By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board vice chairman Jim Soeldner said he suspects Governor Rauner supports Rivian Automotive, and recent comments about the automaker were critical of Illinois’ business climate but not Rivian.

Soeldner said Tuesday that he doubts the governor would criticize a company trying to follow through on the governor’s desire to attract business to the state:

“I honestly believe that he was trying to make a statement that he felt like (if) the environment in the state was better for business, then maybe Mitsubishi would still be here and maybe things would move a little faster,” Soeldner told WJBC’s Sam Wood.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think it came out that way. I’m hoping that I understood what he meant,” said Soeldner.

Soeldner, a Republican from Ellsworth, said the Rauner administration has demonstrated it wants businesses like Rivian to land in the state.

“Getting Rivian here and getting Brandt here, I think they’re trying to do whatever they can to get businesses to the state and to the local area. So I’m hoping he meant only good things,” Soeldner also said.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]