1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Dear Governor Pritzker, I am an Illinois resident and U.S. citizen writing out of deep concern and growing anger about the current trajectory of the federal government under Donald Trump. I want to begin by acknowledging and commending you for the courage you have demonstrated in responding to him. When you publicly refused to be intimidated by his threat of imprisonment and invited him to “do it,” you distinguished yourself from many elected officials who have responded with caution, compliance, or silence. That moment earned my respect, and for many of us, it was a rare and much-needed display of backbone. That said, admiration alone is not enough in this moment. I am writing to ask directly what concrete plans your administration has in place to protect Illinois residents should federal overreach escalate further. Specifically: -How will Illinois respond if federal immigration enforcement is deployed aggressively against our cities? -What actions will you take if federal elections are interfered with, delayed, or canceled? -How will you protect Illinois residents if constitutional norms or civil liberties are suspended or ignored? I am not asking for rhetoric or reassurance. I am asking for clarity, preparation, and leadership. People are frightened, and silence or general statements are no longer sufficient. In return, I want to be clear that I am prepared to help. I have attended protests and consistently shared verified information publicly, but I know there are more effective and constructive ways to contribute. If your administration has avenues for civic engagement, volunteer efforts, or public-facing work where constituents can meaningfully assist in defending democratic norms, I welcome the opportunity to be involved. This is not about political theater. It is about whether state leadership is prepared to act decisively if federal authority is abused and whether citizens will be invited to stand alongside you in doing so. I appreciate your time and look forward to a response grounded in specifics. Thank you.