Gov. Bruce Rauner made an appearance yesterday at an Illinois Department of Transportation hearing on infrastructure needs.
IDOT is traveling across the state to build support for a new construction program. Rauner used his own travel experiences as an example. As is often good practice when giving a speech, the governor started his remarks with a joke.
"It's great to be back home," Rauner said. "I just road the Harley down from back home this morning. It's a lot warmer here than in Joliet, I can tell you that. And I experienced first-hand where we need some road re-pavement there, on I-155, up right around Lincoln, it's a little rough."
The quip got laughs, but it's laced with a serious issue. IDOT's acting secretary says without major investments, countless roads and bridges will be inadequate. Of course, upgrading them takes money.
Rauner was non-committal when after his speech, reporters asked where the money will come from.
"It's a little premature to talk about that,” Rauner said. “We are recommending to the General Assembly that we look at comprehensive tax reform and one of the uses for the tax reform can be infrastructure investment."
Then the governor -- who didn't wear a helmet -- hopped back on his Harley, to ride a few blocks over to the capitol. Rauner says he's going to host a party at the governor's mansion with motorcycle riders from all over the state this summer.
