Illinois quick hits: Pritzker uses expletive with teachers union; Paprocki reacts to assisted suicide bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker uses expletive with teachers union

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of an expletive telling President Donald Trump and his supporters what they can do has drawn mixed reactions.

Pritzker drew applause from his audience when he made the comments during a speech to the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Republicans denounced Pritzker’s comments, which followed his description last week of federal law enforcement officers as “thugs” and Pritzker’s previous Nazi references when discussing the Trump administration.

Paprocki reacts to assisted suicide bill

Diocese of Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki is requesting prayers for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reject physician-assisted suicide legislation passed by the Illinois legislature last week.

In a post on X, Paprocki said it is quite fitting that the “culture-of-death” forces in the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1950 on Oct. 31, “a day that, culturally, has become synonymous with glorifying death and evil.”

Grandstand act announced

The Illinois State Fair has announced its first Grandstand act for the 2026 lineup.

Country music performer Lainey Wilson is scheduled to appear on the Grandstand Stage on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.