Donald Trump and State Immigration Policy

Illinois' gubernatorial primary produced a 2026 rematch as former state Sen. Darren Bailey clinched the Republican nomination over Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, setting up a contest with incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Observers say Bailey has softened his rhetoric since 2022 and is proposing a new Illinois "department of government efficiency" modeled on a federal efficiency office, while some national commentary frames Pritzker’s 2026 race as a potential tune‑up for a 2028 presidential run.