SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Throughout his gubernatorial campaign, Bruce Rauner insisted he didn’t have a social agenda and was focused solely on Illinois’ deepening financial crisis.
He’ll now be forced to stake out positions on a range of social issues thanks to the majority-Democrat General Assembly passing proposals this spring that would reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, ban therapists from trying to change a young person’s sexuality and ensure employers pay women at rates equal to men.
Any of the bills could spark the controversy the first-term Republican hoped to bypass.
Rauner hasn’t indicated how he’ll act. His office only says he “carefully considers” any legislation on his desk.
But signing some could irritate his GOP base. Vetoes could make Democrats he needs to negotiate a budget deal with angry.