Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) has a simple message for a country that feels a little on edge: don't let the dread win. On Monday, Pritzker shared a video clip of his remarks on X, making the case that America has stared down long odds before and come out the other side.
"This nation has overcome the odds far too many times for us to let dread win," he wrote in his post.
He added, "We will keep pushing forward. So long as enough of us are willing to fight for it."
In the video, Pritzker put it a bit more bluntly: "This nation has defied the odds enough times that well, I refuse to let dread win out."
He said the country could keep making progress even against what he described as "powerful and destructive forces."
"So long as enough of us are willing to fight for it. Again, that's why I'm here tonight," Pritzker said.
He also gave a shout-out to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), saying the civil rights organization had "proven time and time again" that it was ready for the fight.
Pritzker Warned of Threats to Democracy
This isn't a one-off theme for Pritzker. Back in July, he warned that American democracy and civil rights were facing challenges, urging Americans to defend voting rights, preserve Black history and keep fighting for equality.
Speaking at an NAACP event in Chicago, he criticized political leaders he said were working to erase Black history, restrict voting rights and deepen divisions.
Pritzker said those actions challenged the principle that "Democracy belongs to all of us" and noted that the nation's founding ideals initially excluded enslaved people, women and other groups.
Redistricting and Tax Disputes
The political backdrop here is busy. In August 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) urged Democrats in Illinois and New York to accelerate redistricting efforts as Texas Republicans sought five additional House seats.
Last month, House Speaker Mike Johnson accused 212 Democrats of supporting the "LARGEST TAX HIKE in history" while opposing Republican-backed tax breaks for tips, overtime and Social Security.
He also criticized Democrats over border security, voter ID and other policy issues.
