Rauner passes on Grand American invite
<span>The Grand American World Trapshooting Championships came and went at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta without an appearance from the state's highest elected official.</span>
<span>According to Community Outreach Coordinator Jaclyn Murphy, who is part of State Rep. Jerry Costello II's administration, Costello delivered 10,400 signatures to Gov. Bruce Rauner's office on Aug. 5 as a show of support in keeping the WSRC open.</span>
<span>Included with the petitions was an invitation for Rauner to join Costello at the Grand American.</span>
<span>"He has not yet received a response, and while as you know (Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne) Rosenthal came down to the complex, it does not look like Gov. Rauner took Jerry up on his offer, which is disappointing, but not unexpected," Murphy said in an email to the Herald Tribune.</span>
<span>Costello said things are looking better for the long-term future of the complex. During the Grand American, Rosenthal met with local officials and assured them that any shutdown of the WSRC would not be permanent.</span>
<span>"Short-term, I'm not sure what's going to happen Sept. 1," Costello said. "The governor says Sept. 1 and the notices say Sept. 30.</span>
<span>"I'm hoping there's a budget deal in place before that happens."</span>
<span>Randolph County Board Chairman Marc Kiehna echoed the sentiment of Murphy.</span>
<span>"It's disappointing that (Rauner) didn't come to our area and see the Grand in action," Kiehna said. "I think it would have been good for him to experience that.</span>
<span>"So we are a little disappointed that he didn't come down and see that."</span>
<span>The Grand American, one of the Amateur Trapshooting Association's signature events, helps pump millions of dollars worth of sales tax revenue into the region's economy. ATA's estimate puts the effect of the event at between $10 million and $12 million per year.</span>
<span>"We were hopeful, but we know he was busy," said ATA Executive Director Lynn Gipson. "I think we made that invitation on a Wednesday for the Monday (Aug. 10) of opening ceremonies.</span>
<span>"The IDNR was well-represented. We didn't hear anything back (from the Rauner administration) and we didn't think he would be able to come."</span>
<span>Rauner has been attending the Illinois State Fair in Springfield this week and still has yet to visit the county since being elected governor. </span>
<span>"I'm just trying to keep the shooting complex open," said Sparta Mayor Jason Schlimme. "We had a meeting with Director Rosenthal and it was a good meeting. I just want to keep the thing open and that's our focus right now."</span>
<span>Nine WSRC employees received layoff notices as part of 171 state-wide layoffs announced by the Rauner administration on Aug. 5. Rauner previously threatened to "suspend operations" at the complex effective Sept. 1 if no budget deal was in place.</span>