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Rauner Shops and Talks Economic Development in Macomb

TSPR Emily Boyer
Governor Rauner (center) met with shop owners Jon and Lara Dively (left) at Nostalgia. They were joined by MAEDCO's Kim Pierce and Mayor Mike Inman

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner visited Macomb where he did a little Christmas shopping before meeting with county leaders.

Rauner stopped in the store Nostalgia, which located on the northeast side of the courthouse square. He met with the owners Jon and Lara Dively who gave them a tour of the store and their newly finished apartment upstairs where they live.

Rauner purchased two items which he said were Christmas gifts for his wife and daughter. Rauner also chatted with Macomb Mayor Mike Inman and Kim Pierce, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Economic Development Cooperation (MAEDCO). After the quick shopping trip, Rauner left to meet with local leaders. He said they would be discussing economic development.

"We are advocating much stronger economic growth for the state of Illinois and we are talking with them about the policies we are going to try to roll back, the income tax hike that the General Assembly passed over my veto in June and we also want to get more local control of the cost of local government so we can get rid of the unfunded mandates from Springfield so that we can reduce property taxes," Rauner said.

Rauner said he also planned to talk with local leaders about a new capital bill. He said he wants to fund more transportation projects to improve access to this region.

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.