From the cartoonist: Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner is finding more and more to dread as his swearing in draws closer. Click to enlarge. Stantis-Rauners-Start-1207 The cartoon above accompanied the editorial in the Chicago Tribune print edition of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. Headlined, “The Rauner era has begun: At the get-go, here’s what ‘shaking up Springfield would mean,’” the editorial outlines the challenges awaiting Rauner when on Jan. 12 he is sworn in as Illinois’ first Republican governor in 12 years.

Rauner is taking over what financial analysts describe as the worst-run state in America. Beyond the insolvency he inherited — Illinois still can’t pay bills as they come due — he made many promises on the campaign trail: To expand school choice. To grow jobs. To ratchet down income tax rates.

The editorial focuses on what likely could the first showdown between the new governor and the state’s most powerful politician, House Speaker Michael Madigan, over raising the statewide minimum wage.

Rauner’s first clash with the legislature might be over the issue of hiking the minimum wage. The governor-elect said he would agree to raise it, but only if coupled with business reforms such as workers’ compensation fixes…

Rauner should stick to his word. He should work with Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton toward meaningful business reforms that would help Illinois’ jobs climate — with the understanding that he will veto a wage bill that comes without them.

It wasn’t too long ago that an appellate court forced an electronics store to compensate an employee who hurt himself while hurling his body into a vending machine to dislodge a bag of Fritos.

But the editorial acknowledges the vast gulf that separates hope from action — and idealism from political reality — in Springfield.

We dearly hope that Cullerton and Madigan will recognize the voters’ frustration and work with Rauner on a new agenda to promote job growth and government stability. We’d sure like to find more kind things to say about the leaders of the Senate and House. But as we know: Much human ambition gathers beneath the dome. The state budget is in shambles. And before the sun sets on Rauner’s inauguration next month, Democratic leaders will be plotting how to make sure one of their own takes the oath of office in 2019. So any victories Rauner scores in Springfield will be hard-fought.

The full editorial is here.

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