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

10 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2025 Latin Grammys, capping an electric night

It should come as a shock to no one: The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards were all about Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar won album of the year for his landmark release "Debí Tirar Más Fotos."

10 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Ohtani is unanimous MVP for 4th time in winning NL honor as Judge edges Raleigh for 3rd AL accolade

Shohei Ohtani likes winning Most Valuable Player awards. He loves winning the World Series even more. The two-way Japanese star did both for a second season in a row for the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning his fourth career MVP on Thursday night while unanimously earning the National League honor.

1 day ago in Features, Trending

Doritos and Cheetos dial back the bright orange in new versions without artificial ingredients

PepsiCo said Thursday it's launching toned-down versions of its bright orange snacks that won't have any artificial colors or flavors. Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will hit store shelves on Dec. 1.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker to be honored with Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes

Sarah Jessica Parker is going from someone who gives out prizes to getting one. The Emmy- and Screen Actors Guild Award-winner — and judge for the 2025 Booker Prize — was named Thursday as the recipient of the Carol Burnett Award for her "outstanding contributions to television on or off screen."

1 day ago in National, Trending

Blue Origin launches huge rocket carrying twin NASA spacecraft to Mars

Blue Origin launched its huge New Glenn rocket Thursday with a pair of NASA spacecraft destined for Mars. It was only the second flight of the rocket that Jeff Bezos' company and NASA are counting on to get people and supplies to the moon.