Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has pushed and passed anti-BDS legislation that he says has gone beyond the work of any other state.

A day after a terrorist attack hit New York, visiting Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner hinted at intelligence cooperation between his state’s law enforcement officials and Israel during an interview Wednesday with The Jerusalem Post. 

The Republican governor, who arrived on Monday and will be leaving Friday, said that he had a “detailed discussion” with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan during his visit.

“We will be exchanging information, will have mutual visits from some of our security people, and leaders from Israel who will come to Illinois,” he said. “We have a very strong, effective anti-terrorist center and task force commission within the Illinois state police based in Springfield. We are constantly monitoring and sharing information both with the federal government, leaders of other states, and we look forward to have a close working relationship with leaders in Israel.”

Asked if this included intelligence cooperation, he replied, “cooperation on various levels.”

Rauner met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, and said that 80-90% of that conversation dealt with economic issues, though security issues were also discussed, especially cybersecurity.

“We talked about the software and the mathematics and the engineering behind cybersecurity,” Rauner said. “The prime minister is very focused and knowledgeable about that.”

This was Rauner’s first meeting with Netanyahu, and he was full of praise.

“I have to say I loved him,” he said. “I thought he was awesome, I think the world of him, and we hit it off. I really, really appreciated the visit, and look forward to developing a strong relationship with him. I have great respect for him.”

Rauner, in office since 2015, is up for re-election in 2018. Asked if he received any pushback in his state about leading a delegation here, he replied, “none whatsoever.”

“I have always been very clear about my strong support for Israel,  the Jewish community in Illinois and around America,” he said.  “And frankly I believe very strongly in a very powerful, positive relationship between the people of Israel and the people of Illinois, to our mutual benefit.”

Read More: Jerusalem Post