Shannon Adcock, founder and president of Awake Illinois, said on April 3 that Governor J.B. Pritzker “literally DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU” in a statement addressing concerns about state leadership and resident outmigration.
The remarks come as Illinois continues to experience significant domestic outmigration, with high taxes and policy decisions cited as key factors influencing families and businesses to leave the state. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Illinois recorded a net domestic outmigration of more than 40,000 residents in the year ending July 2025. This loss was offset by international migration, resulting in a small overall population gain of 16,108 for the state. More than half of Illinois’ 102 counties experienced population declines during this period. High property taxes and regulatory burdens continue to influence decisions by families and businesses to relocate to other states, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
Adcock made her statement in a post on X responding to a video clip of Governor Pritzker suggesting residents unhappy with conditions in Illinois should leave the state. The exchange occurred as part of broader conversations about state retention challenges and taxpayer sentiment in Illinois. This type of commentary frequently surfaces during periods of reported population shifts away from the state. Such exchanges often reflect ongoing debates about fiscal policies and their impact on families and businesses.
In addition to saying “He literally DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU,” Adcock also said, “Pritzker doesn’t care about people leaving Illinois. He cares only about power over any plebeians who remain. Worst governor in history,” according to her post on X.
Illinois has seen a net domestic outmigration totaling roughly 1.6 million residents since 2000, according to analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute. The state consistently ranks among the top three nationally for population losses behind only California and New York. Recent trends show the Chicago metro area and downstate communities continuing to experience outflows despite some moderation in the pace. These patterns contribute to discussions on long-term impacts on the state’s tax base and congressional representation, according to the institute.
The Chicago metro region, including collar counties, posted a domestic migration loss of nearly 34,000 residents in the most recent annual period, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cook County gained residents through international migration, but domestic trends remained negative across much of the state. These shifts affect local economies, housing markets, and school enrollments in communities throughout Illinois, according to Advantage News.
Adcock serves as founder and president of Awake Illinois, a grassroots organization dedicated to parental rights, education, transparency, and government accountability, according to Awake Illinois.
