Gov. Pritzker wraps up a European tour with a panel discussion with other U.S. governors

Posted on November 8, 2021
Gov. Pritzker says the new climate legislation in Illinois is just the start. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The governor’s wrapping up his European tour with a panel discussion with other U.S. governors.

Taking a question about bipartisanship, Gov. JB Pritzker said being green and creating jobs are not mutually exclusive.

“We can do both at the same time. We are at a moment, I think, where there is good recognition of that,” Pritzker said. “Look, I would have liked to have had a majority of Republic support for (Illinois’ climate legislation). We weren’t able to get that, but we had some, and I think that is some progress.

“I would like to see the national Republican Party take a position in favor of fighting climate change, but I don’t think that is going to happen anytime real soon.”

While bragging about Illinois’ environmental advances, Pritzker said there’s much left to do. He joined governors of Washington State, Oregon, and Hawaii for the discussion and news conference at COP26 in Scotland.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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