Macon Reporter

State Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) said "Gov. J.B. Pritkzer's (D) use of the term "Nazis" to describe supporters of President Donald Trump (R) was 'hateful and divisive.'"

"I really don’t want to be talking about Gov. Pritzker’s bizarre Budget Address a week later, but his offensive remarks cannot be dismissed,” said Deering. “I condemn Gov. Pritzker’s use of the State of the State and Budget Address to admonish half of the state and country.”

“I believe he used the address as a stepping stone toward higher office, instead of addressing the challenges Illinoisans are facing,” Deering said. “Our citizens are dealing with rampant inflation and record-high taxes, people are fleeing Illinois in record numbers, and Governor Pritzker decides to spew hateful and divisive rhetoric that diverts attention away from fixing Illinois’ real problems and focuses on bridging the divide."

"I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly... I'm watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now,” said Pritzker in his State of the State Address on Feb. 19. 

State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) said Pritzker’s comments were "disgusting," reported Fox32Chicago, and State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) said the governor’s comments “will only incite the violence he claims to condemn.” 

Deering serves as the State Representative for Illinois' 88th District, having assumed office on January 8, 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Duke University and a Master of Education from DePaul University. Before her legislative role, Deering was a small business owner and chaired the Decatur Public School Foundation. She was elected to the Mount Zion School Board in early 2023. In 2022, Deering was the Republican nominee for Congress in Illinois' 13th District. She resides in Decatur, Illinois, with her husband, Brian, and their three children. In the Illinois House, Deering serves on committees including Adoption & Child Welfare, Appropriations-General Service, Counties & Townships, and Economic Opportunity. She is the granddaughter of Dwayne Andreas, who led Archer Daniels Midland.