Rauner, Pritzker disagree on how to improve Illinois’ future
October 30, 2018
The Midway reached out to the campaigns of Gov. Bruce Rauner and challenger J.B. Pritzker to gather information about policies and opinions on major issues held by the candidates. The Pritzker campaign responded, and answers are incorporated below. The Rauner campaign did not respond to multiple calls or emails, so Rauner’s policies are summarized from official campaign statements.
Gov. Bruce Rauner
Taxes
The governor supports a flat-rate income tax, which means that every individual, no matter their wealth, get would be taxed at the same rate. The individual tax rate in 2017 was around 4.4 percent. Gov. Rauner has expressed that Mr. Pritzker’s advocacy for a graduated rate tax system is “proposing a massive tax hike on all the people of this state”.
Corruption
Gov. Rauner has sought to expose instances of corruption on the part of Mr. Pritzker, namely by publicly sharing a wiretap of a discussion between Mr. Pritzker and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in which Mr. Pritzker asks to be considered for an appointment to State Treasurer.
Criminal Justice
The focus of the governor on criminal justice form is rehabilitation. As governor, he has worked on bipartisan bills that give former criminals more job training and opportunities for when they have served their sentence and are returning to society.
Jobs
In order to increase jobs in the state, the governor wants to lower the cost of doing business, decreasing “out-of-control lawsuit abuse” and freeze property taxes.
J.B. Pritzker
JB Pritzker headshots Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 in Chicago, Ill.
Taxes
Mr. Pritzker advocates for a graduated-rate income tax, which would tax wealthier Illinoisians more than poorer citizens. During a debate on Sept. 20, Mr. Pritzker blamed the governor of supporting the “currently unfair tax system.”
Corruption
Mr. Pritzker does not have a public stance on political corruption, but has emphasized that many accusations that Rauner has made against him during the campaign are untrue. He also explained that Rauner has been lying to the people of Illinois for the three years he has been in office.
Criminal Justice
Mr. Pritzker’s plan “would legalize marijuana and modernize sentencing, reduce recidivism and re-entry by removing economic barriers, reform our juvenile justice system, and treat gun violence like a public health epidemic.” This plan encompasses Mr. Pritzker’s plan to end mass-incarceration.
Jobs
In order to increase jobs, Mr. Pritzker wants to invest in infrastructure, which he believes will make Illinois a desirable place to do business for many companies.