Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, joined by his running mate Aaron Del Mar, unveiled a comprehensive policy agenda Thursday aimed at tackling Illinois’ high cost of living, government inefficiency, and what they describe as wasteful spending under Democratic leadership.
🚨 ICYMI: Illinois families are doing everything right and still getting crushed. @AaronDelMar and I are laying out the Blueprint for Illinois to save our state. pic.twitter.com/a2EhJPaigC
— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 8, 2026
Key Elements of the Blueprint
- Illinois DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) A central feature, modeled after the Trump-era federal DOGE initiative (led by Elon Musk), but with a more measured approach. Bailey and Del Mar describe it as using a “scalpel” or “X-Acto knife” rather than a “chainsaw” — focusing on targeted audits, transparency, identifying waste, fraud, duplication in state boards/commissions, and consolidating services without mass layoffs or partisan cuts. Del Mar would lead it as “DOGE Czar” if elected.
- Affordability and Cost-of-Living Measures
- Cap annual property tax increases (not to exceed a person’s mortgage rate) and shift more education funding to the state to reduce reliance on local property taxes.
- Repeal the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which Republicans blame for rising utility bills and energy supply issues.
- Freeze new utility rate hikes to lower energy costs.
- Education Reform Prioritize “strong instruction” in core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and civics. Emphasize classrooms free from “political agendas,” with greater parental involvement.
- Other Aspirational Goals Repeal laws such as sanctuary policies, no-cash bail, and certain energy efficiency mandates enacted under Democratic control.