* The Tribune reported yesterday that Darren Bailey had confirmed he’d agreed to the two debates proposed by Gov. Pritzker. Bailey’s remarks yesterday indicated that he hadn’t agreed. So I checked last night with his campaign manager, who told me this..

We never agreed to those debates.

…Adding… I should’ve added this Bailey quote from August 9…

So, JB, if you can fit it into your presidential campaign schedule and want to talk about someone in this race for governor and about the people of Illinois who are struggling under your watch, well I’m here in Illinois. And I’ll be waiting when you fly back. I’ll debate you anyplace anytime.

* Press release…

In recognition of his monumental achievement of enacting the “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan which put billions of dollars into action supporting state transportation and infrastructure projects, technology, education, worker safety and job creation, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC Illinois) has presented a special “Champion of Infrastructure” Award to Governor JB Pritzker.

“Rebuild Illinois” is Illinois’ first capital plan in nearly a decade, providing over $45 billion in investments in roads, bridges, railroads, universities, early childhood centers, and state facilities over six years, creating and supporting over 540,000 jobs and revitalizing the state’s economy. The historic, bipartisan legislation enacted a multimodal plan with over $33.2 billion in funding for various types of transportation infrastructure, including $10.4 billion for state roads and bridges. The recently passed federal Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act adds another $17.8 billion to the state’s infrastructure renewal resources.

A crowd of over one hundred, including the leadership of ACEC Illinois and members from across the state, gathered Friday to honor JB Pritzker’s singular dedication to passing a bipartisan capital plan in his first year in office, as well as his continued support of accelerated road, bridge and construction projects. Many member companies of ACEC Illinois are engaged in the design and planning of projects envisioned with this investment, and speakers credited the Governor with positioning Illinois ahead of other states in this regard.

“Real leaders bring people together, and that’s exactly what Governor Pritzker did when he developed the Rebuild Illinois program that was approved with significant bipartisan support. The reinvestment in Illinois under the Rebuild Illinois program has reinvigorated Illinois’ infrastructure industry and has created thousands of new jobs across the state,” said Kevin Artl, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. “And now, because of Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois is one of the best-positioned states in the nation to take advantage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With the investment at the state and federal level along with the commitment of the nation’s most talented and innovative engineers located right here in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln is well-prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.”

The historic $45 billion capital plan is expected to address decades-long problems with the state’s infrastructure, improve communities for the next generation, and create hundreds of thousands of new direct and ancillary jobs. Speaking to its importance and impact, its passage by the General Assembly was supported by a range of non-partisan organizations including the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Federation of Labor.

“I’m so honored to receive this year’s Champion of Infrastructure Award, particularly from a dedicated organization like the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois has some of the top infrastructure in the country—and I’m not saying that just because I’m biased. We’re consistently ranked among the best because of our commitment to improving the foundations of our state. Rebuild Illinois, our Multi-Year plan, and all the work we’ve done to build a resilient and responsible Illinois are possible because of the pride that people, like ACEC, have in our state.”

* Oof…

I asked Dan Brady, “Do you want Darren Bailey to lead this state?”

He said, “I want the best choice of the people of Illinois to lead this state, and that’s up to the people of Illinois.”

“Are you voting for him?”

“I’m voting for Dan Brady for Secretary of State.” pic.twitter.com/bcZvcWStuK

— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) August 18, 2022

* The Rauner campaign did this sort of thing in one of his races. Politico…

State Rep. Tom Demmer, the GOP nominee for state treasurer, has launched a super-targeted paid digital program for the State Fair. The program has created a “geo fence” around the fairgrounds where everyone within its boundaries will be targeted with digital attack ads against incumbent Treasurer Mike Frerichs on the issue of taxing retirement income like pensions.

* Politico…

— Several Republican candidates for Cook County office booted or withdraw from November ballot: “Among those kicked off: Todd Thielmann, who until recently worked for Tammy Wendt, a Democratic commissioner on the Board of Review. Wendt and Thielmann are cousins — she eventually fired him after the county’s board of ethics sued and fined her for violating the county’s ban on nepotism,” by Tribune’s A.D. Quig

— Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) is being added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Frontline incumbent-protection program, which provides support for vulnerable incumbents. Casten also has been endorsed by all 14 members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional delegation, including Rep. Marie Newman who he defeated in the June primary. Casten faces Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in November’s election.

* From earlier this week…

Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America announced four critical endorsements for Congress: … Eric Sorensen (IL-17) … These candidates are running to represent their respective districts in the U.S. House of Representatives.

NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju released the following statement:

“As we face the fight of our lives, electing leaders who we can count on to safeguard our fundamental rights has never been more important. With MAGA Republicans in Congress planning an outright ban on abortion should they win power, we are fighting seat by seat to ensure these extremists cannot enact their agenda.”

These candidates bring a wealth of experience and strong commitments to protect and advance reproductive freedom in Congress. Jevin Hodge, a long-time community advocate, is a staunch supporter of reproductive freedom and expanding abortion access for all Arizonans. Eric Sorensen, who would make history as the first LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Illinois, has worked to connect vulnerable communities to health services and is committed to protecting abortion rights. Monica Tranel, an attorney fighting for working Montanans, is an advocate for expanded abortion access and has vowed to protect reproductive freedom. Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, a former member of the Southampton Town Council and prosecutor of sex crimes, has pledged to ensure access to abortion and contraceptives. All four candidates have committed to protecting and expanding abortion access by supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act to lock the federal right to abortion into law.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—ending the constitutional right to abortion and opening the door for extremist state lawmakers to put total bans on abortion in place. This decision is already having a devastating impact throughout the country as 14 states have begun enforcing extreme bans on abortion. The people hurt most by these bans and restrictions are those who already face barriers to accessing abortion care—including women; Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; those working to make ends meet; the LGBTQ+ community; immigrants; young people; those living in rural communities; and people with disabilities.

These endorsements come as NARAL Pro-Choice America is ramping up its work to elect candidates up and down the ballot during a critical moment in the fight for reproductive freedom. NARAL, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and EMILY’s List announced a partnership in May to collectively spend a historic $150 million on the 2022 midterms to elect reproductive freedom champions up and down the ballot across the country.

That’s quite a lot of money.