Gov.-elect Rauner to Washington: Sen. Kirk host Illinois lunch

Updated . . . WASHINGTON — Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner makes his first visit to the Capitol in his new capacity on Thursday, where he will be hosted at a lunch in the Capitol by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., with members of the Illinois delegation also expected to attend. On Friday, Rauner has a White House briefing for new governors.

The State of Illinois has a Washington office and Rauner, just as he is learning the ropes in Springfield, has a big Washington component to his operation.

Rauner has D.C. sherpas on his team. Three of Kirk’s key staffers moved over to the Rauner campaign: Mike Zolnierowicz, Lance Trover and Richard Goldberg.