Anyone that played a drinking game based on how many times Governor JB Pritzker and State Senator Darren Bailey called each other a liar during their gubernatorial debate on Thursday night went home happy, hopefully in an Uber. Democrats not playing drinking games are looking for keys to the magical table Bailey must have where he plans to have everyone sit down and solve all the states problems while tee totaling Republicans are probably out looking for auditors to review Pritzker’s so called “balanced” budgets. But seriously folks…
Nexstar Media Inc., hosted a debate on Tuesday night between the major party candidates running for Governor of Illinois at the Braden Auditorium in the Bone Student Center on the Illinois State University (ISU) campus in Normal. ISU was a cosponsor of the debate.
The debate was produced in part by WMBD-TV in Peoria, who was also a cosponsor and was allowed to broadcast the debate in the Bloomington/Peoria market. Radio stations WGLT (89.1 FM) in Normal and WCBU (89.9 FM) in Peoria, both National Public Radio (NPR) stations, were provided free access to carry the debate. Cities 92.9 was not allowed to air the debate.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) served as a third cosponsor.
The days first public event was a Darren Bailey rally on the traffic circle in Uptown. The event itself was short. It began at three and within minutes Bailey was introduced and made a short talk, as he often does. Then he spent the bulk of his time glad handing attendees.
Bailey told Cities 92.9 at that time, “I am looking forward to this evening. Got a wonderful crowd that showed up early here. It’s time to expose the truth of what’s taking place in Illinois. And It’s time to expose the failures of JB Pritzker and make sure everyone understands how much he has failed us.”
Also at the rally, Bailey addressed press cameras saying, “Our campaign is going to unite the state. It doesn’t matter what political view you hold, where you come from.” We are going to unite on what we have in common. That’s where the hope is at for Illinois. JB Pritzker has done nothing but divide us for four years and those days are over with. And I think people are going to understand that after tonight.”
We would have been happy to have covered a similar event put on by the Pritzker campaign however, to our knowledge, no such event was held.
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At the debate attendees waited in long lines to file into the Braden Auditorium as all seats were General Admission and everyone had to be screened before entering. Those arriving well on time but later than others had to crawl over early arrivers for scattered remaining seats as doors had opened at 6:00 for the debate at 7:00.
During the debate, as previously mentioned, Pritzker and Bailey called each other liars repeatedly. Bailey often interrupted Pritzker talking over him, The audience, while asked not to clap during the debate, was not able to contain itself and began clapping, cheering and jeering. Commentators called out the participants for extending their time, Bailey for interrupting Pritzker and the audience for not keeping their expressions of feelings under control.
Following are some of the items discussed during the debate and responses from the candidates.
On the SAFE-T act Pritzker claimed there is no such thing as non detainable offences and claims he has provided $2 billion more dollars for police. Bailey pointed out that he has the support of 102 State’s Attorney’s. Bailey accused Pritzker of writing the law behind closed doors and passing it in the middle of the night.
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Pritzker pointed out it had been 20 years since Illinois had improved infrastructure before his administration.
Pritzker said he did not intend to take a second run at passing the Fair Tax in his second administration.
Pritzker accused Bailey of being like former President Donald Trump, a liar.
Pritzker refused to pledge he would not raise taxes.
Bailey said he couldn’t change Illinois abortion laws if he tried and that Pritzker wants to fear monger.
Bailey sited the University of Illinois President making almost $6 million a year as an example of problems with Illinois college education. Pritzker said when he came into office college students were leaving the state but since he raised Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants and everyone gets one now ISU, for example, has the largest freshman class in six years.
Bailey said he would never have shut the schools down during the pandemic and that he will eliminate Critical Race Theory (CRT) from our schools.
Pritzker said he will ban assault weapons in Illinois. Bailey said Pritzker doesn’t enforce the laws on the books. Pritzker says Bailey doesn’t want to fund police but believes everyone should have a gun. Bailey said Pritzker’s bill that included more money for police was massive.
Bailey would repeal the SAFE-T act, allow police officers to do their jobs and eliminate the Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID). He said it isn’t necessary because federal regulations already require background checks.
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Bailey asked Pritzker if he would pledge to serve a four year term and asked Pritzker, “JB will you sign that pledge? I have it here right now” Pritzker said he plans to serve four years and will support Joe Biden saying Biden plans to run for reelection.
Bailey said he will address the pension system by putting new hires in 401 K plans and claimed with his zero based budgeting plan he believed he could find $15 billion of savings and that some of that could be used to address pensions. Pritzker said, “A pension is a promise,” and that he has reduced pension liability using funds saved from balanced budgets.
Bailey responed to a question saying he called AARP a selfish organization because they spent $500,000 trying to pass the fair tax that would have resulted in retirement income being taxed.
Pritzker said he continues to extend emergency Covid-19 orders because it allows the state to bring in federal funds.
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Pritzker blames high energy costs on the war in Ukraine. Bailey said they are a result of Pritzker’s energy bill that is more restrictive than The Paris Agreement and allows the government to use eminent domain for energy projects.
Bailey said the way to prevent companies like Caterpillar, Boeing, Citadel and Tyson from leaving Illinois is to lower taxes and cut restrictions. Pritzker points to successes like Rivian and Kellog’s moving to Illinois.
Pritzker is all in on Amendment One which is commonly referred to as the worker’s right bill. Bailey said unions need to stay in their own lane and leave mom and pop businesses alone.
Pritzker said the state is doing what it has to do with emigrants being bused to Illinois because it is obligated to act in a humane manner. Bailey said the state is doing what it has to do but that local governments can not afford to have these emigrants keep coming in. Bailey suggested Pritzker talk to his buddy Biden and get the border under control. In the interim Bailey suggested Pritzker give the emigrants complimentary rooms at the Hyatt.
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After the debate, Pritzker answered a question regarding the use of the word liar in the press room saying,” I think that a part of that is up to all of you to make sure that there is a fact check. … You couldn’t take the time to correct every mistake, every lie that he was putting forward. So I knew practically, that I had to ignore a lot of them. But I know that all of you all will do the work for me.”
Pritzker was also asked how many years it would take of balancing the budget before taxes could be reduced and responded, “Look if you balance the budget every year and run surpluses, that’s the time that you can lower taxes taxes.” As he had done with many questions during the debate, he refused to directly answer the question.
Pritzker was asked how he felt now after supporting Bailey in the Republican primary in an effort to keep Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin from winning that primary. Again Pritzker dodged a straight answer saying, “Look everything I have said about Darren Bailey before the primary is true after the primary. He is too extreme for Illinois. He is too conservative for Illinois. Those have been the messages of my campaign throughout.”
Bailey’s answers to questions from the press were even less satisfying than Pritzker’s. There were none. Bailey did not come into the media room. No reason why was given other than that he had been on his feet for two hours.
