Illinois’ candidates for governor pitched their case to farmers Wednesday, touting their plans while jabbing each other. Reporter Cole Laughterbach was there and has more….
The Illinois Farm Bureau hosted Gov. Bruce Rauner and his Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker to talk to a tent of farmers Wednesday in Normal. Rauner said he supported many issues involving farmers, such as ending the estate tax and lawsuit reform.
Rauner, as he has for years, pointed the finger at House Speaker Michael Madigan and other Democrats for having ballooned state spending.
“We in Illinois have had government spending on a rocket ship,” he told the farmers. “And we’ve had slow growth of our economy for decades.”
Pritzker blamed Rauner for the state’s budget impasse that he said crippled the state’s higher education institutions.
“His intransigence, his unwillingness to compromise, led to the biggest budget deficits in the history of the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said tariffs are hurting farmers and Rauner hasn’t done anything to stop the trade wars initiated by President Donald Trump.
“By virtue of his inaction, the governor thinks that the current trade policies are just fine right now,” he said.
Rauner spoke first, but made sure to preempt Pritzker by warning the farmers not to believe anyone who says a progressive tax will lower taxes for the middle class.
“Business owners will flood out of this state,” Rauner said. “And you know who’s gonna pay the tax tab? The middle class is going to pay the tax tab.”
Pritsker said that a progressive tax would help lower property taxes and fund education, infrastructure and programs to keep Illinoisans from leaving.
A recent poll showed Rauner trailing Pritzker by 16 points.
[This story is from Illinois Radio Network News.]
