Governor in Effingham to Sign Term Limits Pledge

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Published on July 17 2018 4:05 pm
Last Updated on July 17 2018 4:07 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner made a quick visit to Effingham over the noon hour Tuesday. Rauner was in town as part of a swing through the region to sign a Term Limits Pledge.

The effort is being billed as The People's Pledge. Rauner pledged to serve no more than one additional term as governor. The pledge by legislators is to serve no more than 10 years.

Another key component is a pledge to not support Michael Madigan for another term as House Speaker.

Republican state representative candidates Blaine Wilhour, Darren Bailey and Chris Miller were all present and each signed the pledge.

(FROM LEFT, 107TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE BLAINE WILHOUR, GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER, 110TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATVE CHRIS MILLER, AND 109TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE DARREN BAILEY)

The governor said the pledge is to work to put a term limits question on the ballot to let Illinois citizens decide the question. Rauner said, "This is not about partisan politics. There are Democrats who are there for the right reasons." He encouraged Democrat legislators to vote for one of them for Speaker. 

Wilhour said Illinois needs a new generation of "world tested" leaders. He reminded that, if elected, he would not participate in the state's pension plan. 

Bailey said he wants to help bring reform to Illinois and "see our state restored from within." He noted that Madigan was elected Speaker in 1982, the same year Bailey got his driver's license. He said he wants to remove Madigan as Speaker, and supports term limits. He said, "I believe 10 years in enough."

Miller, who is campaigning for election in the 110th District is a farmer, like Wilhour and Bailey. He said a farmer is used to growing things, solving problems, and fixing things that are broken. He said, "Those are the same things we need from our legislators in Springfield."

There were questions concerning Rauner's signing into law two measures Monday regarding guns. One institutes a 72-hour waiting period before someone can acquire any firearm. Previously, the waiting period only applied to handguns. The other allows a family or law enforcement agency concered about the mental state of an individual to seek a ruling from a judge to remove that individual's guns for a specific period of time. Rauner said he was told that a delay could cause someone contemplating suicide to have time to change their mind.

When asked for their take on the bills, the legislative candidates said they don't feel more bureaucracy is a good solution to such matters.

The governor was asked for his thoughts on county-passed resolutions opposing any state legislation that limits a citizen's rights to keep and bear arms. Rauner said he "respects the passion involved" in such initiatives.

Here's the question and answer portion of Tuesday's appearance with Governor Rauner and the legislative candidates...