Chicago, IL — Yesterday, JB Pritzker wrapped up his weeklong tour of central and southern Illinois. Along the way, JB toured social service agencies impacted by Rauner’s crisis, met with community leaders, and celebrated the Fourth of July weekend at parades in Evergreen Park and Champaign.

On Monday, JB kicked off his tour at the Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade:

The Fourth of July started off with breakfast, courtesy of the Rantoul Rotary Club:

And the day wrapped up at a cook out with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois where he discussed his vision for Illinois.

From WCCU:

State’s Attorney Julia Rietz was in attendance, along with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois. Pritzker talked about the state budget saying he would take the state in a different direction.

“Well, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got a progressive income tax in this state so that people could afford to pay a higher rate due,” Pritzker said. “And people in the middle class, striving to get to the middle class don’t get burdened by higher taxes.”

WATCH:

On the third day of his swing through the state, JB learned more about the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in Champaign:

He then met with Coles County Democrats over coffee:

From The Daily Eastern News:

Supporters of the Coles County Democrats packed Jackson Avenue Coffee Wednesday afternoon to hear from with the businessman and venture capitalist, who announced his bid for governor April 6.

Sitting shoulder to shoulder in the cramped venue, tucked in the back of the shop, people listened, cheered and applauded as Pritzker discussed his intentions why he wants the position.

“I think this is about bringing people together to solve problems,” he said. “I’m an independent thinker, an independent leader, so there’s nobody in Springfield to tell me what to believe or what I’m going to fight for.”

And spoke about why he was visiting Danville.

From VCF:

Illinois gubernatorial candidate J. B. Pritzker says he is enjoying traveling around the state and meeting with residents. During a stop in Danville Wednesday Pritzker said he is ‘’trying to understand what are the major concerns across the state – particularly here in Vermilion County. You know, I know that we need to create jobs. Jobs is an enormous challenge across the state. No jobs were created – .5-percent job growth last year in this state – so it’s the job of the next governor to focus on economic growth and jobs.’’

Pritzker stopped by the Vermilion County Democratic headquarters in DanvilleWednesday. As he met with local members and leaders of the party he talked about the issues…including the budget hassles in Springfield.  Pritzker favors having a progressive income tax.  ‘’I think the people who make more money should pay a higher rate than people who make less. So if you make $300,000 a year you should pay a higher rate than somebody making $30,000 a year.  And that’s a problem in Illinois that’s been persistent,’’ added Pritzker.

And the Danville Commercial News:

Introducing himself, Pritzker spoke about his family, his businesses, his past involvement with the Illinois Human Rights Commission and his thoughts on the Illinois legislature’s recent actions on getting a state budget approved. Questions asked by those in attendance included topics such as the current opioid epidemic, local job losses and job training programs, state income and property tax reform and whether Illinois should legalize recreational cannabis use.

To wrap up the trip, JB toured Senior Services of Effingham County:

And rallied supporters in Olney, Mt. Vernon, and Marion:

###