Illinois Gov. Pritzker issues Executive Order to assess impact of Trump’s tariff policies

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is among the governors of 7 states taking executive action to evaluate how the Trump administration’s tariff policies will affect the economy.

Pritzker, along with governors from Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and Washington, announced they are implementing Executive Orders to direct state agencies to assess supply chains to anticipate price increases or job shortages potentially caused by the tariff policies.

Pritzker, an outspoken critic of the president, said, “Donald Trump’s reckless trade policies are nothing more than a tax on working families that will jack up prices, threaten jobs, and impact the way we live. This Executive Order ensures we have a clear-eyed view of the impact the Trump Slump will cause from higher prices at the grocery store to uncertainty in our farms and factories. We’re working with other states to stand up for working people and protect our economies when we can.” 

According to a press release, Pritzker has directed state agencies to assess the following:

• Identify Business Vulnerabilities and Workforce Disruptions: ​ The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), will evaluate the industries and economic development regions most affected by trade-related disruptions, key challenges reported by Illinois businesses navigating the new trade landscape, and employment trends.
• Prepare for Medical Supply Chain Disruptions: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will assess the type of medical supplies that are experiencing significant supply chain disruptions, price effects, and concerns being raised by healthcare providers on supply costs. ​
• Stabilize Food Assistance Programs: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will examine how supply chain disruptions will affect food assistance programs, assess food banks’ purchasing power and ability to meet demand, and evaluate how the new policy will impact overall program effectiveness.
• Protect Infrastructure Investments: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will examine how U.S. tariff policies will affect infrastructure project costs and timelines, evaluate adjustments made to manage increased material costs, and assess long-term prioritization strategies for state transportation planning.
• Develop a Strategy for Material Cost and Supply Chain Risks: The Illinois Capital Development Board (ICDB) will review challenges related to the price and availability of key building materials, analyze industry adaptations to material shortages, and evaluate strategies for managing cost volatility and alternative sourcing in construction projects.
• Strengthen Emergency Preparedness and Supply Chain Resilience: The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) – Office of Homeland Security will assess procurement and cost challenges affecting emergency supplies, identify affected categories and stockpile concerns, and review changes to sourcing strategies aimed at maintaining preparedness within budget constraints.

Trump has set a deadline of August 1st as a threat against 25 countries unless they sign trade deals beneficial to the United States.

Since January, the average U.S. tariff rate has jumped from 2.5% to 16.6%.

In an interview on CNBC over the weekend, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett speculated that the new tariff policies have not sparked widespread inflation because the Trump administration has persuaded more people to buy American-made goods.

The National Economic Council found that between December and May, the price of imported goods had been falling. However, economists warn that prices are moving higher, and the full effect of the tariff policies has not yet been felt.