Just over 50 top state officials came together this afternoon for their first cabinet meeting with Illinois' new governor, Bruce Rauner. Journalists were invited to hear the Republican's opening remarks.
Rauner's Cabinet gathered in one of the capitol's largest, and nicest, committee rooms; members milled about, making small talk and introductions.
Some were recently appointed by the governor and are new to Illinois government; others are holdovers from former Gov. Pat Quinn's administration.
They got quiet when Rauner took his seat to give them a sort of pep talk. He vowed to protect them as they make tough decisions.
"I will work for you," he said. "I will make sure that you get the support. And over time, I get you the resources. 'Cause a lot of you are under -resourced. I know you are. And I apologize for that. It's hard to do a good job when you know, you're just cut off at the knees. And I apologize for that.
At the end of his nearly ten minute, unscripted speech, the officials applauded. Then Rauner took off -- more meetings, he said.
What the cabinet talked about next is hard to say.
Upon exiting, one of the attendees said they'd just been "instructed not to talk to the media."
