Diana Rauner
| Diana Rauner | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Illinois | |
|
Assumed office January 12, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Patricia Blagojevich |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Diana Elizabeth Mendley |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Lewis Ingall (1989–1991)[1] Bruce Rauner (current)[1] |
| Children |
3 (with Rauner) 3 stepchildren[1] |
| Residence | Executive Mansion |
| Religion | Reform Judaism[1] |
Diana Mendley Rauner is the wife of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. She has been serving as First Lady of Illinois since January 12, 2015.[2] Prior to being known as the First Lady, she was the "face and voice for the Ounce of Prevention Fund" which is a non-profit in Chicago.[1]
Biography
Rauner was born and raised in New York City, where she was the youngest of three children in a Reform Jewish home.[1] She attended Yale University, where she was also a champion fencer.[3] She received her MBA from Stanford University, and her PhD in development psychology from the University of Chicago.
Rauner is a Democrat, but in 2014 when her husband Bruce Rauner, a Republican, became the Republican nominee for governor of Illinois in the Illinois gubernatorial election, 2014, Rauner appeared in a TV ad for her husband saying "I'm a lifelong Democrat, but enough is enough and the Democratic politicians in Springfield have got to be controlled and I know that is what my husband will do as governor."[4]
On July 18, 2016, Rauner announced a $15 million renovation project for the Illinois Executive Mansion, with the funding being raised privately.[5][6] The work is planned to be completed by the Illinois bicentennial in 2018.[5]
She serves as president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, an early-learning advocacy organization.[7] In June 2016, The Ounce of Prevention joined a lawsuit fund with other social organizations against her husband, the governor, and various state agencies; the lawsuit demanded payment for services rendered by the agencies many of which had not received payment for over a year.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Manchir, Michelle (December 27, 2014). "Diana Rauner, Illinois' Next First Lady, To Stay Focused on Early Education". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "First lady Diana Rauner focuses on her husband, IL children". WLS-TV. February 17, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
- ↑ Merrion, Paul (April 21, 2014). "The Good Wife's Dilemma". Crain's Chicago Business. 37 (16). Retrieved October 9, 2015. (subscription required (help)).
- ↑ Lachman, Samantha (April 7, 2014). "Bruce Rauner's Wife Says She's A Democrat, But Mostly Gives To GOP Candidates". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
- 1 2 Kamin, Blair (July 18, 2016). "Illinois' First Lady Unveils $15 Million Plan to Renovate Crumbling Executive Mansion". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Private Funds to Cover Executive Mansion Repairs". Rock River Times. July 21, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ↑ New York Times: "City to Add Pre-K Efforts in Poor Areas Next Year" By AL BAKER September 24, 2012
- ↑ New York Times: "Illinois: Governor’s Wife Runs Fund Suing Him Over Budget" June 8, 2016