Illinois GOP chair blasts governor’s North Carolina speech
[July 29, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is impressed with the
way North Carolina Democrats have focused on rural communities, but in
Illinois, more than 30 counties in rural areas have voted to split or
separate from the state.
The Illinois governor spoke Saturday at the North Carolina Democrats
Unity Dinner on the campus of North Carolina State University in
Raleigh. Pritzker said North Carolina Democrats had a banner 2024, and
he praised the state’s Democratic Party chair, Anderson Clayton.
“I am so inspired and I am impressed with the work you’ve done as chair
over the last two years to focus on bringing rural communities and
younger voters back into the forefront of the Democratic Party, right
where they ought to be,” the governor said.
Pritzker told the crowd he attended Duke University in nearby Durham and
worked for former North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford.
Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said the North Carolina
Democrats don’t know Pritzker at all.
“He could never even think of delivering that speech without a round of
boos here in Illinois. His visit to North Carolina assures one thing,
that he’s only out after running for President in 2028 and he’s using
the fine families and men and women of Illinois as a stepping stone for
that purpose,” Salvi told The Center Square.
Pritzker announced plans last month to run for reelection in 2026, but
he did not rule out a White House run in 2028 or promise to finish a
third term as governor.
Voters in 33 Illinois counties have approved non-binding measures to
consider secession or separation from the state. The vast majority of
the counties are located in rural areas.
Pritzker criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts
under President Donald Trump.
“It’s wrong to snatch a person off the streets of America and ship them
to a foreign gulag with no chance to defend themselves in a court of
law,” Pritzker said.
The governor blasted several members of Trump’s administration and twice
referred to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as “ICE Barbie.”
Salvi said Pritzker is a lawbreaker for welcoming illegal border
crossers to Illinois.
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during the Unity Dinner at the
Talley House on the campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh,
N.C., on Saturday, July 26, 2025. - Alan Wooten | The Center Square
Also during the speech, Pritzker repeated his criticism of Trump’s
tax policy. The remarks came days after the governor announced tax
credits for a quantum computing company which plans to set up in
Chicago.
“Our working-class families don’t deserve to lose healthcare
coverage because MAGA Republicans want to give a massive tax cut to
the wealthiest people in America,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker disclosed more than $5.3 million in tax credits for
Infleqtion last Wednesday, when he announced that the quantum
company would become a tenant at the Illinois Quantum and
Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s Southeast Side. The governor
previously announced tens of millions of dollars in tax incentives
for multibillion-dollar companies IBM and PsiQuantum to set up at
the park.
Salvi called out the governor Monday.
“He is a hypocrite and his words are hypocritical. Look at the
no-tax-on-tips policy that just passed in the One Big Beautiful
Bill. You’d think he would be a champion of that because that will
put thousands back in the pockets of servers,” the Illinois GOP
chair said.
Salvi said Pritzker has driven young people out of Illinois. She
said the state needs a governor who will put the people first, along
with small businesses and families.
With election season opening up soon, Salvi said she hopes to have a
great group of Republicans running for the opportunity to take on
Pritzker in 2026.
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced his candidacy for the
Republican nomination for governor in February. Lake Forest
businessman Joe Severino tossed his hat into the ring in April.
Other candidates are expected to join the GOP field.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
