Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) walks into the Illinois State Fair followed by his running mate Stephanie Trussell and wife, Cindy, after driving in on a tractor. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Republicans appeared together in unison at the State Fair on Thursday, but some senior members of the party were still reluctant to publicly say they endorse Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) for governor.

Bailey remained focused on his campaign’s message, however, and promised to bring down taxes and crime if elected. 

Gov. JB Pritzker released a pair of scheduled debates Thursday while Bailey remains undecided about his debate schedule. And McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi said she is more qualified to manage the state’s finances than Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions from reporters at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Wednesday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

Democrats attempted to put to rest any ideas that the party is not unified at their State Fair rallies Wednesday as they leaned on their hopes to squash Republican opposition in November.

Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) speaks outside the DuPage County courthouse in Wheaton Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As a conservative group hits Illinois airwaves with an ad attacking the SAFE-T Act and elimination of cash bail, Democrats are defending their legislation and arguing moving to a risk-based assessment will be a positive step for the state’s judicial system.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) speaks at an Awake Illinois rally at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Republican nominee for governor Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is not backing away from a right-wing suburban organization even as the group has been the subject of controversy in recent weeks on multiple fronts.

From left to right, Abdelnasser Rashid, Azam Nizamuddin, and Nabeela Syed are three Democrats running for the General Assembly. [Campaign websites]

While people often think of places like Dearborn, Mich., Minneapolis, or New York City as places with a high population of Muslims, a new study released last month found Illinois has more Muslims per capita than any other state.

Despite being home to one of the largest concentrations of one of the world’s major religions, Illinois has never had a Muslim elected official at the state or federal level. Three Democratic candidates are hoping to change that in November’s election.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman speaks at a news conference in Springfield Friday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

New bills passed at the state and federal level will add new elements to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) ongoing efforts to complete the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. 

Prairie Band Chairman Joseph Rupnick speaks during a news conference in Shabbona, Ill. in DeKalb County Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

It’s been 173 years since the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation had their DeKalb County reservation illegally sold off by the U.S. government, but now Illinois’ state and federal lawmakers are making a new push to reestablish the reservation.

Illinois’ gaming industry has seen a major expansion in recent years with legalized sports betting and additional casinos.

Illinois could bring in an extra $273 million if it takes a step only six other states have and legalizes internet gaming, according to a report released this week.

The Illinois Department of Corrections was found in contempt of court by a federal judge for failing to improve the agency’s health care for prisoners. Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) filed a lawsuit against the Frankfort Police Department as he goes through divorce proceedings. And Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) wants to remove signs on Interstate 57 pointing drivers toward Memphis, Tenn.