2018 Illinois Governor Voters Guide
J.B. Pritzker (D) vs Bruce Rauner (R)
The Candidates
Mixed. Signed bill to expand and protect abortion coverage. Personally pro-choice, but respects religious and moral objections, supports “pro-life” candidates.
No. Wants to overturn it, and strengthen Illinois campaign finance laws.
Unknown.
Yes. Considers it “a real threat,” wants to move Illinois toward 100% renewable energy.
No public statements.
Yes. Supports participation in U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to climate change action.
No. Relax emission limits in order to save IL coal-fired power plants. Has not joined Climate Alliance.
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.”
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.
No. Will invest in public education & oppose vouchers & charter school expansion.
Yes. Signed bill protecting school choice for parents, including more charter school funding & more access to private schools through tax credit scholarships.
Yes. Need sustained, long-term investment to attract students and businesses dependent on well-educated workforce.
Yes. But vetoed funding bill that he considered an irresponsible way to fund higher education.
Yes. Equality Illinois considers his backing for the LGBTQ community as “unprecedented.”
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Support ACA; expand Medicaid.
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.
No. Administration’s attempt to add work requirement would impose “additional, unnecessary barriers to vital healthcare services for those who need access the most.”
Yes. Supports concept of a work requirement.
Yes.
No.
Yes. Has historically opposed required dues for public unions. Supports allowing cities and counties to declare themselves “right to work” zones.
Legalize.
No to legalization. Signed bill to decriminalize small amounts.
Yes. Favors raise to $15.
No. Vetoed bill to raise to $15 in 4 years.
Yes. Net neutrality is “vital to free expression, online innovation, and public safety.”
Unknown.
Supports increasing requirements for percentage of renewable energy produced by utilities.
Yes. Signed bill to promote “unprecedented” renewable energy sources.
Opposes Trump tax cuts. Would raise IL taxes on higher-income earners.
Supports Trump tax cuts. Opposes taxing Il higher-income earners.
No. Running mate supports process to expand voting rights of prisoners who haven’t yet been convicted.
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.
