McHenry Times

A post-primary poll shows that re-election prospects for Gov. Bruce Rauner look bleak. 

An Odgen & Fry survey shows him down 22 points compared with Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker; and in an almost certain death knell for a politician, Rauner’s unfavorables are nearly double his favorables.

Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) and other Republican legislators say that for Rauner to have any chance in November he needs to start listening to his base, which includes the conservative and traditional Republicans he angered when he signed a taxpayer-funded abortion bill and a bill that made Illinois a "sanctuary state."

Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee)

“One of the things he can do to show he’s listening right off the bat is promise to veto every gun-control bill that comes his way,” Skillicorn told the McHenry Times.

Skillicorn said that Rauner also needs to rethink his budget proposal.

“He talks about rolling back the income tax increases, but his budget has every cent of new tax money already accounted for,” he said.

Rauner nearly lost his primary bid to Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who appealed to the conservative and traditional GOP voters. Skillicorn and other Republican lawmakers say it will be impossible for Rauner to win if he doesn’t get a substantial portion of those voters back.

“Rauner has been in a death match with (House Speaker Michael) Madigan (D-Chicago),” Skillicorn said. “The agencies, the vendors and the people of Illinois have suffered because of it. Now he is running against Madigan’s handpicked candidate. He has to start working with his Republican caucuses.”