Madigan, Democrats try to tie Trump to Rauner

Illinois Democrats on Thursday used their annual day at the Illinois State Fair to do what Republicans have tried to avoid: link Gov. Bruce Rauner and the GOP ticket to controversial presidential nominee Donald Trump.

They ticked off a list of comparisons: both men are wealthy, neither held public office before running for high office, and both hold political views Democrats deemed "extreme."

For Trump, they pointed to comments on women and minorities. For Rauner, they highlighted policy positions, including his "Turnaround Agenda," that they said take aim at the same demographics. The wish list includes limits on payouts for workers hurt on the job and restrictions on collective bargaining for union workers at the same time budget cuts have hit the disabled, the mentally ill and the elderly.

"No. 1, we can come together in opposition of the extremism of Donald Trump," said House Speaker Mike Madigan, who doubles as state Democratic chairman. "No. 2, I think we can all come together in opposition to the extremism of Bruce Rauner."

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-democrat-day-madigan-illinois-state-fair-met-0819-20160818-story.html