News

Rauner Tells GOP Not to Expect Favors if He is Elected


Bruce Rauner says he’s going to stiff Republican county chairmen and others in the party power structure when it comes to patronage, if he’s elected governor.

The people helping Rauner try to win the election – county chairmen and other party organization bigwigs who’ve been out in the cold for 12 years in terms of state government being a job opportunity for party supporters – can expect nothing in return, Rauner said, in terms of jobs for anyone they might recommend.

“We are going to bring in people who are in the government for the right reasons, who are highly qualified for their positions, and if someone is not qualified, the answer is a clear no. And I want Michael Shakman and his federal hiring monitor right in there with me to make sure every department of government follows through,” he said.

Shakman is a lawyer who sued over patronage in Chicago and Cook County four decades ago. He’s suing now over the placement of political hires at the Illinois Department of Transportation in non-political positions.

Rauner says the people who help his campaign shouldn’t be doing it because they think they’ll be rewarded if he wins, and he wants Republican officials to hear this and believe it.

Recent Headlines

22 minutes ago in Entertainment, Trending

Now a true pop star, Miley Cyrus returns to her ‘Hannah Montana’ roots to fete anniversary special

Fresh

Sporting that "Hannah Montana" blond hair and bangs, Miley Cyrus went back to her roots — celebrating 20 years of the TV show that launched the career of a real-life pop star.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ blasts off with $80.5 million, a best for Amazon MGM, and the year

"Project Hail Mary" is bringing audiences to movie theaters in numbers the industry hasn't seen for a non-franchise film since "Oppenheimer." The science fiction epic starring Ryan Gosling earned around $80.5 million in ticket sales in its first weekend playing in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

Defending champion Florida eliminated from March Madness by tougher, more physical Iowa team

A dominant frontcourt helped Florida earn another No. 1 seed and positioned the defending national champion Gators for a chance at a repeat. They ran into a more physical team.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music, Trending

Everything you need to know about ‘BTS: The Return,’ the new Netflix documentary

All seven members log onto a livestream, broadcast from a beach. A few years ago, it was a common image. But after the K-pop boy band BTS pressed pause on their full-band duties for nearly four years, it was revelatory.

3 days ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

There she is! Miss America visits Springfield

Miss America Cassie Donegan visits the Old State Capitol in Springfield Friday afternoon.

"Pageantry within the world of Miss America is it's a life changer. And it changes the trajectory for many."