Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has departed an eight-day visit to Japan and China for his administration's first international trade mission.
In a statement, Rauner's office says the first-term Republican governor left from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Saturday. The delegation includes several business and local leaders. [[442789653, C]]
Rauner says he plans to work on attracting foreign job creators to the state and to help Illinois businesses enhance competitiveness.
He is scheduled to attend the Midwest-USA Japan Conference. Then he's scheduled to continue to China, where he will have meetings with government officials.
Rauner's trip will last until Sept. 17.
Copyright The Associated Press
