Governor Bruce Rauner says 15th District Congressman John Shimkus can play a role in promoting his "Turnaround Agenda" in Washington.
The governor campaigned with Shimkus in a six-city tour of the 15th Congressional District that began in Mahomet Monday morning.
Rauner calls Shimkus a model for a party that seeks to help small business owners and farm families. And the governor says Shimkus has helped Republicans in their fight against longtime Democratic House Speaker.
"As we battle Mike Madigan and the supermajority in the state legislature, John's been in there, coaching, advising, helping, getting the message out as we work to the turn the state of Illinois around. Reducing the tax burden, get property tax reform, get regulatory burden off of our small business owners and our farmers."
Shimkus says the economic challenges he faces in Washington are similar to what Illinois lawmakers face... as his party seeks to elect a Republican president.
Shimkus faces a primary challenge from State Senator Kyle McCarter of Lebanon, Illinois. McCarter has praised Governor Rauner for his leadership on budget issues -- but criticizes Shimkus for supporting a compromise federal budget he calls "out of control".
