Gov. Pritzker visits Alton talks Trump, abortion & Madison County advisory question vote

ALTON, Ill. (First Alert 4) - Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker toured the Wedge Innovation Center in downtown Alton on Thursday, where he learned about the future think tank, workspace and research lab.

“It has this very cool vibe,” said Pritzker.

After the tour, Pritzker spoke about how a future Trump administration could impact his state, including the possibility that Trump and congressional Republicans would repeal the Affordable Care Act. According to state data, more than 750,000 Illinois residents are enrolled in the ACA.

“If those are taken away, that is not something the states’ have the ability to replace,” said Pritzker.

Due to the high cost, Pritzker said, the state couldn’t simply step in to replace it, but added, “We would do everything we can, however, to support our hospitals, our clinics, to make sure people have available to them in their communities, healthcare.”

Pritzker made this stop in Madison County, which last week voted in favor of a symbolic referendum declaring it wants to secede from Illinois.

Pritzker did not sound very concerned.

“I know that Madison County didn’t vote for my candidate for president, so I’m not surprised it voted the way it did on the referendum,” said Pritzker.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Illinois has received more out-of-state residents than any other place in the country seeking abortions.

State lawmakers passed the Shield Act last year, which prohibits state employees from sharing private healthcare data with states aiming to prosecute people for abortions.

Pritzker said Illinois will continue to do everything it can to protect women.

“I think we’ve been a refuge, and a haven, a safe haven, for people that are just seeking to exercise that freedom,” said Pritzker.

Pritzker also said he’ll look to work with the incoming Trump Administration when they can and push back when policies hurt Illinois residents.