said
Kirk's opponent, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, was among about a dozen candidates who took part in the closed-door meetings.
Working through Human Rights First, the group of 40 retired military leaders made a name for itself during the 2008 primary as members held private meetings with candidates to discuss prisoner treatment and interrogation policies. The group claims that as a direct result of their effort, President Obama signed executive orders ending torture and secret prisons and promising to close the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Daily Herald | Retired generals disappointed over Kirk's no-show at meeting