Governor makes stop at Springfield elementary school

Posted on January 6, 2023
Gov. JB Pritzker visited Ball Elementary School near Springfield Thursday to showcase its pre-kindergarten program. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters Thursday morning he is optimistic that the last days of the General Assembly – with only a simple majority required and with many lawmakers unlikely to ever face voters again – will produce a ban on assault weapons.

Supermajority Democratic lawmakers have been discussing it in the wake of the Highland Park parade massacre July 4.

“What’s changed, I think,” said Pritzker, “are attitudes about the idea that the NRA shouldn’t control the legislature, especially in response to mass shootings. A majority, a strong majority, of people across the streets believes we don’t need assault weapons on the streets of Illinois.”

The governor visited Ball Elementary School near Springfield Thursday to showcase its pre-kindergarten program. Early childhood education has been a passion of Pritzker’s since well before he became governor.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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