The re-election campaign is on for the governor

Gov. JB Pritzker spoke with WJBC’s Dave Dahl. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – One of the first things Gov. JB Pritzker did after defeating a nominal opponent in Tuesday’s primary was to sit for two days of interviews with statehouse reporters.

He told WJBC’s Dave Dahl that “anti-corruption” Aurora mayor Richard Irvin turned out to be corrupt himself, and that Republican primary winner State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is “the most extreme candidate came through that primary … Darren Bailey is just off the rails!” calling him “a Trumpy, MAGA Republican” who does not fit into a state which soundly went for Democrats in 2016 and 2020.

Pritzker did not address the question of a preferred opponent, capping a primary season in which he and the Democratic Governors’ Association were accused of using advertising to manipulate Bailey ahead of Irvin.

Pritzker said he would call a special session this month to bolster abortion protections in pro-choice Illinois in light of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade. He said expanding “capacity” and making it easier for people to come from out of state to terminate pregnancies here would be the priority – but that the special session would only take a day or two, adding that abortion will not dominate the 2023 spring legislative session.

Pritzker said if elected, he would serve a four-year term. He previously has sidestepped questions about any aspirations beyond the office of governor.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…