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J.B. Pritzker on Civil Rights

 

 


Authoritarians say blame people who don't look like you

I'm watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now. A president who watches a plane go down in the Potomac--and suggests--without facts or findings--that a diversity hire is responsible for the crash. Or the Missouri Attorney General who just sued Starbucks--arguing that consumers pay higher prices for their coffee because the baristas are too "female" and "nonwhite." The authoritarian playbook is laid bare here: They point to a group of people who don't look like you and tell you to blame them for your problems. We don't have kings in America--and I don't intend to bend the knee to one. If you think I'm overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic. All I'm saying is when the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person better be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature , Feb 19, 2025

Lengthened hours of early voting, have mail balloting

We have actually lengthened our hours of early voting. We have mail balloting. We've had record mail balloting this year. So we're going to go ahead with it. But we've been extra careful at all of our polling places. Everybody is practicing good hygiene. And we're making sure that it's safe for people to come and vote. The schools are closed, so many people will be voting in schools. And there won't be big crowds.
Source: Meet the Press interview for 2026 Illinois Governor race , Mar 15, 2020

Pride flag flew at state capitol for first tie in history

I asked Secretary of State Jesse White to fly a Pride flag over the Illinois state capitol for the first time in our history. After all, we have a choice about how we tell our story, and I want our Illinois story to be one of hope, inclusion, opportunity and kindness. I want it to be inspired every day by the fundamental goodness of the people who live and work here and who struggle so hard for a fair shot.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address , Jan 29, 2020

Supports LGBT equality

I will reverse Rauner's cuts to critical after-school and anti-violence programs. I will declare that transgender individuals are welcome to serve their state as state troopers and I will stand against LGBT bullying and intolerance in our schools. Most importantly, I will seek diverse input and ensure all Illinoisans have a seat at the table and a voice in their government.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website JBPritzker com , Sep 15, 2017

Other governors on Civil Rights: J.B. Pritzker on other issues:
IL Gubernatorial:
Barack Obama
Darren Bailey
Jesse Sullivan
Paul Schimpf
Richard Irvin
IL Senatorial:
Juliana Stratton
Kathy Salvi
Peggy Hubbard
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Richard Durbin
Robin Kelly
Tammy Duckworth

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Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org