(The Center Square) – A leading Illinois House Republican says Gov. J.B. Pritzker needs to stop his “macho man routine” and work with the incoming Trump administration to grow the state’s economy.
Donald Trump didn’t just win the Electoral College last week. He also won the popular vote and Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress. Last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’ll stand up to Trump.
“To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and digintity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” Pritzker said. “You come for my people, you come through me.”
Wednesday, state Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said Pritkzer needs to drop the act.
“Offering some sort of gubernatorial macho man moment, saying that Donald Trump needs to come through him to deliver help to the people of Illinois,” Spain said. “Governor, let me be clear. That’s the wrong message.”
Spain said it’s time for Pritzker and Democrats to put down their partisan barriers and work with Republicans to better the state’s economy.
“It’s time to put away the bluster, stop the macho man routine and figure out how we can actually work together,” Spain said.
Earlier at an unrelated event in Springfield Wednesday, Pritzker said he’s working with other governors as part of the new group Governors Safeguarding Democracy on bracing for a clash with the Trump administration.
“By the way Republicans and Democrats, to talk about how to deal with the changes that are coming and what we need to maybe protect against and also how it is that we might work with the administration,” Pritzker said.
Statehouse Republicans say the Pritzker administration and Democrats need to put down their partisan barriers and work with Republicans to improve the state’s economy.
After canceling Thursday’s session, legislators return Tuesday for the final three days of veto session.