Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner on Sunday showed solidarity with South Side Pastor Corey Brooks, who claims his support for Rauner spurred death threats late last week and may be tied to a burglary at his church this weekend.

“This should never happen in America,” Rauner said at a news conference after attending a service at Brooks’ New Beginnings Church, 6620 S. King Drive. “How can we allow someone to be physically threatened, a family to be intimidated ... because someone spoke from his heart and made it public how he’s voting in a particular election? This is outrageous and we’ve got to condemn it and rise above it.”

“I hope and pray that the law enforcement officials involved now in this will catch those responsible.”

Brooks, who stood next to Rauner, said he received five calls on his cell phone Friday afternoon threatening him and his family for supporting Rauner in the upcoming election. Brooks claims the caller, a man who disguised his voice via a high-pitched filter, threatened him with physical violence for being Rauner’s “puppet.”