(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Republicans running for Illinois governor and attorney general picked up some police union endorsements Monday, but incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s done plenty for law enforcement.
The Chicago and state Fraternal Order of Police formally backed state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, for governor and Tom DeVore, the Republican who hopes to oust incumbent Democrat Kwame Raoul.
“If you think crime in Illinois is bad now,” said Bailey, “what in the world is it going to look like in 2023?”
He has been a critic of state legislation that will end the cash bail system beginning next year.
DeVore, an attorney from downstate Illinois, said he’s concerned about crime everywhere, including Chicago.
“If you think that there's not a collateral effect to us not taking the crime [seriously] that's happening here, look at places like Champaign and Decatur. Those cities are starting to suffer from the same consequences,” he said.
Pritzker tried to downplay the FOP endorsements to the other side. He said Bailey, as a legislator, has taken actions that hurt law enforcement, including voting against a plan to secure police pensions.
He said rank-and-file police officers will see he's the candidate who is better for them.
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