Gov. Rauner Rescinds Final Executive Orders by Quinn

Lee Edwards | As of Friday, January 23, 2015

Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an Executive Order last week revoking and rescinding the final seven Executive Orders issued by outgoing governor, Pat Quinn.
Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an Executive Order last week revoking and rescinding the final seven Executive Orders issued by outgoing governor, Pat Quinn.

Last week, Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order 15-11 (EO 15-11) which revoked and rescinded the final seven Executive Orders issued by outgoing governor, Pat Quinn, effective immediately. EO 15-11 is the fourth Executive Order signed by Rauner since he took office on Jan. 12, 2015.

“It is clear that too many of Pat Quinn’s actions during his final weeks in office were in an effort to settle political scores and not wholly aimed at serving the public’s interest,” said Lance Trover, spokesman for the governor. “The Rauner Administration will decide on a case-by-case basis if any Executive Orders should be re-implemented.”

Over the course of his term in office as governor, Quinn issued a total of 11 executive orders in 2014, six in 2013, three in 2012, five in 2011, and 14 in 2010 (his first year in office) compared to the seven he issued within a week’s time span in 2015.

This decision by Rauner is consistent with his apparent distaste for certain aspects of the Quinn Administration. While Rauner was running as the Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, he never minced words when criticizing Quinn’s administration and perceived shortcomings. Rauner was quoted by the Chicago Tribune of accusing Quinn of cronyism and corruption and as a “failed governor”.

Quinn’s Executive Orders addressed immigration, accommodating pregnant women employed by state agencies in the work place, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mandated that each year moving forward every governor will file their income taxes with the Secretary of State for public inspection, created Illinois Open Data as a cost saving transparency initiative regarding the State’s technology resources, and increased the minimum wage of state contractors and subcontracts from $8.25 to $10.

On Jan. 19, Gov. Rauner signed Executive Order 15-12 (EX1512) designed to create more economic opportunities for minorities and veterans.

“Illinois is an incredibly diverse state, and we benefit from that diversity,” said Rauner. “But the unemployment rate for minorities and veterans is way too high. This Executive Order will help reveal some of the causes and identify ways to solve this injustice.”

Illinois' Executive Order EX1512 mandates state agencies require every labor organization, contractor or subcontractor that is party to a state contract to obtain and report within 30 days the total number of minority and veteran participants in any offered training program as well as the minority and veteran participation rate in said programs.

Illinois' Central Management Services (CMS) ensures the accountable, efficient, transparent and effective delivery of a broad range of programs and services to state agencies, the Illinois business community, local governments, and the citizens of Illinois, while maintaining the lowest impact on taxpayer dollars.

“We need to ensure jobs and business opportunities are open to everyone, but especially those who serve our country or are underrepresented in the economy,” Gov. Rauner added. “I will be a governor who champions our veterans and historically-disadvantaged communities. This Executive Order will help give my administration the tools to do exactly that.”

For more information on about the policies of the Rauner Administration visit https://www.illinois.gov/Pages/default.aspx/.

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