WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Illinois Republican businessman Bruce Rauner has ousted Democratic Governor Pat Quinn from office, NBC projected on Tuesday, despite Democratic attempts to keep the governor's office in President Barack Obama's home state from falling to Republicans.

Rauner, 57, in his first bid for public office, said he wanted to make Illinois friendlier to business by lowering income tax rates. Obama, former President Bill Clinton and other big-name Democrats stumped for Quinn, but he was weakened by state budget woes.