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* Press release…
Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Chris Kennedy, announced today that he has accepted four televised debates and one non-televised debate ahead of the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary. As he originally proposed, three debates will be in the Chicago market and two will be outside the Chicago market. Most of the debates will be accessible statewide through online streaming or through broadcast TV.
Jan. 23, 2018 — NBC Chicago/Telemundo
Feb. 21, 2018 — State Journal-Register/WMAY-AM (Springfield-Decatur-Champaign)
March 2, 2018 — ABC 7 Chicago/Univision/League of Women Voters
March 5, 2018 — WCIA-TV (Springfield-Decatur-Champaign)
March 14, 2017 — WTTW-TV (Chicago)“Democratic primary voters deserve numerous debates to hear directly from the candidates,” Kennedy said. “I hope my primary opponents join me in accepting these debates so voters can hear our plans for the future.”
The Kennedy campaign also committed to two all-candidate gubernatorial forums, including:
Jan. 30, 2018 — Daily Herald Media Group/Southern Illinois University
March 1, 2018 — WBEZ-FM/POLITICO/University of Chicago
Pritzker just sent out his own press release (click here) and he agreed to all the above except one: The March 5th WCIA TV debate. I haven’t yet heard from the Biss campaign.
…Adding… Biss’ campaign says the candidate is “looking forward to being at any debate, anywhere at any time.”
…Adding More… WCIA TV, I’m told, has debate carry agreements with WBBM, KMOV (St. Louis) and stations in Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria-Bloomington, Carbondale and two Indiana border cities. This is, in other words, a statewide debate.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
Response from Rebecca Evans, Chris Kennedy’s spokeswoman:
In September, Chris Kennedy publicly committed to doing a series of televised debates leading up to the March 20, 2018 primary so that voters throughout Illinois have access to where we stand on issues that are critical to bringing opportunity back to Illinois. Our opponents all agreed.
Given the diversity and geography of our state, it’s important for voters to have access to televised debates. The fact that JB Pritzker has not committed to a single televised debate outside of the Chicago market, tells us where he stands in his commitment to Illinois voters. He has no problem spending millions of dollars on TV time so he can speak to voters in soundbites, but it appears as though he’s dodging an opportunity to have a robust conversation about issues that affect downstate voters.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Biss spokesman…
Don’t know why we’re even debating the debates. But @JBPritzker must think he has the election locked from his tower in Chicago to skip the @WCIA3 debate that will be televised in every media market in Illinois. @danielbiss will be at any debate, anywhere, at anytime. #ILGov18 https://t.co/5Y8Z2b8CqD
— Tom Elliott (@trelliott) December 6, 2017
…Adding… I’m told that the Daily Herald is partnering with a southern Illinois TV station and may air the forum on other stations.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:00 pm
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JB has blocked off the week of March 5 to remove fixtures in another Gold Coast property
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:04 pm
Pritzker will still attend the downstate debate in February so I don’t understand the issue.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:08 pm
Hard to imagine Biss won’t be early for every single one. It’s his best earned media opportunity. He is the most gifted debater in the group. By more than a little.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:09 pm
I hope the Kennedy campaign remembered to send the press release to Kennedy to increase the likelihood he’ll show up.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:17 pm
All of the televised debates are statewide due to social media and the internet.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:26 pm
Why aren’t they holding a debate in the Metro East or further south?
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:26 pm
=== Why aren’t they holding a debate in the Metro East or further south?===
Because there aren’t that many Democrats that far south, and with the exception of Daiber none of the candidates are from there.
Comment by Highland Il Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:28 pm
There is incredible irony in Chris Kennedy complaining about others (Pritzker) not showing up to debates/forums.
Kennedy skipped a ton of early forums.
Pritzker is now skipping a ton of current forums.
It ain’t hard to show up. And Pritzker doesn’t even the excuse to things getting in the way of call time/fundraising.
Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Seems like grasping at straws for Kennedy and Biss. But I guess you try to make hay out of anything you can get.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:44 pm
===in the Metro East or further south? ===
Daily Herald forum is in Carbondale area.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:44 pm
Silly people. The reason Pritzker cant make that debate is because it conflicts with a character reference testimony for Blago.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:51 pm
It’s not the first time Pritzker will have skipped a debate that was important to voters. Sometimes he doesn’t even bother sending a proxy, when the others do. Tired of self-funding billionaires yet?
Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 12:58 pm
Rich, Thanks.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 1:00 pm
There aren’t that many Democrats in the Metro East area? They may be a different breed of Dems than those in Chicago, but they are certainly there.
Comment by Anon and on Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 1:00 pm
JB is currently in hiding, and it’s pretty obvious why. The drip drip of legitimate oppo is becoming a flood.
My guess is he doesn’t want to do that debate because they don’t like Mark Maxwell’s excellent reporting. Despite the fact that it has hit all candidates (and Rauner).
Rauner is a mess, but don’t forget that he’s an incredibly capable campaigner. JB and his team have really thin skin. That’s not a good look when when they are trying to convince people that they are best suited to take on Bruce Rauner. Rauner and Ken Griffin are going to do anything they can to beat the Democrat. It’s becoming more and more concerning that we are leaving the future of this state, which is dependent on beating Rauner, to a supremely flawed candidate.
Comment by LilLebowskiUrbanAchiever Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 1:14 pm
Going to 4 out of 5 doesn’t sound like he’s blowing off southern IL or anything like his opponents are trying to turn it into, but I’d be interested in what he is doing that day.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 3:22 pm
–Jan. 30, 2018 — Daily Herald Media Group/Southern Illinois University–
That’s an interesting pairing. Wonder how that happened? Did Lee Enterprises not want to get involved?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 3:45 pm