Gov. JB Pritzker wants to block those who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol from working in Illinois government, despite the clemency granted to over 1,500 participants in the insurrection by President Donald Trump.
In a letter obtained by the Tribune, Pritzker asked Central Management Services Director Raven DeVaughn, whose department is responsible for hiring state personnel, to consider participation in Jan. 6 as a disqualification for working for the state. Pritzker called the Jan. 6 attack “infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.”
“Our State workforce must reflect the values of Illinois and demonstrate honesty, integrity, and loyalty to serving the taxpayers,” Pritzker said in the letter. “No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government.”
Pritzker’s office declined to comment on the letter, which was first reported by NBC News.
Pritzker has pushed back against the president and his policies dating back to his criticism for Trump’s COVID-19 pandemic policies in 2020. In recent days, the governor strongly criticized the Trump administration’s proposed federal funding freeze as illegal and said the president is “unfit to lead” after Trump blamed diversity, equity and inclusion policies for the midair collision that left more than 60 passengers dead near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The governor’s move against Jan. 6 participants marks one of the most direct actions against Trump’s spree of executive orders since his inauguration Jan. 20 — pushback Pritzker has promised since Trump’s win in November. The governor has also said he would protect immigrants who haven’t been accused of violent crimes from Trump’s deportation efforts.
