A new website launched in by Citizens for Rauner, OurHomeOurFight.com, showcases Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda for his second term in office, which he plans to win in next year’s election.
“Over the last four years, the corrupt system in Springfield has been shaken to its core, but it’s time to finish the job,” a release issued by the governor on Nov. 13, the day the website debuted, said. “It’s time to come together around a movement that sets aside party politics and achieves real solutions that put our people first.”
The website opens with the message, “Let’s Save Illinois. Illinois is our home. And our home is worth fighting for,” with a place for visitors to leave their name and other information. Scrolling down the site is more of that message, including positions the governor is taking in his second campaign, such as limiting property taxes, creating more good-paying jobs and enacting term limits “and clean government.”
The website also tauts Rauner’s pledge to roll back an income tax hike passed earlier this year and to “keep families safe and rebuild lives.”
As a Republican governor in a decidedly “blue” Illinois, he has battled with the state’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly, particularly with House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Rauner has had a tough 2017, including an override of his budget veto, shake ups in his staff and his decision earlier this fall to sign controversial abortion legislation that cost him the support of some conservative lawmakers in the state General Assembly.
In June 2016, the governor confirmed he would seek a second term.
Rauner has a challenger from among those conservative lawmakers, state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who confirmed last month that she will challenge the gubernatorial incumbent for his seat in the next election. Considered a long-shot, Ives has since vocally challenged the governor on a number of issues, including Rauner’s position on the state’s sanctuary status, which Ive’s called “especially tragic”.
Sen. Sam McCann (R-Jacksonville) has also said he’s considering a run against Gov. Rauner.
The press release issued with the launch of OurHomeOurFight.com details the planks of the governor’s bid for another term. Topping this list his pledge to limit property taxes in Illinois, which endures the highest overall tax burden in the nation. “Illinois homeowners face the highest property taxes in the nation, and too many of our elected officials make money off high property taxes,” the press release said.
The press release calls for a property tax freeze and a system that allows local governments to better control costs and easily allow referendums, so citizens can lower their local property taxes and consolidate local units of government at the ballot box.
