Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is once again in the limelight, embroiled in a contentious battle with President Trump over immigration enforcement in the city of Chicago.
Over the weekend, Pritzker made several appearances on CNN, encouraging Democrats in their government shutdown standoff and accusing the Trump administration of escalating violence in Chicago, which he described as a "war zone."
Pritzker's relentless efforts to position himself as a counterbalance to President Trump and conservatism at large are becoming increasingly evident. His travels across the country, headlining Democratic events, indicate his ambition to solidify his national profile.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Pritzker's personal wealth, which Forbes ranks as the highest among politicians in the U.S., has been instrumental in his political career. He has reportedly spent over $350 million from his personal funds to secure two terms as Illinois governor.
At a recent Democratic event in New Hampshire, Pritzker voiced his criticism of "do-nothing Democrats" and called for "mass protests" and "disruption," declaring that "Republicans cannot know a moment of peace." His rhetoric has become increasingly bold, with statements such as "We don't have kings in America, and I don't intend to bend the knee to one," a clear reference to the June riots and rallies.
Pritzker's defiance was also evident during a congressional testimony where he defended Illinois' status as a sanctuary state. He challenged the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest him, stating, "I would rather he come and arrest me than do that to the people of my state."
While Pritzker's actions may seem typical of high-profile Democrats, his record in Illinois sets him apart. Illinois residents bear the highest state and local taxes in the nation, according to WalletHub, and the situation has worsened with each year of Pritzker's tenure. The Illinois Policy Institute reports that since taking office in 2019, Pritzker has implemented over 50 tax increases, many of which disproportionately affect low and middle-income residents.
This summer, Illinois' second-highest-in-the-nation gas tax is set to rise again. The most recent state budget has paved the way for increased property taxes, municipal grocery taxes, taxes on short-term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo, and new taxes on sports betting and businesses.
Pritzker has also orchestrated a tax increase on nicotine pouches like Zyn and Rogue, which critics argue is regressive and could potentially drive people to smoke.
Pritzker's wealth insulates him from the impact of these tax hikes, but the average Illinois resident is not so fortunate. Pritzker may argue that these tax increases were necessary, but the underlying reasons for Illinois' continuous tax hikes are its rampant debt and overspending.
Illinois is burdened with over $200 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, leaving the pension systems at approximately 50 percent funded. This looming debt will eventually have to be paid, and taxpayers may be left to foot the bill for benefits they cannot afford. Pritzker's approach to this issue has been far from satisfactory.
Despite boasting about adding more money to the state's "rainy day fund" as a sign of fiscal prudence, the Cato Institute points out that Illinois has the smallest rainy day fund in America, at less than 5 percent of its annual spending. This fund would be quickly depleted in an economic downturn.
The Cato Institute frequently gives Pritzker a failing grade on its Fiscal Policy Report Cards, indicating his poor fiscal management. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom, another potential contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential race, has a slightly better record in these fiscal policy rankings.
Neither Pritzker nor Newsom, with their respective records, should be considered viable candidates for the 2028 presidential race. Many Americans may question how they managed to secure re-election in their states.
However, before the 2026 re-election and the 2028 Democratic presidential primaries, it is crucial for voters to pay attention to these details. Despite the Democrats' narrative of a threatened democracy, the reality is that democracy functions effectively when people are informed and presented with genuine choices.
The GOP has a responsibility to ensure the latter, while the media must ensure the former, starting now.
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