There is nothing Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants more than to be president, but as his shot at the Oval Office has slipped from his grasp for 2024, he’s turned his sights on the number two spot and he is channeling his energy into campaigning for the vice-presidential nomination. It marks the first time, after years of hoping, dreaming, and scheming, that the governor is truly in the national spotlight he craves. Here’s what you really need to know about his record in Illinois and why he’s too progressive to be vice president.
J.B. Pritzker is fond of saying that Illinois is the “most progressive state in the nation” thanks to the policies he has championed. Since becoming governor, he has systematically created a non-citizen welfare state that has attracted more than 30,000 migrants (that we know of) to Illinois.
He has pushed dangerous “catch and release” policies that keep violent criminals on the street. And, while families struggle to make ends meet, Pritzker has raised taxes by $1 billion just this month.
Biden-Harris policies created the crisis at the border, and J.B. Pritzker invited it to Illinois. Not long after taking office, he proclaimed, “I am committed to ensuring that Illinois is a welcoming state, especially for refugees and those seeking asylum.” He signed laws to further restrict law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration officials and to provide free public defenders for immigration proceedings.
Most notably, Pritzker rolled out the welcome mat by making Illinois the first state in the nation to offer free healthcare to non-citizens. The program provided more generous benefits than most citizens of Illinois struggling in the face of rampant inflation and an increased cost of living could dream of. In total he is throwing more than $1 billion per year at the migrant crisis he invited.
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, but in recent years, crime has surged as Pritzker pushed dangerous “catch and release” policies. The infamous SAFE-T Act, which ended cash bail in Illinois among other provisions, has led to headlines like “Man beat, stabbed victim to death 3 days after being put on felony pretrial release” and “McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office calls out Safe-T Act after appellate court reverses decision to detain accused child molester until trial.”
This law keeps violent offenders on the streets, prioritizing the rights of criminals over the safety of our families while also making it increasingly challenging and hazardous for law enforcement officers to do their jobs.
I have two kids — including one in college. I know that a dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to, and families in my district are constantly telling me that balancing the family budget has become more like walking a tightrope than like writing a check. Between the high price of groceries, childcare, and the daily necessities we all rely on, people are struggling to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, J.B. Pritzker either hasn’t gotten the message or simply doesn’t care. Not only has he spent $1 billion a year on progressive pipedreams like free healthcare for migrants, but he’s also delivered tax hikes at a time when what people really need is tax relief. Pritzker’s policies have led to the third highest unemployment rate in the nation, a 30 percent increase in state spending since he took office, the largest budget in the state’s history, and $1 billion in new taxes this month alone. No wonder Illinois is the least tax-friendly state in the USA.
There is no question that for Pritzker, Illinois is a model for the nation, but do we really want these policies in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona? Can Detroit manage thousands of migrants flooding to the city? Will his soft-on-crime policies fight or fuel crime in Philadelphia? Will they help families in Racine put groceries on the table and pay their electric bills in the winter?
As governor, J.B. Pritzker has made Illinois the “most progressive state in the nation”; in so doing, he has made himself the wrong choice to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. His policies, which prioritize non-citizens over hardworking American families, create an environment where crime flourishes and economic burdens multiply.
While his ambitions may align with those of his extremist allies, they are fundamentally out of touch with the needs and values of the broader American electorate.
Neil Anderson represents the 47th district in the Illinois Senate.