Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois governor’s race is entering its final stretch as voters prepare to head to the polls next week. Republican candidate Darren Bailey and his wife, Cindy Bailey, held a joint press conference Tuesday in the state capital, challenging Governor J.B. Pritzker’s campaign ads that portray Darren as hostile to women.
Bailey family defends their stance
Cindy Bailey told reporters that the governor’s ads are designed to frighten women by mischaracterizing her husband’s views. “You are asking women to believe that Darren would take away their voice,” she said. “Well, I have never once had to ask for my husband’s permission to speak.”
Darren Bailey has previously said that God intended the family unit to be headed by the father and that a woman’s place is in the home. The Baileys argue that Pritzker’s messaging attacks character rather than addressing state issues.
Pritzker’s campaign gains endorsements
Governor Pritzker continues to collect endorsements ahead of the election. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the United Auto Workers have publicly backed his re‑election bid. The governor highlighted his record on labor, noting that Illinois became the first state to pass a constitutional amendment banning anti‑union right‑to‑work laws, guaranteeing workers the right to organize and bargain for better wages.
“We made Illinois the first state in the entire nation to pass a constitutional amendment banning those terrible anti‑union right‑to‑work laws, and we guaranteed your right to organize a union and bargain for better wages,” Pritzker said on Sunday.
Campaign activity across the state
Bailey has increased his presence in the Chicagoland area compared with his earlier run, while also traveling to other regions of Illinois. He urged voters to boost turnout, citing a county where his campaign won 97% of the vote but recorded only a 51% voter turnout. “We have got to get that turnout 60% to 70%,” he said.
Independent candidate Collin Corbett has been holding town‑hall meetings in the Chicago suburbs, focusing on the high cost of living and property‑tax relief. Corbett criticized Pritzker for “pointing fingers” instead of solving problems and claimed his campaign is the only one with a concrete plan to lower property taxes.
Early voting underway
Thousands of Illinois voters have already cast their ballots early, reflecting strong engagement ahead of the midterm elections. Both major parties are urging supporters to vote before Election Day, emphasizing the importance of every vote in a tightly contested governor’s race.
The final week promises continued rallies, media appearances, and voter‑mobilization efforts as Illinois residents decide whether to keep Governor Pritzker in office or shift to the Republican ticket represented by Bailey.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
