To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s Facebook page @GovPritzker for the latest livestreams. Downloadable video footage of press conferences can also be accessed at the following link: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html 

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To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s...

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Governor Pritzker writes in The Contrarian calls for federal leaders to act with urgency, build on Illinois’ nation-leading AI measures, and pursue international cooperation on AI safety 

Gov. Pritzker Calls for Urgent AI Safety Action in New Op-Ed 

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker warned that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) requires the same seriousness, cooperation, and foresight that American leaders demonstrated when confronting the dangers of nuclear proliferation. In a new op-ed for The Contrarian, Governor Pritzker urges Congress and the Trump Administration to establish meaningful national safeguards and prevent increasingly advanced AI systems from harming people. The op-ed follows an executive order Governor Pritzker signed last week to establish the Illinois AI Cabinet.

Beginning October 1, eligible families can apply for help on their energy bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Gov. Pritzker Reminds Illinoisans to Apply for Energy Bill Assistance 

CHICAGO – With Illinoisans facing rising energy costs, Governor JB Pritzker is reminding eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support households with utility costs. Applications open on October 1, 2026, and Illinois has $240 million available to support families. Last program year, Illinois supported 360,500 households, with an average of $676 per household.

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Daily Public Schedule: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Daily Public Schedule: Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointment in his administration

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Agencies

Stacia Edwards will serve as Assistant Director / Chief Workforce Officer of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.* In this role, Edwards will work closely with the Office of Employment and Training and the Office of Illinois Works within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Edwards will help support their efforts and continue to ensure Illinois has a workforce system that responds to the needs of workers, employers, and communities across our state. Edwards most recently served as Deputy Provost of City Colleges of Chicago, where she led the education quality team. Previously, Edwards served as Dean of the Delaware Campus and Regional Learning Centers at Columbus State Community College, serving about 4,000 students a semester. Prior to joining Columbus State Community College, Edwards served as Vice President and Director of Global Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Workforce Initiatives with Battelle Education, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Battelle Memorial Institute. Edwards earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hanover College, her Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University, and her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Management from University of Pennsylvania. Edwards will begin serving in this role on October 1, 2026.

49 grants will promote Route 66 during its centennial, reach international travelers and market destinations across the state

Gov. Pritzker Awards $4.6 Million to Boost Tourism Across Illinois 

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $4.6 million in grant funding to 49 grantees to attract visitors and support tourism across the Illinois. The awards include $2 million to support projects along Route 66, $2 million to market destinations and attractions across the state, and $654,000 to promote Illinois internationally.

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026.

Daily Public Schedule: Monday, September 28, 2026

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Daily Public Schedule: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Daily Public Schedule: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration

Gov. Pritzker Announces Three Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Melissa Brandenburg will serve as Executive Director of the Prisoner Review Board.* Brandenburg currently serves as Chief of Staff of the Prisoner Review Board, where she provides direction and oversight to staff engaged in executing and fulfilling the Board’s statutory functions. Previously, she served as Supervising Investigator with the Office of Executive Inspector General. In this role, Brandenburg led and later supervised confidential investigations aimed at combating fraud, waste, and abuse in State government. Brandenburg began her professional career in the field of criminal justice, serving as Probation Officer in Christian and Vermilion Counties. While at Christian County Probation, Brandenburg helped implement and facilitate the county’s first Adult Drug Court Treatment Program. Brandenburg earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology from Greenville University and her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Loyola University.