Illinois — Governor

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Supports balanced budgets and investments

Pritzker highlights his executive record of enacting balanced state budgets each year and improving Illinois' credit rating. He advocates for economic inclusion, raising the minimum wage to $15, expanding access to small business capital, and reforming procurement to support minority- and women-owned businesses.

• Enacted balanced state budgets each year during his tenure and improved the state's credit rating.
• Signed a $56 billion state budget in 2026.
• Supported raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour and strengthening equal pay legislation.
• Proposed expanding procurement goals and loan access for minority- and women-owned businesses.

“I ran for governor in 2018 to change our story. I ran for governor in 2022 to keep telling our story. And I am running for governor in 2026 to protect our story.”

“Under JB’s leadership, our state is one of the best in the nation in education, youth mental health, workforce development, and fighting climate change.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Lowering taxes and cutting spending

Bailey promises to fight high taxes and rising utility costs by lowering property and income tax rates. He advocates reining in state government waste, promoting fiscal responsibility, and creating a business-friendly environment to retain and attract jobs.

• Pledges to lower both property taxes and state income taxes.
• Advocates cutting wasteful government spending to bring fiscal responsibility to Springfield.
• Refused a taxpayer-funded pension while serving in the state legislature.
• Champions policies to lower utility bills and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses.

“No family should ever pay more in property taxes than their mortgage—but in Illinois, countless families do.”

“As governor, he will fight to lower taxes, cut wasteful government spending, and bring real fiscal responsibility back to Springfield.”

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Supports public health crime prevention

Pritzker views gun violence as a public health epidemic and focuses on community intervention, violence interruption programs, and criminal justice reform. He advocates modernizing sentencing laws, eliminating the monetary bail system, and reducing recidivism through re-entry job training.

• Treats gun violence as a public health epidemic by funding community intervention and conflict resolution programs.
• Supported eliminating the monetary bail system in favor of fair risk-assessment tools.
• Pledges to modernize sentencing guidelines for non-violent offenses and reduce prison populations.
• Focuses on reducing recidivism through job training, housing assistance, and community re-entry support.

“Gun violence is a public health epidemic. It kills people, destroys families, and rips apart our communities.”

“We need to modernize our approach to sentencing to focus on public safety and smart sentencing.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Restoring law and order

Bailey focuses on backing law enforcement officers and cracking down on violent crime. He pledges to provide police with the tools and training necessary to hold repeat offenders accountable and eliminate soft-on-crime policies.

• Pledges to stand firmly with law enforcement by providing necessary tools, training, and resources.
• Vows to hold violent criminals accountable and crack down on repeat offenders.
• Opposes criminal justice policies that he argues prioritize politics over public safety.

“Darren Bailey is committed to restoring law and order and making our neighborhoods safe again.”

“As governor, he will stand with law enforcement, not against them—providing the tools, training, and support officers need to do their jobs effectively.”

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Increases public school funding

Pritzker emphasizes his record of continually increasing state funding for public K-12 education and expanding early childhood programs. He focuses on supporting public school systems, improving youth mental health resources, and expanding vocational and higher education opportunities.

• Increased state public school funding as a key legislative and executive accomplishment.
• Invested in youth mental health programs and early childhood education initiatives.
• Expanded pre-apprenticeships, career readiness, and higher education scholarship opportunities.

“Pritzker listed the following as executive and legislative accomplishments during his tenure: enacting balanced budgets each year, overseeing an improvement in the state's credit rating, increasing public school funding...”

“Under JB’s leadership, our state is one of the best in the nation in education, youth mental health, workforce development, and fighting climate change.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Supports school choice and parental rights

Bailey advocates for empowering parents to choose the best educational environment for their children and removing bureaucratic barriers in local schools. Drawing on his experience as a school board member and Christian school founder, he promises to fully fund schools while prioritizing local control.

• Pledges to empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children.
• Commitment to fully fund schools while cutting bureaucratic barriers for local educators.
• Served 17 years on the North Clay Board of Education (12 years as president) and co-founded a private Christian school.

“Darren Bailey believes that every child in Illinois—no matter their zip code—deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success.”

“As governor, he will fight to ensure that our schools are fully funded, empower parents to make the best choices for their children, and support teachers with the resources they need to succeed.”

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Enacted assault weapons ban

Pritzker signed a state ban on assault weapons into law as a core achievement of his administration. He advocates for strict gun safety legislation, including universal background checks, gun dealer licensing, and red flag laws.

• Enacted a state ban on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks.
• Supports universal background checks for all gun transactions in Illinois.
• Signed gun dealer licensing legislation and advocated for lethal violence protection orders.

“Pritzker listed the following as executive and legislative accomplishments during his tenure: ... banning assault weapons...”

“Ban assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and bump stocks in Illinois to help prevent mass shootings.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Opposes gun control legislation

Bailey is a staunch Second Amendment advocate who opposes state firearm prohibitions and restrictions. During his tenure in the state legislature, he voted against gun control legislation and advocated for the constitutional rights of gun owners.

• Voted against sweeping gun control measures while serving in the Illinois State Senate.
• Opposes restrictions on firearm ownership and bans on specific firearms.
• Member of the National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association, and Guns Save Life.

“Darren is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and an advocate for the constitutional right to bear arms.”

“In the Illinois State Senate, Darren voted against sweeping gun control legislation.”

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Expands and protects abortion access

Pritzker strongly defends reproductive rights and supported legislation establishing Illinois as a legal sanctuary for abortion access. He advocates for state and Medicaid funding for low-income reproductive healthcare and vows to oppose federal restrictions.

• Supported HB 40 to protect abortion rights and allow state coverage for low-income women.
• Opposed federal efforts to restrict funding for Planned Parenthood or limit birth control access.
• Restored state budget funding for low-income healthcare, preventive care, and reproductive health services.

“I passionately supported HB40 and demanded Bruce Rauner sign this critical legislation because all women should be able to access reproductive healthcare in Illinois regardless of their income.”

“Pass annual budgets that restore funding for healthcare services for low-income women, including reproductive and preventive healthcare.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Opposes abortion and state funding

Bailey is pro-life and opposes state funding or taxpayer subsidies for abortion services. In the General Assembly, he consistently voted against legislation expanding abortion access in Illinois.

• Voted against legislative expansions of abortion access in Illinois.
• Opposes state and taxpayer funding for abortion procedures.
• Pledges to protect the sanctity of life and the rights of unborn children.

“As a man of faith, Darren is proudly pro-life and will always stand up to protect the rights of the unborn.”

“Darren opposes state and taxpayer funding of abortions.”

D Democratic J.B. Pritzker

Enacted clean energy transition laws

Pritzker passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, committing Illinois to phase out carbon emissions from the energy and transportation sectors. He aims to transition Illinois toward 100% clean, renewable energy and aligned the state with the Paris Climate Agreement.

• Passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act to phase out carbon emissions in energy and transportation.
• Set a target to transition Illinois to 100% clean, renewable energy.
• Joined the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the principles of the Paris Agreement.

“...passing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which required the phase out of carbon emissions from the energy and transportation sectors.”

“Put Illinois on a path toward 100% clean, renewable energy and attract commercial investment in clean energy production and transmission here in Illinois.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Opposes green energy mandates

Bailey opposes government energy mandates that increase utility rates and burden consumers. Having served on the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, he advocates for traditional energy production and opposes sweeping regulatory overreach.

• Served on the Illinois State Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.
• Opposes government energy mandates that contribute to rising utility bills for families.
• Consistently received low legislative ratings from environmental advocacy groups like the Illinois Environmental Council.

“Darren Bailey knows that hardworking families across Illinois are struggling under the weight of high taxes, rising utility bills, and skyrocketing costs of living.”

“As Governor, he will promote transparency and ensure safeguards against powerful government overreach.”

R Republican Darren Bailey

Supports agriculture and family farms

As a third-generation farmer, Bailey emphasizes agriculture as the foundation of Illinois' economy. He served as the lead Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, advocating for policies that assist local farmers and reduce government interference.

• Owns and operates Bailey Family Farm in Southern Illinois as a third-generation farmer.
• Served as Minority Spokesperson and lead Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
• Advocates for lower taxes and reduced regulatory burdens on agricultural operations.

“Darren is a third-generation farmer who owns and operates his own family farm today. He knows that agriculture is the backbone of Illinois’ economy...”

“In the Illinois State Senate, Darren serves as the lead Republican on the Agriculture Committee, shaping policies that help support one of America’s oldest and most valuable occupations.”