CHICAGO, IL — Governor JB Pritzker and Christian Mitchell continued their statewide “Fighting for You” bus tour today, making stops in Edwardsville, Mount Olive, East Peoria, and Rock Island.
Gov. Pritzker attended a gathering of more than 250 Macoupin County Democrats in Mount Olive, where he thanked leaders and volunteers for the work they do to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
“The past seven years, I have worked relentlessly to increase teacher pay, lower insulin costs, and deliver economic opportunity to every corner of our state, including Macoupin County,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We opened a brand-new workforce training center to prepare Macoupin County’s next generation for roles in auto technology, building trades, and IT. We’ve gotten big things done even as Donald Trump has held broadband funding hostage and deployed ICE to tear our communities apart.”
“I’m proud to represent communities across Macoupin County where working families are the backbone of everything we do,” said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. “Governor Pritzker has been a strong partner for those families — lowering everyday costs, protecting good union jobs, and making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable.”
“Macoupin County has a real fighter in JB Pritzker,” said Pam Monetti, Macoupin County Chair and President of Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy. “His goal has always been to help workers and working families thrive. And seeing just how many victories he’s notched — like enshrining worker safety protections into our state constitution, eliminating the grocery tax, and helping people afford insulin and other lifesaving medical care — it’s clear that Illinoisans are better off for it. I’m proud to support him.”
Earlier in the day, Mitchell joined the Southern Illinois Chairs Brunch in Du Quoin to celebrate the work of county chairs to uplift Democrats across the state.
“Campaigns are won house to house, block by block, one precinct at a time,” said lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell. “Every voter contact matters. Every door knocked. Every phone call made could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Each of you has done this important, if unheralded, work. You know that talking to voters and getting them out to vote was how we win. And you do it because the stakes in this election are high.”
Read Mitchell’s full remarks here.
Gov. Pritzker and Mitchell also made a stop in East Peoria, where they greeted Peoria and Tazewell County Democrats and Carpenters Local 237 members.
“When Darren Bailey and Illinois Republicans supported tax breaks for big corporations and keeping minimum wage workers from getting a raise, Illinois Democrats focused on putting more money in your pocket,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We gave paid leave to every worker, nearly doubled the minimum wage, doubled down on worker safety, and enshrined the right to unionize in the Illinois Constitution. That’s what Democrats do. While Republicans gamble away your wealth, your livelihood, and your freedom, Democrats deliver for you.”
“My grandfather was a union steelworker — my hero, and the man who taught me the true value of hard work,” said lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell. “That’s why I’m so proud to be JB’s running mate. Under JB, we enshrined in our constitution the freedom for Illinois workers to organize and bargain together — a freedom Darren Bailey thinks workers don’t deserve. Labor unions are the backbone of our economy, and JB Pritzker and I have stood shoulder to shoulder with them every step of the way.”
“Take one look at Peoria, and you’ll see just how much JB Pritzker loves this state,” said State Senator Dave Koehler. “His devotion to Illinois is second to none, so it’s unsurprising that his track record is, too. From supporting small businesses and improving our transit systems to making groceries and insulin more affordable, he has set the gold standard for showing up for Peoria County.”
“Lots of leaders know that people are struggling. What sets JB Pritzker and Christian Mitchell apart is just how tirelessly they fight in response,” said State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth. “Governor Pritzker has a proven track record of bringing costs down and investing in Illinois, and Christian Mitchell is only going to help him expand that legacy.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome Governor Pritzker and Christian Mitchell to East Peoria today,” said State Representative Sharon Chung. “Governor Pritzker has been a fighter for us in Springfield, lowering costs, investing in our infrastructure, and creating good-paying union jobs, and it’s why we’re going to re-elect him this November for a historic third term.”
“I’m proud to stand with Illinois Democrats who have proven that when we stand together, we can deliver real results for working families,” said State Representative Margaret Croke. “We’ve balanced budgets, earned 11 credit upgrades, raised wages, invested in our schools, and protected the rights and freedoms that Republicans are attacking across the country. There is too much at stake to go backwards, and I’m ready for the fight.”
Gov. Pritzker and Mitchell ended the day in Rock Island County, where they held a rally at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 25 union hall. They were joined by State Senator Mike Halpin, State Representative Gregg Johnson, and rank-and-file union members.
“There are a lot of places you could be on a Saturday night, but here you are — standing alongside your neighbors in this generational fight for our republic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That is the grit, tenacity, and patriotism I’ve grown to expect from the people of Rock Island County. Coming back here is a reminder of all the good that can come when state and local government work together to get things done for people.”
“I am so fired up to be back in the Quad Cities with people ready to protect everything we’ve built,” said lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell. “While Darren Bailey and his MAGA buddies push tariffs, chaos, and healthcare cuts, JB Pritzker is delivering historic infrastructure investments right here in the Quad Cities, all while eliminating medical debt, and lowering prescription drug prices.”
“JB Pritzker has delivered for the Quad Cities in ways people can see and feel,” said State Senator Mike Halpin. “He’s made historic investments in our roads and bridges, put resources behind communities like Moline and Rock Island, lowered costs for working families, and gotten Illinois’ finances back on track. JB has delivered for Western Illinois, and Rock Island County Democrats are excited to support him once again.”
“The Quad Cities are built by people who work hard and look out for their neighbors, and we deserve leaders who look out for us,” said State Representative Gregg Johnson. “JB Pritzker has been that kind of leader — investing in our schools, rebuilding the infrastructure we rely on, and lowering healthcare costs. He and Christian Mitchell understand that leadership means showing up for every corner of Illinois, and I’m proud to stand with them.”
Along the way, Gov. Pritzker visited 222 Artisan Bakery for pastries, Ed’s Delicatessen for cookies and sandwiches, and Cleveland-Heath in Edwardsville.
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CONTACT: press@jbpritzkercampaign.com