Political speech, timestamped and in context

JB Pritzker: “The department expanded its headcount and broadened its scope of work.”

Featuring: JB Pritzker, Democratic | Governor of Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker Delivers Remarks At John F. Benjamin Exceptional Service Award Ceremony

Published October 1, 2026

We needed someone who really understood how to responsibly steward tax dollars and who shared my view that budgets are moral documents that reflect our priorities. And Grace was that leader. Under her leadership, The department expanded its headcount and broadened its scope of work. It led crucial initiatives that have made Illinois a nation leading state in human services. (11:33–11:38)

STATEMENT

Asserts that the Department of Human Services increased its staff and expanded its responsibilities.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from JB Pritzker in this video

“The department led a historic census count effort, along with resettling 50,000 new arrivals from the southern border.”
Asserts that the department led a significant census effort and resettled 50,000 new arrivals.11:46-12:07
“Illinois continues to serve the highest number of out of state patients in the country.”
Asserts that Illinois serves the most out-of-state patients seeking abortion care in the U.S.14:16-14:33
“Michael Reese Hospital...opened its doors with a simple but powerful principle that everyone deserves access to care, regardless of who they are or where they come from or whether they can afford it.”
Asserts that Michael Reese Hospital was founded on the principle of universal access to care.07:01-07:15
“Illinois's human service sector was truly in crisis following the budget impasse.”
Asserts that the budget impasse led to a crisis in Illinois's human service sector.10:47-10:53
“The department led crucial initiatives that have made Illinois a nation-leading state in human services.”
Asserts that Illinois is a leading state in human services due to initiatives led by the department.11:39-11:46
“The department anchored a historic investment in gun violence prevention through the reimagined Public Safety act.”
Asserts that the department made a historic investment in gun violence prevention via the Public Safety act.11:46-12:07
“The department housed our state's first ever division of early childhood.”
Asserts the creation of Illinois's first division of early childhood within the department.11:46-11:52
“Grace Ho agreed to become my deputy governor for Health and Human services, overseeing multiple departments.”
Asserts that Grace Ho was appointed deputy governor for Health and Human Services, overseeing multiple departments.12:43-12:58
“The Prairie State Access Fund was created at a time when access to reproductive health care is under enormous strain and attack.”
Asserts the creation of the Prairie State Access Fund in response to challenges in reproductive health care access.14:16-14:33
“The Prairie State Fund has become a key capacity building tool to ensure continued access for Illinois residents and for those from across the country seeking abortion care.”
Asserts that the Prairie State Fund is crucial for maintaining abortion care access in Illinois and for out-of-state patients.14:21-14:33
“We never intended to make Illinois the sanctuary in the country because we shouldn't have to have done that.”
Asserts that Illinois did not originally intend to become a sanctuary for abortion care.14:33-14:40