Gov. Pritzker Releases “Fighting for Illinois: Day One Agenda”
Governor outlines approximately 200 policy proposals for the newly-elected Congress to deliver for Illinoisans
November 4, 2026
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and community leaders to announce “Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda,” a set of policy proposals for the newly-elected U.S. Congress to provide urgent relief for the people of Illinois. This agenda encourages Congress to take decisive action to address the real challenges of everyday people, puts higher wages and affordable healthcare front and center, and lowers costs so American families can enjoy the life they’ve worked hard to build.
"Americans made their voices heard and this is an opportunity for Congress to immediately address the challenges of working people – higher wages, lower costs, rooting out corruption,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The people of Illinois cannot afford to wait. Our Day One Agenda offers a bold and practical roadmap for governing, including 200 proposals to repair the damage caused by the Trump administration while creating a future where everybody can enjoy the life they’ve worked hard to build.”
The Governor announced the agenda at the historic Columbus Park located in the Austin community on Chicago’s west side. Columbus Park – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places – has played an integral role in the community for more than a century. The park also benefitted from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a transformational initiative that put millions of Americans to work upgrading critical infrastructure, advancing public art, and building public facilities across the country. Columbus Park and schools, hospitals, parks, and streets across Illinois embody WPA’s vision for community investment, economic development and forward-looking policies.
"The Trump Administration has made it clear that their values are rooted in the whims and hateful views of a small few," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "Today, we're making sure Illinois' principles—most of all compassion for all without discrimination—directly to the steps of the Capitol. We've been fighting for you over the last eight years, and I am proud to continue that work."
“Last night, the American people sent a message loud and clear: They are sick of the chaos, higher costs and corruption coming out of this White House,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Well, they have my word that in this next Congress—with Senator-elect Stratton by my side in DC and Governor Pritzker as our partner in Illinois—we will work to deliver real results for middle-class families, doing all that we can to make everything from utility bills to grocery bills, health care to child care, more affordable. Because while Trump says he doesn't 'give a damn' about the things keeping Americans up at night, Democrats do give a damn. And we will prove it by fighting back against this Administration and fighting for the American people every day."
For the past two years, the Trump Administration has worked with Republicans in Congress to dismantle the essential programs that millions of Illinoisans rely on to succeed: stripping healthcare and food away from the most vulnerable families, limiting economic and educational opportunities, and making everyday life harder to afford.
In recent months, Governor Pritzker directed his Deputy Governors and state agencies to analyze the most harmful decisions, funding cuts, and programming changes impacting how the State of Illinois serves its resident and asked them to identify the immediate actions Congress should take to help Illinoisans. The State of Illinois has seen it all firsthand, as state agencies are responsible for implementing a range of federal programs and services that support residents.
In addition to these policy priorities, Governor Pritzker also renews his calls on Congress to end the war in Iran, raise the federal minimum wage, provide universal healthcare and childcare, pass comprehensive immigration reform, implement AI guardrails, and codify abortion rights into law.
Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda Highlights:
HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Repeal the Medicaid and SNAP cuts enacted in H.R. 1, including harmful cost-sharing, and new administrative requirements designed to strip people of benefits
- Restore the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits to lower health insurance costs for working families
- Halt indiscriminate mass immigration round-ups and deportations, limit warrantless arrests, and pursue accountability
- Strengthen oversight for federal immigration enforcement — including cooperation with state investigations
- Restore reproductive health protections removed by Dobbs and protect interstate travel for care
- Restore critical personnel and functions at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and halt the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act
- Reverse cost shift to states for durable medical equipment for Veterans
- Reaffirm Olmstead, the ADA, the HCBS Settings Rule to strengthen home- and community-based services for people with disabilities and older adults
EDUCATION
- Restore the U.S. Department of Education to full capacity
- Restore the tax exemption for student loan forgiveness
- Fix H.R. 1’s Repayment Assistance Plan to reinstate affordable repayment options
- Pass the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act to protect and expand college access for low-income students
- Restore Grad PLUS and the historic definition of “professional degree” to enable students to take out the funding they need to secure their degree
- Codify the Head Start Program Performance Standards into law to prevent harmful proposed changes by the Administration that reduced access to services for families
- Protect funding for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) which funds Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) program.
- Restore federal special education oversight, communication, and support
- Reinstate the National Blue Ribbon School program at the U. S. Department of Education
- Pass the College Transparency Act, which would give Illinois students and families better information for college decisions
GROWING THE ECONOMY
- Pass legislation to return unlawful tariff payments and deliver relief to consumers
- Support Illinois’ Beef industry by expanding USDA assistance to support reopening the Joslin plant under an independent operator
- Resume and fully fund the Brandon Road Interbasin Project
- Allow year-round, nationwide E15, which helps lower fuel costs and supports Illinois farmers
- Prohibit nationwide prediction markets on sports, elections, and events, and affirm state authority
- Pass a comprehensive Farm Bill with conservation funding
- Fully fund Unemployment Insurance administration grant
- Fund Small Business Development Centers and release awards on time to support Illinois small business owners
- Oppose preemption of state digital asset regulation in federal market-structure legislation
- Let the federal ban on intoxicating hemp take effect
- Pass the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
- Stop high-interest lenders from buying banks to evade state rate caps
PUBLIC SAFETY, ENERGY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
- Base disaster declarations and assistance on measurable need — never on how a state voted
- Reverse shifting unfunded emergency management responsibilities to the states
- Keep Buy America requirements for EV chargers at 55% to reduce barriers to EV expansion and restore federal tax credits for EV adoption
- Approve project labor agreements on federally funded projects
- Reinstate $20 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Illinois carbon management projects
- Pass legislation that stops the cancellation of transportation grants over “agency priorities”
- Reauthorize and fund the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
- Amend the Clean Air Act to expressly authorize EPA to regulate greenhouse gases
- Create a Lead Service Line Replacement program within the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
FIGHTING FOR ILLINOIS - The Day One Agenda.pdf
PDF - 578 Kb
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