Rauner addresses variety of topics in State of the State

Rauner also urged state lawmakers to pass Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s pension proposal, which would “save $1 billion per year from four of the state’s pension plans”.

Speaking very little on the state’s budget gridlock, which has left social service agencies reeling, Rauner said businesses and jobs are leaving IL left and right because of the state’s costly workers’ comp system, liabilities, labor regulations and high property taxes.

Seth Perlman | AP House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (right), R-Western Springs, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, along with other Republicans, applaud Gov. Bruce Rauner as he delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly in the House chambers at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday.

Rauner’s address outlined a 10-point priority list for education reform, and a plan to reduce the state’s prison population by 25 percent by 2025.

He said he will use an executive order to create a private, non-profit office to recruit businesses and jobs to Illinois, after Democrats previous year shot down his plan to turn the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity into a private-public partnership.

Throughout the state, workers compensation is “the biggest factor” driving job loss, Rauner said. They ignore the fact that the 2011 rewrite of the workers’ compensation system – those changes sought by the business community, and which were largely to the detriment of men and women injured on the job – is producing the desired result: “lower costs for insurance companies and employers”.

“I think there is a sense of optimism – IL does have the ability to get out of this”, Demmer said Wednesday afternoon.

But on Tuesday, Rauner critics were publicly lashing out at him, ahead of the statewide address. Seven months after Illinois’ last budget expired, the state still doesn’t have a new one, and money is running out for many programs.

During his speech however, the governor made an attempt to show he’s making an effort to work with Democratic lawmakers, citing his willingness to move forward with a plan to help alleviate the state’s pension crisis. Not this time. He gave a more conciliatory message, and talked about “mutual respect”.

Rauner will apparently be emphasizing efficiencies in his speech, in preparation for beginning work on another annual budget even as this year’s remains unpassed.

Rauner entered office about a year ago promising to turnaround the state economy.

But in setting goals for improving schools, Rauner also raised union-weakening language that has been labeled a poison pill by Democrats on issues the Republican governor wants, such as a property tax freeze. “It’s our people who need these services that it’s going to do damage to and maybe permanent damage”, said Henry. I was so anxious about what was going to happen to my friends and me.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer placed the blame for a lack of a budget on house Democrats and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

He added, “The collection of choices we make to end this impasse must prioritize spending for the best interest of middle-class families and our most vulnerable residents”. They hope Governor Rauner will address the budget issue during his State of the State address.

“Finding a pension funding solution is a key component to solving the long-term finances of our state”, Sullivan said. He said the Legislature and the governor both are needed to pass a budget.

Emily Miller, director of policy and advocacy at Voices for Illinois Children, said the agenda Rauner outlined in his speech could have long term negative consequences if the state can’t keep funding for social services in tact. The programs affected include services for the homeless, mentally ill and seniors who need home care.