East Central Reporter

State Representative Chris Miller has filed articles of impeachment against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, citing statements made by the governor that Miller claims incite violence and fail to uphold the responsibilities of his office. Miller, a Republican elected in 2023 to represent the state's 101st House District, alleges that Pritzker's rhetoric is incompatible with his oath to protect the Illinois Constitution and citizens.

The impeachment filing references several remarks made by Governor Pritzker in early 2025. During his State of the State speech on February 19, Pritzker said: “The authoritarian playbook is laid bare here: They point to a group of people who don’t look like you and tell you to blame them for your problems. If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic.”

At a Human Rights Campaign event in Los Angeles on March 22, Pritzker stated: “Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only, a punch in the face.” He added: “And I won’t continue to advocate that we wage a conventional political fight when what we really need is to become street fighters.”

On April 27 in Manchester, New Hampshire, Pritzker said: “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, but I am now. These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”

Miller criticized these comments as dangerous and accused Pritzker of prioritizing political ambitions over public safety. The representative also pointed out recent cases where individuals charged with serious crimes were released pretrial under policies supported by Pritzker. Miller stated: “If you look at Pritzker’s policies on crime, they obviously favor criminals and illegal immigrants,” adding that “The SAFE-T Act has destroyed communities across the state, cost lives, and emboldens criminals, yet Pritzker continues to claim the future is bright in Illinois. The citizens of Illinois need a governor who will protect them, not a trust fund baby that coddles criminals.”

Miller further criticized Governor Pritzker for comments made regarding residents who disagree with his politics. On August 28th, Pritzker said: “I’d like you to get involved and make it a better place by working together with us, but if you want to leave, then get up and move,” according to reporting from The Center Square (https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_2b9b835b-6235-4ebd-b78d-de9eda78524b.html).

Miller’s office remains open for constituents seeking assistance with state agencies or district-related issues.