SPRINGFIELD - State government's largest employees union will not endorse any gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming November election.

At least 500 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees voiced their displeasure Saturday with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his Republican opponent State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.

"The next governor must rebuild state government so it truly serves the people, and must meet the state's pension obligations," said Henry Bayer, the union's executive director in a prepared statement. "There are no short cuts or quick fixes. These challenges demand a comprehensive approach to reform the state's broken tax system, but regrettably, neither candidate has proposed such a plan."

In the past, the union has supported an increase in the state's income tax coupled with property tax relief to fund government services. Neither Topinka nor Blagojevich support this proposal to shore up state finances. Green Party candidate Rich Whitney does support a tax swap but the union was concerned the Carbondale attorney couldn't win the election.

Both the major campaigns spun Saturday's non-endorsement as a victory.

"We're pleased by the non-endorsement, because it is a loss for Judy Baar Topinka" said Sheila Nix, a Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman, suggesting the Republican will not be able to tap into AFSCME's resources to help get out the vote.

The Topinka camp argues AFSCME's decision hurts Blagojevich.

"This is a huge blow to Rod Blagojevich," said Lance Trover, a Topinka spokesman. "He had the endorsement four years ago and he couldn't get it this time. He has simply lost the trust of the people."

AFSCME was a big supporter of Blagojevich during his first gubernatorial campaign, but relationship has cooled over the last four years. In 2004, the governor made a failed attempt to shut down Vandalia Correctional Center and a juvenile facility in St. Charles in order to close a budget deficit.

This was viewed as a betrayal by several unions representing prison workers because of Blagojevich promised during the 2002 campaign to "end the practice of balancing the state budget by closing down prisons."

During the fiscal year 2006 budget negotiations, AFSCME launched a statewide radio blitz centering on staffing shortages at the Illinois Department of Corrections and state-run veterans' homes.

AFSCME also snubbed Blagojevich earlier this year by refusing to make an endorsement in the Democratic primary. However, the union did endorse Topinka in the Republican primary.

Instead of backing a gubernatorial candidate, the union will be focusing on other statewide legislative races.

"No one should interpret this as AFSCME being on the sidelines," said union spokesman Anders Lindall.

The election is Nov. 7.