Illinois candidates already mudslinging in campaigns

Debates vs. forums

Debates are so last year. We aren't seeing many scheduled, with campaigns instead opting for forums, where candidates get a set amount of time to talk directly to voters in a more casual setting.

Upside: This style of campaigning has become en vogue because it can be done virtually.

Downside: They are littered with no-shows.

• GOP gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin has missed a couple. Democratic secretary of state candidates Alexi Giannoulias and Anna Valencia just skipped one in Chatham.

Of note: Irvin did hold a press conference yesterday, but it was his first time in front of reporters since announcing he was running in January.

• His lack of media availability doesn't seem to be affecting the campaign — last week, Capitol Fax reported a poll in which Irvin was up 12 points over his closest challenger.

Mudslinging over masks

The discord between GOP gubernatorial candidates Irvin and Darren Bailey over masks has hit a fever pitch.

• The Irvin campaign is calling out Bailey as a hypocrite for being anti-mask in public but making the staff on his farm wear them.

• Bailey's response: "They're trying to say that I make my people at my farm wear masks. I mean, it's absolutely disgusting."

The week in campaign ads

The best: Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi compares property taxes to hot dogs. Too many free perks is like having too many onions.

The worst: The Democratic Governors Association ad calling Irvin "soft on crime" because he allegedly represented "child pornographers" as a defense attorney.

• It's right from the "Willie Horton" playbook — manipulative at best and harsh at worst.