We need the reforms Rauner fights for

After reading the column by J.B. Pritzker in the June 17 Daily Herald, all I can say is I continue to be totally baffled as to how someone caught on FBI wiretaps cutting deals with Blagojevich could not only stay in the race for governor, but beat out some very qualified candidates. Ah, the power of Madigan and the Democratic machine.

Pritzker lays the blame for all of Illinois' problems on Rauner, apparently not looking back four years to check the backlog of bills, pension underfunding, and poor credit ratings after 30 years of Madigan running the state. Rauner held firm for 736 days, saying he would not approve a budget or increase taxes without structural reforms, but in the end, a budget was passed over his veto.

Pritzker gives his list of what he wants to do, and it of course includes the usual things, such as improving education and infrastructure. But as expected, he fails to say anything about where the funding will come from and how he is going to begin digging Illinois out from its massive debt. The current, supposedly balanced budget that he says was passed by sidelining Rauner is filled with gimmicks, including an unrealistic $300 million from selling the Thompson Center which has no buyer.

It seems to me that Illinois desperately needs the reforms Rauner has tried to start, but Madigan has such control of the state he is able to maintain the status quo. And it seems Pritzker will be more than happy to do what he is told and keep kicking the can down the road so our children can clean up the mess.

Michael Haase

Mount Prospect