* Ken Griffin gave $6.25 million to Citizens for Judicial Fairness in April. That’s the same Griffin-backed front group which stopped Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride from winning his 2020 retention race.

After spending almost $50K last month for mailers attacking 2nd District Supreme Court Republican candidate Mark Curran, it has now disclosed spending $171K for another GOP candidate in the race, Daniel Shanes, the Chief Deputy Judge of the Lake County Circuit Court and former prosecutor. He has a huge endorsement list ranging from former US Attorney Fred Foreman, to Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie, to Rep. Mark Batinick, to the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, to Jeanne Ives.

* I think the reference in this Gary Rabine press release is to a somewhat recent Fox News interview where Bailey said he was in favor of leaving this sort of thing up to local school districts rather than dictating from on high. But he’s also said things in the other direction. Anyway, here’s Rabine…

Illinois GOP candidate Darren Bailey says it’s okay for local school districts to adopt woke, far-left sex-ed curriculum in preschool. In doing so, Darren the Cowardly Lion capitulated to the far left. We need a governor who leads on these issues and doesn’t defer to the woke police. The primary function of any governor is to protect its citizens. As your governor, I will begin by protecting our children.

I’ve asked for an explanation. They’re not too fast over there, though.

* DGA…

If Darren Bailey’s stance as the single most conservative candidate for governor was ever in question, this week’s happenings on the campaign trail undoubtedly sealed the deal. After endorsing the far-right extremist on Steve Bannon’s podcast last month, former Trump advisor and self-proclaimed “American nationalist” Steve Cortes this week joined Bailey downstate for his bus tour.

At a campaign stop yesterday, Cortes revealed the details of a recent conversation where he told Trump that “Illinois absolutely is in play” and threw his support behind Illinois Republicans: “This is a wave election year, and we are going to send Mary Miller back to Washington DC and we’re going to put Darren Bailey in the governor’s office in Springfield.”

There’s no doubt that the far-rights of the far-right think Bailey is the true conservative for Illinois.

Meanwhile, there’s growing likelihood that Trump will endorse Bailey in a potential visit to the Prairie State — especially given new polls showing Bailey solidly leading the pack ahead of the primary. It’s an endorsement Bailey’s been vying for since meeting with the former president in Mar-a-Lago, and a show of support that would only widen Bailey’s significant lead.

“With Cortes’ resounding support and an endorsement from Trump himself at play, far-right extremist Darren Bailey’s leaving no room for doubt. He is, without question, the single uber-conservative candidate for governor,” said DGA Illinois Press Secretary Yael Sheinfeld. “Voters know the truth: Darren Bailey is too conservative for Illinois.”

* Least surprising headline of the month…

Darren Bailey Endorses Mary Miller For Congress

* Rodney Davis…

Mary Miller’s false, negative TV ad against Rodney Davis has been rated “completely false and misleading” by a local news outlet. This is the same TV ad that landed Miller an ethics investigation for misuse of official resources for campaign purposes, a clear violation of House rules.

“Mary Miller can’t run on her own terrible record so she has to lie about Rodney Davis’ record. The truth is Rodney is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and just voted No on the Democrats’ gun control legislation in the House. He’s a proud gun owner and NRA member and has been endorsed by the NRA in previous elections. Miller’s own record is having a child sex predator serving as her personal campaign driver, being repeatedly fined for chronic late payment of taxes, and teaming up with the Socialist Squad to defund our military. She should be ashamed of her lies and record.” - Aaron DeGroot, Davis campaign spokesperson

You can read or watch the news clip by clicking here

* Politico…

— Outside campaign cash floods into local races for Congress: “The race for governor isn’t the only one this year in which outside spending is very, very large,” by Crain’s Greg Hinz.

… Outside spending dominates in IL-15 GOP primary, by Illinois Newsroom’s Harrison Malkin

— Some congressional candidates have skipped filing mandatory financial disclosure reports: “Late-filing penalties start at $200, according to the House Ethics Committee’s instruction guide. Failing to file can trigger fines of up to $66,190 and up to one year in prison,” by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. […]

— Dems in state rep race clash over campaign mailer: “Rashid slams Zalewski piece claiming he’s backed by GOP fundraiser,” by Landmark’s Bob Skolnik.

— Attorney General Kwame Raoul has been endorsed by the Collective PAC, which focuses on increasing Black political engagement.