Bailey Tells Galesburg Diners Illinois Residents Are 'Financially Oppressed'

Republican gubernatorial candidate makes campaign stop in Galesburg during 'Take Back Illinois' tour

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Republican candidate for Illinois Governor Darren Bailey made a campaign stop in Galesburg on Tuesday morning as part of his 'Take Back Illinois' tour. During his visit to Tres Cafe, Bailey told diners that 'everyone in the state is financially oppressed' or 'knows someone who has left the state', citing high property taxes and surging utility bills as key concerns.

Why it matters

Bailey's comments highlight the economic challenges facing many Illinois residents, which have become a major focus of the 2026 gubernatorial race. As a Republican challenger, Bailey is positioning himself as an outsider who can address the state's fiscal issues, in contrast to the incumbent administration.

The details

Bailey, who is running for Illinois Governor, visited Tres Cafe in Galesburg on Tuesday morning along with his running mate Aaron Del Mar, the Cook County Republican Party chair. Bailey said he was encouraged to run by conservatives who wanted his 'grassroots movement'. Both Bailey and Del Mar have histories of working their way up in politics, with Bailey starting as a school board member before running for state representative and then state senate.

  • Bailey visited Tres Cafe in Galesburg on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Darren Bailey

Republican candidate for Illinois Governor who is running on a platform of addressing the state's fiscal challenges.

Aaron Del Mar

Cook County Republican Party chair and Darren Bailey's running mate.

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What they’re saying

“When people want to run for office and want to be top-down and don't know who they are, and they roll in with their money and say I want to be governor it doesn't work very well, does it? We need people with servant hearts.”

— Darren Bailey, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate (wgil.com)

“Everyone in the state is financially oppressed or knows someone who has left the state.”

— Darren Bailey, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate (wgil.com)

What’s next

Bailey faces competition in the March 17 Republican primary from developer Rick Heidner, Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.

The takeaway

Bailey's comments on the financial challenges facing Illinois residents have become a central focus of the 2026 gubernatorial race, as he positions himself as an outsider who can address the state's fiscal issues.