Pritzker vs Bailey October 13 2026

2026/10/16 original publication

Notes from the October 13, 2026 Illinois Gubernatorial debate.

Question, what were you drinking during the Illinois gubernatorial debate between JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey? Bailey challenged you to take a swig every time Pritzker said Trump.

The debate was hosted by WTTW television in Chicago with questions asked via video replay from stations in Peoria and Southern Illinois. The first question dealing with hospitals having problems. Bailey mentioned mismanagement and Pritzker 500,000 taken of medicaid. Neither candidate stated that the medical system is broken and the ACA made it worse. Neither said a definition of the medical system is at issue.

The next question has to do with the Chicago Public Schools being short money. Bailey started by the accountability was needed due to the changing dynamics of education. Bailey also said that there were federal grants available but Illinois has not started the process to apply in part because of rules that may be implemented with the grants. He also said that there needs to be real expectations and more local control must occur.

Pritzker countered with state funding being up and that schools are run with local taxes. Pritzker seems to trying to talk out of both sides of his mouth on this issue.

Pritzker tries to claim the budget is balanced, but keeps ignoring the unfunded pension systems which could rock the budget if called on.

Bailey wants to do a complete government efficiency review. He states that payments to illegal aliens, Hyatt grants (Pritzker’s family) and payments to a Kansas consulting firm need to stop.

Pritzker doesn’t see budget cuts and wants more taxes on the rich. Bailey countered that the rich are leaving the state and will continue to if the taxes keep going up. Illinois cannot afford the socialist mentality.

Pritzker bragged about eliminating the state grocery tax but did not say that it was the local governments that could reinstated it for their area. He also did not say where the replacement tax money was coming from with the elimination of the grocery tax therefor the local governments were coerced to reapply it with minor exception.

In moving to Illinois agriculture, Pritzker was blaming the farm bill that is not been passed in DC but the big problem as he saw it was the situation with the SNAP benefits at the federal level. While SNAP comes under the federal agricultural programs that was not the question asked.

Bailey said that markets do go in cycles, but one of the larges problems with agriculture is the inheritance tax. Illinois taxes inheritance after $4 million. The federal is $15 million per individual and $30 million per couple.

Pritzker tried to comment that he was unable to change that to which Bailey countered that Pritzker has had a super majority.

The subject of tariffs and rising costs came up. Bailey explained the high raise in inflation that occurred during the Biden administration but that the rise has slowed. The tariffs while adding some costs have had some affects, both negative and positive.

Pritzker mentioned some loan program for equipment and also complained that the tariffs have not been paid back to the people who may have paid them.

The tollway discussion was quite interesting. Bailey said the solution is not more money. He mentioned that the tollways tolls were supposed to be removed in 1973. The tollway has $3 billion but a debt off $7 billion. Bailey questions how this can be. Pritzker did not say much.

The candidates addressed the rising energy prices in Illinois. Bailey states that the Illinois green energy initiative has been driving up prices and is going to cause energy inconsistencies. Pritzker claims the law helped keep open two nuclear power plants.

The debate took a trip to Southern Illinois to talk about Mental Health. Bailey stated that the state has been shutting down mental health facilities in the southern part of the state and moving the patients north to Chicago area locations. This has been happening and taking hits on the affected communities.

Pritzker tried to justify this by stating staff abuses that closed the locations then tried to stay that universal healthcare was needed. Is this an agenda item or a real happening?

The Illinois safety Act took stage next. Bailey act has included a form of catch and release with ankle detectors has not been working. Pritzker stated the ban on assault weapons and crime has not gone down as Pritzker had expected.

The sanctuary state issue came up and Bailey said that all law enforcement groups need to work together. Pritzker said immigration laws need to be rewritten. Pritzker did not address the real question and used a common sanctuary state and city tactic to avoid the question.

An Illinois gubernatorial debate this year would not be completed without discussing “DA Bears”. Pritzker was talking out of both sides of his mouth and stated that taxpayers should not support businesses owned by billionaires. Huh? Bailey stated that he would open negotiations.

It was noted that Pritzker has donated to a PAC for the purpose of electing Democrats. Was he running eventually for President?

Bailey said he would work with whoever is president.

A few items were not asked and/or answered. For Bailey, how do you expect to be successful where Bruce Rauner was not with the Democrat majority in the legislature? How do you plan to get the pension funds corrected? Can you balance the needs of the state while Chicago keeps draining funds? Can you be a governor that can get the policies passed that will stop the business and human hemorrhaging?

For Pritzker, why is everything being tilted towards Chicago? Why are all the solutions spending money without seeing what the problem is. Why with a Democrat super majority does Pritzker make certain promises with no results then blames everyone else? Are you really a believable person? Do you need a toilet for your house?

And yes, if I was drinking an adult beverage, I would have been a bit high at the end of the debate.