CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is sending a message to anyone who participated in the Jan. 6th, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol – don’t bother applying for a job with the state government.

What we know:

In a letter obtained by Fox 32 News, the Democratic governor instructed the director of the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Raven DeVaughn, to apply the state’s personnel code when considering any job applicants who were involved in the riot.

“No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government,” Pritzker said in the letter. “To protect the integrity of our workforce and safety of our state, I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider any participation in the January 6 insurrection as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.”

The governor went on to thank DeVaughn for her leadership of CMS, while upholding the state code which, “prevents these rioters from attacking the rule of law in Illinois.”

Pritzker’s directive comes more than a week after President Donald Trump issued more than 1,500 clemencies and pardons at the start of his term for individuals who were convicted or accused of taking part in the attack.

The backstory:

Pritzker has been an outspoken critic of Trump, dating back to the president’s first term in office.

On Thursday, the governor said Trump is “unfit to lead during moments of crisis” after the president blamed people with disabilities and diversity hiring policies for the midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jetliner that killed all 67 people aboard. The crash was the deadliest U.S. air disaster in almost 25 years.

“The buck stops with him – yet he is failing to demonstrate his role as protector of the American people and head of our government,” Pritzker said.

Dig deeper:

The State Personnel Code the governor cited is (20 ILCS 415/8b.4), which is written in the Illinois Compiled Statues as follows:

(20 ILCS 415/8b.4) (from Ch. 127, par. 63b108b.4)
Sec. 8b.4. For the rejection of candidates who fail to comply with reasonable previously specified job requirements of the Director in regard to training and experience; who have been guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct; or who have attempted any deception or fraud in connection with the hiring process. The Department may adopt rules and implement procedures regarding candidate rejection.
(Source: P.A. 102-617, eff. 1-1-22; 103-108, eff. 6-27-23.)

What’s next:

The governor’s office has not yet commented on the letter.