CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner says he thinks General Electric bypassed Illinois for its new headquarters because of the “trajectory” of the state’s fiscal problems.
(Credit: John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network)
Rauner said Tuesday that he and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel tried to lure GE from Connecticut. Last week the company announced its relocation to Boston.
Rauner says company officials didn’t want to go from “one failed state to another.” He cited Connecticut’s property taxes, income tax and pension problems.
The comments come as the first-term Republican can’t agree with legislative Democrats on a budget for the fiscal year that began in July. There’s also been little indication of plans to address Illinois’ $111 billion unfunded pension liability.
Rauner spoke at a South Side news conference announcing a program to help minority-owned businesses in Chicago, Peoria and Rockford.