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Gov. Rauner Promotes Illinois Universities, Infrastructure During Japan Trip

Brian Mackey/NPR Illinois

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is in Japan to promote the state’s universities and transportation infrastructure in hopes of attracting businesses.

Rauner had repeatedly asserted that the state’s political system is broken - and that hurts the state’s business climate. Speaking from Tokyo last night, Rauner said one Japanese company looking to grow in Illinois considers local property taxes to be a hindrance.

 

"They were excited to hear that, because they’d like to invest and grow in Illinois," he said, "but the property taxes are a problem and they asked us for help."

The governor wants to freeze property taxes. Some Democrats frequently say freezing property taxes would squeeze the budgets of local schools or police departments.

 

Rauner’s eight-day trip also takes him to China with a delegation of government and corporate officials.

 

Bill Chappell is a writer and editor on the News Desk in the heart of NPR's newsroom in Washington, D.C.