SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Anyone who didn’t vote for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for a second term and made their feelings known with a lawn sign?
Pritzker, tongue-in-cheek, says he saw you.
“During the campaign last year, I drove all across the state, and I couldn’t help but notice some signs in people’s yards that said, ‘FIRE PRITZKER,’” said Pritzker. “I was concerned about this until my kids pointed out that when people in their generation think something is really cool they say, ‘That’s FIRE!’ So, I want to take this moment to thank everyone who put up those very encouraging signs!”
Pritzker was inaugurated for a second term as Illinois’ Governor Monday, along with all other statewide office holders, during a ceremony at the Bank of Springfield Center.
The Governor says he knows there’s a lot of people who don’t like him, or Illinois, and all that is okay.
“Our hope is spurred on by the knowledge that the doomsayers who eagerly prophesy total misery every time Illinois faces an honest challenge – have unintentionally inspired a generation of leaders with a resilient optimism for our future,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker claims he’s gotten a lot done in four years in office.
“We balanced the budget and got credit upgrades. We raised the minimum wage. We’re modernizing our transportation systems. We legalized cannabis. We protected reproductive freedom in our laws,” said Pritzker. “We took nation-leading climate action that’s growing our energy production, instituted nursing home reforms to increase staffing and safety, saved taxpayers money by consolidating pension systems, and provided real middle class tax relief to help families overcome inflation. We added better paying jobs, grew our economy to a trillion dollars, protected workers’ rights, and expanded healthcare coverage.”
Pritzker says he’s got more big things for him and lawmakers to work on, now that his second term has officially begun, calling for preschool to be made available to every Illinois family.
“The research is clear. Quality childcare affords parents the opportunity to work or attend school and pursue greater economic security,” said Pritzker. “And preschool improves academic success for our children, yields higher graduation rates, raises lifetime earnings potential, and saves taxpayers money.”
Pritzker also wants tuition to be free for Illinois families to Illinois universities, and is calling on healthcare to be made more affordable.
The Governor also claimed budgets have been balanced, and that the state’s economy has grown to a trillion dollars. And he says all that’s been done while continuing to fight COVID-19.
Serving Illinois is my greatest honor. As your governor, I’m going to keep fighting for you every single day. pic.twitter.com/wrhxzMnR3o
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) January 9, 2023
