* Gov. Rauner was on the Roe Conn show the other day and talked about how the state needs to “invest in the technology and information sector.” He wants us to be more like California, Massachusetts and other giant tech hubs. He rightly pointed out that “the driver of that sector is the university systems,” and Roe asked what was holding Illinois back. After talking a bit about state regulations, Rauner launched into this soliloquy….
Rauner: The tragedy for us in Illinois is, the University of Illinois is here, one of the great research universities in the world. Their students have started some of the greatest companies in the world. Oracle, PayPal, Tesla Motors, iTunes. It’s stunning. None of them are in Illinois. There’s several reasons, but part of the reason is, Champaign-Urbana is wonderful, but it’s very hard to keep a company of more than six people there. There’s no convenient transportation, not much of a workforce. It’s very hard. We can start some companies there, but what we need to do is help the University of Illinois expand in Chicago, expand in Rockford and Peoria that have large economic systems and great companies already.
Conn: Airports and rail and all that.
Rauner: Exactly. And a diverse, large workforce. And then use their technology innovation and ability, get their students integrated in the local economy and we can boom.
* WCIA’s Mark Maxwell was not amused…
* More react…
* Rep. Carol Ammons lauched on the governor…
Read the rest here.
* But is he right? Maybe not on some of the specifics (and negatively comparing Champaign to Rockford and Peoria ain’t gonna go over well), but he’s certainly right that we have trouble keeping these genius tech gurus in Champaign. Yes, there are some exceptions. And, yes, much of the reason was that until recently Illinois didn’t have the same sort of startup-funding infrastructure as Silicon Valley.
But there’s no denying that nurturing the tech boom in Chicago means UIUC needs to have a city presence.
He shoulda just stuck with that instead of bashing Champaign. “Not much of a workforce”? Sheesh, man.
*** UPDATE *** You’ll recall that Pritzker has a new TV ad criticizing Rauner for constantly bad-mouthing Illinois…
“Bruce Rauner is Illinois’ bad-mouther-in-chief and communities across our state are fed up and fighting back,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “This governor railed against Champaign-Urbana, belittling their workers, disregarding their transportation system, and leaving local leaders to defend their communities from baseless attacks.”
…Adding… Erika Harold kinda responds…
As someone who was born and raised in Champaign-Urbana and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I could not be prouder of our educational institutions, workforce and vibrantly diverse community. We should be doing more to invest in infrastructure and economic opportunities for all Illinoisans, and that is why I am running for Attorney General - to ensure all of our communities are well represented.
…Adding… Sen. Kwame Raoul…
While discussing Champaign-Urbana on a Chicago radio station last week, Bruce Rauner told a Chicago radio station, “it’s very hard to keep the company of more than six people there. There’s no convenient transportation, not much a workforce. It’s very hard.”
Democratic candidate for Attorney General Kwame Raoul responded:
“Whether it’s Donald Trump calling my ancestors’ home of Haiti a ’shithole,’ or Bruce Rauner badmouthing his own state, it is long past time for our leaders to stop tearing people down.
Champaign-Urbana is one of the most important regions in our great state, and the people who call it home don’t deserve to be insulted. I’m proud of where I come from, and if someone attacks any of Illinois’ vibrant communities, voters can count on me to stand up and fight back.”
Rauner’s handpicked candidate for Attorney General, Republican Erika Harold, was born and raised in Champaign-Urbana and attended the University of Illinois. Her response failed to mention the Governor’s harsh words for her hometown.
