JB Pritzker

Pritzker signed an executive order prohibiting Illinois state employees and government officials from using prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, and from utilizing non-public information to gain financial advantage through such services. The order was announced as a measure to prevent insider trading by state workers and ensure ethical government operations. The action drew criticism from Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, who characterized it as hypocritical given Pritzker's investments in companies that have received state contracts.

Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision in February 2026 striking down certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Illinois businesses became eligible to receive approximately $8 billion in refunded duties plus interest beginning in April 2026. Governor Pritzker released a letter demanding that tariff refunds be distributed directly to consumers rather than to the businesses that paid the duties. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol opened a refund portal in April 2026, with the process expected to take between 60 and 90 days to complete.

Pritzker signed legislation passed in December 2025 that authorized "medical assistance in dying" in Illinois, despite receiving a private appeal from Pope Leo XIV expressing objections to the measure on grounds of preserving human life. The Pope subsequently expressed disappointment that Pritzker had disregarded his concerns about "the sacredness of life" when deciding to sign the bill. Months after signing the legislation, Pritzker posted on social media praising the Pope as a defender of human life.

Pritzker joined six other Midwestern governors in submitting a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting an emergency waiver to permit E15 ethanol gasoline sales during summer months. The letter sought relief from federal restrictions that typically bar E15 fuel sales in warmer months due to smog concerns, with the governors arguing the waiver was necessary amid rising gasoline prices. The governors' action was part of a yearslong effort to secure a permanent federal solution allowing year-round E15 sales, following delays in waiver issuance in 2025 that resulted in higher fuel costs for retailers and consumers.

Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting a concrete federal plan to assist American citizens stranded in the Middle East following U.S. military operations in the region. The governor called for immediate actions including public commitments to use charter flights and military aircraft for evacuation, emergency contracts with commercial airlines, clear guidance for Americans abroad on transportation access, and identification of safe locations for temporary diplomatic posts. Pritzker's request followed a staff-level briefing with the State Department in which officials did not provide detailed plans for transporting stranded Americans from the region.

Pritzker issued a statement on social media regarding U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, stating that the Trump administration was circumventing constitutional procedures and failing to justify military action to the public. Pritzker characterized the conflict as potentially endless and noted that Americans had expressed priorities in affordable housing and healthcare rather than military engagement. Pritzker concluded his statement by requesting protection for American troops involved in the region.

Pritzker announced via social media on February 10, 2026, that he would not attend a White House dinner for governors scheduled for February 19-21 as part of the National Governors Association Winter Meeting. Pritzker stated his decision was made in response to President Trump's reported disinvitation of Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado from the dinner. Pritzker called on Republican colleagues to similarly decline attendance at the event.

Pritzker responded to the Trump administration's withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago following a series of court rulings that limited presidential authority to deploy them, stating that the pressure from legal challenges had succeeded in removing the Guard from city streets. The Illinois governor had previously joined other state officials in challenging the federalized deployment in court, with the Supreme Court blocking the administration from deploying troops into Chicago in December. Pritzker's statement indicated that the state's legal efforts had contributed to ending the federal military presence in the city.

Pritzker filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alongside the City of Chicago on January 12, 2026, challenging practices by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agencies operating in Illinois. The lawsuit alleged unlawful warrantless arrests, trespassing on private and government property, and use of tear gas and less-lethal methods without warning. Pritzker sought a court order to prohibit the agencies from operating in Illinois, declare the enforcement surge unconstitutional, and require agents to cease wearing masks while wearing identification and body cameras.

Pritzker was expected to sign the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, legislation that passed both chambers of the Illinois state legislature and allows terminally ill patients to request aid-in-dying medications after meeting specific safeguards. The bill reached Pritzker's desk days after he met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in November 2025. The Catholic Conference of Illinois and several Catholic leaders sent a letter to Pritzker urging him to veto the legislation, citing concerns about palliative care access and potential increases in overall suicides.

Pritzker announced the appointment of two new commissioners to the Illinois Accountability Commission on Thursday, expanding the independent body he created via executive order the previous month. The appointees were attorney Jimmy Arce, a former federal prosecutor involved in the Justice Department's civil rights investigation of the Chicago Police Department, and Ric Estrada, CEO of Metropolitan Family Services. The commission, tasked with documenting alleged abuses by federal agents during "Operation Midway Blitz" and recommending reforms, is scheduled to deliver an initial report by January 31, 2026, and a final report by April 30, 2026.

Pritzker received Senate Bill 1950, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, following its passage by the Illinois State Senate on October 31, 2025, by a vote of 30-27 during a veto session. The legislation would authorize medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients, potentially making Illinois the twelfth state to legalize the practice. As of November 12, 2025, Pritzker had not publicly indicated whether he would sign or veto the bill.

Illinois Governor Pritzker responded to U.S. Senator John Cornyn's statement about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Chicago by posting on social media that Cornyn's account was inaccurate. Cornyn had disputed media reports that ICE agents apprehended a daycare worker, stating instead that agents were pursuing an undocumented immigrant who fled during a traffic stop and entered a daycare facility. The Washington Post reported that immigration officers arrested a teacher employed at Rayito de Sol preschool after chasing her onto the school grounds, and that school officials presented the agents with the teacher's work permit documents before the detention occurred.

Pritzker issued a statement criticizing a shutdown resolution that eight Democratic members of Congress backed, characterizing the agreement as "an empty promise" rather than a deal. He stated that the resolution would result in healthcare becoming more expensive for the middle class and ending coverage for working families. Pritzker called for Democrats to "stand tall for affordable healthcare" in response to the Republican-led agreement.

Pritzker joined a group of Democratic governors in launching the Governors Public Health Alliance, a coordinating hub designed to share public health data, emergency preparedness information, and policy coordination among member states. The alliance was formed amid disagreement with the Trump administration's approach to public health, including decisions by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s office regarding COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. Pritzker was identified as one of several governors considered potential 2028 presidential candidates participating in the initial membership of the alliance.

Pritzker criticized federal agents' use of tear gas during an immigration enforcement operation on Chicago's Southeast Side, stating that the Trump Administration's deployment of chemical weapons into neighborhoods endangered children near schools and Chicago police officers. The incident occurred when Department of Homeland Security agents conducted a PIT maneuver to stop a vehicle, resulting in the arrest of two Venezuelan nationals and subsequently drawing a crowd that prompted the use of tear gas. Pritzker's statement on X challenged the federal government's tactics in executing immigration enforcement within residential communities.

Pritzker joined a newly formed alliance of Democratic state governors called the Governors Public Health Alliance, which was established to coordinate public health efforts including data sharing, emergency preparedness, and policy coordination among member states. The alliance was framed by participating governors as a response to the Trump administration's approach to federal public health coordination. Pritzker was identified as one of fifteen state governors, along with the governors of California and New York, who comprised the initial membership of the organization.

Pritzker joined a coalition of Democratic governors in forming the Governors Public Health Alliance, a coordinating hub established to enhance public health coordination among states by sharing data, strategies regarding health threats, emergency preparedness, and public health policy. The alliance initially comprises governors from 15 states and Guam, all Democrats, and includes support from Dr. Mandy Cohen, former director of the CDC. The formation of this alliance reflects state-level efforts to coordinate public health initiatives amid changes in federal health leadership and policy direction.

U.S. District Judge April Perry issued an order blocking the Trump administration from deploying U.S. troops to Chicago, finding no credible evidence of rebellion in Illinois and citing unreliable evidence presented by the Department of Homeland Security. Governor Pritzker responded to the ruling by stating that Trump is not above the law and that there is no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities. The judge also questioned the vague parameters of the Guard's proposed duties and noted that existing local law enforcement had successfully managed recent protests without incident.

Pritzker responded to President Trump's public call for his arrest by stating he would not back down from protecting Illinois residents during immigration enforcement operations in Chicago. Pritzker filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the Trump administration's order federalizing Illinois National Guard troops as illegal and unconstitutional, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday. The governor instructed Illinois residents to document interactions with authorities and stated his intention to pursue the legal challenge against what he characterized as a constitutional breach.

Pritzker publicly stated opposition to the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Illinois as part of the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz, which aimed to address Chicago's crime problem and support federal immigration enforcement operations. The state of Illinois filed a lawsuit challenging the deployment as an unconstitutional invasion of one state by another. Approximately 200 Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois on October 7, 2025, for an initial 60-day period focused on protecting federal functions, personnel, and property.

President Trump deployed National Guard troops from Texas to Illinois in an escalation of domestic military operations, prompting Governor Pritzker to acknowledge the arrival of Texas National Guard members alongside Illinois troops as deportation operations expanded. This deployment of out-of-state National Guard units to conduct operations within Illinois without apparent state consent triggered legal challenges from Democratic-led states questioning constitutional authority and federalism principles. The deployment represented an expansion of Trump's use of the military for domestic purposes, with courts expected to address questions regarding presidential power, state sovereignty, and the separation of powers doctrine.

Pritzker posted on social media that the Trump Administration's Department of War delivered an ultimatum demanding he activate Illinois National Guard troops or the federal government would federalize them. Pritzker stated that Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem were using federal authority to deploy 300 Illinois National Guard personnel within the state's borders. Pritzker indicated the deployment occurred without state consent and stated that if the federal government wanted to assist Illinois, it should work cooperatively with the state on public safety.

Pritzker stated that the Trump administration's Department of Defense issued him an ultimatum to deploy National Guard troops within Illinois or face federal deployment of 300 National Guard personnel to the state. Pritzker characterized the demand as unconstitutional and objected to the militarization of the state without gubernatorial consent. The White House responded that the deployment was authorized to protect federal officers and assets amid what it described as violent riots and lawlessness in the state.

President Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members to Chicago to protect federal officers and assets, citing what administration officials described as ongoing violent riots and lawlessness. Governor Pritzker stated that the Trump administration's Department of Defense presented an ultimatum requiring him to call up state troops or face federal deployment, which he characterized as outrageous and un-American. The deployment followed a shooting incident in which Border Patrol agents fired at a woman during an encounter on Chicago's southwest side, an incident the Department of Homeland Security said occurred when agents were rammed by vehicles and a suspect attempted to run them over.

Pritzker characterized ABC's decision to suspend "Jimmy Kimmel Live" indefinitely as an action driven by the Trump administration's use of governmental power to intimidate businesses. In statements on social media and during an MSNBC interview on September 18, 2025, Pritzker stated that the suspension represented an attack on free speech and called on elected officials to push back against what he described as an undemocratic act. Pritzker noted that Kimmel's comments about the suspect in Charlie Kirk's death, while potentially inaccurate, were those of a comedian rather than a news commentator and should not result in employment termination based on government pressure.

Pritzker responded to the Department of Homeland Security's announcement of "Operation Midway Blitz," a federal immigration enforcement operation targeting Chicago and Illinois, by stating that the operation lacked coordination with his office and characterized it as focused on fear rather than public safety. As of Monday morning, Pritzker's office reported having received no direct communication or coordination from the White House regarding the operation. Pritzker stated that effective crime fighting requires support and coordination, which he said the Trump Administration had not provided in preceding weeks.

Mayor Johnson signed an executive order titled the Protecting Chicago Initiative in response to anticipated federal immigration enforcement activities and potential military deployment in Chicago. The order directs city departments to provide residents with information about their rights during immigration enforcement encounters, coordinate with community partners to address resulting needs, submit Freedom of Information Act requests to the Department of Homeland Security to monitor federal enforcement activity, and work with consular officers to distribute Know Your Rights materials. The executive order also establishes that the Chicago Police Department will remain under local control and calls on federal law enforcement and Armed Forces personnel to comply with Chicago's municipal law and constitutional policing standards if operating within the city.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced "Operation Midway Blitz," a federal enforcement operation targeting individuals described as "criminal illegal aliens" in Chicago, which the department stated would focus on individuals with criminal histories. Governor Pritzker responded to the operation's announcement by posting on social media that the President was "threatening to go to war with an American city" and characterized the action as abnormal and not representative of strengthened governance. The operation was announced separately from previously threatened deployments of National Guard units to Chicago and follows a federal court ruling that found similar military deployments violated the Posse Comitatus Act.

Illinois Governor Pritzker responded to President Trump's social media post announcing accelerated immigration enforcement operations in Chicago by stating on X that "The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city" and characterizing the situation as "not normal." Pritzker's statement came after Trump posted a meme referencing deportations in Chicago in connection with enhanced federal immigration enforcement operations expected to begin that weekend at Naval Station Great Lakes. The governor had previously confirmed that federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security would be arriving in the Chicago area for the enforcement campaign.

Pritzker visited Wagoner Elementary School in Sauk Village on Friday, the first day of classes, to highlight state investments in education. During the visit, kindergarten students created classroom rules and Venn diagrams comparing the roles of president and governor, with Pritzker using the occasion to comment on leadership standards in Washington. The visit occurred amid an ongoing public disagreement between Pritzker and President Trump regarding federal interventions in Chicago and other policy matters.

Governor Pritzker threatened legal action against the federal government if the president deployed National Guard troops to Illinois to address crime, stating that such deployment would violate the Insurrection Act and the Constitution. Pritzker declared that "it's illegal" and "un-American" to send troops into a state without proper legal authority, citing statutory requirements that typically require either gubernatorial consent or evidence of rebellion beyond local authorities' capacity to handle. The statement was made in response to discussions about potentially extending a National Guard deployment model used in Washington, D.C. to other major cities including Chicago.

Pritzker announced the launch of Illinois Pride Connect, a state-funded legal helpline providing free advice to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families on issues including healthcare access, discrimination, identity documents, and housing. The helpline, funded through a $250,000 state investment and $100,000 in donations from nonprofit organizations, operates Monday through Thursday and provides services in English and Spanish. The initiative was developed in coordination with organizations including the Legal Council for Health Justice and Equality Illinois.

Pritzker posted a statement on social media in response to President Trump's public statements about potentially deploying National Guard troops to Chicago, asserting that the State of Illinois had received no requests from the federal government for assistance and had made no requests for federal intervention. Pritzker stated that there was no emergency warranting federalization of the Illinois National Guard, deployment of National Guard from other states, or active duty military within state borders. Pritzker indicated that Illinois would continue to follow the law and protect state sovereignty.

Pritzker included a cut to Illinois's health coverage program for undocumented immigrants in his state budget, which resulted in the elimination of publicly funded health coverage for over 30,000 undocumented adults effective July 1. The governor's office stated that the decision was necessary to achieve a balanced budget and cited national economic conditions as the reason for the policy change. The elimination of the program was projected to save the state's general revenue fund approximately $330 million.

Pritzker stated that no federal law applied to the situation involving Texas Democratic lawmakers present in Illinois to block a redistricting vote, and suggested that any FBI deployment would lack legal grounds. He indicated that federal agents might appear to create a show of pressure without basis for arrest. Pritzker's comments came in response to Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn's announcement that FBI Director Kash Patel had agreed to assist in locating the Texas lawmakers who had left the state.

Pritzker has been identified as an opponent of school-choice policies. The article references federal legislation titled the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which includes provisions creating a tax credit program allowing taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 annually to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations that fund private school scholarships, with the program set to take effect in 2027. The article notes that state governors must opt into the program, and lists Pritzker among Democratic governors who have opposed school-choice initiatives.

Pritzker announced he would sign the Squatter Bill into law, which streamlines the removal process for unauthorized occupants in residential properties. The legislation grants law enforcement clearer authority to address unlawful occupation and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. The measure addresses concerns raised by homeowners regarding unauthorized residency on their properties.

Pritzker testified before a Republican-led House Oversight Committee regarding President Trump's immigration enforcement policies. In his prepared remarks, Pritzker stated support for removing undocumented immigrants from Illinois and the country while opposing abuses of power and advocating for a path to citizenship for long-standing, law-abiding immigrants. The hearing occurred amid escalating tensions over Trump's intensified immigration enforcement, which included deploying the National Guard and Marines to California.

Pritzker testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on June 12, 2025, regarding Illinois's immigration enforcement policies and the state's Trust Act. He stated that Illinois follows the law and will not participate in what he characterized as abuses of power, and he defended the state's approach to immigration enforcement as consistent with public safety and constitutional principles. Pritzker noted that violent crime decreased in Illinois and expressed support for deporting violent criminals, while also referencing his family's immigrant history and stating he would physically obstruct federal immigration enforcement actions targeting people he deemed not to deserve deportation.

Pritzker testified before the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee on Thursday regarding the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions and use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. Pritzker stated that deploying military personnel to respond to immigration protests had an "inflaming effect" on the situation and undermined local law enforcement authority. Pritzker expressed support for deporting immigrants with criminal records, stating "If they are undocumented, we want them out of Illinois and out of our country."

On June 1, 2025, the Illinois General Assembly approved a $55 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes nearly $400 million in tax increases and service cuts. Pritzker attributed the state's fiscal challenges to federal tariff policies and economic uncertainty, stating that the "Trump slump" is affecting budgeting across all states. The budget awaits Pritzker's signature before the fiscal year begins on July 1, 2026.

Pritzker met with Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel Welch behind closed doors on the second to last day of the spring legislative session to negotiate a $55 billion state budget plan. The resulting appropriations bill, released as a 3,300-page document, added $1 billion in new revenue through increased tax collection enforcement and taxes on gaming and tobacco products while maintaining existing individual and corporate income tax rates. The budget included investments in education and healthcare while lawmakers worked to address a $770 million transit funding shortfall through proposed toll and rideshare cost increases and new transit governance oversight legislation.

Pritzker ordered state agencies to review and potentially boycott business with El Salvador in response to the country's detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, stating that the action was necessary to defend constitutional due process rights. Pritzker's statement emphasized concerns about erosion of fundamental constitutional protections and announced a series of measures against El Salvador related to what he characterized as an unconstitutional deportation scheme. The governor's announcement drew significant public criticism on social media regarding the appropriateness of the state taking such action.

Illinois Governor Pritzker directed the state's Department of Central Management Services to restrict individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack from employment in state government positions. The directive was issued following President Trump's issuance of pardons and sentence commutations for approximately 1,500 Capitol rioters in his first week of office. Pritzker stated the restriction was based on public safety concerns, citing that those involved were accused or convicted of felonies and misdemeanors including violence against law enforcement officers, threats against Members of Congress, and destruction of federal property.

Pritzker stated that the Trump administration's attempted federal funding freeze, which was subsequently rescinded, reflected the administration's intention to cut spending despite receiving negative feedback from across the country including Republican elected officials. Pritzker outlined that the freeze would complicate state budgeting by preventing Illinois from covering the remaining 50 percent of funding for organizations that receive federal matches, as the financial burden would be too large for the state to absorb. Pritzker noted that organizations such as the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which operates rape crisis centers across the state, depend on both state and federal funding and would face serious operational challenges if such a freeze were reinstated.

Pritzker considered legislation passed by state lawmakers that would establish workplace safety standards for warehouse workers in response to reports of excessive speed demands that hinder worker safety. If signed into law, the measure would make Illinois the sixth state to enact similar protections for warehouse employees. The bill follows an enforcement action in which Amazon settled with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration over safety conditions at an Illinois facility.

Pritzker called on President Trump to cease enforcement actions targeting undocumented immigrants he characterized as law-abiding and said that violent criminals who are undocumented should be deported while those living lawfully should be given an opportunity to remain in the country legally. Pritzker stated that comprehensive immigration reform was needed to address the situation. His comments came as federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago resulted in 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday, including five individuals allegedly connected with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.