Pritzker: "I'm trying ... to protect the people of Illinois"

THE LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he still has more work to do for the people of the state as he seeks a third term in office.

The Democratic incumbent faces Republican Darren Bailey November 3, in a rematch of the 2022 election for Illinois governor, in which Pritzker collected nearly 55% of the vote to Bailey's 42%. If Gov. Pritzker prevails and finishes out his term, he'd be the first Democratic governor in state history to serve three full terms in office.

But the governor's frequent appearances in other states, ostensibly to support Democrats running in this year's midterm cycle, plus his guest shots on programs including ABC-TV's "The View" and CNN's "State Of The Union," has increased speculation that he is considering a 2028 run for President.

However, during an extended conversation at his campaign's office in a Loop high-rise, he told WBBM Newsradio that his work as the state's chief executive is not yet done.

"We have a fiscal foundation that we are building," Gov. Pritzker said during the October 14 interview with political editor Geoff Buchholz, discussing what he described as work righting Illinois' financial ship, after a protracted budget standoff under Republican predecessor Bruce Rauner left state agencies "hollowed out."

"I believe we are very much close to hitting a point where we can feel secure in our fiscal foundation," Gov. Pritzker said, "and I'd like to see that through."

He cited the state's 12 credit upgrades during his time in office as well as improvements in Illinois' economic growth, which he said was half the national rate when he was elected.

"We're better than that now," Gov. Pritzker said, admitting "we're not yet at average, which is where I'd like to at least get to." When asked why the state hadn't matched the national average for economic growth after eight years in office, he suggested that many of the state's top industries, including agriculture and manufacturing, have naturally slow growth trends.

"I'm working hard to change ... you know, we are an aircraft carrier," he added.

When asked what he had yet to accomplish in eight years in Springfield with a super-majority Democratic Legislature, he said "new problems are developing all the time," citing the need for new guidelines for AI security, regulations for new data centers and action to address a shortage of housing in the state.

Republican challenger Bailey has claimed the governor's Pritzker's of raising taxes and costs through regulations and mandates is making the ship of state harder to turn. Pritzker refuted that: "I have not raised any of the broad-based tax rates ... the individual income tax, the corporate income tax, the sales tax."

And he waves off questions about whether his campaign's focus on President Trump is a sign that his own sights are set on the White House: "All of the decisions I've made literally over the last eight years have been about what's best for the people of Illinois."

However, in a 30-minute interview which included frequent criticisms of the Trump Administration, including slashing federal funding to "blue" states and the impact of Operation Midway Blitz, Gov. Pritzker was told that his first mention of his November opponent was 22 minutes into the interview.

"Who are you actually running against in November?" Buchholz asked. "Is it Darren Bailey or is it Donald Trump?"

"Oh, it's Darren Bailey," Gov. Pritzker responded. "When I mention Donald Trump, it's because Darren Bailey has literally said he wants to roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump and his policies."

"I'm trying all along to protect the people of Illinois."