Peoria Standard

The Tazewell County Republican Women are encouraging the public to come out for the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, at Five Points Event Center at 360 N. Wilmor Road in Washington. The group noted on Facebook that the state "is at a crucial point right now" and that "it is imperative" to place the right people into office "to stop the corruption and address the issues which plague the state."

"Five of the six gubernatorial candidates have committed to participating in this discussion on the current state of Illinois and each will share their vision for the future," the Tazewell County Republican Women said in the Facebook post. "This will be a moderated forum and the audience will have the opportunity to submit questions for the candidates. Please RSVP to reserve your seat at this forum.” 

The event will feature state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Jesse Sullivan, and Max Solomon. The candidates will have an opportunity to provide an opening and a closing statement and will be timed for their answers. 

"Free admission and open to the public," the press release stated. "Those with RSVPs will be seated at 6:30 pm. Without RSVPs, seating as available will start at 6:50 pm." 

Running as a Republican, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is absent from the forum. He has faced severe criticism from several other participants over his voting history as a Democrat. 

“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. They will attempt to mislead you because the political elites fear you standing up. Don’t be fooled,” Bailey earlier warned voters against Irvin in a tweet.