Chicago City Wire

Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) recently joined Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner in the GOP primary, in calling for an investigation into the resignation of Rauner’s former general counsel, Dennis Murashko, McSweeney said in a release.

Murashko resigned in late August under as yet unexplained circumstances, according to a Chicago Tribune report. While Rauner has consistently insisted there is no deeper story behind the resignation, the fact that it came shortly after Murashko sent a memo clarifying how state business should be kept separate from Rauner campaign business has sparked calls for an investigation from Ives and now McSweeney.

"I support Jeanne Ives’ call for a full investigation," McSweeney said during an interview on the "Chicago’s Morning Answer" radio show, according to the release. "Even this morning, there was a story in Politico that the administration won’t answer questions. … This is business as usual with the Rauner administration: very secretive, not providing answers."

"Chicago's Morning Answer" is co-hosted by Dan Proft, who also is a principal in Local Government Information Services, which owns this publication.

In his release, McSweeney criticized Rauner for his track record during his first term, arguing that while the governor has often criticized House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), he has also often signed legislation that Madigan championed.

“Bruce Rauner worked hand in hand with Mike Madigan on making Illinois a sanctuary state,” McSweeney said. “And guess who signed Madigan’s abortion bill? Bruce Rauner is the kind of guy who loves to go out and criticize, call people names. But when push comes to shove, he’s been Madigan’s biggest ally. And that’s why we need change. That’s why Jeanne Ives would be a good governor."