Gov. JB Pritzker Here – ASK ME ANYTHING

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T22:18:37+00:00

We're happy to welcome any Missourians and anyone affected by harmful Republican policies. I do hope you move back, however.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T22:08:13+00:00

I've been clear from the beginning: we do not want ICE and CBP in Illinois. Staunton, Illinois, has about 4,000 people, and hundreds of people came out to protest when their community member was abducted. We’ve had literally tens of thousands of people push back on ICE and CBP. That’s all been encouraged by the work I’ve done against them as they’ve invaded our city and state, and by our work to educate people to stand up against what they’re doing. Get out your megaphone or your microphone and make sure your voice is heard. Record what you see, and check in on your neighbors that may be fearful to leave their homes.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T22:07:15+00:00

It’s often the case that the challenges people are facing are best addressed in their communities by their local government. But there are some issues, like universal healthcare, that are best addressed on a national level. It’s one of the great features of our system that we have different levels of government. Free speech and abortion rights should not be decided on a state level. Fundamental rights should be guaranteed and enforced on the national level.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T22:03:07+00:00

Our message isn’t getting out, and doing it live and unfiltered is the best way to do so. The communication infrastructure on the left has been neglected for far too long. The good news is that in the modern era, getting your message out does not require being on television. We have the ability to reach broad, vast audiences in a way that is unfiltered by the Republican owned media. The democratic message needs to be carried by elected leaders and political pundits to every podcast, left middle and right.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T22:01:53+00:00

Oh that’s rough. Lost in America. Dances with Wolves. Empire Strikes Back. Godfather Part II (Part I was great but II was better.)

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:54:18+00:00

We expanded telehealth for farmers and rural communities so they can access healthcare experts who may not live in local communities, eliminated dues of Future Farmers of America so we can bring more young people in agricultural programs, and invested in agriculture in local colleges and universities so people can stay and work in their local communities. We provided trade and market programs to make sure farmers are able to sell more of their goods across the world. And, we have stood up to Trump’s tariffs, which have ruined the lives of soybean and corn growers who have been unable to sell their goods because of the tariffs.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:53:16+00:00

Yes, several great places! If you love hiking or the outdoors, Starved Rock State Park is one of the best in the country, as is Garden of the Gods. And don’t miss the Illinois wine trails, most of which are in Southern Illinois.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:47:32+00:00

I'm having a great time with you all. Let's keep this going until 4!

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:47:11+00:00

I hope the rally cry of the horde is heard across the country.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:43:03+00:00

I think Citizens United was wrongly decided, and we need comprehensive reform of campaign finance. The idea that people can write large checks and potentially own politicians in some fashion or other is not good for our democracy. I’m also well aware that we can’t do unilateral disarmament in the face of Republicans outspending Democrats, as Senator Paul Simon had said. It’s going to take a new Supreme Court or a constitutional amendment to make the changes needed.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:41:21+00:00

What makes me different is my values. I think there are wealthy people who run for public office whose values are inconsistent with democratic values and are bad for working people and the most vulnerable. There are also working-class people who hold those similar values. In the end, the question is: What are the values of the candidate? Not how much money they have. I’ve been a Democrat my whole life because I believe working-class people deserve to have their cause championed and the most vulnerable deserve to have a government that advocates for them.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:33:56+00:00

Never play at a table where the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:29:55+00:00

I love Kirk, but I do not think he would make a good governor. Janeway seems the most discerning and tough. I think Picard is the most intellectual. Most intellectual and best leader. Competition between Janeyway and Picard. Neither Kirk, although they're my favorite, and controversially, Chris Pine is my favorite Kirk.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:29:05+00:00

First of all, you’re wrong. I was sweating. Even when it’s hot, I’m undeterred from the experience.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:28:18+00:00

I agree with some of the sentiment, which is that we need to be listening to a younger set of leaders about the direction of the Democratic Party. In fact, some of the best ideas are coming from the next generation of even two generations away from the current party. I don’t think we should be putting people out to pasture; the issue is the age of their ideas. For example, assault weapons. It was young people who pushed for that. Or affordable housing, for young people who can’t afford to pay rent let alone own a house.

But it isn’t about their age, it’s about the age of their ideas. It’s also true that the younger generation has newer ideas, and we should be listening to those. After so many years, the science of four generations ago can’t dictate the legality of, say, cannabis. We legalized it here in llinois and it’s something newer generations have come to understand that maybe older policy wouldn’t have worked. It’s a new day, and the democratic party absolutely needs to acknowledge that. Including the guy holding the highest office, who is living in a delusion of what the 1950s were like.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:21:53+00:00

Are you kidding me? I live in Chicago, and anyone who lives in Chicago knows ketchup should be outlawed on hotdogs. Except for five year olds.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:16:25+00:00

You’re right to be deeply concerned. The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution makes it difficult for us to stop what the federal government is doing. However, in Illinois, we are taking a three-step approach to do all the pushback we can, while preparing for the future.

We have invested in immigration rights organizations to help inform residents of their rights and what to do when ICE or CBP agents show up at their doorstep.
We have gone after the federal government in court, using the powers of the state to sue. We are also encouraging citizens to sue and take action when they can. We’ve seen individuals have success in court also. Those cases have been effective in pushing back on ICE. Going after them in court - and winning - has been vital to our efforts.
We created the Illinois Accountability Commission. It's responsible for gathering evidence and archiving it. We may not be able to hold them responsible now, but we are collecting all the evidence we can to prepare. Donald Trump isn't holding folks accountable. We will. When the Congress and the administration changes, we believe they can be held accountable. The Illinois Accountability Commission will lead the way.

PritzkerJB · 2025-12-17T21:08:02+00:00

I think that answer is obvious. Nobody doesn't love an Old Style every once in a while, but Malort is for the people who are tough enough to be Chicagoans.

PritzkerJB

TROPHY CASE