Protesters Picket Outside Wisconsin Governor's Speech

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker may be facing a recall in his home state, but he was warmly received at a speech in downtown Chicago on Friday.

Outside, it was  a different story. Protesters spoke out against Walker policies they say busts unions.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports

About 150 to 200 painters, welders and electricians made noise and held signs telling Walker to go back to Wisconsin, CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports.

Inside, the Republican says since he took office, his state has seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years and unlike Illinois, he balanced the budget without increasing income taxes.

Walker told a friendly crowd at the Illinois Policy Institute lunch he's avoided layoffs and cuts to Medicaid -- things Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has not.

Walker says while collective bargaining cuts have garnered the most attention, one thing not mentioned is the change has allowed the state to avoid massive layoffs of public employees.

He predicts he'll survive the recall election in June and jokes he'll be the only governor elected twice in the same term.

Friday's speech came on the same day that it was revealed Walker quietly reinstated merit-based pay increases for more than 220 state workers, at a cost of $765,000. Critics say that's inconsistent for a governor who has pushed for cost-cutting measures.

Walker did not take reporters' questions. His handlers blocked reporters, giving him a chance to driver off.