About 13,000 part-time Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen, as well as more than 1,000 full-time civilian employees, could lose two months’ pay if Congress fails to act by August 1, the state’s adjutant general said Monday.
The potential cuts and furloughs are related to more than $521 million in unreimbursed costs incurred by National Guard forces in Illinois and across the country for security Guard troops provided after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Illinois’ share of the unprecedented shortfall is $31 million, according to Adjutant General Richard Neely, commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard.
C’mon, already.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker…
Governor JB Pritzker today called on Congress to repay the debt owed to the National Guard for providing security to the U.S. Capitol following the January 6th riots. The governor urged the U.S. Senate to immediately take up legislation that would both make the National Guard whole for the D.C. mission and provide funding for critical safety and security enhancements at the U.S. Capitol.
Following the January 6th attack on the Capitol, thousands of guard members from across the nation, including hundreds of men and women from Illinois, responded to the federal government’s call for assistance. These brave soldiers provided critical security support for the country in a time of dire need. With expenses from the D.C. mission still outstanding, the National Guard is facing devastating prospects if this funding is not immediately repaid, including a reduction in exercises, weekend training, and potential furloughs. This places a significant financial burden on individual members of the guard, putting their monthly drill checks and insurance payments in jeopardy.
“Even as the events of January 6th were still unfolding, heroes from across the nation fearlessly mobilized in defense of their country, and every day that our debts to them go unpaid is an insult to their service,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Congress needs to act with urgency to not only protect the integrity of our National Guard but to do everything possible to prevent another January 6th from ever happening again. Here in Illinois, our Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen have sacrificed so much over the last 18 months, leaving their homes and families, civilian jobs and universities, dropping their plans and putting their lives on hold – all to respond to the needs of our state and nation. This is about readiness and about taking care of our soldiers and airmen, but even more so, it’s about honor. I urge Congress to act quickly on behalf of the safety, security, and dignity of all Americans.”
Over 25,000 Guard troops answered the call to protect the Capitol following the January 6th riots. Thousands remained in Washington, D.C. until the end of May to provide support to local law enforcement and ensure the safety of the nation’s capital city.
We’ve been through a lot, and I’ve been so proud to see Illinoisans come together during the toughest of times. I'm excited to fight for the state I love with @JulianaforLG, and there’s no limit to what we can do going forward. pic.twitter.com/r5UXILlrb3
Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced he and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton will run for re-election to a second term in 2022, releasing a video that highlights the strength of the state’s response to the COVID pandemic and JB’s commitment to the people of Illinois.
“I can’t tell you what pride it gives me as Governor of the state to see the people of Illinois standing up for one another. We saw the fundamental goodness of the people of Illinois exists in Southern Illinois as it does in Central Illinois as it does in Northern Illinois,” Governor JB Pritzker says in the video. “Part of why I’m running for re-election is because I watched the heroes across our state step up and do the right thing. We had so much to accomplish and we were able to do that — together. I’m very proud of all of the people of the state of Illinois and we have so much more we can do together.”
“It has been my honor to work alongside Governor JB Pritzker these last few years to move Illinois in the right direction and lift up working families. From increasing the minimum wage, making historic investments in infrastructure and creating jobs, to expanding access to health care and bringing fiscal stability back to state government, we’ve made real progress for the people of Illinois,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “I don’t think any of us could have predicted the challenges the last year brought for all of us, but through it all I’m proud of what a strong leader JB has been in these tough times, and I can’t wait to continue our partnership.”
The video features Illinoisans from across the state praising Governor JB Pritzker’s strong leadership in tough times:
“From the beginning Governor Pritzker was very present and transparent about his process and following facts and following science,” says Corey Brooks, a physician assistant and member of the National Guard from Belleville.
“I feel like the Governor was a partner with nurses and doctors and the whole medical community,” says Jenica Krushall, a registered nurse from Springfield.
“He’s compassionate, he really cares about Illinois, and he’s brave. He did a lot of things he probably didn’t need to do but he took care of us,” says Rose McNaughton from Staunton.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a big town or a small town, Governor Pritzker guided us with leadership that got us to this point,” says Mayor John Bearrows of Rochelle.
“JB totally understood the plight of small businesses,” says Emily Paul, small business owner in Staunton. “I really don’t think we would have made it without the support of the Governor, in fact I know we wouldn’t have.”
“He trusted the science. He did what was necessary to keep us safe,“ says Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin of Matteson.
“This was a time when we had to get it right, and Governor Pritzker did it for us,” says Polly Poskin of Springfield.
Governor JB Pritzker is announcing his re-election on the heels of a successful legislative session in which the Governor signed into law a balanced budget that made responsible investments in the future of Illinois. In the last month alone Illinois has received two credit upgrades, was ranked the top state for infrastructure and jumped 15 spots in America’s top states to do business. See more of Governor Pritzker’s leadership and accomplishments in his first term as Governor at www.jbpritzker.com.
…Adding… Another campaign video featuring LG Stratton…
…Adding… DGA…
Today, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker announced his re-election campaign for governor of Illinois.
Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Noam Lee released the following statement:
“When COVID struck Illinois, Gov. Pritzker demonstrated national leadership, acting swiftly to protect the health of Illinoisans and standing up to the deadly lies of Donald Trump. As the state emerges from the pandemic, Gov. Pritzker is putting Illinois back on firm fiscal footing, leading to credit rating upgrades and an improving business environment.
“Gov. Pritzker has proven to be a strong and effective governor for the people of Illinois. Under his leadership, Illinois has increased the minimum wage, enshrined reproductive rights into law, made college more affordable, increased access to early childhood education, and legalized and decriminalized the use of cannabis. The Pritzker administration has restored funding for mental health and social services and expanded health care coverage to 129,000 more Illinoisans. And the governor has strong plans for the future of Illinois with his infrastructure plan to improve roads and bridges over the next six years while creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs — the largest infrastructure program in state history.
“As governor, Gov. Pritzker has worked hard to put Illinois’ government back on the side of working families. Gov. Pritzker has delivered on his promises for the people of Illinois, and we look forward to helping re-elect him next year.”
…Adding… Possible GOP opponent…
Here's a snapshot of the @JBPritzker record: ❌ Pushing tax hikes ❌ Embracing corruption ❌ Executive incompetence ❌ Failing our veterans ❌ Abandoning police J.B. Pritzker is just another lying, failed politician. https://t.co/6He0GliwfI
The Democratic Party of Illinois today announced its support for Gov. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Stratton for re-election in 2022. The following is a statement from Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, supporting Gov. Pritzker’s re-election:
“Governor Pritzker has shown outstanding leadership during one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history and proven he is the right leader for the State of Illinois. It is because of Gov. Pritzker’s courage, compassion and guidance that we are emerging from a global pandemic safely and stronger than we were before it began. When others ignored science and condemned sound judgement, Gov. Pritzker forged ahead with the tough choices our families, workers and businesses needed. Gov. Pritzker made the hard decisions that put Illinois back on solid financial footing after years of dysfunction. Gov. Pritzker is the leader we need to continue making progress in Illinois, and Illinois Democrats are excited to re-elect him Governor of our great state.”
* ILGOP…
Governor JB Pritzker released a COVID-themed video today announcing his re-election campaign for a second term. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released the following statement in response:
“During a global pandemic that required steady leadership, Governor Pritzker failed our most vulnerable in their time of need. When our children missed an entire year of in-person education, Pritzker was silent while political teachers unions forced children to stay home even when the science and CDC said they should be back in school. When thousands of Illinoisans were laid off from work, they went weeks without help from Pritzker’s incompetent state unemployment agency. And when our nation’s elderly heroes needed protection from the virus in our state facilities, the tragic mistakes of the Pritzker administration led to the death of 36 veterans at Lasalle Veterans Home.
Governor Pritzker’s record on helping Illinois through the pandemic is a failure. I look forward to talking about that and his radical policy agenda out of step with Illinoisans in the upcoming election.”
* Schimpf…
Paul Schimpf, Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois, issued the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s re-election announcement:
“Governor Pritzker’s reelection announcement today means the voters of Illinois will face a stark choice about the future of our state in 2022. Under the Pritzker Leadership Deficit, he has failed to stand up to corruption, failed to protect our veterans and families, and failed to help overtaxed Illinoisans. In three years, JB Pritzker has demonstrated he has neither the vision nor the leadership skills to unite our state. Simply put, Illinoisans deserve better–they deserve a leader with commonsense who will renew our state.”
— Darren Bailey for Governor (@DarrenBaileyIL) July 19, 2021
…Adding… Rabine…
Gary Rabine, a candidate for Governor, is issuing the following statement on JB Pritzker’s announcement that he is running for re-election.
“The last two and a half years have been a disaster for Illinois on JB Pritzker’s watch. Governor Pritzker has raised taxes, increased spending, and signed into law some of the most radical, far-left legislation in the nation. When Pritzker didn’t get his income tax increase, he raised taxes and regulations at a record pace to dominate the highest taxed citizens in America. All this isn’t enough as Pritzker threatens to pursue higher income tax again if elected to a second term.
JB Pritzker doesn’t mention in his announcement his leadership in outmigration or that Illinois has the worst credit rating of all 50 states, even with the billions in federal bailouts.
Under Pritzker, our state has become one of the most violent in America with 385 homicides and 1,897 shootings midway through 2021. A great leader would not sleep until this tragic environment was changed.
The people of Illinois cannot afford four more years of JB Pritzker. I am confident, that in 2022, we will reject him and his radical agenda that is driving our state into unacceptable insolvency and violence.”
