CHICAGO — From Springfield to Vatican City — and back again — Governor JB Pritzker delivered last week for the people of Illinois. The governor was honored with a rare private audience with Pope Leo XIV, where he outlined the human impact of Donald Trump’s unlawful and immoral targeting of families across the state. Back home, the Pritzker administration celebrated major wins: public university enrollment reached its highest level in a decade, new leadership was appointed to the Illinois Accountability Commission to strengthen oversight, and Illinois reached over $400 million in medical debt erased for hardworking residents — one of the largest debt-relief actions in state history. See below for more info on last week’s wins:
Gov. JB Pritzker meets Pope Leo XIV
Governor JB Pritzker met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome. He shared with the pontiff details about his fight against Trump administration’s outrageous attacks on communities across Illinois. Gov. Pritzker also formally invited the pope to Chicago, continuing their correspondence.
According to NBC 5 Chicago, the governor also gave Pope Leo XIV some gifts, including Chicago-made ‘Da Pope’ beer and art from an incarcerated woman at Logan Correctional Facility.
Gov. JB Pritzker appoints new leadership to Illinois Accountability Commission
Governor JB Pritzker appointed two new commissioners for the Illinois Accountability Commission, furthering his promise to hold ICE agents and the Trump administration accountable for their damaging conduct during “Operation Midway Blitz.”
According to Capitol News Illinois, “The commission will ramp up its operations during the expected lull period.”
Gov. JB Pritzker announces highest IL public university enrollment in ten years
Thanks to the efforts and public investments of the Pritzker administration, public university enrollment reached its highest level in a decade. According to reporting from WTTW, nearly 190,000 students enrolled in Illinois public universities this current academic year, making it the highest enrollment numbers in ten years.
Enrollment increased for the second year in a row, and that’s a result of Gov. Pritzker’s pledge to make public universities more accessible. He’s kept this commitment by nearly doubling MAP grants and increasing AIM High scholarships to increase affordability. In addition, he’s directed investments in new buildings and programs across Illinois’ university campuses. All to ensure every Illinoisan can learn without barriers.
Gov. JB Pritzker announces Illinois medical debt relief program erases $430 million in first year
Governor JB Pritzker announced nearly $430 million in medical debt has been erased, thanks to the Illinois medical debt relief program. While the Trump administration drives up Americans’ medical costs, Gov. Pritzker is working to relieve these financial burdens, especially when you are sick.
According to WICS ABC NewsChannel 20 reporting, the Illinois medical debt relief program benefited 357,800 residents in all 102 counties during its inaugural year, with recipients seeing an average of $1,100 eliminated.
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