* Background is here if you need it. From the governor’s press conference this afternoon…
Q: Your office also released an executive order directing state agencies to identify up to 4% of fiscal year 2026 months to reserve, to put reserves in order to mitigate any adverse action from President Trump’s economic policies. But why wasn’t this action taken through, like a memo, like through an internal government action, as opposed to an executive order, which makes it look political and furthers your public feuding with President Trump?
Pritzker: Executive order is something that we do all the time when we want to make an emphatic effort to accomplish something and make sure that it’s understood throughout the entire executive branch that this is everybody’s responsibility. And so that’s one of the reasons that we put it up in EO form. Very important to us that we deal with what Donald Trump has done to well, almost every state in fact, I believe every state in fact, has had their budgets significantly impacted by the policies of the big, ugly bill, the policies of his administration.
There are hundreds of millions of dollars that are going to have to be made up for as a result of the cuts the federal government is making, including in health care and nutritional assistance, but also across the economy, with the tariffs that are impacting businesses in Illinois. So we think this is prudent.
We also think that we’re going to have to look at every nook and cranny of state government to make sure that we are balancing the budget, as has been promised in the FY 26 budget. And then, of course, going into FY 27 there are going to be severe effects upon the state budget, and that’s going to be yet another conversation in mind. […]
Q: Related to those four percent cuts, can you talk about why that was necessary? Because a lot of people will look at that actually and say, is this an indication that Illinois financial picture is really bleak right now?
Pritzker: No. What it’s an indication of is that the federal government, Donald Trump and the big, ugly bill have been literally weighing on states all across the United States. You talk to every state in the country, and they will tell you that they are having to make cuts to their state budgets to deal with what the federal government has done.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
…Adding… Oops. I missed a question…
Q: How did the state arrive to calling on your state agencies to identify up to 4 percent of FY 26 funds for reserves in this executive order? Why that number?
Pritzker: Because it’s a beginning of dealing with what we think could be a very severe challenge for the state budget in this year. Remember, we can only identify what we know.
Here’s something that I’m very concerned about, which is that the budget is affected vastly by the economic situation of the country. And we’re already seeing that states like Iowa are in recession. We’re doing okay in Illinois right now, but I can’t believe that when we see lots of other states that are severely negatively impacted by the President’s policies and the economies of their states are affected, that they’re not also going to see a deterioration of revenues.
So we don’t know what’s going to happen for Illinois. We certainly have brought a lot of new companies and jobs to the state. But if we get a recession, and I’m hoping we don’t, but if we see one, and it seems like others are experiencing it, then we’re going to have to not only look at the 4% but see what other things we can do to deal with the challenges that are brought upon us by Donald Trump.
…Adding… Darren Bailey…
Darren Bailey today called the anti-Trump rhetoric in Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order compelling state agencies to find at least 4 percent in cost cuts a work of fiction.
Bailey is issuing the following statement:
“Republicans have long called for financial sanity in Illinois,” Bailey said. “The first budget Pritzker signed into law was a $40.6 billion budget. That number has increased by $15 billion in just seven years. To blame President Trump for Illinois’ budget problems is like blaming the White Sox’s losing record on the fans. It is absurd. Real leaders take responsibility for their actions. The budget problems facing our state are a direct result of the Governor setting new spending records every year he has been in office. As Governor, I will bring transparency and accountability to the budgeting process and instead of wasting time applying blame, I will work on the solutions taxpayers in our state deserve. The money being spent at the state level belongs to the people. It is time taxpayers had an advocate for them serving as Governor of the state.”
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* Subscribers know more. Gov. JB Pritzker…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-05 directing state agencies to identify up to 4% of Fiscal Year 2026 General Funds appropriations to reserve in order to mitigate the impact of Trump’s disastrous economic policies while working to maintain core services. The action comes as all states, including Illinois, are forced to manage the Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget bill that threatens state revenue streams and places pressure on Illinois’ fiscal stability.
Trump’s reckless economic policies are wrecking state economies, stifling job growth, and increasing unemployment in key sectors. At the same time, Trump’s tariffs are taxing working families, increasing the costs of everyday goods and disrupting supply chains. This chaos is making it harder for businesses to hire, expand production, or maintain payrolls. In the coming months, Trump’s budget bill will further compound these pressures, creating uncertainty over state revenues as slower economic activity directly affects the amount of revenue collected and ultimately puts funding for core services at risk. To protect the State’s fiscal stability, Governor Pritzker is directing agencies to take proactive steps to brace for these challenges and work to maintain core services.
“Illinois has built a strong economy and proven its fiscal responsibility, but Trump’s disastrous policies threaten to undo that progress,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Trump and Congressional Republicans sealed one of the largest wealth transfers in American history, stripping health care, food assistance, and other essential supports for working families to fund permanent tax breaks for the wealthy. At the same time, tariffs are hurting our farmers and businesses, slowing job growth, and driving up costs for Illinois families. I’m taking executive action to mitigate the impact of Trump’s economic policies on our state finances, maintain critical services, and preserve our economic stability.”
Under the order, agencies under the Governor will:
- Conduct immediate budget reviews to identify efficiencies and reductions.
- Identify up to 4% of General Funds appropriations for FY26 reserves to reinforce state finances.
- Limit non-essential spending, purchases, and travel.
- Review all hiring decisions and prioritize only essential roles.
- Propose programmatic changes or appropriation transfers if FY26 budget shortfalls emerge.
Agencies must submit reports on their progress to the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) within 30 days. Key obligations such as pension payments and K-12 funding, and offices outside the Governor’s authority (i.e. legislative, judicial, and other constitutional offices) will not be impacted. The Executive Order will take effect immediately.
Trump’s Budget and Tariffs Are Undermining Illinois’ Economic Growth
For years, Illinois’ economy has been on the rise. As the nation’s 5th largest economy, the state surpassed $1 trillion in GDP in 2022 and steadily grew revenues. That growth enabled Gov. Pritzker to deliver seven balanced budgets, secure nine credit rating upgrades, and eliminate a massive bill backlog. Now, Trump’s budget bill and tariffs are already undermining growth and threatening the fiscal stability Illinois worked hard to build.
- Farmers Feeling the Pinch: Illinois’ $13.7 billion agriculture industry is being pummeled by tariff-driven trade disruptions, costing farmers income and jeopardizing jobs across rural communities
- Gutting of Medicaid and Rising Premium Costs: Cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage will remove healthcare access for an estimated 330,000 Illinoisans, raise premiums for those insured, and risk hospital closures in rural areas.
- State Revenues Under Pressure: Because most state tax codes are tethered to federal law, Trump’s giveaways to the wealthy automatically slash states’ revenues, including in Illinois, potentially reversing years of growth and fiscal stability. These changes
will affect Illinois as well as other states’ revenue outlooks for the foreseeable future.
- Cuts to SNAP Threaten Families: Reductions in SNAP and other supports shift costs directly onto states and will leave an estimated 360,000 Illinois families at risk of losing access to these benefits and forced to fend for themselves as costs continue
to rise.
- Cooling Labor Market: The August 2025 jobs report confirmed a national slowdown, with only 22,000 jobs created nationwide and unemployment reaching its highest level since 2021. Illinois mirrored that trend, shedding 13,300 payroll jobs in August, the
state’s largest monthly decline since July 2023 and the fifth overall drop this year with employers squeezed by tariffs and Trump’s anti-immigrant policies restricting access to needed workers, leaving businesses unable to hire, expand, or keep pace with demand.
While no state in the nation — including Illinois — can fully backfill the cuts imposed by the federal government, Gov. Pritzker remains committed to mitigating their impact wherever possible. This action echoes previous budget reserve measures including those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, when agencies were asked to conserve resources to maintain fiscal stability amid uncertainty.
Today’s action also builds on Gov. Pritzker’s efforts to address the economic challenges created by Trump’s tariffs on Illinois businesses and workers. Earlier this summer, Gov. Pritzker signed an Executive Order directing agencies to evaluate the scale and impact of Trump’s tariffs in key economic sectors. He has also led trade missions, signed economic cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom and Mexico, and continued engagement with international leaders, including the Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. and the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago.
Click here to read the EO.
…Adding… Crain’s…
Pritzker said the Trump administration is hurting economy, which will reduce state revenue, as well as tax changes.
“Tariffs are hurting our farmers and businesses, slowing job growth and driving up costs for Illinois families,” Pritzker, who’s seen as a potential presidential candidate, said in a statement, just a few hours after making similar points in an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I’m taking executive action to mitigate the impact of Trump’s economic policies on our state finances, maintain critical services and preserve our economic stability.”
One change in federal tax law passed by Congress extended the reduction in the corporate income tax from 35% to 21%, which doesn’t affect states. But it also accelerated deduction of business expenses, such as property and equipment, allowing them to be taken immediately, rather than being spread out over several years.
Warning signs already were flashing for Illinois and other states as they completed their budgets this summer after several years of strong growth in income taxes, as well as planned reductions by Congress in federal funding for food and healthcare.
…Adding… Senate Republican Leader John Curran…
“When President Biden was in the White House, the Governor’s own five-year budget projections showed average annual budget deficits of $4.6 billion over the next five years. Yet, he continued to increase state spending by 40 percent since taking office, despite Illinois’ GDP significantly lagging behind national growth. If he is serious about protecting Illinois’ fiscal solvency, he will start by making the difficult, and sometimes unpopular decisions needed to constrain state spending, reduce taxes, and improve economic opportunity for all Illinoisans, regardless of who is president.”
…Adding… House Republican Leader Tony McCombie…
We warned that this budget was irresponsible and overspent. Stop passing blame, Governor. Illinoisans aren’t buying that recent policy changes in Washington DC are to blame for the decades of Illinois financial mismanagement
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* Tribune in April…
A former Republican nominee for Illinois attorney general, downstate lawyer Thomas DeVore, should have his law license suspended for 60 days for a series of infractions, including having a sexual relationship with a client whom he represented in challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, a legal disciplinary hearing board has recommended.
DeVore, who became well-known for spearheading legal fights over pandemic mandates before his unsuccessful 2022 run for attorney general, began dating a married Springfield salon owner shortly after sending letters challenging the pandemic mandates to government agencies on her behalf in May 2020, according to an Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing board report issued Monday.
The two began a sexual relationship sometime that June, though the exact date was disputed in testimony before the board at a December 2024 hearing.
DeVore argued the sexual relationship with Riley Craig began after his initial work for Craig ended and before his work representing her in other legal matters began. But the hearing board found evidence showing “an unbroken continuation of his attorney-client relationship,” including DeVore preparing pleadings in Craig’s divorce case filed by a law firm associate.
* ARDC at the time…
The Administrator charged Respondent with violating Rules 1.7(a)(2), 1.8(a), 1.8(j), 3.1, 3.4(c), 4.2, 4.4(a), and 8.4(d) by engaging in a conflict of interest and sexual relationship with a current client, entering into a prohibited business transaction with that client, copying the client on an email disparaging her, bringing frivolous chancery and order of protection proceedings against the client with no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, burden, or delay her, knowingly disobeying the automatic stay in the client’s bankruptcy case, emailing the client twice about her bankruptcy despite knowing she was represented by another attorney in that matter, and being sanctioned by the bankruptcy court for his conduct. The Hearing Board found that Respondent engaged in all of the alleged misconduct except the Rule 3.4 charges and some of the Rule 3.1 and Rule 4.4(a) charges. The Hearing Board recommended a 60-day suspension based on the proven Rule violations, substantial mitigating factors, and absence of aggravating factors.
In my own opinion, the ARDC let him off easy, which they do a lot.
* And now comes the Illinois Supreme Court…
MISCELLANEOUS RECORD
M.R.032700 - In re: Thomas Guy DeVore. Disciplinary Commission.
Motion by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to approve and confirm the report and recommendation of the Hearing Board. Allowed. Respondent Thomas Guy DeVore is suspended from the practice of law for sixty (60) days.
Suspension effective October 10, 2025.
Respondent Thomas Guy DeVore shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension.
Order entered by the Court.
More here.
* DeVore said nothing about his suspension on his Facebook page. His followers will remain ignorant.
The failed attorney general candidate and current candidate for Republican state central committeeman did, however, blow his stack at Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski for saying kind words about his recent meeting with DeVore’s arch-enemy Rep. Charlie Meier. Click here to read it. A few not safe for work phrases, but the sweaty cope is utterly hilarious.
…Adding… Must be a quality operation…
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Broadview protest coverage roundup (Updated)
Monday, Sep 22, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Broadview ICE facility is in House Speaker Chris Welch’s district. He had earlier refused comment, but spoke out on Saturday…
…Adding… From the Speaker’s spokesperson Jon Maxson…
The Speaker knows this is difficult situation for community leaders who do not want this federal presence, but cannot control the decisions of the Trump Administration. In fact their concern is anything they say will only result in escalation of an already volatile situation. But federal agents tear-gassing people peacefully exercising their constitutional rights is unwarranted escalation. That undemocratic violence needs to be called out for what it is.
* From the Department of Homeland Security regarding Broadview…
Any allegations that ICE Broadview Processing Center is temporarily closing is FALSE. Since Friday, rioters and sanctuary politicians have obstructed and assaulted law enforcement. These rioters have thrown tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property.
Police under JB Pritzker’s sanctuary jurisdiction refused to answer multiple calls for assistance.
The Prizker administration confirmed that neither Broadview nor Cook County have requested assistance from the Illinois State Police. They also released this statement…
The media needs to use extreme caution before reporting what the Trump Administration is saying given their record of lies, lack of transparency, and failure to coordinate with the state and local law enforcement. It’s completely false to suggest the state or local municipalities have been obstructing federal officials. The state has not received multiple calls for assistance from the federal government and would remind them the importance of coordinating with local law enforcement to protect public safety. Governor Pritzker has been clear that violence is unacceptable and everyone needs to follow the law, which includes federal agents respecting constitutional rights to peaceful protest.
* Back to the DHS statement…
So far, federal law enforcement arrested 16 rioters.
Sun-Times…
All of the people arrested during Friday’s protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview have been released.
Brad Thomson, a spokesperson for the National Lawyers Guild, confirmed that 10 protesters were arrested, but he could not say whether any of them had been charged.
Protesters were arrested during Friday’s demonstration after they clashed with federal immigration agents who fired pepper balls and launched tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
“Our legal observers witnessed federal agents using indiscriminate violence against demonstrators,” Thomson said. “Numerous people suffered physical injuries, including people who required treatment at the hospital.”
* More Sun-Times…
Among masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and fired-up protesters, Abraham Aguirre stood outside the ICE building in Broadview on Sunday with a red suitcase and dark duffel bag.
He believed his cousin was inside.
Aguirre knocked on the boarded-up windows and handed off the provisions: clothes, personal items, toiletries.
“Not scared, not nervous, but I feel a deep sense of injustice,” Aguirre said in Spanish through a translator.
* Sen. Graciela Guzmán also went to the facility looking for people. Sun-Times…
Illinois State Sen. Graciela Guzmán (20th District) used a bullhorn to try to communicate with six federal officers who looked down on the protesters from atop the Broadview facility.
“I am asking for the release of my two constituents, as well as all of the folks that you have detained,” Guzmán said as dozens of protesters gathered behind her. “As a reminder, they are U.S. citizens exerting their freedom of speech as well as the right to protest.”
“Could I just ask for a conversation with someone one-on-one?” she asked. “That’s all I’m asking for, respectfully. Please advise.”
Guzmán repeated the request several times.
The officers, battle-clad and masked, showed no interest. And, over the next half-hour, there was no response from anyone inside the building.
* Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton showed up Friday as well…
* 9th Congressional District candidate Kat Abughazaleh had a much different experience…
* Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, also a CD9 candidate, was gassed…
Block Club Chicago…
At least one officer was seen with his gun unholstered and out at his side while he stood near the protesters.
“I’ve seen shocking violence,” said Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who was out with protesters. “I mean, throwing people to the ground, pepper balls, tear gas. … It seems gratuitous, right? They’re trying to intimidate. They’ve got guys up there on the roof with cameras.
* Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle…
The recent incidents at the ICE facility in Broadview are deeply troubling. We have seen reports of people exercising their First Amendment rights being tear gassed, pushed, threatened and pepper sprayed by masked federal agents. Members of the press were also targeted with tear gas.
We have passed a resolution calling out ICE’s callous tactics: stopping people in unmarked cars, refusing to identify themselves, hiding their faces with masks and terrorizing our communities. These tactics are unlawful, they are dangerous and have already cost the life of Silverio Villegas Gonzáles.
Let me be clear: I stand firmly with the residents of Cook County who have organized to support, inform and speak out against these tactics and strongly condemn these violent actions on our residents.
* But not everyone is supporting the protests. Village of Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson focused her ire on Mayor Biss…
Evanston Mayor and congressional candidate Daniel Biss’ repeated appearances and provocations at the ICE facility in the Village of Broadview, with his videographer and photographer in tow, are helping to fuel the agitation of an already tense situation, which could endanger our police officers, fire fighters, demonstrators themselves, and the surrounding Proviso Township communities. He has lacked the decency and respect to call me or to notify my office when he comes to my community to engage in provocative campaign activities at the ICE facility. He should know better. He’s a mayor. Broadview would be better served by the presence of Evanston police officers helping to bolster our small force to protect demonstrators rather than a candidate creating Instagram videos and giving media interviews boosting his campaign. This is not the leadership that we need in Congress.
No mention of anyone else who was there.
Biss’ response…
The only people endangered right now are our neighbors being abducted off the street and the peaceful protestors being tear gassed by masked federal agents. I encourage the mayor of Broadview to join the many protestors, advocates, and elected leaders in standing up to ICE – instead of facilitating their illegal, immoral, and dangerous tactics.
* Another person who believes the protesters are doing more harm than good, via ABC 7…
Ana Nikolic, with the International Chaplain Alliance, believes that some protesters are making it more difficult for families to get information from the Broadview Processing Center.
She said she’s been there every day since Wednesday, trying to get an update on the status of someone who was detained for a family she’s helping.
She was outside the facility on Friday when protesters blocked the entrance of the driveway and white smoke and pepper bullets were deployed to disperse the crowd.
“The big challenge with protesters attacking ICE is that they have closed the doors for lawyers, closed the doors for families, closed the doors for ministers, for chaplains like me,” Nikolic said. “Because if you’re behind me, they are not going open the door….so when they see you’re not with them, of course they will open the door and help you as much as they can.”
* Meanwhile, in Naperville…
Neighbors told [homeowner Bobby Fischer] masked agents, who they believe to be ICE, arrived at his Naperville home around noon and targeted the crew working on his roof.
“They had to jump off the roof, because to trap them, the agents knocked down the ladders so they could not leave the roof and basically they said either jump or stay up there,” Fischer said.
Fischer said five of the six crew members jumped down and ran. He said one of his neighbors told him one of the crew members injured his leg before he was detained.
What shocked Fischer the most was how agents allegedly detained another crew member who ran out of fear.
“My neighbors witnessed two agents chasing one guy down the street in a residential area, guns drawn,” Fischer said. “A roofer running for his life.”
Also…
Fischer later learned from the owner of the company that all five of the detained workers were documented.
“This is just people trying to make a living and you’re harming us, the homeowners,” Fischer said. “This isn’t a business, this isn’t you raided a factory. This is a home that you surrounded with guns. I have children I don’t want that here. There was no reason for it to be here.”
Discuss.
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