Rauner Tried to Zero Out Ag Funding, Shut Down Illinois State Museum

Chicago, IL – Bruce Rauner is celebrating Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day today at the Illinois State Museum, but his failed record on supporting the agriculture industry begs serious questions:

• Why did Rauner propose eliminating funding for agriculture education? In 2016, Rauner zeroed out funding for the second time.

• Why did Rauner cut tens of millions of dollars for agriculture programs? In late 2017, Rauner cut $21 million from the Department of Agriculture in a budget legislators passed over his reckless vetoes.

• Why did Rauner hold back on disbursing the soil and conservation funds approved by the legislature? Rauner only disbursed $5 million of the $13.5 million appropriated, a nearly 63% reduction.

• Bonus: Why did Rauner close the Illinois State Museum for nine months? A few months into the budget crisis, Rauner closed the museum — which caused two thirds of management to leave — and suggested it charge admission to re-open.

“From gutting agriculture education to slashing funding for agriculture programs, Bruce Rauner has failed hardworking farmers and workers across Illinois,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Illinoisans deserve a governor who knows one in 17 Illinois jobs is in the agriculture industry and values the working families that drive our agricultural economy — and that’s JB Pritzker.”

Read JB’s plan to nurture our agriculture economy HERE.

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