First, my partner, my best friend, the love of my life, and now the First Lady of Illinois, MK Pritzker. I want to begin today by thanking my family. He replaces Lisa Madigan who held the office for 16 years. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Comptroller Susana Mendoza begin new terms in the offices they were previously elected to, while former State Senator Kwame Raoul becomes the state’s first African-American to serve as Attorney-General. JB Pritzker becomes the state’s new governor, with Lt Governor Julian Stratton becoming the first African-American to serve in that office. Yet Pritzker also included a number of proposals that will surely bring a fight with Republicans, including a proposed $15 an hour minimum wage, a proposal to tie Illinois to the regulations contained in the Paris climate alliance, as well as a vague reference to greater gun control. Gov Pritzker also proposed to continue the program of upgrading the state’s computer systems, that Gov Rauner began when he created the DoIT agency. The proposal to have a balanced budget would be very welcomed news to Republicans – especially the conservative wing that was very critical of Gov Rauner for not proposing a balanced budget, thought he argued for one. He noted the state has more needs than its resources and we must accept that we cannot afford to do all that we would wish to do. Gov Pritzker spoke of working with Republicans, and of proposing and working to pass a balanced budget this year. He drew upon the words of a Christian pastor who spoke following the Chicago fire of 1871, who said what we have lost are our homes and our businesses, but not our character. In his inaugural address, Gov Pritzker drew parallels between Illinois’ current challenges and those that the state has overcome in the past. JanuFrom the Springfield Convention Center, the inaugural ceremonies as the State of Illinois’ Six Constitutional Officers - The Governor, Lt Governor, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Comptroller - take the oath of office for four-year terms.
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