Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled a 200-point policy agenda on Wednesday that he wants the newly elected, Democratic-controlled Congress to take up when it convenes in January, according to Capitol News Illinois.
Pritzker announced the plan, titled "Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda," a day after winning a third term as Illinois governor. He increasingly is focusing on national issues, Capitol News Illinois reported.
The governor said Congress should act quickly to address the concerns of working families. "Americans made their voices heard and this is an opportunity for Congress to immediately address the challenges of working people – higher wages, lower costs, rooting out corruption," Pritzker said in a statement cited by Capitol News Illinois.
What the agenda calls for
The plan asks Congress to repeal many provisions of H.R. 1, including cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Capitol News Illinois reported. It also calls on Congress to reinstate the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, restore education grants, refund consumers for increased costs from tariffs, pass comprehensive immigration reform, codify abortion as a federally approved practice and raise the minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage currently stands at $7.25 an hour. In Illinois, the minimum wage is $15 an hour.
Background
According to the Capitol News Illinois report, Pritzker is not a presidential candidate but rolled out the national agenda after Democrats' victory in Tuesday's midterm elections. He won reelection with about 60% of the vote.
The agenda combines requests for legislation, federal funding and executive action. The new Congress convenes in January.
Source: the original release