Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey met Tuesday, Oct. 13, for their only scheduled debate, with the midterm election three weeks away. The hourlong event covered property taxes, schools, mental health services, data centers and the state’s SAFE-T Act, as well as two issues with particular resonance in Chicago: the Bears’ stadium plans and last year’s immigration enforcement operation. The debate was a rematch of the 2022 race, when Pritzker defeated Bailey. Former Illinois Republican Party chair Pat Brady, now with Mercury Public Affairs, said he thought Pritzker performed effectively and that the debate was unlikely to change the race’s trajectory. Brady also said Pritzker did not need to debate, but chose to give voters a chance to hear the candidates address policy. On the Bears, Pritzker said he believed a deal could be reached in November to keep the team in Illinois, while pledging not to put the cost on taxpayers. Bailey said the team’s move to Indiana was “already done.” Brady faulted Bailey for criticizing the governor without laying out a specific plan to keep the team in the state. The candidates also disagreed over Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration enforcement effort carried out in Illinois a year earlier. Bailey acknowledged mistakes but blamed Pritzker for encouraging people to “push back and create division.” Pritzker criticized Bailey for not speaking out against the enforcement actions. Brady said Bailey’s response did not show an understanding of the impact the operation had on Chicago neighborhoods. He characterized the exchange as a missed opportunity for Bailey to distinguish himself from President Donald Trump, while saying Pritzker appeared more prepared to discuss the issue. The debate put the candidates’ contrasting positions before voters on matters ranging from local economic development to immigration policy. With no further debate scheduled, Tuesday’s exchange was the only planned head-to-head forum in the race.