Bailey Calls for Special Legislative Session to Address Shootings; Apologizes for Monday Remarks

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is calling for a special session of the Illinois General Assembly to stop what he termed "the mayhem on our streets."

In calling for the special session, Bailey said, "We must do whatever it takes to address the breakdown in mental health, particularly among isolated young men, which was made immeasurably worse during lockdowns."

Bailey also called for repeal of what he termed Governor J.B. Pritzker's "coddle the criminal acts", those being no cash bail and the Safe-T Act, and also asked for surge police support into the Chicago area.

The Xenia Republican also called for use of existing law, saying, "The Illinois Firearms Restraining Act is on the books and should have been used. The Highland Park shooter was posting violent videos with an intent to attack. This shooter could have been stopped and would have been stopped if Governor Pritzker and the government were living up to their duty to protect the innocent."

Speaking to mental health as part of the problems needing addressed, Bailey said, "The suffering is enormous. Among the issues I've heard: long wait times, burdensome paperwork, shortage of providers at all levels-especially psychiatrists-and not enough funding.

Bailey added that creating a group involving doctors, first responders, patients, and home caregivers, parents, teachers and churches to identify the gaps "these tormented people are falling through" would be Item #1 in the special session of the legislation that he is proposing.

Bailey also apologized for telling his supporters Monday to "move on and celebrate" while the Highland Park mass shooter was still at large.

Bailey said, "I want to apologize again for my comments on Monday. The thought that my initial response could have caused more pain is certainly something that will keep me up at night, and I'm sorry."