(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he supports a strong, free press, but Republican Darren Bailey’s running mate says taxpayer dollars should not be spent on partisan outlets.
Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Local News Summit in Chicago on Friday and said Illinois was the first state in the nation to launch a tax-incentive program for local news.
“And in 2025, over $4 million in state tax credits supported 58 Illinois local news entities, benefiting more than 600 journalists that work there,” Pritzker said.
GOP candidate for lieutenant governor Aaron Del Mar said it’s important to support the Constitution and a free press, but taxpayer dollars should not support outlets like some in Chicago that only show one side of issues.
“A lot of these not-for-profit organizations are taking positions. They are reporting the news, not independently, but with a bit of a shadow depending on what their political beliefs are,” Del Mar told The Center Square.
Pritzker said a third of the tax credit money went to nonprofit news organizations.
“If we’re going to be supporting media and we’re going to be supporting local organizations out of taxpayer dollars, it should be nonpartisan,” Del Mar said.
Pritzker told reporters gathered at the summit in Chicago that local news has never been under greater threat.
After citing major corporate conglomerates and the trend of physical violence against journalists, the governor took aim at President Donald Trump.
“When Trump brought the chaos and insanity of Operation Midway Blitz to Chicago, it was our local press corps that brought truth to light. So proud, so proud of the work that you did here,” Pritzker said.
Del Mar said Pritzker is actually pivoting away from Illinois.
“He’s talking more about on the national level and other states as he tries to audition for a Democratic primary in 2028, which again, takes away his time, takes away his focus and his interest on working on the problems that we have here in Illinois,” Del Mar said.
Del Mar shared one area of agreement with the governor when he said it is the media’s job to scrutinize policies and positions.
Pritzker said it is the job of reporters to call out elected officials and get them to answer questions.
