EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wants a third term leading the Land of Lincoln, and is rallying support across the state to do so.
After launching his campaign in Chicago on Thursday, the governor embarked on a two-day tour to highlight his accomplishments and speak to supporters. His stops on Thursday included the campaign launch in Chicago, Rockford, East Peoria, and an evening with Springfield supporters.
The governor was greeted by chants of “J.B.” as he entered the Workforce Sustainability Center on Illinois Central College’s East Peoria campus, to tout workforce development.
“We’ve made some significant investments in workforce development at community colleges. We’re the #1 state in the Midwest for workforce development, and frankly, we want to be the best in the entire country,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker was introduced before his speech by Clint Drury, Executive Director of the West Central Illinois Building and Trades Council. Drury praised the governor for helping pass the Rebuild Illinois capital bill, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, and worker’s rights and safety initiatives.
Pritzker told the crowd that “working to rewrite the story of Peoria” with area state legislators and organizations has been one of his highlights of public service.
The governor then touted some of the challenges he has tackled since taking office in 2019. He says that includes raising the minimum wage to $15, balancing budgets for seven straight years, and nine credit upgrades.
Locally, Pritzker praised efforts to refit transit services for the future in Peoria, and the rebuilding of the Murray Baker and Bob Michel Bridges. He also gives credit to the state’s grocery initiative for bringing a new store to Peoria’s South Side.
As for a potential four more years, Pritzker says some of his top priorities include providing preschool education to kids in the state and addressing property taxes.
Critics of Pritzker have wondered if Pritzker would serve a full-term in Springfield if he won re-election, as rumors and chatter links him to a potential run for White House as the Democratic nominee in 2028. He says he’s running because he wants to be governor of Illinois, but notes he is “flattered.”
“Frankly, I think that’s good for the state of Illinois when people think that our leaders are qualified to be President of the United States,” Pritzker said. “Whatever I do in the future is going to be about making sure we deliver for the people of Illinois.”
Pritzker will need a new running mate and Lieutenant Governor for a third term as governor. Current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced earlier this year her intention to campaign for the United States Senate to replace Dick Durbin.
He says there are numerous “qualified” people across the state under consideration, and mentioned Peoria Democratic State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth as a possible candidate.
“This is a job where you may not get everybody’s vote, and that’s for sure. But when you win, you got to represent everybody. And I know Jehan Gordon-Booth has done that in her job as State Representative,” Pritzker said. “Not everybody voted for her, but she delivers for people in this area, even if they didn’t.”
Gordon-Booth says ”it would be an honor” if she was chosen as Pritzker’s running mate.
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