The Latest Breaking News from J.B. Pritzker

Pritzker, Lightfoot join hundreds protesting Russian invasion of Ukraine

"Illinois is taking a stand against the bloodthirsty Russian invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine," Pritzker said to the massive throng gathered Sunday outside Saints Volodymyr & Olha Catholic Church in Ukrainian Village.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 28, 2022

Masks can come off Monday in most places in Illinois

CHICAGO — Just shy of the second anniversary of his proclamation declaring the coronavirus a statewide disaster, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will try again to turn the page on COVID-19 restrictions Monday when he lifts his much-contested mask mandate for most indoor public places.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 27, 2022

Pritzker halts Illinois' school mask mandate with arrival of new CDC guidance

CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker said new federal COVID-19 guidance unveiled Friday will allow the state of Illinois to remove its school mask mandate on Monday, coinciding with the halting of the hotly debated virus mitigation strategy for the general public.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 26, 2022

Great-grandson of a Ukrainian refugee, Pritzker denounces Russian invasion, warns of potential cyberattacks on Illinois

The state has close military ties of its own with Ukraine, with an Illinois Army National Guard task force providing training to troops in the country last year. A group of Illinois National Guard advisors returned from Poland earlier this month after working with a brigade including members of the…

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 24, 2022

Invasion of Ukraine could raise gas prices by 50 cents a gallon, making ‘hard hand’ for Democrats even worse, former Obama adviser says

"It’s a huge political problem for President Biden, because we’re already feeling the effects of inflation related to the pandemic," David Axelrod told the Sun-Times. "As [Winston] Churchill did in Britain, [Biden] needs to explain to people why that sacrifice is necessary."

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 24, 2022

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul appeals state’s mask mandate ruling to state Supreme Court

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a petition for appeal, along with a motion for an emergency stay of a Sangamon County judge’s order to block enforcement of the rules. "Today, parents, teachers, school staff, and members of their communities are faced with impossible choices," the appeal argues.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 24, 2022

Lawyer who helped dismantle Pritzker’s school mask mandate announces run for attorney general

"We’ve got to put an end to this executive fiat of running our state by executives that think tyrannical behavior is OK," said Tom DeVore, whose challenges to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions were mostly unsuccessful until this month. "And it’ll get nasty, but that’s OK. I’m not scared."

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 23, 2022

Gov. Pritzker endorses City Clerk Valencia in Illinois secretary of state primary race

While rival candidate Alexi Giannoulias still holds a strong financial advantage over the field in terms of his campaign fund, that could change as the deep-pocketed governor hailed Anna Valencia’s "proven record of success" and declared she "represents the bright future of the Democratic party."

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 22, 2022

Illinois governor's statewide school masking rule undone by courts. Here’s what happened

CHICAGO — Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker fully embraced his role in guiding the state through the coronavirus pandemic when he launched his reelection campaign in July, just a month after he had lifted nearly all restrictions as the vaccination effort gained steam and the state had fully reopened.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 20, 2022

Richard Irvin’s tough-on-crime campaign for Illinois governor ignores his years as criminal defense attorney

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As a Republican candidate for governor, Richard Irvin has promoted himself as a no-nonsense, law-and-order candidate who as a onetime prosecutor put “gangsters, drug dealers and wife beaters” in jail.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 20, 2022