Pritzker pitches policy playbook for Democrat-controlled Congress
[November 05, 2026]
By Sean Reed |
The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Following the Democrats’ capture of a
Congressional majority, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is calling on the
new class and existing Democrats to take on a package of more than 200
policies he says will benefit Illinois residents and everyone across the
country.
The package, which he’s calling the “Fighting for Illinois: The Day One
Agenda,” was announced by the governor alongside the state’s next Senate
delegation Wednesday morning. It's a playbook somewhat similar to the
Republicans’ Project 2025.
“This is not a list of abstract goals or lofty demands. It is a
practical road map for governing. It is identifying what can be done
now,” Pritzker said. “Repeal the provisions of HR-1, that's the big ugly
bill. In particular, the ones that stripped SNAP and Medicaid away from
millions all across the United States.”
Pritzker identified some of the other policies he wants Democrats to
take on as part of his proposal, including sending tariff refund checks
directly to Americans, raising the federal minimum wage, ending conflict
with Iran, immigration reform, federal AI guardrails and wider
protections for abortion.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., emphasized economic policies she said are
aimed at helping everyday American taxpayers, such as ending tax breaks
for major tech companies, reinstating Affordable Care Act tax credits
and more.
“We are going to use every seat we gained to fight back against Trump
and fight for what American families really need,” Duckworth said.
Senator-elect Julianna Stratton reflected the others’ remarks, while
also emphasizing her desire to roll back many Trump-backed policies.
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to supporters at the State Fair's
Governor's Day campaign event with a slate of other statewide
candidates, Aug. 19, 2026. Photo: Sean Reed / The Center Square
“We know what it means to fight back. And today we're making sure
that Congress knows what it needs to do on day one. That means
repealing SNAP eligibility restrictions and making sure everyone can
put food on the table. Protecting head start programs for our kids.
Rolling back the cruel and harmful cuts to Medicaid and ACA tax
credits that have stripped millions of their coverage,” Stratton
said.
Questioned by members of the media about how the Democrat-controlled
Congress would get the president on board with bills they pass,
Duckworth wasn't worried.
“We're going to call Donald Trump on it. And even in the next two
years, while we have control of the Congress, he's still in the
White House. We can put things in front of him and dare him to veto
them. Dare him to veto them. I think he's too much of a chickensh-t
to veto a lot of this stuff and we're going to hold him
accountable,” Duckworth said.
The 120th Congress takes control Jan. 3 with the newly-elected
Democratic majority and two more years of Trump's term left to play
out.
|
