By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – A top labor leader in Illinois says the playbook of Gov. Bruce Rauner looks clear in some areas. Run around the state complaining about Democratic lawmakers. Rally against specific lawmakers who, he says, are too tied to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).
“I’m sure he’s got a number of people on board to help him set up for the races in 2016 and again in 2018,” Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael T. Carrigan said of Rauner’s apparent plan to attack Democrats and then recruit and support Republicans to run against them.
After that, it’s unclear.
Carrigan says Rauner appears to thrive on a loud, chaotic environment in which, for example, there’s no budget for the next fiscal year, and protests are covering the state. “He’s a one-term governor. He’s looking to use Illinois as a stepping stone,” says Carrigan, noting some of the theories which have floated out there. “We need a budget by June 30. It’s in the best interests of this state.”
Rauner appeared in Decatur on Wednesday; today (Thursday) he’s in Quincy and Colona. His appearances coincide with the Republican Party issuing press releases critical of Democratic lawmakers in those areas.
