Governor JB Pritzker appeared on national television once again this past weekend, joining Face the Nation and Meet the Press for a round of interviews that brought about more questions than answers. While the Governor attempted to project confidence and control, his remarks revealed a troubling pattern: downplaying violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending one of the most gerrymandered congressional maps in the country.
“Chicago Is Fine” What is he thinking?
When asked about public safety, Governor Pritzker stated that “Chicago is fine.” Those words came just hours after a bloody Labor Day weekend that left over 50 people shot across the city, 8 of whom did not survive.
Anyone who reads news headlines knows that this is far from a one-off incident. It is part of a broader trend of unchecked violence that continues to tear apart communities across Chicago. Even so, the Governor purposefully chose to minimize the ever-present crisis, offering a dismissive soundbite instead of a sound response. Then again, he lies about everything.
Choices such as these are not acts of leadership. They are deflections. Illinois families deserve a Governor who acknowledges the problems within their state and works to solve them, not one who downplays the pain, fear, and suffering felt by residents in neighborhoods where gunfire is a weekly reality.
Pritzker At Odds With His Own Law
The Governor also expressed that federal agencies such as ICE should “coordinate with local law enforcement,” but his record tells a much different story.
In 2021, Pritzker signed the Illinois Way Forward Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. The law prevents coordination, information sharing, and transfers of illegal immigrants into federal custody. The law is undoubtedly one of the most restrictive immigration enforcement laws in the United States. His priority to protect illegals is a slap in the face to all Illinois citizens.
Even further, in January of this year, the Governor doubled down, telling NBC 5 that he would “go after police” who engage in such cooperation.
So which is it? Does the Governor support coordination with federal law enforcement, or does he stand by his law that punishes it? Law enforcement officers in Illinois deserve a crystal clear message, not contradictory statements coming from the state’s highest office.
A Gerrymandering Governor
When asked about redistricting, Pritzker defended Illinois’ heavily gerrymandered maps and went as far as to suggest he may redraw them once more. This is despite the fact that Illinois received an “F” grade for partisan fairness from independent analysts.
Democrats currently control 14 of Illinois’ 17 congressional seats, despite earning just a hair over 60% of the statewide vote. The maps are drawn to protect incumbent majority party members and suppress opposing voices, not to reflect the will of the people. Now, Pritzker is floating the idea of going even further, citing redistricting efforts in other states as justification for gerrymandering. This discussion is not, and has never been, about fairness, democracy, or just governance. It is solely about the consolidation of power. Illinois voters deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Unjust political boundaries designed to serve a supermajority party’s interests have no place here in Illinois.
The Bottom Line
All of these contradictions in the national media come together to make for what is a troubling disconnect between rhetoric and reality. While Pritzker tried his best to boost his profile, he exposed a blatant disregard for telling the truth and acknowledging real issues here in Illinois. House Republicans are not afraid to speak up and highlight what we all know as fact:
Families in Chicago are dealing with rampant violence; they are not “fine.”
Local law enforcement has been handcuffed by hyper-progressive immigration enforcement laws; they are not encouraged to “coordinate.”
Voters are being boxed into districts designed for political gain; they are not being afforded “community representation.”
Governor Pritzker’s Sunday media tour was a remarkable effort in political messaging, but it could not pass the test of honest leadership. Dismissing violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending partisan gerrymandering all seem to be common speak for the state’s most powerful politician. It appears that our Governor continues to put national ambition ahead of local accountability.
Conservative House Republicans will continue to address these contradictions, demand transparency, and fight for policies that put families, law enforcement, and voters first.
Leadership is not about soundbites; it is about results and Pritzker has failed to deliver.