A new Illinois governor offers the opportunity to build relationships and share common goals, IAR’s Government Affairs Director Greg St. Aubin told those attending the association’s Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria.
St. Aubin, who has been a lobbyist for IAR for more than 25 years, said much remains the same under the new administration: There are veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate and the budget crisis remains as dire as ever.
What differs is Gov. Bruce Rauner’s apparent willingness to build relationships as evidenced by an inauguration day visit to IAR headquarters to attend a legislative reception, St. Aubin said at the Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Member Involvement Group chaired by Chicago REALTOR Ron Abrams.
In terms of how Gov. Rauner will interact with IAR: “We are just going to have to see. Often (new administrations) learn as they get into the process of governing they need us.”
“We’ve been pleased so far and encouraged by his outreach and engagement,” St. Aubin said.