Rock Island Today

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) couldn’t thank Gov. Bruce Rauner enough for the opportunity he has given her during a recent appearance on the Stephanie Trussell radio show on WLS-AM.

“I want to personally thank the worst Republican governor in America, as aptly named by the National Review,” Ives said of Rauner, whom she is facing off against in the Republican primary. “Thank you, sir, for giving me the opportunity to run for governor in the great state of Illinois.”

Ives said her run is fueled by all the ways Rauner, who she openly supported in 2014, has come up short since taking the reins.   

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner

“I’m here as a candidate because Bruce Rauner betrayed us,” she said. “He betrayed our party and everyone else that voted for him and believed he would shake up Springfield and turn Illinois around. He promised 44 solutions and delivered on none. Worse than having no policy accomplishments, Bruce Rauner has betrayed our values countless times on one bill after another. Whoever he’s listening to, it isn’t us.”

When all is said and done, Ives said, Rauner has essentially come to represent everything that’s long been wrong with state government.

“He has become the type of Democratic governor we’ve suffered under far too long,” she said. “We elected him to stand up and instead he stood down. I’m running to restore Illinois’ future and reverse the terrible bills he has signed. On March 20, we can collectively raise our voices and say Bruce Rauner you’re fired.”

One by one, Ives ticked off all the ways she said Rauner has failed his constituents, including signing into law the state budget that carries a 32 percent permanent income tax hike, allowing taxpayer-funded abortions to expand and signing off on Illinois being designated as a "sanctuary state."

Once elected, Ives said she plans to immediately tackle the issue of Illinois now being home to the highest property taxes in the country.

“We will restore your home equity and get rid of the highest property taxes,” she said. “You need to elect me to drain the swamp in Springfield and in Chicago. We have the power to take back our state.”

Ives was accompanied at the show by former state Rep. Rich Morthland, who is running on her ticket for lieutenant governor. Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland is serving as campaign chairman.

During her appearance, Ives also took time to thank "Illinois Rising" radio co-host Dan Proft.

“By far, Dan is one of the most engaging radio host, providing a daily dose of morning entertainment,” she said. 

Proft is a principal of Local Government Information Services, which owns this publication.