* NBC…
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is blocking those who took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol from working in state jobs, ignoring President Donald Trump’s attempt to offer them a clean slate last week in a sweeping set of pardons and commutations.
Late Thursday, Pritzker directed the state’s Department of Central Management Services, the state’s primary hiring authority, to restrict hiring of those who took part in the attack on the Capitol by declaring they had taken part in “infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.” […]
Pritzker’s new directive marks the first and most direct pushback to Trump’s power spree that has tested the bounds of presidential authority through a fray of executive orders, including some that have drawn judicial rebuke. The Democratic governor of the Midwestern blue state has for years acted as an antagonist to Trump.
Pritzker’s directive is likely to draw legal challenges, but sources familiar with it said that working through the personnel code was thought to serve as the best legal footing should it face court pushback.
* From the directive…
One of my most important duties as Governor is protecting public safety in the State of Illinois.Recently, Donald Trump issued more than 1,500 clemencies and pardons for individuals who were convicted or accused of rioting at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. These rioters attacked law enforcement officers protecting people in the Capitol, disrupted the peaceful transfer of power, and undermined bedrock principles of American democracy.
These rioters were accused or convicted of a combination of felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to: violence against law enforcement officers, threats against Members of Congress, destruction of federal property, and many other crimes. These crimes attacks threatened public safety as Members of Congress, staff, and other workers who were forced to hide from the violence for hours.
I am committed to building a State workforce that upholds our shared values and delivers results for the people of Illinois. Our State workforce must reflect the values of Illinois and demonstrate honesty, integrity, and loyalty to serving the taxpayers. No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government.
The State’s Personnel Code, administered by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS)and by you as its Director, requires the rejection of candidates for State employment who have engaged in infamous or disgraceful conduct (20 ILCS 415/8b.4). To protect the integrity of our workforce and safety of our State, I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider any participation in the January 6 insurrection as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.
Thank you for your leadership at CMS building a workforce that reflects our shared values, prioritizes public safety, and prevents these rioters from attacking the rule of law in Illinois.
* Related…
* NPR | Criminal records of Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump include rape, domestic violence: While many people had no criminal record prior to committing crimes on Jan. 6, NPR has identified dozens of defendants with prior convictions or pending charges for crimes including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, manslaughter, production of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking.
* Law & Crime | ‘Efforts to … erase the insurrection’: Deletion of Jan. 6 database by Trump administration appears to violate federal law, watchdog says: The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a federal watchdog group, has penned an open letter to the Inspector General of the Department of Justice and the Archivist of the United States, urging them to “take action” and investigate the DOJ’s removal of its Jan. 6 database — detailing criminal charges and convictions related to the 2021 Capitol attack — which they call a “likely violation” of federal law.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 9:32 am:
= I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider=
I assume the code was in effect before the order, is in effect now, and will continue to be in effect from now on, so what’s new?
- Northsider - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 9:51 am:
Elect a criminal, expect criminal behavior.
Thank you, Governor, for moving to protect our state.
- ste_with a v_en - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 10:00 am:
Pritzker has been the best Governor in my lifetime. Didn’t vote for him in 2018, did in 2022, and I have been impressed ever since.
- Squib Kick - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 10:15 am:
Getting CMS to sign off on hiring is like serving a prison sentence so this policy is fitting.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:01 am:
I’m not conversant enough to render an informed opinion on legality, but I 100% agree with the intent. Emotionally, I would like this prohibition to be expanded to anyone hired in the Trump 2 administration. We know they are hiring people with allegiance to MAGA and not all the citizens of America.
- retiredfromhome - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:06 am:
Good
- Annon3 - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:06 am:
This presumes CMS could actually hire someone, no worries there.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:16 am:
I’m starting to think JB might be the lone Democrat able and willing to counterpunch Trump.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:21 am:
Well I guess a pardon treats the crime like it never happened so the Governor can deny employment and this Illinois law doesn’t apply
The Illinois Human Rights Act protects a person from being discharged, disciplined, denied employment, or denied promotions, because of a conviction record without notice and an interactive assessment of whether there is a substantial relationship between the conviction and the job.
- clec dcn - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:33 am:
The law might not hold up in court if challenged but I doubt anyone would take it to court. Unlike most here I just wish JB would back off his stances but more fuel for a 2028 run. He might be the Dems best hope at the moment.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:35 am:
===I just wish JB would back off his stances===
And do… what? Sit there and take it?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:37 am:
===an interactive assessment of whether there is a substantial relationship between the conviction and the job===
I would posit that anyone who attacked the US Capitol to prevent the peaceful, constitutional transition of power cannot be trusted to work for the people of Illinois.
- Two Left Feet - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:38 am:
How would someone defend themselves from being declared “guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct”? Some of these people were only accused of misdemeanors and hadn’t been convicted yet. I sure hope other executives don’t start declaring guilt, but executive declarations seem to be popular right now.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:40 am:
===How would someone defend themselves from being declared “guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct”?===
Accepting a pardon is an acknowledgement of guilt.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:55 am:
The action sentence is “I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider any participation in the January 6 insurrection as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.”
I don’t see how this can or should be challenged.
It does not say that CMS must disregard alleged participation OR consider a mere allegation determinative of participation.
It says how participation should be interpreted.
- Two Left Feet - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 11:55 am:
“Accepting a pardon is an acknowledgement of guilt”
Sure for the federal crime that is charged, but guilty of “infamous or disgraceful conduct” in a state? I don’t know the answer and understand there is a political, ethical, non-criminal aspect. Practically, is anyone going to apply? Probably not.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 12:02 pm:
Of note: the order applies to state jobs. The federal pardons may still allow people to accept jobs in, e.g., local law enforcement.
- bored now - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 12:11 pm:
== I would posit that anyone who attacked the US Capitol to prevent the peaceful, constitutional transition of power cannot be trusted to work for the people of Illinois. ==
the word used in the pentagon was traitor…
- Sue - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
Does the Governor’s showboating ever stop?
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
=== Some of these people were only accused of misdemeanors … ===
In addition to Rich’s posit (first rate), I’d add that Illinois deserve competent employees. These are gullible people who fell for ridiculous lies.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
P.S. Love showboating criticisms from followers of a cult that is all show and no reality.
- Mason County - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 1:15 pm:
Section 20 ILCS 415/8b.4 - Rejection of candidates
For the rejection of candidates who fail to comply with reasonable previously specified job requirements of the Director in regard to training and experience; who have been guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct; or who have attempted any deception or fraud in connection with the hiring process . The Department may adopt rules and implement procedures regarding candidate rejection.
Anyone want to attempt to answer whether this is legal and if it meets that statutory language?
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
“ Does the Governor’s showboating ever stop?”
Is that an AI generated question? At what point does preventing people who tried to overthrow the government from working for the government become showboating? I know, I know… don’t feed the trolls….
- Just a Random Guy - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 1:51 pm:
==We know they are hiring people with allegiance to MAGA…==
A POTUS picks his cabinet. This is not a new concept.
==…not all the citizens of America==
Source?
- ArchPundit - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 2:01 pm:
===Does the Governor’s showboating ever stop?
Why would a government employ people who tried to overthrow our form of government? They showed they do not respect the Constitution or an orderly way to alter the Constitution. How is any of that consistent with government service?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 2:13 pm:
===Why would a government employ people who tried to overthrow our form of government?===
Maybe confine that statement to Illinois, because the opposite is happening in DC https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/politics/trump-special-project-january-6-prosecutors/index.html
- Payback - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 2:34 pm:
“These rioters were accused or convicted of a combination of felonies and misdemeanors…” Hey, isn’t the new progressive terminology, “justice involved persons” rather than “rioters?” Just kidding.
I don’t know if barring someone who was just accused in court, but not convicted, will stand up, but we’ll see I guess. Personally I wouldn’t list “January 6 Capitol attendee” on my Linkedin resume.
- ArchPundit - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 2:44 pm:
==Maybe confine that statement to Illinois, because the opposite is happening in DC
Yeah, very aware. It’s serious issue of whether you allow people who take part in anti-democratic activities that violate both state and federal constitutional provisions to be employed by the state where one qualification should be belief in democratic processes and the Constitutions. Someone who wants to make serious changes but through a democratic process would be qualify for employment, but if you try to destroy the institution you work in, most employers would look down on your application.
- Dotnonymous x - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:14 pm:
- Does the Governor’s showboating ever stop? - Sue
I would ask the same of you.
- Sue - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:24 pm:
It is showboating because there was zero chance any would apply-
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:26 pm:
===zero chance any would apply===
And you know that… how?
They watch TV like everyone else. Maybe they’ll see a CMS recruitment ad /s
- Sue - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:36 pm:
JB seems to think he can run a national campaign as a progressive- kind of think that is a losing proposition- I gladly would support a Dem like Josh Shapiro or the Gov’s of NC or KY- then again maybe this time JB can run with Harris as her VP
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:38 pm:
“I gladly would support a Dem”
Nobody that’s been on this blog for more than a minute believes that.
- maybe - Friday, Jan 31, 25 @ 3:43 pm:
And this is the same Administration that restricted employers from using background checks prior to job offerings and preventing employers from using criminal backgrounds against a prospective employee