CHICAGO (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner told Chicago aldermen Wednesday that Illinois can’t “bail out” the nation’s third-largest city, and urged cooperation addressing the looming financial challenges during an unprecedented speech by a sitting governor to the City Council.
In a roughly 10-minute speech, the new Republican governor gave dueling takes on the relationship between the state and Chicago, both of which are facing severe budget problems. He said Chicago should have local control on such issues as a potential casino but also told the Democratic body the top suggestion he hears from downstate Illinois residents on improving the state is to secede from Chicago.
“I am eager to go to bat for the 2.7 million people of Chicago, but you must remember there are over 10 million people who live outside the city limits,” Rauner said. “Illinois as a state is in a terrible financial crisis. We don’t have the money to simply bail out the city of Chicago. It’s not an option.”
Rauner has been traveling statewide to promote an agenda that includes funding cuts and restricting union influence. Many municipalities have embraced it, passing resolutions in support. But that hasn’t been the case in labor-friendly Chicago. Moments before Rauner spoke, alderman and Mayor Rahm Emanuel used a resolution to oppose Rauner’s push to create “right to work zones” where union membership is voluntary. Workers in the audience applauded heartily.
“It is the wrong strategy,” Emanuel told the crowd.