Nov. 20--SPRINGFIELD -- Making his first post-election appearance at the Capitol, Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner on Thursday contended the state's finances are in dire shape and asked outgoing Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn to freeze hiring in preparation for a government transition that's nearly two months away.
"The financial condition of the state of Illinois is stunningly bad, it's horrible," said Rauner, who gave no specifics about the breadth of the problem or how he'll solve it.
Rauner offered broad outlines of proposals that would try to prevent Quinn personnel moves that could be costly to taxpayers. Rauner's pronouncements about the state treasury's poor finances could lay the groundwork to manage expectations and give him wiggle room in his rookie budget, which he vowed to unveil on time in February.
The state's financial condition will be made worse on Jan. 1, when the state's temporary income tax rate drops from 5 percent to 3.75 percent. The tax rollback will mean a $4 billion annual hole. During the campaign, Rauner supported allowing the 2011 temporary income tax increase to start expiring, but he has offered few specifics about how he would find enough money to run state government next year and beyond.
The incoming Republican governor called on Quinn to freeze hiring and appointments to a variety of jobs, saying the outgoing Democrat should not be making employment decisions as Rauner works to build his administration.
Rauner said he had "no reason" to believe Quinn is "doing anything inappropriate" regarding hiring, but Rauner noted past transitions have seen governors load up the state payroll with friends, appoint political allies to various boards and put vulnerable workers into better-protected jobs.
"We think it's good practice, it's good management practice, not at the tail end of an administration to put in people, friends, affiliates, into positions that are permanent or hard to change when we have a new administration," Rauner said.
Quinn spokeswoman Katie Hickey said the governor "has already directed all cabinet members to manage their agencies in a responsible manner to ensure that the basic operations of the state continue."
Rauner, a neophyte politician, is making the rounds with state legislators and some statewide officials, including newly minted Treasurer-elect Mike Frerichs, a Democrat whose victory was just finalized this week. Rauner's news conference, held in front of Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka's office, came as lawmakers were wrapping up their first week of the fall veto session.
Standing down the hall from the governor's office he will soon take over, Rauner said he will push for a new pension overhaul to address the $100 billion debt to state retirement systems. He has long predicted the current pension law that scales back worker benefits will be held unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court. He said he wanted to see what recommendations the high court would make before he would push a new bill.
Rauner also planned to tour the Executive Mansion, which is in some disrepair, but the incoming governor reiterated his plans to live in Springfield -- a vow that he made in the campaign. Quinn and now-imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich did not live full time in the mansion, something that stuck in the craw of Downstaters who often complain that their region of the state is ignored.
Rauner, who spent more than $27 million from his own pocket to get elected, said he planned to use private funds to upgrade the mansion.
rlong@tribune.com
mcgarcia@tribune.com
