* Rep. Jeanne Ives campaign press release…

In late 2017, Rauner defended himself to the Chicago Press Corp saying, “I am not in charge…”

Edgar County Watchdogs, Kirk Allen and John Kraft, published an authenticated internal email from First Lady Diana Rauner that suggests Gov. Rauner is correct. He’s not in charge. His wife is.

According to the story, the Watchdogs filed a FOIA inquiry about “protocols” involving Diana Rauner when it came to policy decisions and communications emanating from the Governor’s office. The response from the Governor’s office was that there are no such protocols.

However, in an email from Diana Rauner to the administration’s state communication staff several months before the legislation enacting taxpayer-funding of abortion-on-demand (HB 40) was signed into law by the governor, Diana Rauner clearly indicates she expects to sign off “per protocol”.

* From the Edgar County Watchdogs’ story…

Dianna Rauner made it clear August 10th, 2017, at 7:18 pm, several months before HB 40 abortion bill was signed into law, that she will, in fact, sign off on the final version, per protocol.

Per Protocol?

“Happy to discuss further but per protocol I expect to sign off on the final version. Thanks”

While the topic of killing babies in the womb has been a heated debate for years in this country, we find that the Governor’s signing of the Abortion-on-demand bill, with taxpayers picking up the tab, may be the true tipping point in Illinois politics and the Republican Party.

Compound the signing of the bill with the fact his unelected wife affirmed she would sign off on the final version months before it was signed into law, it’s clear there is more to the story as to who is in charge.

Um, no.

* If you click here and look at the actual e-mail, you’ll see Mrs. Rauner was clearly discussing a proposed statement from the governor, not the language of the bill, which had already been passed by both chambers.

The e-mail’s subject was “Statement on HB40.” She sent the e-mail to two press staffers, the governor’s chief of staff and her own chief of staff…

I would suggest:
Governor Rauner is committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights and has a consistent record of standing up for women’s rights. He won’t comment further on a bill that has not been sent to his desk.

Happy to discuss further, but per protocol I expect to sign off on final version. Thanks.

So, yeah, she definitely had some control over the governor’s messaging, but not the content of the legislation. At least, not that we know of.

As for protocols, they don’t have to be written down. Sometimes, you just know.

* Speaking of Mrs. Rauner, this e-mail was sent by her yesterday from a group called Women Working For Change…

Friends,

On March 20th Illinois voters will choose their candidates to run for the office of Governor this November. I am writing today to ask you to join me in voting for my husband, Bruce Rauner. […]

He can win a pivotal second term, but only with your help and support. Bruce will never stop fighting for Illinois, and I am proud to join him. Please vote for Bruce Rauner and join our movement to save Illinois!

Thank you for joining us in this important election!

Best regards,
Diana

The WW4C group has a very sharp website. If you go to the “About” page, you’ll see this…

Women Working for Change (WW4C) is a coalition of women from across the state of Illinois.

We are Democrats, Republicans, independents, doctors, teachers, moms and CEOs.

We joined together on the core principle that if we listen to each other and elevate the conversation above the constant political fighting we can reach real solutions to the problems we face in our state.

* Now, scroll all the way to the bottom…

Paid for by Citizens for Rauner

WHOIS lists the site’s creation date as November 15, 2017. The first story (the First Lady loves stories) was posted on December 7th. I’m guessing this “group” will get a whole lot more visible after the primary is over in a couple of weeks, assuming Rep. Ives is safely dispatched to the sidelines.

*** UPDATE *** The Illinois Review has picked up on the story. Headline…

Rauner campaign funds non-partisan, pro-abortion women’s group website

Yipe.