The Latest Breaking News from Bruce Rauner

Darren Bailey’s suburban disadvantage

Downstate has become much more reliable for Republicans. But the increase in Republican identification in the region has not been enough to make up for its falling vote share in the suburbs.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 9, 2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls on the ‘coalition of the sane’ to defeat ‘the lunatic fringe’ as Democrats rally at state fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Democrats looked to both the past and the future as rallying points on their day at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, castigating former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s one-term stewardship of the state and warning that the party’s candidate for governor in November, Darren Bailey, would…

Chicago Tribune · Aug 18, 2022

Bailey pledges to bring ‘common sense solutions to the table’ — but not copies of his income tax returns

The tradition of Illinois gubernatorial nominees releasing their tax returns dates back to 1976, at least. But Bailey told the Sun-Times, “Right now, I see absolutely no reason in doing that.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 29, 2022

The future of the Illinois GOP — and how far right it may go — lies with this month’s primary

CHICAGO — More than just picking nominees for governor and other offices, Illinois Republicans’ choices this June 28 primary also will determine the GOP’s future and whether the state party’s gradual move to the right in recent years will accelerate.

Chicago Tribune · Jun 21, 2022

Sun-Times/WBEZ Poll: Ken Griffin, Michael Flynn not helping GOP voters make up their minds in U.S. Senate, other statewide races

About two-thirds of likely Republican voters said they’re not sure who they’ll vote for in the U.S. Senate, attorney general and secretary of state races. Candidates backed by billionaire Ken Griffin were trailing, and the endorsement of former national security adviser Michael Flynn did little to…

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 12, 2022

Mike Madigan has left the building — but the former House speaker’s shadow clouds the 2022 election

Attacks on Madigan’s influence over state government have been part of the Republican campaign playbook going at least as far back as Bruce Rauner’s election in 2014. There’s no reason to think that’s going to let up now that Madigan has been charged with racketeering and bribery.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 12, 2022

Billionaire Griffin dumps another $25 million into Republican Irvin’s campaign to unseat Pritzker

Last November — months before Irvin even entered the race — Griffin pledged to go “all in” to support a candidate who can beat the Democratic incumbent.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 5, 2022

Changing dynamics about crime and politics have wide-ranging influence on Illinois Prisoner Review Board

CHICAGO — When a group of Democratic state senators joined Republicans in rejecting two of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s nominees to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board last month, it became clear that crime has become such a big issue in this year’s elections it is even driving some divisions within the…

Chicago Tribune · Apr 27, 2022

Republican Darren Bailey picks up support from anti-abortion leaders — and millions from mega donor Dick Uihlein

The endorsements from Illinois Family Action, Illinois Federation for Right to Life and Illinois Citizens for Life come a day after Bailey reported a $2.5 million campaign contribution from Dick Uihlein, bringing the total the Lake Forest businessman has donated to $3,525,000.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 21, 2022

After long being mired in politics, Lincoln museum has ‘potential to be incredibly great’ under restructuring plan

CHICAGO — Ever since it opened late and over budget in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield has been regularly beset by problems tied to the historically transactional nature of Illinois politics.

Chicago Tribune · Apr 20, 2022