Chicago, IL — Today, the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) held a press conference to remind Donald Trump that he owes Illinoisans $11.4 billion in tariff relief, or $2,200 per family, before he sets foot back in Illinois. DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez, Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Congressional Nominee Donna Miller (IL-02), Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd), and Illinois farmer John Bartman called on Trump to pay up for his illegal tariffs.
Trump’s tariffs are driving up prices across the board, straining household budgets and squeezing Illinois farmers and small businesses. Speakers discussed how Illinois Democrats are fighting back for Illinois families and standing up to Trump’s illegal tariffs. Earlier this year, Governor JB Pritzker penned a letter and sent an invoice to Trump demanding he provide tariff relief for Illinois families. And fighting back in the courts, as last month Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed his third lawsuit to stop Trump’s illegal tariffs.
“Democrats are fighting for families, farmers, workers, and small businesses who have been hurt by Trump’s illegal tariffs,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “While Trump spends his day watching golf and Illinois Republicans cheer him on and tell families to just deal with higher costs, we’re reminding him that he still owes Illinoisans $11.4 billion. Voters at the ballot box are going to remember who told them the pain was worth it and who actually fought for them.”
“Our farmers are on the front lines of Donald Trump’s trade war and small family farms like those across Illinois are being hit the hardest by Republican tariffs,” said Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Congressional Nominee Donna Miller (IL-02). “In Washington, I’ll fight to lower costs and make sure our farmers and growers have what they need to succeed.”
“Over a year ago, Donald Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden and told the nation his tariffs were going to ‘liberate’ America. Every day since, Illinois residents, farmers, and small business owners have been forced to pay the price,” said Alderman Timmy Knudsen. “As a result of these illegal tariffs, families are stretching their paychecks further, groceries and everyday goods are more expensive, and thousands of jobs across the state have been cut. We’re here today to send Donald Trump a message: you owe us money, and it’s time to pay up.”
“I’m a proud fifth-generation farmer here in Illinois, and Donald Trump and his MAGA allies are making life even harder for farmers like me,” said Illinois soybean farmer John Bartman. “Export markets are disappearing, people are cutting back on spending, and input costs keep climbing, driving farm bankruptcies up across the state. Farm families across Illinois are struggling to keep their operations alive. It’s long past time for Donald Trump to pay Illinois families what they’re owed.”
Pictures for media use only:
