SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Bruce Rauner has been sworn in as Illinois' 42nd governor.
The Republican businessman took the oath of office Monday during an inaugural ceremony in Springfield. He is the first Republican to lead the state in more than a decade.
During his inaugural speech, Rauner announced that his first official act as governor is ordering state agencies to freeze non-essential spending.
Rauner also says he's asking state agencies to review all contracts signed since Nov. 1. And the wealthy businessman is cutting his own salary to $1 and declining any benefits.
Rauner is the first Republican governor to lead Illinois in more than a decade. He faces a Democratic-controlled Legislature and a multibillion-dollar budget hole.
Rauner says lawmakers' history of spending money the state doesn't have has made Illinois less competitive.
He also promised to change the culture in state government to make the state more attractive to businesses.
"To the people of Illinois and the people outside of our state who've been reluctant to business here because of insider deals and cronyism, I say this: I'm nobody that nobody sent."
Rauner says he'll issue executive orders Tuesday to strengthen ethics in the executive branch.
Rauner's inaugural festivities kicked off Saturday with a dinner at the Capitol. He and his wife will greet people during an afternoon open house at the Old State Capitol. On Monday night country singer Toby Keith and bluesman Buddy Guy will headline an inaugural concert.
Rauner is a wealthy private equity investor who has never before held public office.
Diane
I liked Pat Quinn as a person but I am really looking forward to new leadership in Chicago and in Springfield.
Judi Youdelis Hinton
I googled to find out what “non essential spending” this clown is attacking, but of course, you can’t expect news from “the news” because the news is really just real just in the business of trying to get ratings through scary headlines and never ever does the news give us any news. pathetic – i voted against fracking because i knew that was rauners goal. too bad the news never told the public in the first place. i don’t want to live in a state that has 1,491 earthquakes a year, thank you WGN i’m so happy (not) that you didn’t do your job today or prior to the election.
Thomas Murphy
Does that basically mean he firmly swears to protect the interest of the wealthy not having to work?
Anna
He raised his left hand instead of his right hand. Is that legal?
Zebra Stripes
Funny how Republicans complain about Obama not having prior experience, and yet they have the nerve to put this clown on the ballot.
William hickey
i don’t like Bruce Ranuer he mean and bully everybody
William hickey
bruce ranuer wAS bully liar about voicemail jerk and cheating lets get strike and march in springfield,illinois impeachment and remove the office did you agree everybody
Josephine Smith
The first thing a Republican does is put a freeze on non-essential spending. We are about to get screwed over again. Don’t trust him.