businessman chris kennedy member kennedy family political dynasty wednesday officially announce campaign governor illinois november 2018 election months speculation democratic candidate formally file paperwork illinois state board elections say spokesman mark bergman kennedy son senator robert f. kennedy nephew president john f. kennedy say run republican governor bruce rauner work create job restore economy today announce run governor love illinois never bad shape kennedy say email statement need incremental improvement need fundamental change state government since take office 2015 rauner feud democratic-led state legislature leave nation fifth most-populated state without full-year operate budget state go 19 months illinois without pass budget bergman say kennedy previously consider u.s. senate run 2009 conclude right time illinois republican party spokesman steven yaffe say statement kennedy secretly meet state house representatives speaker mike madigan kiss ring rauner say madigan law firm pose conflict interest speaker kennedy 53 chicago resident former chairman university illinois board trustees lead top box foods nonprofit organization co-founded wife provide affordable healthy foods chicago neighborhoods also manage merchandise mart landmark chicago exhibition hall currently oversee wolf point real estate development project city downtown kennedy father robert f. kennedy assassinate 1968 serve u.s. senator uncle john f. kennedy assassinate 1963 first term president robert f. kennedy 's son announce run illinois governor