SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner promises to outspend Democrats this fall in a Republican effort to reclaim the Illinois General Assembly.

The Republican governor told party county chairmen Wednesday that Illinois voters know “this is our time” and will stand with the GOP to defeat “machine” Democrats who have taken over.

The first-term governor revved up the crowd at a downtown hotel in advance of Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair. He says Democrats have far outspent his party in recent elections. But he promised the “biggest ground game ever” for legislative races this fall.

In 20 months, Rauner has been unable to get a full-year budget with legislative Democrats – let alone portions of his pro-business agenda.

Democrats hold supermajorities of 71-47 in the House and 39-20 in the Senate.