Collin Corbett, an Independent, is running for Illinois governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He is certified for the ballot and faces J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, and Darren Bailey, a Republican.

Asked why he is running, Corbett said in our candidate questionnaire: "Illinoisans feel stuck. Everything costs more, and we are being asked to do more with less. Better-paying jobs are hard to find. All while we watch our family and friends move away." He added: "It's time we put everyday Illinoisans back in charge."

Candidate information

Party: "Independent"

Education: "High School"

Family: "Married to Abbey. One son, Theodore Rex (T Rex), expecting a second child, and a rescue dog, Dustin."

Occupation: "Political strategist and small business owner. Currently on a leave of absence from my companies for this run."

Previous elected or appointed offices: "N/A"

Experience and public service

Corbett said in our questionnaire that he has "recruited and trained over 3,500 everyday people to help them get involved in the political process." He said he "founded Cor Strategies, EmpowerPolitics, and Long9 Studio, through which I have advanced nearly 1,200 organizations and campaigns throughout the country."

Asked what accomplishments qualify him, Corbett said: "I pioneered a community engagement process that brings residents, local businesses, and government leaders together to set priorities and decide what level of taxation they prefer." He added: "At 24, I lost my job for helping defeat a corrupt party boss. I lost clients for defending elected officials who had the courage to vote for marriage equality."

On the issues

The following answers are drawn from Corbett's responses to our candidate questionnaire.

Top priority: Corbett identified the cost of living as the most pressing issue. "JB Pritzker has made it worse. He's raised taxes and fees at least 57 times since taking office, costing the average Illinoisan over $1,400 a year more in taxes," Corbett said. He said he would address affordability by "finally lowering property taxes, holding state spending in check, providing relief at the pump, bringing down energy costs, reining in unchecked data center growth, reducing health care costs, and building new affordable, quality housing."

Economy: Corbett said: "Since JB Pritzker took office, Illinois ranks 46th in GDP growth, 45th in job growth, and 39th in income growth." He said he would "scale back these giveaways and instead help our small-to-midsize businesses, manufacturers, and family farmers" and "phase out the estate tax so family-owned manufacturers and farms can be passed on to the next generation."

Education: Corbett said: "The number of school districts in Illinois that are adequately funded has declined for three consecutive years under JB Pritzker. … No kid's education should be held back because they happen to be born in the wrong zip code." He said he would "ensure the state fulfills its responsibility to fully fund our schools."

Public safety: Corbett said he would "protect the improvements made under the SAFE-T Act while increasing detainable offenses and judicial discretion." He also said he would prioritize fixing the Department of Children and Family Services: "Under the state's care, more than 1,200 of our most vulnerable children have died and 3,000 seriously injured since 2018."

Data centers: Corbett said both major-party candidates offer only extreme positions on the issue. "I have a common sense plan that enables smart economic growth while protecting our natural resources and environment, shielding families from soaring utility bills, empowering local residents, and delivering property tax relief for Illinoisans," he said.

Public transit: Corbett said he would "cap the sales tax on gas so working families are never paying more than the amount that is needed to fund transit."

He holds no prior elected office.

Separately, on his campaign website, Corbett said he would pursue "ending partisan gerrymandering with fair maps, giving voters more choice through open primaries, reducing the power of party bosses through campaign finance reform, and increasing transparency in campaign finances."

Candidate questionnaire responses were collected by the Evanston Wire through Surround Sound News. Answers have been excerpted for length but not edited for content.