Will County Gazette

Homer Township Supervisor and Will County Board Member Steve Balich is unflinching in his attitude over Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s decision to skip the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum. 

“I support any Republican that wins the primary since whoever it is will be better than JB," Balich told Will County Gazette. "With that said, I don't like when governor candidates dodge large well-attended debates which are really forums where questions are asked by a moderator and they can reply. The only debate that usually happens is when a candidate says something about another candidate and the other candidate can respond. It is essentially giving the voters a chance to compare what each said. This is extremely important!” 

Balich emphasized that a campaign website and other materials will not suffice.

“The only way one can hear the truth is from the horse's mouth," he said. "The mailers are sent by the candidate and commercials are paid for by the candidate. A website can give a little more information but you can't ask a question. Print papers often don't get the information correct. Lastly, we all know the internet is always right. Paying attention to all of the above is what will add up to how you vote. After hearing a person speak most people walk away with a better understanding if the candidate reflects what the individual likes or dislikes. I look down on a candidate running for the top office in Illinois that refuses to come to a debate set by the party they represent especially when it covers such a large area. What is fear? Is the candidate afraid of the other candidates, questions that may be asked or feel above speaking to the voters with answers to direct questions?”

Irvin is notably absent as a named participant in the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum, which will take place at Five Points Washington. The forum organizers said that only Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Jesse Sullivan and Max Solomon will be attending the event. 

"I suspect career Democrat Richard Irvin will be very popular among the establishment and weak-kneed Republicans who voted with Madigan and Pritzker to raise your taxes," Bailey commented when Irvin announced he will be running in the gubernatorial race.

Apart from getting this special mention from Bailey, conservatives have also criticized Irvin's campaign, citing his previous Democratic Party backing. 

"Through fake tears she screamed at the entire House Republican Caucus to just 'wear our masks,' screaming specifically at me 'Just put on your f---ing mask,'" Bailey wrote of the incident when Irvin's running mate for lieutenant governor, State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Pawnee), cursed him in May 2020 for refusing to wear a mask on the Senate floor. 

Irvin and Bourne have been branded "Madigan's favorite Republicans" for supporting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's COVID-19 regulations.

Irvin is backed by billionaire Ken Griffin and Illinois House of Representatives Minority Leader Jim Durkin.