A new directive from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker targets pardoned Capitol rioters seeking state government positions.
According to The Hill, Pritzker issued a formal letter Thursday prohibiting individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol insurrection from holding positions in Illinois state government, citing a state personnel code that addresses infamous conduct.
The governor's directive specifically references the state's Personnel Code, administered by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), which mandates the rejection of employment candidates who have engaged in infamous or disgraceful conduct.
This move comes as a direct response to former President Trump's controversial decision to pardon approximately 1,500 Capitol insurrectionists, including those convicted of violent offenses.
In his letter to CMS Director Raven A. DeVaughn, Pritzker emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the state workforce. The governor detailed how the January 6 rioters had committed various felonies and misdemeanors, including violence against law enforcement officers and destruction of federal property. These actions, he noted, forced members of Congress, staff, and other workers to seek shelter for hours during the attack.
Pritzker's commitment to building a state workforce that upholds shared values and delivers results for Illinois residents was clearly articulated in the directive. The governor expressed his determination to ensure state employees demonstrate honesty, integrity, and loyalty in their service to taxpayers.
The governor stated firmly: "No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government."
The former president's decision to pardon Capitol insurrectionists has sparked significant controversy and opposition from various quarters, including Capitol Police, lawmakers, and public observers. Despite the widespread criticism, Trump has maintained his position on freeing the rioters.
Trump defended his actions by stating:
These people have already served years in prison, and they've served them viciously. It's a disgusting prison. It's horrible. It's been inhumane.
The former president further claimed that his decision had public support, though this assertion has been met with skepticism from various political observers and law enforcement officials.
Governor Pritzker's directive represents a significant development in the ongoing national discussion about the consequences of the January 6 Capitol riot. Through this administrative action, Illinois has become one of the first states to explicitly bar pardoned insurrectionists from state employment, establishing a precedent that other states might follow.
The move demonstrates Illinois' commitment to protecting its governmental institutions from individuals who participated in the Capitol attack. By invoking existing state law regarding infamous conduct, Pritzker has created a clear legal framework for excluding pardoned rioters from state employment, regardless of their federal pardons.
The Illinois governor's actions reflect a broader national debate about accountability for January 6 participants and the implications of Trump's mass pardons. This directive ensures that even though these individuals have received federal pardons, they will face continued consequences for their actions at the state level in Illinois.
