Rauner Still 'Not Apologizing' For IPI's Racially Loaded Cartoon

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 24, 2017 9:33PM

Illinois governor Bruce Rauner last February in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A Democratic lawmaker came face-to-face with Gov. Bruce Rauner at a press conference on Thursday morning asking if he would apologize for a racially loaded cartoon that was published by the Illinois Policy Institute—the conservative group with which the governor is closely tied. Rauner reportedly declined to apologize because he was not responsible for the cartoon.

"I'm not apologizing," Rauner said when he was confronted by Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) at the presser, according to the Sun-Times.

WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold and WTTW reporter Amanda Vinicky both posted photos of the presser. Rauner did say he stands against racism, and Ford added that it was time to put the cartoon to rest, Vinicky also tweeted. Ford then reportedly thanked him for condemning racism.

It all came of course in the wake of the latest staff shakeup at the governor's office, which saw four communications members ousted. The turnover came after Rauner was heavily criticized after a statement from his now-resigned spokeswoman said that "as a white male," Rauner had nothing "more to add to the discussion" after the controversial cartoon was removed.

Democratic rival JB Pritzker on Thursday drew a parallel between the Rauner upheaval and those in the White House. His camp even created a Craigslist ad that tweaked the chaos. Rauner reportedly maintained that the administration was not in disorder despite the shakeup.

[H/T Capitol Fax]

This post has been updated.