Four months before the primary election, local business owners in the Quad Cities got to ask the Republican candidates running for Illinois governor about jobs, the economy, state finances, and pension reform.The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast forum in Moline Wednesday. Bruce Rauner, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, and State Senators Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard all took part. Governor Pat Quinn was invited, but didn't attend the relatively informal forum. Local TV journalist, Jim Mertens, read the questions submitted by the chamber's executive committee. And the candidates took turns responding.
One of the biggest challenges the next governor will face is how to stabilize the state's finances. Dillard says Illinois has a spending problem and must "get a handle" on its Medicaid plan. Members of the chamber of commerce also asked whether the candidates would support a capital program to improve infrastructure. Rutherford said "yes" but as state treasurer he knows the big problem is always how to pay for it. When asked what more should be done to fix Illinois' pension systems, Rauner said the law just passed by the General Assembly is like a "band-aid on an open wound."
Pension reform is still a big issues for the GOP. Brady voted for the pension reform bill after serving on a committee that worked on it over the summer. Dillard voted "no," and in his words, "the process stunk." Rauner says he supports changing Illinois pension systems to defined contribution plans for future workers. Rutherford says he believes the pension reform law is unconstitutional.
The four candidates also say if elected, they'd improve the business climate in Illinois with various forms of de-regulation. They also answered questions about early childhood education, the minimum wage, and the Rock Island Arsenal.
