Illinois Gov. Rauner on New Tech Center, Amazon & Budget

Governor Rauner discusses the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago, a new research hub in collaboration with the University of Illinois, aimed at attracting Amazon's second headquarters. Despite financial challenges, the initiative is primarily funded through private donations. Rauner highlights Illinois' advantages, including its workforce and transportation network, as reasons for Amazon to choose the state. He also outlines financial strategies to manage state debt and efforts to transform the government and economy, emphasizing regulation reduction and innovative union contracts.

What is the main purpose of the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago?

• To serve as a cultural center

• To act as a second headquarters for Amazon

• To expand the University of Illinois' engineering school

• To provide housing for students

How is the Discovery Partners Institute primarily funded?

• By increasing tuition fees

• Through state taxes

• Via private donations and partnerships

• By federal grants

Which universities are involved in the Discovery Partners Institute initiative?

• Yale and Princeton

• Harvard and MIT

• University of Chicago and Northwestern University

• Stanford and Berkeley

What recent challenges has Illinois faced in attracting major companies?

• Poor transportation infrastructure

• Lack of skilled workforce

• High crime rates

• Loss of potential factories and joint ventures to other states

What makes Illinois a strong candidate for Amazon's next headquarters?

• Its proximity to the ocean

• Its central location and transportation network

• Its warm climate

• Its low cost of living

What financial strategy is Illinois employing to manage its debt?

• Increasing taxes

• Refinancing old unpaid bills

• Borrowing from international banks

• Cutting education funding

What is one of the goals of Illinois' government transformation efforts?

• To expand the state's bureaucracy

• To reduce regulations and cut government costs

• To increase the number of government employees

• To centralize all state operations in Chicago