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Illinois Governor In Full Campaign Attack Mode As The Fall Election Begins

Guy Stephens/ WNIJ

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was in full campaign attack mode the day after he eked out a narrow win in the primary.  

Rauner didn’t take any time to savor his victory. Wednesday, he made factory stops in St. Charles, Rockford and Moline to press the flesh and make his case for re-election.  

In Rockford, Rauner did talk about the things he wants to do, like cutting the state income tax and enacting term limits. Mostly, though, he cast his campaign in terms of a crusade, tying Democratic opponent J.B Pritzker together with Rauner’s nemesis, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

"This election isn't really about liberals versus conservatives or Democrats versus Republicans," Rauner said. "This is about the people against a corrupt machine and we are going to unite the people and win."

Rauner also accused Pritzker of self-dealing.

“Dodging taxes, hiding his money in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas so he doesn't pay income tax," Rauner said. "Rippin' toilets out of mansions so he doesn't pay property taxes. He's done so many bad things and we need the truth known about him ."

Rauner has been accused of accomplishing little in his first term. But he said he will make the case for his record as the campaign continues.  

Rauner plans to visit Peoria, Decatur, and Champaign later this week.

Guy Stephens produces news stories for the station, and coordinates our online events calendar, PSAs and Arts Calendar announcements. In each of these ways, Guy helps keep our listening community informed about what's going on, whether on a national or local level. Guy's degrees are in music, and he spent a number of years as a classical host on WNIU. In fact, after nearly 20 years with Northern Public Radio, the best description of his job may be "other duties as required."