Darren Bailey coming under fire from Chicago families affected by gun violence for PAC ads that endorse him

Darren Bailey
Illinois Gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey delivers remarks after receiving an endorsement from Donald Trump during a Save America Rally with former US President Donald Trump at the Adams County Fairgrounds on June 25, 2022 in Mendon, Illinois. Photo credit Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey is being called upon to condemn TV ads that have been airing in support of him, highlighting Chicago’s violent crime.

To be sure, the ads being referred to are not being put out by the Darren Bailey campaign, but they are being put out by a conservative political action committee funded by billionaire Dick Uihlein who supports him.

Thursday, relatives of murder victims featured in that ad condemned it, gathering outside the former John Hancock Building, where Bailey has taken up residence. One of them said she curses every time it comes on her TV.

"Mr Bailey, stop pimping. Stop pimping the pain and the trauma of families for your own political self. Either stop these commercials or get out of the whole damn race. We’re tired of you using our families," Fr. Mike Pfleger said.

Pam Bosley is co-founder of the group Purpose Over Pain. Her son was murdered 16 years ago.

"We’ve been watching these ads coming up on YouTube and everywhere, showing these babies being shot and killed. And not only that, showing one man who went to jail. He got his leg amputated. This is re-traumatizing our community," Bosley said.

The Play By The Rules political action committee is the same one accused of darkening the skin of Mayor Lightfoot in the commercial.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images