Illinois Governor Race Hinges on Affordability as Final Push Begins
Pritzker cites 30 percent higher turnout while Bailey targets property taxes in a state where Democrats hold a numerical edge.
By Michael Bennett ·
Voter turnout in Illinois is up by more than 30 percent compared to the same period last year, a metric that incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker pointed to during a campaign stop on Thursday. With five days left until the election, the Democratic governor and Republican challenger Darren Bailey are focusing their final arguments on the cost of living for the state's residents.
Pritzker made the remarks while campaigning at Daley's Restaurant in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. He told customers that enthusiasm is high and that his administration has worked to increase household income. The governor specifically noted that Illinois raised its minimum wage from $8.25 to $15, a move he described as a way to put more money in voters' pockets.
Bailey is aiming for a much stronger result than his 2022 performance, when he lost by nearly 13 percentage points. He spent the morning at Patti's Sunrise Cafe in Burr Ridge, a suburb of Chicago. There, he argued that property tax season is the defining economic moment for many households. Bailey told supporters that the race is entirely about affordability and that residents understand the pressure they face as bills arrive.
The campaigns are also trading blows over the influence of former President Donald Trump. Pritzker's team has distributed signs that feature Bailey's name next to Trump's, with the phrase "endorsed by" printed in smaller text between the two names. Pritzker said the strategy is meant to ensure voters recognize the connection. Bailey countered that Illinois voters are more concerned with local issues than with Trump, arguing that the out-migration of people and businesses is an Illinois problem that the governor must solve.
Bailey accused Pritzker of blaming Trump for issues in every state because the former president has presidential ambitions. He told a crowd in the suburbs that voters should focus on why people and businesses are leaving the state. Pritzker's side maintains that the endorsement is a fact that voters should know before casting their ballots on Tuesday.
The numerical balance of the state favors Democrats, making voter turnout a critical factor for Bailey. The Associated Press called the race for Pritzker moments after polls closed in the previous cycle. Both candidates plan to continue campaigning in Chicago and the suburbs until Tuesday.
