Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for fending off potential Democratic challengers includes stressing the bright spots while blaming others for the things going horribly wrong FILE – In this Jan. 25, 2017 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his State of the State address in the Illinois House chamber in Springfield, Ill. With crises mounting around him and potential Democratic rivals circling, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for keeping his job in 2018 appears to involve stressing the bright spots and blaming others for the things going horribly wrong.