Sangamon Digest

Former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin endorsed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s reelection Monday in a Pritzker campaign video, saying he cannot vote for GOP nominee Darren Bailey, NPR Illinois reports. Durkin, who led House Republicans for almost a decade before stepping down in 2023, said he doesn’t agree with Pritzker on everything but that the governor has delivered on issues that matter to him.

Bailey and his wife, Cindy, voted early at the Clay County Courthouse hours later, WAND reports via Capitol City Now. Bailey said Durkin has never been a real Republican, and Illinois GOP Chair Bob Grogan called him an opportunist. Independent candidate Collin Corbett told WAND voters are ready for an independent governor. Election Day is Nov. 3.