Illinois Republicans set state fair sights on Gov. JB Pritzker and 'flat-out crazy' Democrats
<p>SPRINGFIELD — It was a different political boogeyman being put on blast Thursday at the Illinois State Fair, where Republicans sharpened their attacks against incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in his bid for a third term with a rematch this November’s against GOP nominee Darren Bailey.</p><p>And as much as Pritzker and his fellow Democrats <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/08/19/chris-welch-state-fair-illinois-house-sexual-harassment-harry-benton" target="_blank" ><u>lampooned Donald Trump a day earlier during their own fairground rally</u></a>, Bailey and his Republican colleagues mostly steered clear of mentioning the president — who remains unpopular in most of the state — while zeroing in on cost-of-living, public safety and education issues.</p><p>“That is what Illinoisans are concerned about,” Bailey said.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p>SPRINGFIELD — It was a different political boogeyman being put on blast Thursday at the Illinois State Fair, where Republicans sharpened their attacks against incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in his bid for a third term with a rematch this November’s against GOP nominee Darren Bailey.</p><p>And as much as Pritzker and his fellow Democrats <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/08/19/chris-welch-state-fair-illinois-house-sexual-harassment-harry-benton" target="_blank" ><u>lampooned Donald Trump a day earlier during their own fairground rally</u></a>, Bailey and his Republican colleagues mostly steered clear of mentioning the president — who remains unpopular in most of the state — while zeroing in on cost-of-living, public safety and education issues.</p><p>“That is what Illinoisans are concerned about,” Bailey said. “They're not concerned about the lies that JB’s smearing. They've woken up over the last four years.
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- <p>SPRINGFIELD — It was a different political boogeyman being put on blast Thursday at the Illinois State Fair, where Republicans sharpened their attacks against incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in his bid for a third term with a rematch this November’s against GOP nominee Darren Bailey.</p><p>And as much as Pritzker and his fellow Democrats <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/08/19/chris-welch-state-fair-illinois-house-sexual-harassment-harry-benton" target="_blank" ><u>lampooned Donald Trump a day earlier during their own fairground rally</u></a>, Bailey and his Republican colleagues mostly steered clear of mentioning the president — who remains unpopular in most of the state — while zeroing in on cost-of-living, public safety and education issues.</p><p>“That is what Illinoisans are concerned about,” Bailey said.
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Illinois Republicans set state fair sights on Gov. JB Pritzker and 'flat-out crazy' Democrats
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times