Rauners to spend first night in executive mansion

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois First Lady Diana will spend their first night sleeping in the governor’s mansion on Tuesday.

In a news conference inside the governor’s office, Rauner said the two planned to hit the town for dinner and welcomed recommendations.

Rauner laughed when asked if the mansion was “livable.”

“It’s better than my fraternity house in college,” he said.

He said it was but expressed regret at the state of disrepair it was in, including buckled floors, plaster falling from the ceiling, an inoperable elevator for the disabled to use.

The wealthy venture capitalist has vowed to live in the governor’s mansion, despite owning nine homes. The last Illinois governor to live in the mansion full-time was Republican Gov. George Ryan.