Chicago City Wire

Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) blames the state's current crime problems on Democrats Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.

"Friends, the cost of living is out of control, as many families are forced to choose between putting gas in their cars or food on their tables. Crime is out of control in Illinois and it is skyrocketing in Chicago. Parents don't feel safe letting their kids play at the park or even walk home from school," Bailey said in a video posted to Facebook on Aug. 13.

Bailey says these problems are made worse in Chicago by Pritzker, Lightfoot, and Foxx. He adds that he's going to file legislation allowing residents to recall Foxx because, he says, she has refused to do her job, lost her office's confidence, and failed to keep families safe.

"As shootouts and mayhem terrorize the city, the trio have more than turned their backs against police officers; they have actively attacked them," Bailey said, according to Daily Herald. 

Bailey tore into Foxx in particular saying, "If lax prosecutors like Kim Foxx don't want to prosecute violent offenders, that won't be an option when I'm governor. My first order of business will be to file legislation allowing residents to recall Kim Foxx. We will create an office of statewide prosecutor under the state attorney general's office with the power to prosecute crime ... if prosecutors like Kim Foxx refuse to do their jobs."

In response to Bailey's comments, Pritzker pointed out that Bailey voted against funding to expand the Illinois State Police forensic science program and new crime labs. 

"He also voted against saving police pensions – billions of dollars – by voting against police pension consolidation. That's something I proposed and got passed. I think voters have seen that Darren Bailey is a hypocrite," Pritzker said, according to the Daily Herald. 

 Bailey has been endorsed by the Illinois FOP, and FOP Lodge 7.