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Candidates For Illinois Governor To Meet In First Debate This Week

J.B. Pritzker participates in a debate before the Democratic gubernatorial primary, which he would go on to win.
Brian Mackey
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NPR Illinois
J.B. Pritzker participates in a debate before the Democratic gubernatorial primary, which he would go on to win.

As of Monday, there are 50 days until Election Day. And in the race for Illinois governor, debate season is finally getting underway.

Brian Mackey reports.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and his Democratic challenger, J.B. Pritzker, will meet in three formal debates in the coming month.

The first takes place this Thursday, and it’s sponsored by NBC Chicago and Telemundo, As well as the Union League of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League.

After that, there’s one more Chicago debate (October 3, sponsored by ABC Chicago, Univision and the League of Women Voters) and one in Quincy (October 11, sponsored by WGEM-TV and the Illinois Broadcasters Association).

The Rauner campaign has reportedly pushed for more, but Pritzker has refused — including attempts by PBS and NPR stations.

“Those are the debates that are on the calendar, and those are the ones we’re doing,” Pritzker told reporters Friday morning.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner met Friday with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune. The board left an empty chair for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, J.B. Pritzker, who declined repeated invitations to attend.
Credit still from video on Facebook / Chicago Tribune editorial board
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Chicago Tribune editorial board
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner met Friday with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune. The board left an empty chair for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, J.B. Pritzker, who declined repeated invitations to attend.

That was the same day Pritzker skipped — despite repeated invitations — a joint appearance with Rauner before the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune broadcast the meeting online and left an empty chair for Pritzker. But at least one fellow Democrat, Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, would not criticize his absence.

“I’ve appeared before that editorial board,” Durbin said. “For a Democrat, it’s an act of courage to step up there — you know what you’re facing. They’re totally opposed to Pritzker and the Democrats and have consistently held that position.”

Also on Friday it came out that Pritzker did agree to a joint appearance with Rauner at the editorial board of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The first debate will also include the Libertarian Party candidate, Kash Jackson, as well as state Sen. Sam McCann, who left the Republican Party to run as a Conservative.

A Libertarian spokesman says they don’t yet know whether they’ll be allowed in the second and third debates.

Copyright 2021 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS. To see more, visit NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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