Catherwood LibraryILR School

Bruce Rauner, the Republican candidate running for the Illinois governorship against incumbent Pat Quinn, has already spent about $6 million of his own to win the primary on the basis of drawing a harder line against unions than anyone in the race. The candidate, although he claims not to be anti-union, has publically stated that the Illinois pension cuts did not go far enough, the state could make deeper cuts in its budget, and has sharply criticized public sector unions and their leaders. In response, labor unions in Illinois and across the country are ramping up efforts to get anyone other than Mr. Rauner elected, even going so far as to, during the primary, endorse one of his Republican opponents. While many of Mr. Rauner?s views might be unpalatable to organized labor, it is unlikely that his agenda will be easily implemented with Democrats projected to remain in a majority of both the state?s legislative houses.