Illinois GOPer admits $100,000 wine club fee as Dem opponent tries to live on minimum wage

Bruce Rauner, the Republican candidate for governor in Illinois, reluctantly admitted this week that he had joined a wine club with $140,0000 membership fees.

While Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn was participating in a challenge to live on the Illinois minimum wage of $8.25 an hour, WMAQ on Tuesday asked Rauner if he belonged to the Napa Valley Reserve because he was pictured with a bottle from the exclusive winery in a recent profile.

"Do you belong to a wine club that cost $100,000 to be a member of?" the reporter asked.

“I have many investments, I’m a member of many clubs," Rauner laughed, waving his hand dismissively.

"So, that is a yes?" the reporter pressed.

"Yes," Rauner stuttered.

The Chicago Sun-Timespointed out that the Republican candidate's lifestyle was a stark contrast to Quinn's attempt to live on the minimum wage, which many have called a campaign stunt.

“Had a banana for breakfast, that’s three days in a row. You know, you have to watch your pennies,” Quinn told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m living this week, all seven days, on a minimum wage budget, it’s hard … Yesterday, I went to a place and maybe I would’ve gotten an iced tea, but I got a water. You don’t go in and get a double cheeseburger, I got a junior cheeseburger.”

“I had graham crackers — for dinner I guess,” the governor said. “I’m planning to have macaroni & cheese tonight. I already bought it.”

Watch the video below from The Chicago Sun-Times, broadcast Sept. 2, 2014.