CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner left the country for the holidays, but his staff won't say where he went or even why they don't want to disclose his whereabouts.

The wealthy businessman-turned-governor left the U.S. last weekend for a two-week vacation with family, spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said Wednesday. She said he is paying for the trip himself and plans to return to Illinois on Jan. 3, but she declined to comment further.

Rauner's staff has made clear they don't believe his schedule is public information, despite pre-election pledges of transparency. Since he became governor in January, his office has released only limited information about his public appearances, typically hours before they begin — a policy that has prompted a legal fight.

Not sharing information about his travel outside the country is just the latest example of Rauner's secrecy.