CHICAGO, IL — Today, Governor JB Pritzker and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell received the endorsements of the Illinois State Medical Society and Mental Health PAC. Members of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and the Illinois Pharmacists Association were also in attendance to support Gov. Pritzker and Mitchell.
To watch the livestream of the event, click here.
“Illinois is home to some of the most extraordinary health professionals in the nation,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Their dedication to their patients and communities is second to none. Not only are they world-class providers, they’ve also been indispensable partners in our fight to strengthen healthcare access and affordability across Illinois. I’m so grateful for all they do and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
“Illinois healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others, driven by the belief that every person deserves the dignity of quality care, no matter their background or their bank account,” said lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell. “It’s a belief I learned from my mom, who was a NICU nurse for nearly 40 years. JB shares that belief, and it’s one of the reasons I’m so proud to be running alongside him. For nearly eight years, he’s invested in our providers, the places they work, and the patients they serve, and together we’ll keep fighting for them.”
“Governor Pritzker has been a staunch ally for Illinois physicians and the patients we serve, and he has been a champion for both public health and access to care,” said the Illinois State Medical Society. “We look forward to partnering with him for another term.”
“Governor Pritzker has been a powerhouse for mental health — moving the dial on every front, from health insurance to school mental health to protecting kids online,” said Kathleen Daughety, Director, Mental Health PAC. “He took on the insurance industry with one of the nation’s strongest reform laws, ending the delays and denials that keep people from care. Soon every public school student will get an annual mental health screening, and Illinoisans are protected from AI chatbots posing as therapists. Progress on mental health takes a champion, and Governor Pritzker has proven he’s the champion Illinois needs.”
“In Rochelle, our families, friends, and neighbors depend on our pharmacy for medications and trusted care close to home,” said Rupesh Manek, owner of Rochelle Pharmacy in Rochelle, IL. “Across Illinois, harmful PBM practices threaten pharmacies in rural towns and urban neighborhoods, putting that care at risk. Governor Pritzker stood up for our patients by signing the Prescription Drug Affordability Act and creating the Illinois Pharmacy Support Program, which provided nearly $25 million to 434 pharmacies, including ours, to help preserve access to local care. That is why independent pharmacists are proud to stand with JB.”
“Planned Parenthood Illinois Action fought to ensure that pro-choice champions in Illinois advanced policies that put patients and providers like me first. As new threats to reproductive health care emerge, Illinois must remain a critical access point for care in the Midwest,” said Dr. Katie Sisco, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. “That’s why it’s more important than ever for voters to stay engaged, stay informed, and support pro-choice, pro-equality champions Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. candidate Christian Mitchell in the 2026 General Election.”
“In a country with the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, Governor Pritzker is choosing to invest in mothers,” said Jeanine Valrie Logan, Founder & Lead Steward, Chicago South Side Birth Center. “As a midwife, I’ve seen the difference his leadership makes — and I’m proud to stand with him.”
Gov. Pritzker has protected Illinois patients and healthcare workers by:
- Signing the Healthcare Protection Act, outlawing step therapy, prior authorization for inpatient mental health care, and junk insurance.
- Enacting the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, establishing a $25 million grant program to support local pharmacies.
- Capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 a month.
- Expanding Illinois’ shield laws, protecting medical records of abortion patients from out-of-state retaliation.
- Signing the Birth Equity Initiative, making it easier for families to afford doulas, lactation consultants, home visitors, and other providers.
- Launching the BEACON Portal for Illinois youth and families to easily find mental health resources.
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CONTACT: press@jbpritzkercampaign.com