Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) is on the fence regarding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2018 re-election efforts.

“He’s really struggling right now, but I’m interested in seeing who is on the ballot,” Roskam said on the AM 560 "The Answer" radio show. “There’s a long way to go before the 2018 election.”

Like a growing number of other conservatives, Roskam acknowledged becoming increasingly concerned about the direction in which Rauner seems to be taking the state, particularly when it comes to issues such as abortion.

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL)

Rauner recently enacted a law that allows Medicaid recipients and state workers to get state-funded abortions for any reason and at any time, angering many conservatives who cited Rauner's “no social agenda” pledge he made while a candidate.

 “It was jarring,” Roskam said of Rauner’s actions. “I think the governor was too cavalier in dismissing the concerns of a lot of people. This is an issue that deeply resonates with me: the whole notion of paying for abortions in a state that cannot care for those with developmental disabilities.”

Roskam said he’s heard rumblings about other GOP leaders, like state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), perhaps gearing up to take on Rauner in 2018.

“Jeanne’s my state rep and a good friend of mine,” Roskam said. “I think she’s got to do some things to get to that. I’m waiting to see who can gather the support to be a candidate moving forward.”