Prairie State Wire

JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker for allegedly failing to fulfill his duties and potentially violating his oath as Illinois' chief executive. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Governor Pritzker has failed to do his job," said Vance. "Whether he's violated a crime, ultimately, I would leave to the courts. I certainly think that he has violated his fundamental oath of office. That seems pretty criminal to me."

In 2025, Governor Pritzker faced national scrutiny after the Department of Homeland Security accused him of disseminating "harmful lies" regarding "Operation Midway Blitz," a federal immigration enforcement initiative in Chicago. The incident highlighted political tensions over federal-state coordination and transparency, reflecting ongoing disputes between Illinois leadership and federal authorities, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Polling data from 2025 indicated stable approval ratings for Governor Pritzker as he prepared for his reelection campaign. RiverBender reported that a statewide poll conducted on June 26, 2025, showed Pritzker with a 51.9% approval rating and a 40.3% disapproval rating, marking a modest increase from late 2024 levels. These results positioned him in the midrange among Democratic governors concerning voter satisfaction.

Illinois' economy experienced steady but uneven growth under Pritzker's leadership in 2025. The Illinois Department of Employment Security's September report noted that unemployment stood at 4.4% in August while payroll jobs saw a slight decline due to regional job shifts. Despite monthly fluctuations, the agency observed long-term sector gains in government and services.

Vice President JD Vance, who previously served as a U.S. senator from Ohio and is a Marine Corps veteran, assumed office as the 50th vice president in 2025. His White House biography emphasizes his focus on border security, foreign policy, and domestic accountability. Vance is also known for authoring "Hillbilly Elegy," which has influenced his political identity.