Will County Gazette

Dr. Nona Parker, a candidate for Illinois House District 98, has criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's policies and spending practices, claiming they have failed residents and betrayed their trust. This statement was made during an interview.

"Governor Pritzker has failed the people of Illinois," said Nona Parker. "His obsession with anti Trump legislation, horrific spending practices, the Trust Act and Safe-T Act along with the use of shell bill practices has caused his leadership to fail. He has betrayed the citizens of Illinois."

Governor Pritzker's legislative record includes support for the SAFE-T Act, which ended cash bail, and immigrant protections through the TRUST Act and Way Forward Act. According to NPR Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the SAFE-T Act in 2023, with early research indicating no crime surge since its implementation. The Attorney General issued updated guidance on immigration enforcement limits, highlighting Pritzker’s focus on rights and safety.

The state's budget has grown significantly under Governor Pritzker. As reported by the Associated Press, he signed a $53.1 billion fiscal year 2025 budget—his sixth consecutive balanced plan—which is approximately 32% larger than the first budget he signed in 2019. It included $725 million in new revenues, increased funding for schools and social programs, and introduced a new child tax credit, reflecting his progressive fiscal agenda.

Public opinion polling places Pritzker in the middle tier of U.S. governors. Morning Consult’s 2025 governor approval tracker indicates that his job approval among Illinois voters remains steady but not dominant. This provides context for the political risks and support surrounding major initiatives such as the SAFE-T Act and recent budget expansions.

Dr. Parker is the founder and CEO of The Hope Center of Joliet, a nonprofit organization focused on youth and adult education, family services, and community outreach. She also launched the Excel Homeschool Academy and collaborates with foster care providers, demonstrating over 25 years of grassroots leadership experience. Professionally, Parker has spent 21 years in corporate accounting at CITGO with expertise in financial reconciliation; she is also a pastor and published author with an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. Her campaign for State Representative aims to deliver tax relief, advocate for school choice, and enhance transparency in state spending—reforming systems that burden families while failing students and seniors.