In last year’s race for governor, Bruce Rauner campaigned as a reformer who would run the state as though it were a private business—a fitting theme for someone who became a billionaire by buying and selling companies.
Even as he touted his business credentials during the campaign, Rauner blasted predecessor Pat Quinn for not telling voters how key decisions were made. “This is about transparency and accountability,” Rauner declared.
In short, Rauner lawyered up. It’s hardly the open-government approach he promised when ripping the culture of “career politicians.”
In many cases, Rauner also released the location of his meetings. A number were held at the executive mansion in Springfield. Others were conducted at his office in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, his condo in Chicago, or his mansion in Winnetka.
Rauner also revealed meetings with several local Chicago Democrats, including aldermen Ed Burke and Danny Solis. “He was very casual—no tie, no jacket—and we sat on a couch and chair in his office,” Solis says. The governor asked Solis to keep the lines of communication open. “He’s very personable,” the alderman says. “But on the issues I’m going to be more with the speaker and John Cullerton.”
Governor Bruce Rauner’s schedule, obtained by FOIA request
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First month
Second month
Third month
Fourth month
