Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
Rauner visits with supporters and employee at HL Precision Manufacturing in Champaign Wednesday.
(Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media)

Rauner Talks Reforms, Higher Ed Funding In State ‘Tour’

Gov. Bruce Rauner wrapped a 10-city tour with a visit to a Champaign manufacturer Wednesday. As his call for budget reforms wrapped at HL Precision Manufacturing on the city's west side, about 25 members of state government unions called on the Republican governor to 'do your job', saying Rauner should come to the table to negotiate with AFSCME. A Rauner spokesperson says the trek around the state, which was not on the governor's official schedule, was not about his re-election campaign, although it was paid for with political funds.

In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, Democrat Juliana Stratton talks to residents during a bingo party at the Minnie Ripperton apartments in Chicago.Stratton, is trying to unseat incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ken Dunkin. “
Charles Rex Arbogast/Associates Press

Obama Produces Ad For Rep. Dunkin Opponent

President Obama has voiced a commercial asking voters to support Juliana Stratton, Rep. Ken Dunkin's opponent for the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 5th House District.  The race is largely seen as a proxy war between House Speaker Michael Madigan, who's supporting Stratton, and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose allies are supporting Dunkin.

Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, right, talks to Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, center, and Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Skokie, left, while on the Senate floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Thursday, March 3.
Seth Perlman/Assocated Press

Democrats Send Union Negotiation Bill To Rauner

The Illinois Senate, led by Democrats, has approved legislation that would let an outside arbitrator settle state-employee wages and working conditions if talks reach an impasse.  It passed by a 38-17 vote Thursday and now heads to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk. He vetoed an identical proposal last year.

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