Bailey, Del Mar Unveil ‘Blueprint for Illinois’ Focused for the Working Families (Louisville, IL) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his running mate, lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar, on Thursday unveiled what they described as a sweeping policy agenda aimed at easing financial pressure on working families and restoring trust in state government.
Speaking at a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol, Bailey and Del Mar introduced their “Blueprint for Illinois,” a plan they say prioritizes fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in state government.
Bailey, a downstate Republican and former state senator, said the proposal is rooted in the belief that state government has grown too large, too costly and disconnected from everyday Illinoisans.
“Illinois government must once again work for the people it serves,” Bailey said. “Government has grown larger, more expensive, and more disconnected from everyday life and everyday citizens. The status quo is not sustainable, nor is it acceptable.”
A central component of the plan focuses on property taxes, which Bailey called an unsustainable burden for homeowners. He said the Blueprint would cap annual property tax increases and require the state to more fully fund education, reducing schools’ reliance on local property taxes.
“No family should be required to pay more in property taxes than their mortgage payment,” Bailey said.
Bailey also criticized rising utility costs, blaming state policies for what he said are unaffordable bills for families and small businesses. He shared the story of a small diner owner who he said was hit with nearly $6,000 in utility costs during the summer simply to keep her business operating.
“That is not a failure of small business owners,” Bailey said. “That is a failure of Illinois government and JB Pritzker’s policies in particular.”
Del Mar, a former Cook County Republican Party chairman, focused his remarks on public safety, saying affordability alone is not enough if residents do not feel safe in their communities. He pointed to high-profile violent crimes in Chicago as evidence that the state’s criminal justice system needs reform.
“This is not about politics. It is about public safety,” Del Mar said. “It is about a system that too often fails to intervene before tragedy strikes.”
According to Del Mar, the Blueprint calls for tougher consequences for repeat violent offenders, increased support for law enforcement, expanded prevention programs and a renewed focus on victims and their families.
Education reform is another pillar of the plan, Del Mar said, with an emphasis on core academic subjects and parental involvement.
“Classrooms should focus on education, not political agendas,” he said. “Strong schools build strong communities.”
The plan also includes proposals aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in state government. Del Mar said he would lead efforts to reduce waste and improve oversight under a Bailey administration, arguing that public trust has eroded under Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“When government is transparent, trust can begin to return,” Del Mar said.
Bailey and Del Mar are seeking to challenge the Democratic ticket in the 2026 gubernatorial election. More information about their policy proposals is available at BlueprintForIllinois.com.
Bailey, Del Mar Unveil ‘Blueprint for Illinois’ Focused for the Working Families
