Rauner denies TV ad rumor amid budget battle

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- During his first one-on-one interview after the legislative session adjourned, rookie Gov. Bruce Rauner denied having secretly produced TV ads that will attack his Springfield political opponents.

"I don't know where all this rumor has come from. I haven't said anything like that," Rauner said.

Sunday night, the governor described himself as "stunningly disappointed" with democratic leaders who rejected his pro-business "turnaround agenda," including anti-union right-to-work zones, workers compensation and lawsuit reforms and a property tax freeze - changes Rauner says will resurrect the state's economy.

"We need to reform and change direction. We can't only raise taxes," Rauner said.

During a heated capitol news conference, the governor alleged that house speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton were using their public offices to benefit their private law practices.

"Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton make their money from big government!" Rauner said.

President Cullerton said Rauner's attacking style makes it more difficult to reach a budget to reach a budget agreement.

"Instead of being here working with us on a budget, he's working on sitting down with his ad writers working on negative ads," Cullerton said.

"I hope the career politicians, the insiders who don't want to change, are scared. I hope they are because they haven't been working for the people," Rauner said.

When asked if he'd sign the bill passed by Democrats at the end of session that could reduce Chicago's mandated balloon pension payment from $550 million to $225 million, Rauner said: "That bill is primarily kicking the can. It's postponing a problem, putting it on future taxpayers and our children in the next generation. That's wrong."

And Rauner had a reminder for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and state lawmakers from the mostly democratic, pro-union city.

"I will be asking them as well as many other legislators to support elements of our turnaround agenda," Rauner said.

Despite the charges he made against Madigan and Cullerton, Rauner says he still has open lines of communication with both legislative leaders.

The House and Senate both plan extra sessions during June primarily focused on getting a state budget. The projected deficit is $6 billion.