Axios Chicago
August 21, 2026
1 big thing: GOP hammers Pritzker at fair
The Republicans took their turn at the Illinois State Fair yesterday, blasting Democrats as soft on crime, immigration, property taxes and the economy.
Why it matters: This second day of partisan politicking at the fair is illuminating the two sides' campaign strategies for the upcoming election.
Zoom in: Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar, and U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy headlined the Republican Day rally, targeting the state's top Democrat.
What they're saying: "Everything costs more with JB Pritzker," Bailey told the crowd. "After eight years in office, the excuses are over."
Zoom out: The candidates also spent time attacking the wave of victories across the country for Democrat Socialists, handing out signs saying "Common Sense over Communism."
- "We're not perfect, but the other side is flat-out crazy," Tracy told the crowd. "They're for social justice, whatever that means."
Who's missing: Congressional Republicans.
- Loyal Trump supporters and some of the biggest names in the state party — U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, Mary Miller and Darin LaHood — did not speak. In fact, the president's name rarely came up during the rally.
Meanwhile, Gov. Pritzker's campaign parked billboards outside GOP receptions Wednesday night to highlight the party's affiliation with Trump.
Touché: In response, Del Mar stepped in front of the billboard to playfully show Axios what he thought of the campaign stunt.
Reality check: Republicans have an uphill battle to unseat incumbent Democrats, who hold every statewide office, both U.S. Senate seats and a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly.
Yes, but: That didn't tamp down the GOP's fighting spirit on this sunny Thursday afternoon at the fair.
- Del Mar, a former MMA fighter, shouted from the stage: "If Republicans want to win, we have to be strong and brave and, damn it, we need to be proud! We are gonna fight and take our state back!"
2. Fair finds: Airbrushed tees and meat on a stick
👋 Hey, it's Justin!
For this Chicago resident, the Illinois State Fair is a foreign experience. Sure, there are carnival rides and elephant ears, but everything else is on a scale that makes a local street festival look quaint.
Here are some observations from this city dweller at the State Fair.
I'll never eat meat without a stick again
🥩 Meat on a stick is f--king delicious. I went all in on the fair experience and ordered a pork chop on a stick.
- I marveled at its size for about as long as it took me to demolish the juicy chop — roughly five bites. The fair also boasts the Vose Korndog, a fixture since 1966.
- There are non-meat options, too, like cheese on a stick and the potato tornado, which is basically a spiraled potato on a stick.
4-H is no joke
🐑 I may live in Chicago now, but I grew up in a rural town, so I thought I knew 4-H. But this is 4-H on steroids, with several special breed competitions every day.
- When I was there, the goats were gone. But judges were handing out ribbons for Dorset, Oxford and Hampshire sheep, and man, they were ... pretty? What's the word for a good-looking sheep?
- I wandered into the Hall of Champions to see the winning cows, pigs, rabbits and ducks, all of which fetched thousands of dollars during the fair.
Airbushed into infamy
🐴 It's hard not to love carnival rides and games, of which there are plenty. But wander toward the back of the fairgrounds and you'll find a little booth offering a unique fair keepsake: an airbrushed T-shirt.
- I couldn't resist. For $35, I got this masterpiece:
As Beyoncé famously sang: "Look at that horse, look at that horse, look at that horse."
- We'll give this gem away at our 5th anniversary party on Sept. 3.
3. Tips and Hot Links: No DNC repeat
4. Traffic snarls to avoid this weekend
From the Chicago Triathlon and Lakeview Taco Fest to big events at the United Center and Soldier Field, Chicago will be swimming with fun and traffic this weekend.
- Here are some of the hot spots to watch out for.
5. And the winner is...
Axios Chicago readers have crowned the Bahá'í Temple as the Chicago area's best (looking) houses of worship!
- In the final round, this majestic architectural gem in Wilmette defeated the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Hyde Park.
Thanks to all who voted! Meet us back here next month for a new tournament.
📧 If there's a tourney topic you want to see us tackle, email us!
6. Kaufmann quiz: State politics
Axios Chicago
Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.