2018 Illinois Governor Voters Guide

J.B. Pritzker (D) vs Bruce Rauner (R)

Governor | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

J.B. Pritzker

J.B. Pritzker

Democrat

Bruce Rauner

Bruce Rauner

Republican

Incumbent

The Issues

Campaign Finance

Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

No. Wants to overturn it, and strengthen Illinois campaign finance laws.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Unknown.

Climate Change

Consider climate change a critical threat?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Considers it “a real threat,” wants to move Illinois toward 100%  renewable energy.

Bruce Rauner (R)

No public statements.

Should government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Supports participation in U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to climate change action.

Bruce Rauner (R)

No. Relax emission limits in order to save IL coal-fired power plants. Has not joined Climate Alliance.

Education

Increase funding for K-12 education?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Must overcome IL history of underfunding K-12 education and “work to achieve system that both adequately funds and equitably serves every child in Illinois.”

Bruce Rauner (R)

Has stated his priority to fully fund K-12 but cut funding several times to balance state budget. Current plan increases funds but also shifts debt burdens such as pensions from state to schools.

Support expansion of charter schools or provide vouchers or tax breaks to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

No. Will invest in public education & oppose vouchers & charter school expansion.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Yes. Signed bill protecting school choice for parents, including more charter school funding & more access to private schools through tax credit scholarships.

Increase state funding for higher education?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Need sustained, long-term investment to attract students and businesses dependent on well-educated workforce.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Yes. But vetoed funding bill that he considered an irresponsible way to fund higher education.

Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes.  Equality Illinois considers his backing for the LGBTQ community as “unprecedented.”

Bruce Rauner (R)

In 2014 said he would have vetoed recently-passed state marriage equality bill, but accepts gay marriage as settled law since 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

Gun Control

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns, such as more background checks, or “red flag” laws.

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Gun violence is “a public health epidemic.” Supports  banning assault weapons, bump stocks, and high capacity magazines; requiring gun licensing; and implementing universal background checks.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Mixed. Supports some restrictions on access for criminals and the mentally ill, and ban of bump stocks. But vetoed bill on state licensing of gun sellers.

Health Care

Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare? Accept ACA’s Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Support ACA; expand Medicaid.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Mixed. Did not publicly oppose repeal, although said expressed concerns privately. In 2014 opposed Medicaid expansion; now wants to move more Medicaid recipients to managed care programs.

Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

No. Administration’s attempt to add work requirement would impose  “additional, unnecessary barriers to vital healthcare services for those who need access the most.”

Bruce Rauner (R)

Yes. Supports concept of a work requirement.

Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in the US after being brought here as children?

Labor

Support “right to work” law, eliminating the right of unions to mandate dues for workers they represent?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

No.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Yes. Has historically opposed required dues for public unions. Supports allowing cities and counties to declare themselves “right to work” zones.

Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Legalize.

Bruce Rauner (R)

No to legalization. Signed bill to decriminalize small amounts.

Minimum Wage

Raise the minimum wage?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Yes. Favors raise to $15.

Bruce Rauner (R)

No. Vetoed bill to raise to $15 in 4 years.

Net Neutrality

Support requiring internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Bruce Rauner (R)

Unknown.

Renewable Energy

Government support for renewable energy?

Bruce Rauner (R)

Yes. Signed bill to promote “unprecedented” renewable energy sources.

Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts? Increase or cut taxes on high-income Illinois earners.

J.B. Pritzker (D)

Opposes Trump tax cuts. Would raise IL taxes on higher-income earners.

Bruce Rauner (R)

Supports Trump tax cuts. Opposes taxing Il higher-income earners.

Voting Rules

Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?

J.B. Pritzker (D)

No. Running mate supports process to expand voting rights of prisoners who haven’t yet been convicted.

Bruce Rauner (R)

No. But vetoed legislation that would have expanded rights to prisoners who haven’t yet been convicted.

Other gubernatorial candidates include Kash Jackson (L), William Kelly (Constitution Party), and Sam McCann (Conservative Party). Due to limited space, we can only include candidates who poll 15% or higher, but encourage you to check out their websites.