Illinois GOP chair blasts Governor Pritzker's North Carolina speech on rural communities

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is impressed with the way North Carolina Democrats have focused on rural communities, but in Illinois, more than 30 counties in rural areas have voted to split or separate from the state.

The Illinois governor spoke Saturday at the North Carolina Democrats Unity Dinner on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Pritzker said North Carolina Democrats had a banner 2024, and he praised the state’s Democratic Party chair, Anderson Clayton.

“I am so inspired and I am impressed with the work you’ve done as chair over the last two years to focus on bringing rural communities and younger voters back into the forefront of the Democratic Party, right where they ought to be,” the governor said.

Pritzker told the crowd he attended Duke University in nearby Durham and worked for former North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford.

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said the North Carolina Democrats don’t know Pritzker at all.

“He could never even think of delivering that speech without a round of boos here in Illinois. His visit to North Carolina assures one thing, that he’s only out after running for President in 2028 and he’s using the fine families and men and women of Illinois as a stepping stone for that purpose,” Salvi told The Center Square.

Pritzker announced plans last month to run for reelection in 2026, but he did not rule out a White House run in 2028 or promise to finish a third term as governor.

Voters in 33 Illinois counties have approved non-binding measures to consider secession or separation from the state. The vast majority of the counties are located in rural areas.

Pritzker criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump.

“It’s wrong to snatch a person off the streets of America and ship them to a foreign gulag with no chance to defend themselves in a court of law,” Pritzker said.

The governor blasted several members of Trump’s administration and twice referred to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as “ICE Barbie.”

Salvi said Pritzker is a lawbreaker for welcoming illegal border crossers to Illinois.

Also during the speech, Pritzker repeated his criticism of Trump’s tax policy. The remarks came days after the governor announced tax credits for a quantum computing company which plans to set up in Chicago.

“Our working-class families don’t deserve to lose healthcare coverage because MAGA Republicans want to give a massive tax cut to the wealthiest people in America,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker disclosed more than $5.3 million in tax credits for Infleqtion last Wednesday, when he announced that the quantum company would become a tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s Southeast Side. The governor previously announced tens of millions of dollars in tax incentives for multibillion-dollar companies IBM and PsiQuantum to set up at the park.

Salvi called out the governor Monday.

“He is a hypocrite and his words are hypocritical. Look at the no-tax-on-tips policy that just passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill. You’d think he would be a champion of that because that will put thousands back in the pockets of servers,” the Illinois GOP chair said.

Salvi said Pritzker has driven young people out of Illinois. She said the state needs a governor who will put the people first, along with small businesses and families.

With election season opening up soon, Salvi said she hopes to have a great group of Republicans running for the opportunity to take on Pritzker in 2026.

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor in February. Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino tossed his hat into the ring in April. Other candidates are expected to join the GOP field.