Pritzker and Bailey Likely to Make One Joint Appearance at TV "Forum," not Debate
Governor JB Pritzker and then-Sen. Darren Bailey make notes before a debate at WGN-TV in Chicago in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
It appears Governor JB Pritzker and former Sen. Darren Bailey will hold one debate this fall, and it won’t be a debate at all.
Pritzker’s campaign announced last week it had accepted an invitation from Chicago public television station WTTW for a debate with Bailey. Chicago’s WGN-TV, where the two debated in 2022, and FOX Chicago had also invited the two for debates, we’re told.
WTTW, though, does not structure their program as a traditional debate, instead referring to the event as a “forum.”
“Our candidate forums are meant to be conversations, not formal debate-style exchanges,” said Jay Smith, WTTW News Director. “There are no opening or closing statements. Answers are not timed, rather our moderator uses fairness as their guide. Candidates are asked not to give campaign speeches or to filibuster.”
Bailey’s campaign said last week it would likely do the debate, though was unhappy about the venue. Smith said Monday they are “finalizing” details with both campaigns for the forum on Tuesday, October 13.
One pro-Bailey Republican operative we spoke to Monday said Bailey shouldn’t do the debate.
“This is a lose-lose for Darren,” the operative said. “WTTW is anti-Trump and anti-Bailey and the deck will be stacked for Pritzker. I guess the good part is nobody will be watching anyway.”
Meanwhile, one Democratic operative we spoke to Monday said they were surprised Pritzker only agreed to one debate.
“It’s no surprise the Governor wants to really stick it to Darren Bailey this time around,” the operative said. “I’d be taking every debate opportunity to show the public just how extreme Darren Bailey is. Not to mention, it’s pretty good practice for a debate stage in South Carolina or Nevada.”
South Carolina and Nevada are the first two contests in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
It also appears WTTW’s debate rules specifically exclude independent candidate Collin Corbett.
The WTTW criteria says candidates must be “the nominee of a political party recognized under state law, as determined by the State of Illinois or other appropriate election governing body,” which appears to specifically limit independents or third party candidates from participation.
The criteria also requires candidates to have 15% support in independent polls. No independent polls have been published in the race yet.
Though, it appears WTTW can add candidates to the forum if it chooses.
“WTTW News reserves the right to add candidates it deems newsworthy at its discretion,” the criteria reads.
It isn’t clear yet if the forum will have any statewide distribution or if it will only run on Chicago television.
