East Central Reporter

Darren Bailey says Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is waging her war on Gov. Bruce Rauner for all the right reasons.

“Jeanne Ives has been a champion of conservative ideas,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. "She is passionate about making our state a better place to live. She genuinely cares about the welfare of our state and its citizens, not advancing an agenda or her bank account."

Ives, a 52-year-old mother of five and West Point grad, has installed former Rep. Rich Morthland as her running mate and Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland as her campaign chairman in anticipation of a run for governor. 

Darren Bailey

Candidates for state office must formally file their candidacy paperwork by Dec. 4.

Bailey said Ives' passion for making the state a better place to live makes it easy for her to connect with voters. 

 "We need more people like that in Springfield,” he said.

After supporting Rauner in 2014, Bailey, who has launched his own campaign against Rep. Dave Reis (R-Willow Hill) in the 109th District primary, now views Rauner as having gone back on his word by enacting legislation that allows anyone on Medicaid or state insurance to get an abortion at any time and for any reason.

Opposed by Ives, the law makes Illinois the first state to approve such measures.

“I am deeply troubled by his actions,” Bailey said of Rauner. “If Jeanne Ives does indeed run for governor, I would be very interested in her campaign. Illinois leadership needs some serious accountability right now.”

Bailey said he decided to get into the race in the 109th District after Reis joined other Democratic lawmakers in ramming through the state’s new $36.1 billion budget.

“In my race, voters have a choice between supporting me and my stance against higher taxes or supporting my opponent, the incumbent legislator who sided with Democrats to raise our taxes,” he said. “Power and privilege seem to rule the day in Illinois politics, both in the Democrat and Republican Party.  We don’t need more of the same.”

The 109th House District includes Wayne, Edwards and Wabash counties.