Rauner: No raise without reform

If Illinois voters approve a November ballot advisory question to increase the state’s minimum wage, that alone will not be enough for Bruce Rauner to push for an increase if he’s elected governor.

The Republican candidate for governor said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday that even if a majority of voters supported an increase, it should not be enacted without a series of pro-business reforms.

“As I’ve said all along, I absolutely will support raising the minimum wage in Illinois, but I want to insist that it be included with business reform, workers comp reform, tax rate reduction and tort reform,” Rauner said. “Then I will advocate for it.”

Asked how he thought he could get the immense package of measures through the state Legislature, the Winnetka venture capitalist said: “I think it’s very doable. I will be working closely with the general assembly.”

Rauner had a minimum wage mishap early in his campaign when video showed him saying he was “adamantly, adamantly” against raising the minimum wage in Illinois and it should be lowered by $1 an hour to equal the federal minimum wage. That caused a backlash, and he said would be for an increase if the federal minimum wage also was increased or if a series of pro-business reforms was pushed through.

On Sunday, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a measure to put a question on the fall ballot asking voters if the minimum wage should be increased.

“It’s heartless,” Quinn campaign spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said of Rauner’s stand.