Thursday evening Illinois State University hosted the first gubernatorial candidate debate between incumbent Gov J.B. Pritzker and State Sen Darren; the two candidates did, however, previously participate in a forum with the IL Associated Press Media Editors Association and the IL Agricultural Legislative Roundtable.
At the forefront of the debate were the pressing topics of crime and public safety. The candidates also discussed property taxes, inflation, infrastructure, abortion, education, and other issues impacting Illinoisians.
Pritzker argued that he, in coordination with the Democratic party, made significant strides in addressing public safety concerns, specifically noting the SAFE-T Act provisions that are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2023, as compared those across the aisle.
Pritzker accused Bailey and Republicans of “standing up for [a criminal justice system that] is one that allows murderers and rapists and domestic abusers to buy their way out of jail.”
Pritzker went on to argue that “[i]f you want to reduce crime, you got to solve crime, you got to do what I've done, which is to increase the number of state police, build state-of-the-art crime labs, make sure that we're funding violence prevention and youth summer jobs programs, and of course, funding mental health and substance abuse treatment,”
Bailey countered Pritzker’s assertions and argued that the SAFE-T Act has several issues a result of a rushed process that did not include sufficient input from all within the criminal justice community. Bailey specifically highlighted opposition from states attorneys throughout the state and his support from the police. He also indicated that he would have supported bail reform for nonviolent criminals but believes the SAFE-T Act should be repealed in its entirety, because of the “revolving door” system it creates for the accused to avoid pretrial detention.
Bailey also maintained that “we have everything we need within our laws and our agencies.” Referencing that he does not believe additional lawmaking is necessary; and would instead reprioritize allocations in the budget. He blamed Pritzker’s budgetary decisions for the state’s loss of large employers like Caterpillar and Tyson Foods.
Pritzker pointed to four consecutive balanced budgets, improved credit rating and financial standing for the state, and emphasized the important tax relief that came for families, property owners and consumers across the state. He went on to point out that while some companies have left the state, others, like Amazon, are making Illinois home. Pritzker also pointed to the growing number of small businesses.
When discussing abortion legislation, Bailey indicated that “nothing is going to change” when he is governor and that his focus will be on crime, taxes and education.
Pritzker, however, would continue to protect the state’s current laws that allow women access to safe abortions and reproductive health care. He also highlighted signing the Reproductive Health Act into law in 2019 and warned that should Bailey take office this law could be in danger.
On the topic of education, Pritzker referenced the “statewide brain drain” and his successful efforts to keep Illinois students in state for higher education, using the increase in MAP grants as one example.
Bailey denounced the quality of education students in Illinois receive.
“[As governor,] I’ll fire up the entire state board of education and Dr. Carmen Ayala. I'll make sure that we have local control. I'll make sure that my parents’ voices are heard. I'll fully fund schools on time every year and that will include instruction on trades and vocational skills. I will get rid of [critical race theory]. I'll get rid of the egregious gender curriculum that J.B. Pritzker has put in our schools. Unlike Governor Pritzker, I'll keep the schools open and I'll make sure that parents have choice,” he said.
Bailey closed the debate by calling Pritzker “dangerous.”
“Friends, we're being crushed by property taxes, crime. We're being crushed by failed education. It's all because J.B. Pritzker is hell-bent on becoming the most radical leftist governor in America. I know that I may seem a little different than some of you. I’ve got to downstate twang and sometimes I get a little too passionate about what's going on in this state. But this man is dangerous,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Pritzker defended his first term.
“I'm proud of what we've achieved over the last four years. We balanced the budget. We paid off all our state's overdue bills. We got six credit upgrades and provided $1.8 billion in gas grocery and property tax relief. We raised the minimum wage, protected a woman's right to choose, legalized cannabis, and got the biggest infrastructure bill passed in the history of the state of Illinois. I look forward to getting even more big things done for the people of our state,” Pritzker said.
The second and final broadcast debate will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 at WGN-TV’s studios in Chicago.
Allison Anderson Richard
Legislative Consultant
