Thursday, April 5, 2018

Chicago, IL – Bruce Rauner’s cover up of his fatal mismanagement of the Quincy Veterans’ Home stands in stark contrast with his repeated promises to “make Illinois government the most efficient, transparent in America.” In 2016, Rauner said, “the FOIA Act is there for a reason, to provide openness and transparency to the people of Illinois.”

Despite his lofty rhetoric, Rauner has repeatedly and consistently violated FOIA law and was sued several times for not releasing official correspondence:

• AP: Gov. Rauner, Who Campaigned On Transparency, Now Secretive

• Chicago Sun-Times: Secretive Rauner Reneges On Campaign Promises

• Chicago Reader: What’s Governor Rauner up to? None of your business 

• Illinois Times: AG dings Rauner for FOIA violation; Not the first time

• Cook County Record: Governor’s Office Accused Of Failing To Comply With Freedom Of Information Act Request

• AP: AG’s office: Rauner improperly withholding calendar details

• Illinois Times: Rauner releases calendar; Governor gives up fight after lawsuit, AG rulings

• Politico: Rauner Administration Blocks Request For First Lady’s State Emails

• Chicago Sun-Times: Ousted Rauner Staffer Sues Gov’s Office Over First Lady’s Emails On Abortion

• WMAY: AG Madigan Claims Rauner Administration Violated FOIA In Munger Appointment

• Crain’s: Rauner Keeping Public In Dark About Rates In Medicaid Reboot

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Editorial: Double standards for Gov. Bruce Rauner

“While vowing to be a transparent governor, Bruce Rauner keeps public records under lock and key and has a storied history of covering up his many failures,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “Rauner is right about one thing: the FOIA Act is there for a reason, and this failed governor should start answering to the people of Illinois.”

###