Rauner responds to departure of communication staffers

Posted on August 25, 2017
Bruce Rauner
Gov. Bruce Rauner denied claims of turmoil in his administration following the departure of four communications staffers. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bruce Rauner)

By RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner was coming out swinging in response to news that four communications staffers resigned.

One of them was Diana Rickert, one of the top staffers who came to the administration from the Illinois Policy Institute. Rauner defied characterizations that the conservative think tank was playing a central role in the administration.

“I have not leaned on them as my go-to think tank, that is not an accurate statement,” Rauner. “I challenge the premise of the question. I do have a few in my administration who used to work there.”

The communications staffers left amid the recent controversy over a political cartoon on the school funding debate from the Illinois Policy Institute that showed a black child seeking money from a white man.

Rauner rejected talk of turmoil.

“It’s just part of the process,” Rauner said. “I don’t agree with (calling it) turmoil. We’ve had some changes, we’ve had a handful of people change.”

Rickert, Communications Director Laurel Patrick and two communications specialists were let go after starting work with the administration just last month.

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