Illinois’ governor race echoes U.S. abortion, crime debates

Sep 30, 2022, 12:00 PM | Updated: 12:19 pm

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned that his Republican opponent is a far-right politician who would take the state backward while state Sen. Darren Bailey asked voters to consider whether the Democratic incumbent’s first term has improved their lives as the two candidates met for an online forum Friday.

The event hosted by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors largely focused on questions of public safety, economics and abortion rights that have already dominated the campaign for months.

The Democrat is heavily favored in the race and spent millions on attacks against one of Bailey’s competitors in the June GOP primary. Bailey, a state senator from Xenia, dramatically increased his statewide profile in 2020 by becoming a top critic of Pritzker’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic – including refusing to wear a mask during legislative sessions.

The two candidates’ sharpest disagreements Friday came over a criminal justice package that in part eliminates cash bail while permitting judges to hold people charged with a variety of offenses until trial.

The broad package, known as the SAFE-T Act, also focused on law enforcement accountability. But the bail changes have been the source of widespread misinformation and accusations on the Illinois campaign trail this fall.

Bailey, who has called Chicago a “hellhole” and once supported a resolution seeking to make the city a separate state, repeated his demand that it be repealed or risk the rest of the state experiencing “the same havoc as what’s happening in the city of Chicago.” He also reiterated his support for eliminating the state’s gun licensing system, saying it doesn’t stop people from using guns illegally now.

Pritzker said he is open to considering some changes to the criminal justice package but accused Bailey of lying about its impact as a campaign tactic.

Pritzker, a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump during the coronavirus pandemic, repeatedly described Bailey as an extremist in line with Trump. He suggested the Republican would do away with some of Illinois’ most progressive pedigrees, including protection of abortion rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision.

Bailey brushed off a direct question about whether he would sign an abortion ban into law, arguing that Democrats’ hold on Illinois’ Legislature is unlikely to change. He instead accused Pritzker of “fear mongering” on the issue.

“Nothing is changing,” Bailey said, adding that his focus would be on crime, business and education if elected governor.

Bailey rarely shied away from touting his support for Trump or his views on gun rights and abortion during the primary. But he softened his argument to replace Pritzker as the general election nears.

“People want their families and their friends and their businesses to be able to stay here and thrive in Illinois,” he said. “That’s not happening. And it’s gotten much worse over the last four years.”

The state’s newly shored-up financial status also dominated the 45-minute forum. Pritzker touted improvement in the state’s bond rating since he took office and four years without the devastating budget stalemates that helped the Democrat defeat Republican Bruce Rauner four years ago. He warned that electing Bailey could undo that progress.

“Illinois is finally heading in the right direction,” Pritzker said. “We’ve accomplished so much together ,and we have much more work to do.”

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

FILE - The logo of the Organization of the Petroleoum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is seen outside of...

Associated Press

Saudi Arabia reducing global oil supply, could spell higher prices for US drivers

Saudi Arabia will reduce how much oil it sends to the global economy, taking a unilateral step to prop up the sagging price of crude.

1 day ago

This photo provided by Robert Wilkes, owner of a house boat management company, shows smoke rising ...

Associated Press

Houseboats catch fire while docked at Wahweap Marina on Lake Powell

More than half a dozen house boats momentarily caught fire at a popular boating destination on the Utah-Arizona line on Friday.

3 days ago

File - Women work in a restaurant kitchen in Chicago, Thursday, March 23, 2023. On Friday, the U.S....

Associated Press

US hiring, unemployment jump in May and what that says about the economy

The nation’s employers stepped up their hiring in May, adding a robust 339,000 jobs, well above expectations.

3 days ago

(Pixabay Photo)...

Associated Press

Oath Keeper from Arizona sentenced for role in Jan. 6 riot at US Capitol

Edward Vallejo, a U.S. Army veteran from Phoenix, oversaw a “Quick Reaction Force” at a Virginia hotel that was prepared to deploy an arsenal of weapons into Washington if needed, authorities say.

4 days ago

FILE - U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz listens during a news conference, Jan. 5, 2023, in Washi...

Associated Press

US Border Patrol chief is retiring after seeing through end of Title 42 immigration restrictions

The head of the U.S. Border Patrol announced Tuesday that he was retiring, after seeing through a major policy shift that seeks to clamp down on illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border following the end of Title 42 pandemic restrictions.

5 days ago

FILE - President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., on the House steps as...

Associated Press

House OKs debt ceiling bill to avoid default, sends Biden-McCarthy deal to Senate

The House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a bipartisan coalition of centrist Democrats and Republicans against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SANDERSON FORD

Thank you to Al McCoy for 51 years as voice of the Phoenix Suns

Sanderson Ford wants to share its thanks to Al McCoy for the impact he made in the Valley for more than a half-decade.

...

re:vitalize

Why drug-free weight loss still matters

Wanting to lose weight is a common goal for many people as they progress throughout life, but choosing between a holistic approach or to take medicine can be a tough decision.

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

Illinois’ governor race echoes U.S. abortion, crime debates