SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — Polls in Illinois close at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. Click/tap here for election results.
It's finally Election Day in the United States, and results for Illinois' gubernatorial race are set to roll in after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
On the ballot are incumbent Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey. The race has been charged with energy, as the candidates frequently clash on ideals and character on and off of the debate stage.
Who is Darren Bailey?
Bailey, 56, is a self-described deep-rooted conservative and echoes many of the policies and beliefs held by the GOP party platform. He staunchly opposes abortion, calling it "an atrocity," COVID-19 regulations, gun control, aggressive climate change policy and "critical race theory."
He advocates for greater funding and support of police, education reform, jobs in the fuel sector, lower taxes, political office term limits and policies that benefit Illinois's agricultural industry. Bailey's success among hardline conservatives has even earned him an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Who is J.B. Pritzker?
Pritzker, 57, is seeking a second term as Illinois governor. The Duke University graduate, billionaire and nonprofit founder runs on a platform that echoes many other leading modern Democrats, including staunch defense of abortion rights, social justice for minority groups such as Black, women and LGBTQ+ Americans, the fight against climate change and boosting of renewable energy, criminal justice and police reform, and improving public safety, education, and health care.
The one-term governor has boasted many accomplishments in his four years in office, including a first-in-25-years budget surplus, strong COVID-19 response policy, the legalization of marijuana and embrace of the policy's monetary benefits, the passage of criminal justice reform including the elimination of cash bail, suspension of certain state taxes during the 2022 inflation crisis and the passage of clean energy legislation.
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