Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, has criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's approach to leadership in Illinois. Rule said that Pritzker's focus on attacking former President Donald Trump instead of addressing state crises reveals an out-of-touch leadership style that warrants accountability. Rule made these remarks to the Peoria Standard.

"Governor J.B. Pritzker has spent more time mocking the president than confronting the serious crises facing Illinois, proving just how dangerously out of touch his leadership has become," said Rule. "He's turned a blind eye to federal immigration laws, hampered law enforcement, and allowed illegal immigration to explode, crushing public services and endangering communities. While crime surges and families struggle, Pritzker pours billions in taxpayer money into programs for non-citizens, leaving law-abiding residents to pay the price. Given the chaos he's unleashed, Trump's call for Pritzker to be held accountable isn't just justified—it's long overdue."

According to Capitol News Illinois, on October 8, Governor Pritzker responded to Trump's calls for legal action and possible imprisonment after he refused to protect federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Illinois by saying, "Come and get me." Later that day, during an interview in downtown Chicago, Pritzker described Trump as "unhinged" and a "dictator."

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social on October 8, Trump said, "Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!"

Wirepoints reported that while Governor Pritzker has criticized Trump's deportation plans, Illinois faces its own challenges related to sanctuary policies. The state is home to approximately 530,000 undocumented immigrants. Since 2022, Illinois has spent $1.5 billion on healthcare for undocumented seniors and adults without federal reimbursement. Additional spending on housing, legal aid, transportation, and education—such as an estimated $400 million for migrant students in Chicago Public Schools—has further increased costs. The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates total state and local costs at $3.9 billion.

The Illinois Policy Institute reported that by the end of 2025, Illinois will have spent over $2.5 billion on migrant care, far exceeding projections and straining taxpayers. Healthcare accounted for $1.6 billion through July 2024. The adult migrant program was expected to cost $126.4 million from 2021–2023 but totaled $485.3 million instead. The senior program cost $412.3 million, nearly double initial estimates. An additional $478 million has funded migrant services since 2023. Budget pressures have led to the termination of the adult program in 2025 as critics question Pritzker’s spending priorities.

Jim Rule is a resident of Morton who was first elected as Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans in 2018. According to the organization’s website, Rule is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Tazewell County voters."