By Mary L. Datcher
On Monday, people from across the state traveled to Springfield for the inaugural ceremony, which kicked off earlier over the weekend. As people clamored to book rooms and try to snatch a ticket for the sold-out inaugural ball Monday night with a performance by Grammy award artist Bruno Mars, many attendees secured their seats for the inauguration program on Monday morning.
Four years ago, the weather was bitter and cold, but the excitement was in the air as state democrats rallied for Pritzker’s new entry defeating then-incumbent Bruce Rauner. This year’s ceremony ushered in the second term for Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, State’s Attorney Kwame Raoul, and third terms for State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Michael Frerichs. In addition, the new but not-so-new kid on the bill, former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, would be sworn in as Secretary of State following Jesse White—who held the office for 24 years.
The Illinois Army National Guard’s Color Guard, the Southern Illinois Children’s Reunion Choir, Tiffany Mathis, and David Saperstein from Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism opened the program with the invocation along with the Illinois Air National Guard Band of the Midwest 566th Air Force Band.
Then, walking onstage with his family, Governor Pritzker was the first dignitary to take the oath of office with his two children and wife, MK Pritzker. Afterward, he stood at the podium and talked about the challenges of his first term and jokingly referred to the ‘Fire JB’ yard signs seen throughout the campaign. He mentioned it to his family, and his son told him how the kids use the word ‘fiyah’ in a good way. The governor received applause and laughed at the reference.
His tone quickly turned serious as he listed the positive marks on his four-year report card from legalizing cannabis, protecting women’s reproductive rights, combating the COVID pandemic, vaccination access to recognizing farmer’s contributions, and the state’s infrastructure under the Rebuild Illinois program.
“I come to you with an ambitious and bold agenda for our people,” he says. In addition, the governor embellishes his commitment to early childhood development programming and childcare resources.
Pritzker touched on the dangers of gun violence, providing Illinoisians tax relief, and lifting working families and children across Central Illinois during the food crisis.
Following JB Pritzker, the first African American Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, was sworn in with her family for her second term. Her speech touched on the heartstrings as she described the influence of her family roots and carrying the torch of public service and civil rights advocacy.
She pays homage to her 89-year-old father, a navy veteran, “He marched in Selma [Alabama] alongside Dr. King and the late John Lewis. My father would say, ‘there is never a time to be silent in the face of injustice.’ And to my mother, Thelma—who seven years ago joined the ancestors who didn’t get to see me make history as the first Black Lieutenant Governor of our state, she would say just because the world may seem old and hard, doesn’t mean we have to respond that way.”
Former State Senator Kwame Raoul was joined onstage by his family and pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, Jr.—giving the minister a huge shout-out for his spiritual guidance. Raoul emphasizes his commitment to abandoning children at the hands of violent acts and illegal firearms.
Raoul talked about his parents, who migrated to the States from Haiti. “They came to this country as immigrants and came here with nothing but hope and aspirations. Yet together they struggled and made countless sacrifices for their business and their children, who have achieved beyond their wildest imagination. They truly lived the American dream—I’m here because of them,” he noted.
Following Raoul, Bolingbrook High School alums and third-term State Comptroller Susana Mendoza received a particular sign of the cross from her mother onstage, along with her son and husband. Having won by [ percentage] in the general election, Mendoza vowed to continue serving the people of Illinois—taking advice from the former Secretary of State Jesse White. She asked him to share his secret to running a successful campaign and staying in office. White said, ‘Show up. No matter how few people are in the room, show up.’
Treasurer Michael Frerichs was the final state official sworn in and shared some great news with the audience. Recently married, he and his wife will be expecting their first child. The announcement garnered great applause and a standing ovation.
On Tuesday, Democratic Illinois State legislators passed the bill to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Governor Pritzker immediately signed it into law before the new elected officials were sworn in on Wednesday.