Politicians have been quoting Abraham Lincoln for as long as they’ve been giving speeches. Republican Governor Bruce Rauner was no different when he gave his State of the State address on Wednesday. But this time around, something went wrong.

Republican Governor Bruce Rauner likely considered the upcoming election while crafting the State of the State Address he gave Wednesday. There's a host of Democratic candidates vying to unseat him - and a single Republican who says she wants to get him out the way during the primary this March. They too are sticking to campaign points.

Gov. Bruce Rauner struck an upbeat tone in his third State of the State address Wednesday in Springfield.

He also tried to project an image of someone willing to compromise — but in such a way that Democrats say he glossed over his own role in the crisis that’s hobbling Illinois government.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he is "deeply optimistic'' about the future of Illinois despite the state's problems, and praised State Senate efforts to reach agreement on a new state budget. Rauner addressed a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday with his third State of the State address. 

Gov. Bruce Rauner will strike an optimistic tone in his State of the State address, while acknowledging Illinois faces ``significant challenges.''

The Republican's Wednesday speech comes as he gears up for a 2018 re-election bid. 

WILL AM 580 and WILL-TV will carry live coverage of the governor’s speech, beginning at 12 PM Central Time. WILL AM 580 streams at www.will.illinois.edu.