As Democratic leaders continue to stall on budget negotiations, Gov. Rauner pressed forward with his plans to turnaround Illinois, signing a major bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, extending support for laid-off Granite City steelworkers and working to revamp the State Fair while reducing costs to taxpayers.
– The Rauner Team
RAUNER SIGNED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL, BRINGING REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TOGETHER
Flanked with bipartisan support, Gov. Rauner signed yet another piece of criminal justice reform legislation, developed by the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. The bill ensures that inmates released from prison receive a state identification card, easing the transition back into society by making it easier to open a bank account, obtain a loan or get a job.
RAUNER HIGHLIGHTS REDUCTION IN ILLINOIS PRISON POPULATION
Rauner’s reforms have already had a tangible impact –
Illinois’ prison population is down 9% since January 2015. Unlike previous administrations, which discharged dangerous criminals through early release programs, Gov. Rauner’s reforms are centered around reducing recidivism and prioritizing treatment rather than punishment for nonviolent offenders.
RAUNER SIGNS BILL HELPING LAID-OFF STEELWORKERS
“This legislation will help the hard working families of the Metro East who lost their jobs through no fault of their own,” said Gov. Rauner. “While we are encouraged by the recent news that more than 200 jobs will return to the Granite City facility; we hope that by extending unemployment benefits we are able to help the other laid off workers bridge the gap until they are gainfully employed again.”
ILLINOIS FAIRGROUNDS FOUNDATION WORKING TO REVAMP STATE FAIR
The Rauner administration’s efforts to
revamp the Illinois State Fair through private fundraising, providing savings to taxpayers. Rauner announced the creation of the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation at this year’s fair. The foundation allows the state, for the first time, to accept corporate sponsors to help repair fairgrounds in Springfield and Du Quoin. Read more
here.
ILLINOIS IN DIRE NEED OF REFORM
Gov. Rauner this week continued his efforts to negotiate with Democratic leaders on a compromise over the budget and reforms. The urgent need for structural reform was highlighted yesterday after a new census report revealed that
Illinois lost more people than any state over the past year. Over 37,000 people left Illinois.
Gov. Rauner’s reforms to grow our economy and fix our political system are needed now more than ever to keep and bring businesses back to Illinois.
