Peoria Standard

State Rep. William Hauter (R-Morton) said "Gov. J.B. Pritkzer's (D) use of the term "Nazis" to describe supporters of President Donald Trump (R) was 'beyond the pale.'"

"The Governor’s outrageous comparison of the President and the Republican Party to Nazism was beyond the pale,” said Hauter. “In the future, I will walk out of any speech when such despicable words are spoken.”

“Next year, if like this year, we are not able to review a transcript of the speech ahead of time, I will not attend,” Hauter said. 

"I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly... I'm watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now,” said Pritzker in his State of the State Address on Feb. 19. 

State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) said Pritzker’s comments were "disgusting," reported Fox32Chicago, and State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) said the governor’s comments “will only incite the violence he claims to condemn.” 

Hauter serves as the State Representative for Illinois' 87th District, having assumed office on January 1, 2023. Born and raised in Morton, Illinois, he earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1997 and completed residencies in emergency medicine and anesthesiology at Indiana University. Before his legislative role, Hauter was elected to the Tazewell County Board in 2020. Professionally, he is a board-certified anesthesiologist and emergency physician, with experience as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. Hauter resides in Morton with his wife, Shelley, and their five children.