GOP rep, Pritzker targeted with AI photo, death threats
[September 08, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A Republican state lawmaker and the governor took
a photo with a constituent at the DuQuoin State Fair after its opening,
which was used to allegedly create an AI-generated photo of the two
officials that sparked threatening comments about the lawmaker.
State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said he connected with a constituent
of his, Dan “Curley” Summers, who helps feed homeless residents in
Benton, while at the downstate fair Aug. 28.
“I waved Dan to come up on the stage there and talk to the governor and
so we introduced the two of them, and Dan shares a little bit of his
story and Dan says, ‘Governor, is there any way I can get a picture with
you and Rep. Severin?’ And so we agreed to that picture,” Severin said.
The photo, however, was allegedly manipulated using AI after being
posted online, changed to depict Severin and Pritzker to appear
friendly.
“That picture was taken on Friday in front of the grandstands. Then
someone took that picture and doctored it up with his AI and put the
governor's arm around me, made both of us doing thumbs up, and so that
picture is 100% bogus, not factual at all,” Severin said.
The original images show part of a marquee that was hidden behind
Pritzker’s head in the first image had been replaced by illegible,
letter-like symbols in place of what is normally a logo for the fair.
The Center Square found the doctored image to have initially been posted
on Facebook and other platforms.
“We have concerns literally in every corner of this state,” Severin said
of the post. “I mean, every aspect, education, businesses, taxpayers,
homeowners. I could go the full gamut. There are so many concerns, but
what are we doing instead of addressing those things? We're pointing
fingers at people and making accusations that are inaccurate and just
causing havoc.”
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois state Reps. Dave Severin, R-Benton and Patrick Windhorst,
R-Metropolis, speak at a news conference in Springfield, March 21,
2025. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square
The post had more than 500 comments, many of which included threats
and hateful sentiment against Severin, believing the caption that
claimed Severin was endorsing Pritzker’s third gubernatorial run.
Public sentiment in the comments of Severin’s post addressing the
false image largely supported him, with many of the nearly 200
comments expressing they wouldn’t see an issue with the second image
if it were real.
The lawmaker denied that he endorsed or would endorse Pritzker when
asked.
“Absolutely not. I endorse Darren Bailey 1,000%,” Severin said.
The J.B. Pritzker gubernatorial campaign didn’t respond to a request
for comment prior to publication, but Pritzker previously shared his
thoughts on the use of AI image generation for political purposes in
June.
“It's being used more and more and frankly it's deteriorating the
political environment,” Pritzker said. “I think that at a minimum we
should be watermarking any ad whether it's online or on television
and it should say, this is produced by AI or something like that. So
people know this isn't real.” |
