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
Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses 4th of July violence, future of NASCAR Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson Addresses 4th of July Violence and the Future of NASCAR in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is open to bringing…
Giants' Patrick Bailey makes history with game-ending, inside-the-park home run

Giants’ Patrick Bailey Sets Record with Walk-Off Inside-the-Park Home Run

SAN FRANCISCO — On Tuesday evening, Patrick Bailey etched his name into…
Expert warns Idaho murderer's plea deal strategy is a dangerous calculated 'long game'

Idaho murderer’s plea deal tactic is a risky calculated ‘long game,’ expert cautions

<!–> Dr. Kris Mohandie on Kohberger plea deal After Idaho student murders…
2 men arrested in connection to deadly Macclenny double shooting

Two Arrested in Macclenny Double Shooting Case

Authorities have charged two men in the fatal shooting of Devin “DJ”…
Harris aide urged 'The View' hosts to ask again after VP flubbed question on differences with Biden

Harris Aide Prompted ‘The View’ to Re-ask After VP Misspoke on Biden Differences

A staff member for former Vice President Kamala Harris pleaded with the…
US adults want the government to focus on child care costs, not birth rates, AP-NORC poll finds

AP-NORC Poll Reveals US Adults Prioritize Child Care Costs Over Birth Rates

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Trump administration considers strategies to motivate more…
Flood-damaged building with its roof torn off.

Camp Mystic’s Somber Notification to Parents Revealing If Their Daughters Survived Texas Flooding Tragedy

Parents who left their daughters at the cherished Christian Camp Mystic in…
Donald Trump calls Mark Milley 'idiot' for leaving military equipment in Afghanistan

Donald Trump Criticizes Mark Milley, Labels Him ‘Fool’ for Abandoning Military Gear in Afghanistan

President Donald Trump revealed that he and Gen. Mark Milley, the former…
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman leaves hospital following attack

Minnesota Senator John Hoffman Discharged from Hospital After Assault

John Hoffman’s family issued a statement Monday night, saying the senator was…
Passengers will no longer have to take their shoes off at the airport

Airport Passengers Can Skip Removing Shoes During Security Checks

Nearly 20 years after airline passengers were first required to remove their…
NYC DJ Reda Briki, 52, found dead on houseboat in Queens: sources

NYC DJ Reda Briki, 52, Discovered Dead on Queens Houseboat: Sources

A popular Big Apple DJ who mysteriously vanished three weeks ago has…
Holiday weekend turns deadly as gunfire erupts in Philadelphia residential neighborhood

Tragic Turn: Gunfire Erupts in Philadelphia Residential Area Over Holiday Weekend

Three people were killed, and nine others were wounded when gunfire broke…