Governor Rauner with former IL GOP Chairman Pat Brady
By Mark Weyermuller –
Monday night Illinois State Representative Tom Morrison asked Governor Bruce Rauner if he would debate his primary challenger Jeanne Ives. Rauner replied that he would see her at the Chicago Tribune. He may had been referring to appearances before the editorial boards which is not a debate forum.
So as of today, there are no IL GOP gubernatorial primary debates scheduled. Four years ago the governor appeared in several debates before the primary and also skipped a couple including radio debates hosted by WIND 560-AM and WLS 890-AM. They both had a empty podium on the stage.
The Governor appeared Monday evening before about 90 people, including some media. Side note: Monday night was the 45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion on January 22, 1973. Rauner has been under fire for signing HP 40 supporting taxpayer funding of abortion in Illinois.
Illinois’ newest bipartisan public affairs group, the Lincoln Forum, continues its monthly event series in the new year- where some of the most influential, engaging minds in politics and policy will speak on the most important issues facing Illinois and the nation – always at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel.
As the race for who will become the next governor of Illinois heats up, the Lincoln Forum and Chicago Athletic Association hotel are excited to announce that Governor Bruce Rauner will be the first speaker in 2018.
The Lincoln Forum and its monthly events – founded by Former ILGOP Chairman Pat Brady, Prominent Democratic Strategist Eric Adelstein and Communications Strategist, Tracy Slutzkin – provide a much needed platform for a diverse group interested in sound public policy and bipartisan solutions.
Many are calling for a debate between Rauner and Ives so Republican primary voters can hear the issues and see their choices. The primary is Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 with early voting starting March 5, 2018.
