Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to make decision on 3rd term as governor by July as many expect possible presidential run
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appears to be nearing a decision regarding his political future, which includes the possibility of running for a third term or pursuing a higher office.

The governor sat down for an exclusive interview with ABC7 Chicago Monday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Pritzker is still walking the political future tightrope, with a reelection campaign on one side and a possible presidential run on the other.

“I know you’d like me to make an announcement here during your interview,” Pritzker noted, “but my main focus remains on ensuring we’ve stabilized the state of Illinois.”

One consideration Pritzker says is how he could best fight the changes coming from the Trump administration.

“So, you know, how I play a role in that is something I have not decided, but I certainly will be in the fight,” he said.

Following weekend reports of former President Joe Biden’s battle with aggressive prostate cancer, Pritzker hopes the public will offer their support, even those who did not vote for him.

“He’s a fighter, too. And so, I know, when faced with something like prostate cancer and the diagnosis like this, that he’s going to be fighting. His family will be standing with him in that fight. And I think all of us should,” Pritzker said.

A recent report showed that state revenue projections will be half a billion dollars less than expected.

Could that impact the low-level asks that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made in his recent trip to Springfield?

“We felt like those were things that the legislature should take into account. I’ve said that to members of the legislature. So, we’ll have to see how it all works out. But it’s a tight budget year. So, nobody’s going to get everything they want,” Pritzker said. “There’s two weeks left, and a lot of work seem to go into it, and I’ll be, you know, in the room, or my people will be in the room. We’ll figure it out.”

As the governor mulls his own political future, he’s also assessing the state of the Democratic Party.

“So, whenever you lose a national election, everybody’s trying to regroup and figure out what went wrong. And, what should we be doing going forward? For me, I think we should be focused on the 2026 elections,” Pritzker said.

And as the Chicago Bears are now focusing their future plans on building a new stadium in Arlington Heights, the governor is hoping they will stay in Chicago.

Gov. Pritzker weighed in on the Bears’ Arlington Heights plans.

The issue always comes down to money, and right now the Bears and the state are not in sync on that issue.

That could make keeping the Bears in Chicago a challenge, and expedite an exit from Chicago.

Keeping the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field or a new lakefront stadium nearby may be a nice idea to some, but it’s one the governor says will ultimately be decided by economics.

“They’re a private business. They’re making decisions for their own economic benefit. We obviously want that to benefit the state as best it can, but I’m not going to use taxpayer dollars if it’s not good for taxpayers to do so,” Pritzker said.

That makes the site the Bears bought in Arlington Heights more likely as their next home because the governor says the team, to this point, has made no acceptable proposal for using taxpayer dollars.

“Personally, I would like to see the Chicago Bears stay in the city of Chicago. It’s where I’ve watched them over these many years. I’m a Bears fan, but again, it’s a private business. They’re going to make decisions on their own,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker said he’ll make a decision on whether to run for a third term as governor by July, when the Cook County Democratic Party meets to slate candidates.

“Well, some of it is personal, right? I have a family. They’ve been hyper-tolerant, and, you know, on board with my being governor for now, you know, one and a half terms,” Pritzker said.

The governor said he’s not worried about third-term perils.

“I think that that commentary can apply to any day as governor. There are perils, right? And who knew? I’ll just give you one of them: that we would face an international pandemic. Who knew that we would have a migrant crisis?” he said.

For years, Pritzker has been building his national presence. So, pundits differ on whether or not he needs to be in office to best position himself for a possible campaign for president.

As the race to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin comes more into focus, with Lauren Underwood’s decision not to run, Pritzker hopes the campaigns won’t devolve into mudslinging.

But politics is a bare-knuckle sport in Illinois, and there’s a lot a stake with the Senate seat.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Federal Judge Sara Ellis orders ICE field director Russell Hott to testify, some agents to wear body cams in Chicago area

Judge Mandates ICE Director Testimony and Body Cam Use for Agents in Chicago Area

CHICAGO — A federal judge has summoned the Chicago ICE field director…
Ex-Campton Hills police chief, 2 ex-officers, 1 current cop accused of illegally selling guns from evidence room: Kane County SA

Former Campton Hills Police Chief, two former officers, and one current officer charged with illicit firearm sales from evidence room, according to Kane County State’s Attorney.

In Campton Hills, Illinois, a former police chief, along with two ex-officers…
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera

Intense Police Pursuit Culminates in Fiery Truck Explosion Captured on Video

A dramatic low-speed police pursuit near Kansas City, Missouri, concluded with a…
Hamas captors once held ordinary jobs — ‘teachers and doctors,’ says ex-Israeli hostage

Former Israeli Hostage Reveals Hamas Captors’ Backgrounds: ‘Teachers and Doctors

A former Israeli captive, who endured over 500 days of imprisonment by…
Two Putnam County deputies fired for falsifying timecards, sheriff's office says

Putnam County Deputies Dismissed Over Alleged Timecard Fraud, Sheriff’s Office Confirms

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has reported a financial loss exceeding $9,000…
Blue city repeat offender accused of metal pipe rampage just days after release

Rampage in the Blue City: Repeat Offender Strikes Again with Metal Pipe Fury

A New York City man has found himself back in custody following…
Rapper Ksoo's brother sentenced to 12 years for accessory in murder

Rapper Ksoo’s Brother Receives 12-Year Sentence for Role in Murder Case

Abdul Robinson Jr., 30, was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection…
Pakistan has a history of harboring terrorists, explains Katie Pavlich

Breaking: Pakistan and Taliban Forge 48-Hour Ceasefire Amid Escalating Conflict

This week, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban escalated, resulting in…
Sister Jean funeral: Loyola University hosts funeral Thursday for iconic men's basketball team chaplain on Rogers Park campus

Honoring a Legend: Loyola University to Celebrate Sister Jean’s Legacy with Campus Funeral

CHICAGO (WLS) — Loyola University prepares to bid farewell to the beloved…
Turkey deports peaceful Christians under guise of ‘national security’ claims watchdog

Turkey’s Controversial Crackdown: Peaceful Christians Deported Amid Dubious ‘National Security’ Claims

Turkey is facing serious allegations of deporting hundreds of peaceful Christians under…
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida

Florida Court Temporarily Halts Trump Presidential Library Deal Amidst Historian’s Legal Challenge

A Florida judge has temporarily halted the handover of a site designated…
Springsteen Deliver Me from Nowhere: Actor Jeremy Allen White, director Scott Cooper talk about new film

Jeremy Allen White and Director Scott Cooper Unveil ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ – A Springsteen-Inspired Cinematic Journey

Portraying the iconic Bruce Springsteen is arguably one of the most challenging…