Bailey wants control of the Illinois GOP – POLITICO
Happy Monday, Illinois. The world has turned upside down since we connected Friday. Here are 18 ways America has been changed by the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade.
Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey delivers remarks after receiving an endorsement from Donald Trump during a Save America Rally at the Adams County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 25, 2022 in Mendon, Ill. | Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
Watch for conservative Republican Darren Bailey to make a play to take over the Illinois GOP after tomorrows primary. Playbook hears that move could come as soon as Wednesday right after Baileys expected victory in the six-man race for the party's nod for governor.
Thomas DeVore, whos running for attorney general alongside Bailey, echoed the idea. "Whether or not Darren and I win the general election, if we can at least get control within our own party, I think long term we have an opportunity to be successful, DeVore told The New York Times.
MAGA moment: DeVore is referring to his and Bailey's conservative brand of politics that's upending the establishment GOPs efforts to take back the governors mansion.
ICYMI:Bailey was endorsed by President Donald Trump on Saturday during a Save America rally in Mendon.
Trumps stamp: Darren is a fearless supporter of the Second Amendment and a tireless champion of religious liberty, Trump said. He will crack down on the violent crime that is devouring our Democrat-run cities and restore the state of Illinois to greatness. Darren has my complete and total endorsement.
Spotted at the rally: Peggy Hubbard, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate. If she wins the GOP primary, shed be among more than 100 candidates across the country who embrace the false claim that Trump won the 2020 election, reports WBEZs Dave McKinney.
PRESIDENTIAL PLUG: Joe Biden endorsed veteran Rep. Danny Davis, whos facing Justice-Democrats-backed Kina Collins in the IL-06 primary.
In a statement yesterday, Biden called Davis "an effective leader and lawmaker deeply rooted in his community. He serves with passion and integrity."
A person familiar with Davis campaign says polling is on Davis side, but a boost from Biden cant hurt.
Sun-Times Lynn Sweet calls it: a proxy fight over the future of the Democratic party and the forces backing Collins wanting to pull it further left in part by defeating incumbent Democrats.
An important factor: Polls may show Davis in a comfortable spot for tomorrows primary, but with voter turnout expected to be low, no ones taking any chances.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, left, and her wife, Amy Eshleman, take part in the Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago on Sunday, June 26, 2022. | AP Photo/Jon Durr
DEMS WEEKEND NEWS: Democrats marched in the Pride Parade to show support for LGBTQ rights and to call attention to equality in wake of last weeks Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
We are on the agenda and on the menu for the right wing, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters before the parade, warning that the SCOTUS ruling endangers LGBTQ rights. We have to be ready. Lightfoot marched with her wife, Amy Eshleman.
Pride Parades return amid worry and anger over Supreme Court decision on abortion, by Sun-Times Kaitlin Washburn
Illinois activists and legal scholars say abortion decision endangers LGBT rights and contraception, by Tribunes John Keilman and Madeline Buckley
SPOTTED AT THE PARADE: Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady of Illinois MK Pritzker, who was wearing a dress designed by a friend and detailed with her husband's signature campaign sign. Pic!
Rep. Mary Miller, who joined former President Donald Trump at his rally in central Illinois on Saturday, June 25, 2022, took heat later for comments she made on stage. | Screen grab
FREUDIAN FLUB: Rep. Mary Miller drew backlash on social media and criticism from opponent Rep. Rodney Davis for a Freudian faux pas at a Saturdays central Illinois rally with former President Donald Trump.
White Heat: Miller called the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade a victory for white life. It appeared she stumbled over her words. (Instead of saying victory for life, she said victory for whitelife.)
None of it would have caused such a stir if it weren't for Miller citing Adolf Hitler in a January 2021 speech about the political indoctrination of children.
But Miller is in a bitter primary: Davis pounced, saying its part of a disturbing pattern of behavior she's displayed since coming to Congress. This is why she uses the Biden basement strategy and refuses to answer questions or hold public events.
Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Id like to hear from you: [emailprotected]
No official public events.
No official public events.
No official public events.
MAGA voters send a $50M GOP plan off the rails in Illinois: The primary race alone has drawn $100 million in TV advertising. Mr. Pritzker has spent more money on TV ads than anyone else running for any office in the country this year. Mr. Irvin ranks second, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm, reports The New York Times Reid J. Epstein.
Dont call it a primary party: Pritzkers campaign is kicking off the general election with a party tomorrow night at the Marriott Marquis on the South Side. The states constitutional officers and Sen. Tammy Duckworth will take the stage
BY THE NUMBERS: Former Gov. and businessman Bruce Rauner has donated $200,000 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to campaign reports filed Friday and analyzed by Florida Playbook's Gary Fineout. Rauner relocated to Florida after he lost his reelection campaign in 2018. His total level of support for DeSantis this cycle is $650,000.
State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz took heat over the weekend for posting a controversial image criticizing the Supreme Court decision overruling Roe v. Wade. The sketch portrayed the image of a pope pointing a pistol at Lady Liberty. The Chicago GOP was outraged and called for Feigenholtz to resign.
The posting of this disgusting cartoon has finally, but now openly exposed the deep contempt held by Senator Feigenholtz and her liberal woke colleagues toward not only the Catholic Church, but towards Christian religion in general, Chicago GOP Chairman Steve Boulton said in a statement.
In a statement to Playbook, Feigenholz said, Friday was an incredibly traumatic day not just for me but for women around the country in the aftermath of the SCOTUS decision to overturn a woman's right to choose. I posted an image that spoke to the moment and then later learned it offended people of faith. I immediately removed the post as I meant no ill will toward anyone who found it offensive, and am sorry. I have and will continue reaching out to friends and community members with the hope of healing.
Kellyanne Conway was in the hot seat during a Q&A with David Axelrod last week at an event at the University Club of Chicago. Conway acknowledged that Joe Biden was president but still questioned how fair the election was conducted in Pennsylvania. There was a tense back and forth before Axelrod moved on. Conway was in town promoting her book, Heres the Deal.
Speaking of Kellyanne: POLITICO's Joanna Weiss talked to psychoanalyst Jeanne Safer about Conways tumultuous marriage.
Jim Ryan and the death of the Illinois Republican moderate, by Derrick Blakley for Center for Illinois Politics
Pritzker calls special legislative session on reproductive rights as Roe decision reverberates through Illinois politics: One proposal under consideration would expand the ranks of medical professionals who are allowed to perform abortions in Illinois, by Tribunes Dan Petrella and Rick Pearson
What were hearing: Lawmakers could be called back in July.
Illinois-based Ulta pledges to help workers travel for abortions, by Crains Katherine Davis
From police raids to reproductive justice, abortion history in Illinois is long and bumpy, by WBEZs Natalie Moore
Mendoza, state leaders gathered in Cairo for updates on the Alexander-Cairo port project, by KFVS Colin Baillie
GREAT LAKES WATCH: Gov. JB Pritzker was awarded the changemaker award by the Council of the Great Lakes Region on Sunday. The organization is in town for a few days for the Great Lakes Economic Forum. Pritzker was introduced by former U.S. ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and Vicki Heyman, who are active in the organization. After Heymans introduction, Pritzker joked, I always wanted to be an ambassador. You get to keep the title for the rest of your life and they call you your excellency. Ive tried to get people to call me excellent for my whole life, he told the crowd, which laughed at the line. Though the bigger laugh came after Pritzker said, Just so you know, the weather is like this all year round.
Ballys hoping to file Chicago casino application with state this month; odds may be against June 2023 opening: Getting the permanent casino open by the first quarter of 2026 could be challenging as well, with ongoing opposition from neighbors and new questions about Tribune Publishings plans for its printing operations, by Tribunes Robert Channick.
World Business Chicago touts Illinois' abortion-rights bona fides to corporations, by Crains Trina Mannino
Chicago Park District vows to open some pools July 5 but wont say how many, by Sun-Times Fran Spielman.
Gig workers who rely on cars make changes as gas prices stay high: One strategy is staying in the Loop during peak hours to draw better tips, by Sun-Times Elvia Malagn
Citys speed cameras yield more tickets and controversy but drivers arent slowing down: A WBEZ analysis of Chicagos speed ticket data shows little safety benefit, even as the city rakes in more cash, by Michael Gerstein, Matt Kiefer and Charmaine Runes.
Former President Barack Obama visited the site of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Friday. His visit coincides with the one-year anniversary of the centers groundbreaking. President Obama toured the site with two key construction vendors working on the project, Junisa Brima from Turner Construction and Ron Lewis from Ujamaa Construction, both of whom work with Lakeside Alliance, the overall construction company for the Center, the foundation said in a statement.
Topless sunbathing at Evanston beaches? Prohibition of public nudity ordinance in city could be changing, by Pioneer Press Alex Hulvalchick
Lombard couple featured in new Food Network series 'Me or the Menu, by Daily Heralds Scott Morgan
Former Dixmoor police commander convicted in assault on grandmother, by Tribunes Megan Crepeau
Federal judge throws out lawsuit alleging required signage on Illinois gas tax freeze violates free speech, by Tribunes Jeremy Gorner
Fox News' Gianno Caldwells younger brother killed in Chicago shooting, via Fox 32
Democrats are looking for a weed deal: As this Congress enters its final months, lawmakers warm to the idea of cannabis banking plus, by POLITICOs Natalie Fertig.
We asked which candidates have knocked at your door: Capitol Edge Consultings Kristin Rubbelke: Both Sharon Chung and Karla Bailey Smith (Democrats running in the 91st House District primary). Thats pretty good for Bloomington. Timothy Thomas Jr.: I was a freshman on campus at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 1980 when Congressman Tim Johnson knocked on my dorm room door in the run-up of the November general election. He actually came into my room and we chatted for about 10 minutes. Although he was a Republican and I was not going to change my voting address from Chicago, I always followed his career and was saddened by his passing last month.... Nancy Shepherdson: Nabeela Syed, running for District 51 state rep in the Northwest suburbs.
Whats your Election Day tradition? Email [emailprotected]
The Supreme Court has chipped away at the Voting Rights Act for 9 years. This case could be the next blow, by POLITICOs Zach Montellaro
Trump fatigue sets in: Some donors are getting sick of the sh--show, by POLITICOs Meridith McGraw and Matt Dixon
The dog that caught the car: Republicans brace for the impact of reversing Roe, by POLITICOs David Siders
In states that allow abortion for rape and incest, finding a doctor may prove impossible, by POLITICOs Megan Messerly
Samuel Alito, Andrew Jackson, slavery and states rights, by Heather Cox Richardson
Kristopher J. Anderson, external affairs VP for the Chicago Association of Realtors, and Ebony N. Scott, executive director of the Spark nonprofit, married Friday in a small ceremony with family and friends at Gibsons Steakhouse. Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough officiated. The afterparty was at Vu Rooftop. Among the guests: Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and Ald. Jason Ervin, state Rep. Marcus Evans and Deloittes Mary Miro. Pix!
Wayne Whalen, wide-ranging lawyer and political adviser, dies at 82: He had his hand in the election of former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, the writing of the Illinois Constitution and numerous other matters, by Crains Steven R. Strahler.
Michael Stephen Kanne, a 7th Circuit Court judge, died earlier this month. His funeral is this week.
FRIDAYs ANSWER: Congrats to Rey Nonato for correctly answering that traveling salesman Aaron Montgomery Ward started the world's first mail-order business in 1872. Montgomery Wards warehouse was located at Chicago Avenue and the north branch of the Chicago River now condos and commercial and headquarters of Groupon.
TODAYs QUESTION: Who was the first Asian American elected alderman in Chicago? Email [emailprotected]
State Rep. David Welter, former state senator and Kenya U.S. Ambassador Kyle McCarter, The Inland Real Estate Groups senior VP Dan Wagner, tech investor and political donor Howard Tulman, former Illinois Supreme Court candidate Daniel Epstein, Accountable Tech co-founder Jesse Lehrich, PR pro Karrie Leung, PR pro Melissa Skoog, marketing pro Sarah Habansky, and Cor Strategies marketing guru Bill Pohlman.
-30-
See more here:
Bailey wants control of the Illinois GOP - POLITICO
- Iran rebuffs Trump's plan for new round of peace talks, state media reports - CNBC - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Narrative at Arms: Framing, Discourse, and Media Control in the Iran War - Geopolitical Monitor - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- John Curley Says The Medias Blame Game Is Out of Control - MyNorthwest.com - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Mass. Gov. Healey plan aims to limit out of control youth social media use - MassLive - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Charlotte, NC Imam John Yahya Ederer: 9/11 Was All About Diverting Attention From The 'Evil' Of Zionism As Zionist Control Of The Narrative Through... - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- From broadsheet editors to influencers: How has control over the media shifted? - The Boar - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Speaker Papuashvili: UNM once again; same architects of torture, racketeering, and media control resurface with same agenda - 1TV.GE - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iranian media: Iran can control the Strait of Hormuz for several years - Apa.az - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Michigan Gaming Control Board and King Media Win Gold Shorty Impact Award for "Don't Regret the Bet" Campaign - State of Michigan (.gov) - April 3rd, 2026 [April 3rd, 2026]
- Right-wing media figures have insisted Iran cannot be in control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump just signaled he wants to end the war without... - April 3rd, 2026 [April 3rd, 2026]
- Iran train in Turkey with tight media control ahead of World Cup warm-ups - Reuters - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- 5 simple tech tips to take back control of your social media - Kurt the CyberGuy - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- How the US, Israel & Iran are controlling their media narratives - The New Arab - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Hegseth, Media Control, and the War on TruthJournalism Under Fire in 2026 - savageminds.substack.com - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- The Ellisons Empire: Media Consolidation, Narrative Control, and the Threat to Democracy - Nonprofit Quarterly - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Be the one in control: Why are more countries leaning towards banning social media access for kids? - CNA - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- TRUMP BRAGS About Getting Fascist Control of the Media in BONKERS Truth Social Post - Daily Kos - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Pete Hegseth Openly Yearns For Government Control of the Media, and Admits to Committing War Crimes - Daily Kos - March 15th, 2026 [March 15th, 2026]
- Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData to Publish BookTok Charts for the U.K. - Publishing Perspectives - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Big tech has defeated everything for 30 years, but for the first time faces something it can't control: a jury - Fortune - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Media: Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic crashes as Iran tightens control - Caliber.Az - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Aga Khan Exits Nation Media Group After 66 Years as Tanzanias Rostam Azizi Takes Control - Capitalfm.co.ke - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Committee to Protect Journalists Urges Taliban to Return Control of Rah-e-Farda TV to Its Owner - Hasht-e Subh Daily - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Tehran fires at Turkey, Nato shield. US media: ground offensive of thousands of Kurds begun - Il Sole 24 ORE - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Boyfriend, 20, accused of controlling who partner spoke to and her social media use - The Western Telegraph - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Everything Larry and David Ellison Will Control If Paramount Buys Warner Bros. - WIRED - March 2nd, 2026 [March 2nd, 2026]
- You have to wonder who is in control of our social media - Northern News - February 26th, 2026 [February 26th, 2026]
- Fast-growing esports group Veloce in $61M deal with SEGG Media - Stock Titan - February 16th, 2026 [February 16th, 2026]
- Australias political and media elites are losing control of the story - Pearls and Irritations - February 16th, 2026 [February 16th, 2026]
- MindStir Media's The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your - openPR.com - February 9th, 2026 [February 9th, 2026]
- Exposed Moltbook Database Let Anyone Take Control of Any AI Agent on the Site - 404 Media - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- analysis media and power Ellison, Trump and the TikTok deal in the USA With the takeover of control of TikTok in the USA, billionaire Larry Ellison's... - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Social media: I thought I was in control of the algorithm. Then came the dreams of blood-soaked streets - The Sydney Morning Herald - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- CCM and UC Athletics partner on state-of-the-art live broadcast studio - uc.edu - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Following control of Syrian Interim Government | Internal Security arrests former media officials of SDF and former head of council - - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Media control, accused teacher and cancer incidence - Maldives Independent - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Filipinos trust media most in addressing flood control mess | The wRap - Rappler - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Survey: Filipinos trust media on flood control scandal amid doubts over justice system - Daily Tribune - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Social media are helping cults to recruit and control members - The Economist - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- William has control of the media here's what's being hidden from us - The i Paper - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Information and State Control: Banning Social Media in South Asia - The London School of Economics and Political Science - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- CBS and CNN Are Being Sacrificed to Trump - The Atlantic - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- The Rich Control the Media: Whining Is Not a Strategy - cepr.net - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- The UK needs some media free of US control: Comcasts move for ITV starts to focus minds - The Guardian - December 16th, 2025 [December 16th, 2025]
- Scotland Office in 'Pravda-style bid to control media' with order to journalists - TheNational.scot - December 12th, 2025 [December 12th, 2025]
- Is there an alternative to Big Techs control of the social media space? - LSE Review of Books - The London School of Economics and Political Science - December 12th, 2025 [December 12th, 2025]
- Media-Ownership Reforms Are Key to Limiting Network Control - TVTechnology - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- As local media scrutiny withers, message control flourishes - bayobserver.ca - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- Russia Boosts Propaganda Spending and Media Control in Occupied Regions 2026 - - December 2nd, 2025 [December 2nd, 2025]
- Creative Media Specializes in Lighting Control Installation in Alpharetta and Brookhaven, Georgia - Markets Financial Content - December 2nd, 2025 [December 2nd, 2025]
- Media: US plan suggests Russia will pay rent for control of Donbas - Apa.az - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Means of True Information Being Blocked: Sibal on 100th Episode of 'Dil Se' - The Quint - November 16th, 2025 [November 16th, 2025]
- Israel Approves First Reading of Death Penalty and Media Control Bills - ynews.digital - November 16th, 2025 [November 16th, 2025]
- Media Spinning Out of Control Again on Off-Year Elections - AMAC - November 16th, 2025 [November 16th, 2025]
- Netanyahu's Government Moves to Stifle Journalism and Take Control of the Israeli Media - Haaretz - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Media bill wont give government direct editorial control, but risks putting press in biased, moneyed hands - The Times of Israel - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Likud ministers contentious media regulation bill passes first reading in Knesset - The Times of Israel - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- From CBS to TikTok, US media are falling to Trumps allies. This is how democracy crumbles | Owen Jones - The Guardian - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Denmark reportedly withdraws Chat Control proposal following controversy - therecord.media - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Opinion | Crypto and Trump Corrupted America - The New York Times - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- After internal struggle, Colorados Libertarians look to pivot. It could impact Congress. - The Denver Post - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Argentina goes to polls amid economic crisis and Trump interference - The Guardian - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Five things to know about Argentina's pivotal midterm election - Purdue Exponent - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Milei promised to drain Argentinas swamp. Now hes sinki... - The Observer - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- After Tunisian shipwreck kills 40, archbishop urges world to tackle migration crisis - Catholic News Agency - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Migrant prison farce proves the system is out of control - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Labour blasted as 'too weak' to deport small boat migrants while pressure mounts on Keir Starmer to adopt Rwanda-style plan - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats, sources tell BBC - BBC - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Migrants abandon children on Spanish holidays so they can claim asylum - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Ireland is making a dangerous mistake on immigration - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Migrant sent back to France in one in, one out deal returns to UK - The Independent - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Syrian migrant with 'deep voice and receding grey hair' is ruled to be a child - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Stop lecturing migrant hotel protesters, Dublin is more proof of this total betrayal - Adam Brooks - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- 'It's a FARCE!' Tom Harwood up in arms while Labour 'takes the mickey' with 'one in, one out' scheme - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Secret report reveals Home Office culture of defeatism on migration - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Lammy: Catching migrant shows one in, one out is working - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Migrant guilty of murdering woman with screwdriver - The Telegraph - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- If UK controlled its own borders, killer illegal migrant would never have been here - Rakib Ehsan - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Mark White's Migration Monitor: The small boats farce continues - and the next act looks even darker - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Epping migrant STILL on the loose as David Lammy admits Ethiopian sex offender is 'at large in London' - GB News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]