Pritzker Win Makes History In Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker's reelection Tuesday secured a place in Illinois history: He became the first Democrat elected to a third term as governor and the first governor of either party to reach that milestone since Republican Jim Thompson in 1982.

Now, Pritzker is turning toward Washington with a 75-page agenda calling on the next Congress to address household costs, health coverage, education and federal funding.

The Associated Press called the race for Pritzker, who defeated Republican Darren Bailey for the second consecutive gubernatorial election. Patch covered the results and both candidates’ election-night remarks Tuesday.

The victory extends a tenure that began after Pritzker defeated Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018. His third term will begin in January.

Thompson first won election in 1976, serving an initial two-year term before winning four-year terms in 1978, 1982 and 1986. He remained governor until January 1991, according to the National Governors Association.

RELATED: Stratton's Win Makes IL First State To Have 2 Women Of Color In Senate At Same Time

Pritzker will begin his next term with a new lieutenant governor, Christian Mitchell, a former state representative and deputy governor. Mitchell succeeds Juliana Stratton, who successfully ran for U.S. Senate.

Stratton's victory also made history: Illinois became the first state to elect two women of color to serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time, with Stratton joining Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Pritzker celebrated his outgoing lieutenant governor while welcoming Mitchell during his victory speech.

"If I do say so myself, I've hit it out of the park twice now," he said of his running mates. "And starting tonight, one of them will soon be known as United States Senator Juliana Stratton."

A 'Day One' Agenda For Washington

Pritzker's document, titled "Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda," outlines actions his administration wants federal leaders to pursue when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3.

"I'm looking for very quick action," Pritzker told NBC News in an interview about the proposals. "I believe that there are big things and small things that need to be done, and they need to be done swiftly."

According to the agenda, Pritzker directed deputy governors and state agencies over the summer to review federal decisions, funding cuts and program changes affecting Illinois residents, then identify steps federal officials could take in response.

Among the proposals, Pritzker calls for:

• Health coverage and food assistance: Reversing changes to SNAP funding and eligibility, repealing new Medicaid work and renewal requirements, and restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
• Wages and family costs: Raising the federal minimum wage and advancing universal health care and child care.
• Education: Restoring the U.S. Department of Education’s staffing and operational capacity and retaining federal special education functions within the department.
• Tariff relief: Requiring refunds of unlawfully collected tariffs and requiring large corporations receiving refunds to demonstrate how savings would reach consumers through lower prices or rebates.
• Energy and infrastructure: Restoring clean energy and home efficiency tax credits and expanding support for lead water line replacement.

The document also calls for immigration reform, federal abortion rights protections and artificial intelligence safeguards.

Pritzker told NBC that Congress should pursue legislation even if President Donald Trump rejects it.

"Even if Trump vetoes a restoration of those programs, they should pass it," Pritzker said.

The agenda combines requests for legislation, federal funding and executive action. The proposals would require action by Congress or other federal officials to take effect.

Pritzker is scheduled to discuss the push at an 11 a.m. Wednesday press conference with community leaders at Chicago's Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. His office says the event will be streamed live.

A Victory Speech Rooted In Illinois

Pritzker used his election-night speech to celebrate the state's identity, mixing political defiance with tributes to its communities, history and cultural traditions.

"Illinois, my heart is full tonight with the kind of emotion that we Midwestern dads too often keep to ourselves," Pritzker said.

RELATED: Pritzker Wins Third Term As Illinois Governor, Defeating Bailey Again: AP

He praised Illinoisans' kindness, work ethic, authenticity and resilience, then moved through a distinctly local list: Decatur's soybeans, Morton's pumpkins, Collinsville's horseradish, Chicago house music and the Blues Brothers' connection to Joliet.

"I love that we put mustard on our hot dogs," Pritzker said, adding that Illinoisans tolerate ketchup users — "barely, but still."

The lighter moments accompanied a broader message about the state's role during a period of national political conflict.

"I love that we fought when our neighbors needed us to fight, and that we showed up when we needed to show out," Pritzker said.

Morning Returns Show Wide Lead

By Wednesday morning, Pritzker held approximately 59.8 percent of the reported vote to Bailey's 36.8 percent, according to The New York Times’ results page.

As viewed at approximately 8:54 a.m. Wednesday, the page displayed the following unofficial totals, with an estimated 91 percent of votes reported:

Those returns put Pritzker's advantage at about 23 percentage points. In 2022, he defeated Bailey by approximately 13 points. This year’s totals remain incomplete.

Pritzker thanked his family, campaign workers and volunteers Tuesday while acknowledging the difficulty of the preceding years.

"I know that it would have been easy for you to lose hope along the way, but at every turn, you've shown the resolve and the courage that hope requires," he said.

Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities.