North Cook News

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey highlighted the importance of meeting different people because of the diverse population of the state.

Bailey recently attended an Asian community event in Niles. With the states' diverse population, he noted that Illinois would also has various needs. He mentioned that he "had a chance to hear those needs, as well as share my passion for restoring Illinois to meet the needs of all."  While he knows there are differences among Illinoisans, he called for unity.

"It is time for us to focus on the things that unite us rather than on the things that divide us," Bailey said. "Our state and our great City here in Chicago are not healthy because of the divisive policies of JB Pritzker and Lori Lightfoot. We need Chicago to be healthy again. When Chicago is healthy, our state is healthy and when Illinois is healthy, our nation is healthy. This election is a critical one for not only Illinois but the entire nation."

Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx have all been under fire for the rise in violence in Chicago, while the governor has also come under fire for rising crime rates throughout the state. Pritzker has been the focus for Bailey for the harm he anticipates the SAFE-T Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2023, will cause.

“Governor Pritzker has the abnormal and insane governing philosophy that prioritizes the thoughts and feelings of violent criminals above law enforcement and public safety," Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said, according to the Will County Gazette. "Four more years of J.B. Pritzker is dangerous for Illinois.”

Several large companies have pulled out of Chicago recently. Citadel Securities noted that security concerns played a significant role in the decision to relocate from Chicago to Miami. Zia Ahmed, a Citadel spokesperson, told The New York Times that “The firms are having difficulty recruiting top talent from across the world to Chicago given the rising and senseless violence in the city. Talent wants to live in cities where they feel safe.” Other firms to leave include Boeing and Caterpillar.

At a young age, Bailey "learned what it means to work hard and earn an honest living," his website notes. He "is grounded in the conservative values of hard work, individual liberty, and social responsibility. He knows that these precious freedoms are threatened everyday by big government and powerful career politicians."