Trump Targets J.B. Pritzker Over Illinois’ Decline

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump took aim at Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, criticizing his leadership amidst a significant exodus of residents from the state. Pritzker, considered a rising star within the Democratic Party, has faced increasing scrutiny as more Illinois natives flee the state.

Pritzker, who was inaugurated as governor in January 2019, has overseen a troubling trend. Between July 2021 and July 2022, over 142,000 people left Illinois, a figure second only to New York in terms of population decline during that period.

“Sloppy J.B. Pritzker, the Rotund Governor from the once great State of Illinois, who makes Chris Christie look like a male model, and whose family wanted him out of the business because he was so pathetic at helping them run it, has presided over the destruction and disintegration of Illinois at levels never seen before in any State. Crime is rampant and people are, sadly, fleeing Illinois. Unless a change is made at the Governor’s level, Illinois can never be Great Again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Pritzker's financial management has also come under fire. His proposed $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan includes substantial tax increases, estimated at $898 million. Illinois already has the second-highest corporate income tax rate in the nation, and Pritzker’s plan to extend the cap on net operating losses would further raise taxes on struggling companies. Bryce Hill, Director of Fiscal and Economic Research with the Illinois Policy Institute, highlighted these concerns in a detailed analysis of Pritzker’s budget.

Key points of criticism include:

• Corporate Tax Hikes: Pritzker's plan could raise taxes by $186 million on retailers by capping the tax credit for sales tax collection at $1,000 per month.

• Individual Tax Increases: Hill notes a "hidden" $93 million income tax hike on individuals through adjustments to the state’s standard income tax exemption. The exemption, set at $2,775 for 2024, would be reduced to $2,550 under Pritzker’s proposal, reflecting only one year of inflation adjustments instead of two.

These tax increases come at a time when Illinois is already grappling with rampant crime and a declining population, further straining the state's economic stability.

Trump’s blunt assessment of Pritzker’s leadership underscores the urgent need for a change in direction. With the 2024 elections on the horizon, Illinois residents must consider the impact of their leadership choices on the future prosperity and security of their state.

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