Pritzker reveals he was with Minnesota lawmakers hours before fatal shooting
Pritzker reveals he was with Minnesota lawmakers before fatal shooting
Gov. JB Pritzker said he was in Minnesota delivering a political speech alongside Gov. Tim Walz just hours before state Rep. Melissa Hortman was fatally shot and state Sen. John Hoffman was wounded in what authorities say was a targeted attack by a man with a hit list of politicians.
ILLINOIS - Gov. JB Pritzker said he was in Minnesota delivering a political speech alongside Gov. Tim Walz just hours before state Rep. Melissa Hortman was fatally shot and state Sen. John Hoffman was wounded in what authorities say was a targeted attack by a man with a hit list of politicians.
What we know:
Pritzker said he was informed by the FBI that the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, had compiled a list of elected officials, but the governor said he was not among those named and that there is no ongoing threat now that the suspect is in custody.
RELATED: Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Who was on Vance Boelter's hit list?
The governor also said no Illinois officials were directly targeted.
Budget Business :
Pritzker made the comments Monday after signing Illinois’ $55 billion budget, which includes tax increases on gambling, vape products and out-of-state companies that do business in the state.
He acknowledged disappointment over one of the most controversial cuts — the elimination of a health care program for undocumented adults, citing the program’s rapidly rising costs.
"This was part of the challenge that we had to address. It was a program that had been growing significantly in cost. I do believe that everybody should have health care. I also know that we have to live within our means in the state of Illinois," Pritzker said.
The budget also includes a $40 million grant for a sports complex at Proviso West Township High School, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch’s alma mater and a project both he and Pritzker defended.
"If helping Proviso in the district I grew up in is going to cost me an election, I'm willing to do that," Welch said.
What's next:
Still unresolved is how the state will address a looming public transit shortfall.
Agencies have warned of fare hikes and service cuts, and lawmakers say they have until December to come up with a funding solution.