Republicans are in control of the governor's mansion in Illinois for the first time since 2003. But Democrat Pat Quinn isn't prepared to throw in the towel just yet.
Bruce Rauner delivered an energetic victory speech Tuesday night to a crowd in Chicago. He even prompted a few "boos" when he mentioned that he had made two important phone calls: to the legislature's top Democrats, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.
Governor Pat Quinn, however, refused to recognize Rauner's win. In a speech to supporters, he said he will wait until all of the votes have been counted.
Now that Rauner won the Governor's office, what's next? NIU political scientist Matt Streb says the Republican has his work cut out for him, especially when it comes to the budget. Streb says Rauner, a successful businessman, is used to getting his way.
"Bruce Rauner will have a bully pulpit--it will be interesting to see how he uses that bully pulpit. At the end of the day, he still has a Democratic-controlled legislature, and it's going to be very difficult for him to work with that Democratic-controlled legislature."
Streb says House Speaker Michael Madigan will be a formidable opponent on some issues.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Rauner took 51 percent of the vote. Quinn has 46 percent, while Libertarian Chad Grimm took 3 percent.
Editor's note: WNIJ's Katie Finlon contributed to this story.
