Illinois needs to stand with Rauner

As someone who sees what Democratic rule has done the state of Illinois, Republicans now more than ever need to stand with Gov. Bruce Rauner and fight attempts to return all three branches to Democratic control. Gov. Rauner came into office facing impossible odds and a branch of government dedicated to stopping his agenda. His vetoes have saved the state nearly $3 billion dollars and earned him a 92 percent approval rating from Taxpayers United of America. He has taken practical steps toward criminal justice reform, education reform and energy reform. However, we continue to see distorted attacks from the left and right regarding his tenure. Democrats would rather focus on tying him to Trump than deal with their own problems of Berrios and Madigan.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ives continues to spread misinformation about bills that Gov. Rauner has had to sign. The Future Energy Jobs Act helps save power plants in rural Illinois while jump-starting desperately needed job growth, which Rep. Ives calls a "bailout". SB 1947 serves to correct the funding imbalances that have plagued our schools while creating a new scholarship program that will help thousands of low-income children. All the Democrats and Ives stood with the Chicago Teachers Union and voted against kids who need help. The TRUST Act was created as a result of a federal-court decision and supported by law enforcement to keep our communities safe, which Ives keeps falsely claiming is a "sanctuary state" law.

Rep. Ives claims HB 40 takes away from disabled children. Meanwhile Rauner signed a bill (HB 2663) to help disabled and at-risk children stay in school. Republicans need to reject Ives' false statements and extreme stances. Gov. Rauner is our best hope to save us from the ever-increasing burdens Democrats want to impose.

Steven Anderson

Schaumburg