For immediate release
Chicago, IL - September 24, 2026
WTTW News will present two live, 60-minute candidate forums featuring the major-party candidates for Illinois governor and U.S. Senate. Moderated by Chicago Tonight anchor Brandis Friedman, the forums will air on Tuesday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 20, at 8:00 pm, ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
On October 13, the WTTW News Gubernatorial Forum will feature Republican challenger Darren Bailey and Democratic incumbent Governor JB Pritzker.
On October 20, the WTTW News U.S. Senate Forum will feature Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy. The Senate forum will take place before a studio audience.
Both forums will broadcast live on WTTW at 8:00 pm and stream live and on-demand on the PBS app, wttw.com, Facebook, and YouTube. In addition, other Illinois public media outlets have been given the option of carrying the forums live on their broadcast channels.
“WTTW is pleased to welcome these candidates to our studios and give voters the opportunity to hear directly from them on the issues that matter to people in our region,” said WTTW President and CEO Sandra Cordova Micek. “As the consequential midterm elections approach, we hope these conversations will help viewers engage with the issues and participate in our democratic process.”
“The 2026 midterm elections will have significant implications for residents of Chicago, Illinois, and the country,” said Chicago Tonight Executive Producer and WTTW News Director Jay Smith. “As a public media newsroom, WTTW News has a responsibility to provide voters with the information and resources they need to make informed choices at the ballot box.”
A nonprofit public media newsroom serving the Chicago region, WTTW News provides trusted, independent, ground-up community reporting and opportunities for deeper engagement and discourse on regional issues of consequence and concern. The forums are part of WTTW News’ ongoing commitment to providing voters with the information, context, and direct access to candidates they need to participate in the voting process.
WTTW News will continue to provide comprehensive reporting and analysis throughout the 2026 election season at wttw.com/news.
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com, and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions – such as Chicago Stories, Firsthand, Chicago Tonight, Touring Chicago’s Lakefront, and Chicago Works – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
