By: Ashmar Mandou
Illinois made their voices heard at the polls on Election Day. Governor JB Pritzker secured a third term, defeating Republican challenger Darren Bailey, while Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton won the race to succeed outgoing Senator Dick Durbin. Post-Election Day Governor JB Pritzker alongside Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and community leaders to announce “Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda,” a list of policy proposals for newly elected U.S. Congress to “provide urgent relief for the people of Illinois.”
“Americans made their voices heard and this is an opportunity for Congress to immediately address the challenges of working people – higher wages, lower costs, rooting out corruption,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The people of Illinois cannot afford to wait. Our Day One Agenda offers a bold and practical roadmap for governing, including 200 proposals to repair the damage caused by the Trump administration while creating a future where everybody can enjoy the life they’ve worked hard to build.”
The Governor announced the agenda at the historic Columbus Park located in the Austin community on Chicago’s west side. Columbus Park – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places – has played an integral role in the community for more than a century. “The Trump Administration has made it clear that their values are rooted in the whims and hateful views of a small few,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Today, we’re making sure Illinois’ principles—most of all compassion for all without discrimination—directly to the steps of the Capitol. We’ve been fighting for you over the last eight years, and I am proud to continue that work.”
Recently, Governor Pritzker directed his Deputy Governors and state agencies to analyze the most harmful decisions, funding cuts, and programming changes impacting how the State of Illinois serves its resident and asked them to identify the immediate actions Congress should take to help Illinoisans. The State of Illinois has seen it all firsthand, as state agencies are responsible for implementing a range of federal programs and services that support residents, stated Pritzker.
“Last night, the American people sent a message loud and clear: They are sick of the chaos, higher costs and corruption coming out of this White House,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Well, they have my word that in this next Congress—with Senator-elect Stratton by my side in DC and Governor Pritzker as our partner in Illinois—we will work to deliver real results for middle-class families, doing all that we can to make everything from utility bills to grocery bills, health care to child care, more affordable. Because while Trump says he doesn’t ‘give a damn’ about the things keeping Americans up at night, Democrats do give a damn. And we will prove it by fighting back against this Administration and fighting for the American people every day.”
For the past two years, the Trump Administration has worked with Republicans in Congress to dismantle the essential programs that millions of Illinoisans rely on to succeed: stripping healthcare and food away from the most vulnerable families, limiting economic and educational opportunities, and making everyday life harder to afford, stated Pritzker during his announcement at Columbus Park. In addition to these policy priorities, Governor Pritzker also renews his calls on Congress to end the war in Iran, raise the federal minimum wage, provide universal healthcare and childcare, pass comprehensive immigration reform, implement AI guardrails, and codify abortion rights into law.
