Cullerton blasts Rauner's first State of the State address

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says Gov. Bruce Rauner's major address before lawmakers was an opportunity "squandered with campaign rhetoric."

The Democrat issued a statement Wednesday after Rauner's first State of the State address in Springfield. The Winnetka Republican outlined his plan to cut spending in some areas, increase it for education and ideas for government reforms.

Cullerton says the state has had many bipartisan successes including overhauls to Medicaid, workers compensation, pensions and reducing the backlog of unpaid bills.

He says the people of Illinois elected a divided government, but it doesn't have to be divisive. Cullerton says that Rauner should look to find common ground.

Rauner is the first GOP governor in more than a decade. Democrats control the House and Senate.