Pritzker calls out Trump-era challenges in Illinois

The Illinois governor highlights unexpected hurdles of governance under Trump.

Told by Peter Ashford · 31 August 2026

In a candid campaign speech over the weekend, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker outlined the unique challenges of leading a state in Donald Trump's America. He expressed concern about food safety, stating, "I have to worry about whether people can eat lettuce or blueberries off a grocery shelf because Trump is doing away with food inspections."

Pritzker also highlighted the alarming resurgence of preventable diseases, saying, "I have to track measles outbreaks because the president put a madman in charge of vaccine recommendations." This statement reflects a significant shift in public health priorities that many governors across the country are now grappling with.

Moreover, the governor lamented having to monitor the movements of ICE agents and the repercussions of lax safety protocols that, in his view, threaten the well-being of his constituents. "I have to find money that we don’t have to fight problems that didn’t exist before Donald Trump. It’s the reality of being a governor in America today," he remarked.

As Pritzker prepares for his November re-election bid, his ongoing commitment to progressive values and protection of marginalized communities remains evident, even amidst escalating challenges. Notably, he recently took a playful jab at his Republican opponent, Darren Bailey, by sending inflatable dinosaurs to a state fair event to mock Bailey's controversial beliefs about human-dinosaur coexistence. This blend of serious governance issues and light-hearted campaign tactics encapsulates the current political climate in Illinois.