Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) speaks at a news conference at the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police in August. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

On a February 2021 night in Effingham less than one year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, first-term Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) announced he would challenge Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022.

“We've tried the country club approach. We've tried the Chicago Loop approach. And I don't think that's worked for anyone in this room,” Bailey told supporters at his campaign kickoff.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced they will make separate visits to Illinois this weekend. Republican Senate nominee Kathy Salvi announced her campaign agreed to a resolution on misprinted Schuyler County ballots. And Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) wrote an emotional letter imploring residents in the 19th Senate District to vote against Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfurt).

Republican attorney general candidate Tom DeVore, left, and Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul, right. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Crime has been a top issue in the race for Illinois’ chief law enforcement office as Republican challenger Tom DeVore clashes with Attorney General Kwame Raoul over the SAFE-T Act while Raoul focuses on legislative efforts to crack down on crime in Illinois.

A tabulation machine reflects a counted ballot during the public testing of tabulation machines at the Lake County Clerk’s Office Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Unfounded election conspiracies continue to swirl throughout the country as candidates cast doubt on the validity of election processes, but Illinois’ election process contains many safeguards and procedures that make rigging an election virtually impossible.

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii speaks at a rally for Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) in Glen Ellyn Monday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

With a week before polls close on Election Day, Republican nominee for governor Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) grabbed assistance from former Democrat and presidential contender Tulsi Gabbard at a rally in Glen Ellyn Monday.

Comptroller Susana Mendoza, left, and McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi, right.

Multiple credit upgrades, on-time bill payments and investments into pensions and the “rainy day” fund have given Comptroller Susana Mendoza a lot to run on after nearly six years as the state’s chief financial officer.

“I think our message here, what I’ve been able to deliver for Illinois, is a message that all Democrats across the country should be trying to emulate and talk about because this is the message: it’s the Democratic Party here in Illinois that has turned around the state’s financial ship,” Mendoza told The Daily Line.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), right, speaks with union members in Joliet Friday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Support for Amendment 1, also known as the Workers’ Rights Amendment, extends up to Illinois’ federal representatives who believe passing the amendment would boost the state’s competitiveness in the nation’s economy.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), left, and Republican challenger Kathy Salvi, right, participate in a debate Thursday night. [WTTW/Chicago Tonight]

Sen. Tammy Duckworth appears to hold a strong lead over Republican challenger Kathy Salvi as the candidates for U.S. Senate shared a stage Thursday night and showed off their differences.

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) left, and Democratic challenger Maria Peterson of North Barrington, right.

Democrats have their eye on Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie’s (R-Hawthorn Woods) seat as challenger Maria Peterson of North Barrington makes a final push with an aggressive mailing campaign and new TV ad. The pair also engaged in a tense debate Wednesday night.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

State lawmakers will return to Springfield in less than three weeks for the fall session and are expected to consider a number of issues, including legislation in response to the end of Roe v. Wade after a promised special session on the issue never materialized.