Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) doesn't plan to vote without a ballot.

Breen told the DuPage Policy Journal that he is reserving his endorsement in the Republican gubernatorial race until Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) officially decides whether she plans to challenge Gov. Bruce Rauner.

"At this point, it's my understanding that Rep. Ives has not yet announced, so until she announces and sets out a campaign plan and team, etc., I'm not sure there's anything of value that I can add on the topic," Breen said.

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard)

Ives demonstrated that she is seriously exploring a gubernatorial run in late October by announcing that she is circulating petitions to have her name on the primary ballot.

"Today, my team and I are taking the first step toward restoring common sense in Illinois," Ives said. "I have started circulating petitions to get on the ballot as governor of Illinois."

Ives’ announcement came as Rauner faces increasing scrutiny from the state’s Republican base over his support for several measures that some see as counter to Republican values.

Rauner signed HB40, a law that guarantees the legality of abortion in Illinois regardless of whether the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade and expands state funding for abortions for state employees and Medicare recipients.

Rauner also enacted the Illinois TRUST Act, which some have criticized as “sanctuary state” legislation. The law bars Illinois law enforcement from detaining individuals purely because of their immigration status or because of federal immigration detainers.

Some notable Republicans have pulled their support for Rauner over these laws, in addition to his actions on other social issues and a premium increase on some Obamacare health insurance plans. Ives and running mate Rich Morthland, a former state representative, are wading into the now-muddied waters of the Republican primary.

"Illinois can recover,” Ives said, according to Prairie State Wire. “Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops.”