NBC Chicago has learned Turnaround Illinois, the independent expenditure committee formed in April to "support state legislative candidates who support Gov. Rauner's bold and needed reforms and to oppose those who stand in the way," is on the cusp of making its first ad buy in the Chicago television market reportedly for an estimated $450,000.
When asked about this, the governor's office had no comment. But according to sources who track such transactions, the ad buy is currently set to run from June 16 through June 22.
Local television stations were told Friday to expect orders to arrive Monday morning for commercials to begin airing on Tuesday.
Rauner has lambasted Democratic lawmakers in Springfield for not passing his pro-business agenda that includes a freeze on property taxes, limits on the collective bargaining rights of unions, and revisions to worker compensation laws.
The Republican governor has called out House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton for what he views as their intransigence and insider dealing. While both sides agree Illinois' fiscal situation is dire, Madigan and Cullerton have responded that the most urgent issue before them—and the governor—should be the budget itself and the search for new revenue to close a nearly $4 billion hole.
Rauner is threatening major budget cuts if lawmakers don't pass his plan by July 1.
Democrats, meanwhile, have been bracing for some time for the threatened Turnaround Illinois ads targeting them and paid for by the multi-million dollar pro-Rauner PAC. And for the scorched political earth the anticipated ad blitz promises to bring with it.
