Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) points to an empty chair for Richard Irvin during a forum for Republican candidates for governor in Washington on Monday. Seated behind Bailey from left to right is Jesse Sullivan, Gary Rabine, Max Solomon and Paul Schimpf. [Blue Room Stream]

Five of the six Republican candidates for governor spent Monday night explaining to Republican voters what sets them apart from Gov. JB Pritzker and one of their opponents, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who did not attend the Tazewell County forum.