At a formal campaign kickoff event Thursday morning in Chicago, Pritzker said, "through every challenge and every triumph, I have grown to love Illinois even more."

The Democratic incumbent returned to the Grand Crossing Park Field House where he launched his first run for governor in 2017, making his case for another term.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday that he would run for a third term in 2026, amid speculation over his ambitions for the 2028 presidential race, with the release of a campaign launch video featuring sharp criticism of President Donald Trump.