Governor Makes Quick Stop in Effingham for Shimkus

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner stopped in Effingham Monday afternoon, part of a whirlwind tour through the 15th Congressional District on behalf of John Shimkus.

(ILLINOIS GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER WAS IN EFFINGHAM MONDAY ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN SHIMKUS {behind Rauner})

The incumbent Congressman is locked in a battle with State Senator Kyle McCarter for the Republican nomination in the March 15 election. The tour began in the Champaign area and was to continue into the Metro East by the time it concluded Monday evening.

Rauner said Shimkus was one of his early supporters when he ran for governor, so he is campaigning on Shimkus' behalf. He called Shimkus "a great personal friend of mine" and said "I'm a big advocate for him".

The governor took no questions from local media during the brief appearance at Mid America Motorworks, where McCarter was among those in the audience.

McCarter is getting ready for a Town Hall meeting in Effingham tonight. The gathering will begin at 7pm in the Effingham VFW Post Home on Veterans Drive. Doors will open at 6:30pm. McCarter had challenged Shimkus to appear, but Shimkus declined.