Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and his Republican challenger Darren Bailey faced off Tuesday in a sometimes heated debate, as the two gubernatorial candidates battled over numerous policy positions ranging from taxes and education to President Donald Trump and the future of the Chicago Bears. […]
“It’s time for Gov. Pritzker to own the failures and the problems of Illinois,” Bailey said Tuesday when asked about the potential loss of billions of dollars in funding for Illinois hospitals, adding that he planned to count how many times his opponent would mention Trump by name during Tuesday’s forum.
“Now what Darren Bailey is not saying to you is how he has pushed back,” Pritzker responded. “He has not. He thinks it’s OK. He’s sat silently while Donald Trump has taken these things away from people in the state of Illinois.”
A week after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell amid the Chicago Bears’ potential move east into Indiana, Pritzker on Tuesday said he believes state legislators are going to be able to “get something done to keep the Bears in the state of Illinois.” […]
But Bailey said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has already “assured” him the team’s move into Hammond is a done deal.
“I’m just glad I’m not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears,” Bailey said.
Following the forum, Pritzker told reporters the state has continued negotiations with the team and he believes both that “we’re closer now than we have been before” and that the state could potentially give the Bears the option of either moving to a site in suburban Arlington Heights or remaining in the city of Chicago.
While Bailey’s campaign has lacked the money to get its message out beyond social media and digital ads, two topics he’s tried to hit hard are crime and local law enforcement’s interactions with immigrants in Illinois without proper paperwork.
During the debate, Bailey restated his opposition to the state’s elimination of cash bail for nonviolent offenders and to sanctuary policies on immigrants that limit cooperation between state and local police and federal immigration authorities.
The Republican acknowledged that Operation Midway Blitz, the deadly Trump-backed immigration enforcement surge that began largely in the Chicago area last fall, “didn’t go very well” and that “mistakes were made.” But he blamed Pritzker for having “stood up and rallied the people to go to the streets … and create division” over the federal operation.
Pritzker, criticizing federal agents for detaining U.S. citizens because of their race, ethnicity or language, said: “I do not think that is the country that any of us want.”
As Bailey highlighted the relatively stronger financial position of Indiana’s state pension system in contrast to Illinois’, Pritzker suggested his opponent’s loyalties lie east of the border.
“He always talks about how great Indiana is. It seems like he loves Indiana more than he loves Illinois,” Pritzker said. “In my view, we’ve got to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to balance the budget in order to pay for the things that we really care about.”
“There’s a lot of people who love Indiana… they’re moving out of here,” Bailey countered.
“It’s sad, that’s what you believe,” Pritzker responded.
Asked about proposals to increase state revenue, Pritzker and Bailey again strongly disagreed on approaches.
Bailey said the state government needs to cut wasteful spending, rather than implementing new taxes on the most wealthy Illinoisans.
“You want to tax people of means? Go ahead. You know what’s going to happen? They’re going to move out of state,” Bailey said. “If we continue to tax the rich, that’s a socialist mentality and we can’t afford to do that.”
Pritzker defended a proposed millionaires tax that failed to gain momentum in Springfield for a statewide ballot question this November.
“When I propose that we lower taxes for working families and ask the wealthy and the big corporations to pay their fair share, Darren Bailey voted against that. I think we should be fighting for working families. We should be fighting for the middle class,” Pritzker said.
Bailey took shots at Pritzker for “bringing all these data centers in, free rein, give them tax breaks, let them have their thing, and now all of a sudden we’ve seen our energy prices spike.”
Pritzker, who has paused state tax incentives for data center construction, said, “We should have no more data centers, unless they bring their own clean energy, bring their own closed-loop water systems, and let local governments and people living locally to decide whether or not they want a data center in their local communities.”
Recent crimes and the state’s criminal justice reforms also surfaced.
Bailey argued, “And I think the biggest problem with the Safety Act, I think we need to repeal it.” Pritzker countered, “Darren Bailey’s answer to this is to go back to a system where the most violent criminals can buy their way out of jail.”
Throughout the night, Bailey frequently interrupted Pritzker, who accused Bailey of lying.
Bailey also questioned Pritzker’s political ambitions, saying, “I’m not running for president like J.B. Pritzker is. I’m running for what I can do as governor here in the state of Illinois.”
Pritzker replied, “Look, I’m flattered that you think that I could get elected president of the United States, but I’m running for re-election as governor.”
* JB for Governor spokesperson Leah Hurwitz…
“Today, voters across Illinois saw firsthand the clear difference between Governor JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey. Gov. Pritzker has been fighting for Illinois working families for the past eight years by raising the minimum wage, growing the economy, and protecting fundamental rights. Meanwhile, Darren Bailey made clear his vision for Illinois: roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump, take away women’s right to choose, and make life more expensive for working families. He’s an extremist who will blindly follow Trump’s MAGA agenda with no regard for Illinoisans. He cannot be trusted to lead Illinois.”
Discuss.
…Adding… The Illinois Republican Party…
Last night, Darren Bailey asked JB Pritzker one simple question: Why are prices higher? Pritzker stumbled, lied and whined about President Trump but couldn’t answer the simple question.
“JB Pritzker raised the gas tax, raised tolls, raised property taxes and passed the largest budget in state history,” said ILGOP Chairman Bob Grogan. “Under JB Pritzker, families continue to flee Illinois for greener pastures in neighboring states while Democrats want more of the same failed policies that got us here. It’s time for a change – Darren Bailey has a plan to rescue Illinois, stop the wasteful spending, get crime under control and lower prices for Illinois families.”
P.S: JB’s shadow campaign for President continued in South Carolina this weekend. Voters deserve to know if he’s running for governor or plans to abandon them for a presidential campaign next year
* More…
* Crain’s | Pritzker says something will get done in veto session to keep Bears: Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s optimistic he and state legislators will put together a bill during the upcoming veto session to keep the Chicago Bears from leaving for Indiana. “I believe that in November we’re going be able to get something done to keep the Bears in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said when asked about keeping the team during a debate with GOP challenger Darren Bailey tonight on WTTW.
* Politico | Pritzker and Bailey pour it on: Bailey also came prepared with a drinking game, urging viewers to count how many times Pritzker mentioned Trump, suggesting they take a drink every time the president’s name came up. Pritzker didn’t disappoint. He blamed Trump for cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, higher farm costs and the economic fallout from tariffs.
* Capitol City Now | Three weeks out, Pritzker and Bailey debate: Independent candidate Collin Corbett was not invited to participate but afterward said in an emailed statement: “With such a weak candidate in Darren Bailey sitting across from JB Pritzker in tonight’s forum, there was no one there to hold him accountable for his failures and lies. The truth: Illinois is significantly less affordable for working families today than it was when JB Pritzker took office. Our property taxes are the highest in the country, while our health care, energy, gas, and housing prices are skyrocketing. And all JB Pritzker does is blame Washington, while there are things we could do right now that could lower the cost of living for Illinoisans.”
* Press release | DGA Statement on Gov. JB Pritzker’s Win in the Illinois Gubernatorial Debate: “Tonight Gov. JB Pritzker reminded Illinois voters why they chose him over Darren Bailey four years ago, and why they’ll enthusiastically do so again this November. On the debate stage this evening, Bailey once again showed that he has nothing to offer Illinois except a relentless commitment to bringing Trump’s unpopular, costly, and chaotic agenda to Illinois. He supports banning abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest, opposes raising the minimum wage, and supports Trump’s cost-hiking tariffs that are making life harder for Illinois families. The contrast couldn’t be clearer with Gov. Pritzker, who has delivered for Illinois at every turn and proved once more on the debate stage that he’s the right leader to continue standing up to Trump and getting results for Illinois families.”
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:37 am:
- “I’m just glad I’m not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears,” Bailey said. -
So Bailey is already conceding? Also, last week Mark Maxwell asked who his favorite player was and he couldn’t name one, I’d probably be more embarrassed about that.
- Google is Your Friend - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:51 am:
==But Bailey said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has already “assured” him the team’s move into Hammond is a done deal.==
Darren Bailey made some good points about taxes. This is as good as at gets for him. Pritzker did not have to debate him. This is really it . No money, wrong state to be in if you want low cost government.
Pritzker handled himself well, I would have struggled with all of Bailey’s ignorant interruptions.
=wrong state to be in if you want low cost government.=
What does that mean? Do you think Indiana is a “low cost” government? Low cost usually seems to mean dirt roads and workers left out in the cold if you mean states like Indiana and Mississippi.
how much does the average person know about this race? I had no idea the debate was happening. not that it would help Darren Bailey or the Gov’s Presidential ambitions. but it’s interesting to me that I did not notice it was happening.
“People of means” is killing me. Stop criminalizing billionaire and millionaire bodies!
- here we go again - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:12 am:
That short debate didn’t move the needle. If anything, Bailey just lost more ground. Bailey got flustered right off the bat as Pritzker kept hammering the charge that Bailey voted to raise property taxes 13 times as a school board member. That’s hardly a new allegation but incredibly Bailey remains unprepared to seriously address it. Simply yelling “liar!” hardly inspires confidence. And the “drinking game” was so lame. Promoting without alcohol is just silly. Just another example where Bailey picks up on something he thinks is “cool” but then makes it cringy. Chalk this election up as yet another blown opportunity for the Illinois GOP. I predict Bailey loses by even more than he did last time and the other statewides are in the same boat, although I will say Bryan Drew for Comptroller deserves to lose by less. He’s a good candidate running a good campaign. Unfortunately he’s dragged down by people and factors outside of his control.
It just means the collection of high property taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, and many taxing bodies . However, I will grant retirement income isn’t taxed and that’s no small thing.
Where does Bailey go after this election year? He was a do nothing state rep and state senator…lost in the primary for a congressional bid…and this will be his second gubernatorial loss. I’d say it’s time to move on from politics and government because he has absolutely no positive results.
The ILGOP want the Bears to leave. They have no solutions to keeping them in Illinois because, for over thirty years, their national party platform has been nothing but fear and prejudice.
Darren Bailey is simply the Dollar General knock-off brand candidate that is the end result.
When people complain about high taxes they are really talking about property taxes. Bailey as someone who controlled the largest part of peoples biggest tax bill couldn’t answer why he rasied taxes. I don’t get the ILGOP obsession of raising taxes locally and then trying to pass that off on the state.
- charles in charge - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 11:34 am:
==Bailey argued, “And I think the biggest problem with the Safety Act, I think we need to repeal it.”==
I wonder why Bailey didnt mention that Indiana is ranked one of the lowest states for quality of life, for salary, for workers rights, for pollution, for health care, and for education? Are those giant surpluses they are running helping with any of that? Of course not.
Also not mentioned, counties in Indiana can add income taxes on top of the Indiana state income tax, driving income taxes higher than in Illinois.
All Bailey did was gripe and complain and offer nothing of substance. The type of guy proposing to upkeep roads and infrastructure while ending tolls lol. Truly insane
- Paul Peterson - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:27 pm:
What evidence do you have that the Illinois GOP want the Bears to leave Illinois?
Looks like many of them voted for the legislation to enable them to stay, but don’t let the facts get in the way of your narrative
To flying Elvis
The Pee Wee Herman /Issac Hayes comment is a gem. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 1:33 pm:
To the Update:
1) Its pretty clear from the data that inflation is cause by Trump’s tarriffs and his war in Iran. Pritzker has been governor for eight years, the inflation spike started in March, right after the 10% global tariffs (Feb 24) and 25% added Mexico/Canada tariffs and 10% China added tariffs (March 4) kicked in and the attack on Iran began (Feb 28)
2) A picture is worth a thousand words on this one.
3) There’s no chance Bailey will convince Illinois voters that Pritzker is responsible for nationwide inflation, and I do not think Bailey can win if the election is about affordability. Trump owns inflation, which is why smart Republicans are distancing themselves from tariffs, Iran, and Trump.
The President wants us to pretend he’s on the ballot. The candidate he’s endorsed for governor wants to pretend he isn’t and turn the mere mention of his name into a game.
And maybe most embarrassing for Indiana, it is a welfare state. It gets back anywhere from $1.13 to $1.37 for every $1.00 it gives federally, while Illinois is a donor state, literally and figuratively helping pay for and sustain Indiana.
Please, do not compare Illinois to Indiana, it is embarrassing, just like it will be embarrassing when Indiana doesn’t get the bears despite them begging and offering everything they could to please the billionaires.
- XonXoff - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:36 am:
The drinking game angle got old, quick.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:37 am:
- “I’m just glad I’m not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears,” Bailey said. -
So Bailey is already conceding? Also, last week Mark Maxwell asked who his favorite player was and he couldn’t name one, I’d probably be more embarrassed about that.
- Google is Your Friend - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:51 am:
==But Bailey said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has already “assured” him the team’s move into Hammond is a done deal.==
If it’s a done deal, why isn’t the deal done?
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:52 am:
==But Bailey said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has already “assured” him the team’s move into Hammond is a done deal.==
I’d like either of these gentlemen to show me a shovel in the ground and/or signatures dried on paper.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:53 am:
Darren Bailey made some good points about taxes. This is as good as at gets for him. Pritzker did not have to debate him. This is really it . No money, wrong state to be in if you want low cost government.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:54 am:
Last night’s debate is another sterling example of why Darren Bailey is not qualified or prepared to be governor in E-LA-NOY.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 9:59 am:
Pritzker handled himself well, I would have struggled with all of Bailey’s ignorant interruptions.
=wrong state to be in if you want low cost government.=
What does that mean? Do you think Indiana is a “low cost” government? Low cost usually seems to mean dirt roads and workers left out in the cold if you mean states like Indiana and Mississippi.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:05 am:
how much does the average person know about this race? I had no idea the debate was happening. not that it would help Darren Bailey or the Gov’s Presidential ambitions. but it’s interesting to me that I did not notice it was happening.
- Katie - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:08 am:
“People of means” is killing me. Stop criminalizing billionaire and millionaire bodies!
- here we go again - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:12 am:
That short debate didn’t move the needle. If anything, Bailey just lost more ground. Bailey got flustered right off the bat as Pritzker kept hammering the charge that Bailey voted to raise property taxes 13 times as a school board member. That’s hardly a new allegation but incredibly Bailey remains unprepared to seriously address it. Simply yelling “liar!” hardly inspires confidence. And the “drinking game” was so lame. Promoting without alcohol is just silly. Just another example where Bailey picks up on something he thinks is “cool” but then makes it cringy. Chalk this election up as yet another blown opportunity for the Illinois GOP. I predict Bailey loses by even more than he did last time and the other statewides are in the same boat, although I will say Bryan Drew for Comptroller deserves to lose by less. He’s a good candidate running a good campaign. Unfortunately he’s dragged down by people and factors outside of his control.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:34 am:
-What does that mean? -
It just means the collection of high property taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, and many taxing bodies . However, I will grant retirement income isn’t taxed and that’s no small thing.
- Scoot - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:41 am:
Where does Bailey go after this election year? He was a do nothing state rep and state senator…lost in the primary for a congressional bid…and this will be his second gubernatorial loss. I’d say it’s time to move on from politics and government because he has absolutely no positive results.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 10:53 am:
After Bailey’s remarks at yesterday’s debate, is Gov. Braun of Indiana thinking…Darren Bailey, keep my name out of your mouth.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 11:01 am:
The ILGOP want the Bears to leave. They have no solutions to keeping them in Illinois because, for over thirty years, their national party platform has been nothing but fear and prejudice.
Darren Bailey is simply the Dollar General knock-off brand candidate that is the end result.
The ILGOP has become the Stag Beer of politics.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 11:02 am:
…and again, for the love of Mike, would somebody tell Bailey to put some bass in that voice.
Dude makes Pee Wee Herman sound like Isaac Hayes.
- GoneFishing - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 11:20 am:
When people complain about high taxes they are really talking about property taxes. Bailey as someone who controlled the largest part of peoples biggest tax bill couldn’t answer why he rasied taxes. I don’t get the ILGOP obsession of raising taxes locally and then trying to pass that off on the state.
- charles in charge - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 11:34 am:
==Bailey argued, “And I think the biggest problem with the Safety Act, I think we need to repeal it.”==
That’s the argument? How compelling.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:16 pm:
“There’s a lot of people who love Indiana… they’re moving out of here,” Bailey countered.”
Me-Cite your source.
Bailey-You’re not a patriot and a commie.
- Brandon - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:19 pm:
I wonder why Bailey didnt mention that Indiana is ranked one of the lowest states for quality of life, for salary, for workers rights, for pollution, for health care, and for education? Are those giant surpluses they are running helping with any of that? Of course not.
Also not mentioned, counties in Indiana can add income taxes on top of the Indiana state income tax, driving income taxes higher than in Illinois.
All Bailey did was gripe and complain and offer nothing of substance. The type of guy proposing to upkeep roads and infrastructure while ending tolls lol. Truly insane
- Paul Peterson - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:27 pm:
What evidence do you have that the Illinois GOP want the Bears to leave Illinois?
Looks like many of them voted for the legislation to enable them to stay, but don’t let the facts get in the way of your narrative
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois-lawmakers-fail-to-pass-bears-bill-despite-goal-line-push/
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:52 pm:
Stag is more effective at its job.
- Paul Peterson - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:54 pm:
Also not mentioned is the corporate tax rate in Indiana is 4.9%
Illinois is at 7% plus a 2.5% personal property replacement tax for a top rate of 9.5%
According to US News Indiana is not one of the lowest state for education- ranked 22nd
They rank #17 for opportunity
Some rankings are mediocre but only natural environment (pollution) is the worst ranked #50. Illinois is right behind them at #45
Overall, Indiana ranks 25th well ahead of Illinois at 37th
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings
- Strategy Geek - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 12:59 pm:
Hey Bob, can ya tell us what property tax Pritzker raised?
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 1:19 pm:
To flying Elvis
The Pee Wee Herman /Issac Hayes comment is a gem. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 1:33 pm:
To the Update:
1) Its pretty clear from the data that inflation is cause by Trump’s tarriffs and his war in Iran. Pritzker has been governor for eight years, the inflation spike started in March, right after the 10% global tariffs (Feb 24) and 25% added Mexico/Canada tariffs and 10% China added tariffs (March 4) kicked in and the attack on Iran began (Feb 28)
2) A picture is worth a thousand words on this one.
3) There’s no chance Bailey will convince Illinois voters that Pritzker is responsible for nationwide inflation, and I do not think Bailey can win if the election is about affordability. Trump owns inflation, which is why smart Republicans are distancing themselves from tariffs, Iran, and Trump.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 1:45 pm:
“Looks like many of them voted for the legislation to enable them to stay,”
Because pols always vote for bills they really want to see passed.
Opie, you’re due back in Mayberry.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 1:54 pm:
Why does Bailey wear George Costanza’s Gloria Vanderbilt glasses?
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 2:13 pm:
The President wants us to pretend he’s on the ballot. The candidate he’s endorsed for governor wants to pretend he isn’t and turn the mere mention of his name into a game.
Let that sink in.
- Brandon - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 3:10 pm:
@Paul Peterson
The corporate tax rate should be higher.
Illinois is still ranked higher than Indiana in K-12 education
Illinois is 15th in average wages compared to Indiana’s 38th( https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/average-salary-by-state/ )
Illinois is #4 in best states for workers compared to a pathetic #38 ranking for Indiana ( https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/issues/economic-justice/workers-rights/best-states-to-work/ )
Illinois is 11th in GDP per capita compared to Indiana’s #34 ranking ( https://statspanda.com/gdp-per-capita-by-state )
And maybe most embarrassing for Indiana, it is a welfare state. It gets back anywhere from $1.13 to $1.37 for every $1.00 it gives federally, while Illinois is a donor state, literally and figuratively helping pay for and sustain Indiana.
Please, do not compare Illinois to Indiana, it is embarrassing, just like it will be embarrassing when Indiana doesn’t get the bears despite them begging and offering everything they could to please the billionaires.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 6:04 pm:
I’m just glad Bailey’s not going to be known as the governor.
- low level - Wednesday, Oct 14, 26 @ 6:29 pm:
Bailey’s policy positions are ridiculous, and his voice is annoying as heck. I’ll be voting for JB the OG.