* Fox St. Louis’ Elliott Davis is infamous for his ambushes. He once caught up with Rod Blagojevich on an airport tarmac, blasting him with rapid-fire hostile questions.

Gov. Bruce Rauner got the treatment yesterday…

At least he backed off a bit when asked to by other reporters, but then he ambushed Rauner again in the hallway.

Classic.

* More on the questioning from the Alton Telegraph…

Rauner was also asked about the incomes of his staff. Elizabeth Purvis, a former charter school owner, is currently being paid $250,000 in taxpayers’ money by the governor. This is double what former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn offered his staff. Rauner admitted that she was paid a hefty amount, but added that his staff would not cost nearly as much as Quinn’s.

“We had to find people of high caliber and talent,” he said. “Illinois has lost its way. Governor Quinn did not have a good team of superstars.”

According to Rauner, his staff is composed of less people than Quinn’s and ultimately costs taxpayers less money, despite individually having high salaries.

“Beth could make a lot more in the private sector,” Rauner said.

He said that any of his staffers could make more money working in the private sector but applauded them for choosing to be public servants. He said that Purvis took a pay cut in regards to her former areas of employment. He stated that employees of the state of Illinois make 30-50 percent more than state employees in other states. He said that most make 22 percent more than they would in the private sector. He said that he wanted to change that.

*** UPDATE *** The governor said yesterday that Elizabeth Purvis could make “a lot more in the private sector.” But tax filings show that less than two years ago, her salary was $226,670 with another $22,566 in benefits, for a total package of $249,236, or right about what she’s making now.

In other words, she’s close to breaking even on this deal. No great hardship here.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

…Adding… Oops, I forgot to include some budget-related linkies…

* AUDIO: How organizations brace for Illinois budget cuts: Hear WBEZ’s Tony Arnold journey around Chicago as he sees the influence of potential cuts in state money in almost every corner of the city.

* Governor’s cuts hit would-be citizens hard

* Children’s Place Association announces fight against Rauner’s budget