ILLINOIS — A series of viral social media posts this week have drawn fresh attention to a long-standing reality of Illinois politics: the state does not limit the number of terms a governor can serve.
Screenshots of a Google AI Overview went viral after confirming that Illinois law allows governors to serve unlimited four-year terms, prompting commentary around Governor J.B. Pritzker and comparisons to presidential term limits.
One post stated, “Trump is guaranteed to stop being President by 2029, but Pritzker can run for governor as long as he wants it. Who’s stupid now?” Another added, “Kinda like being a King, but of Illinois.”
No Limits Under Current Illinois Law
According to the Google AI response, which has circulated widely online, Illinois governors can run for re-election indefinitely, provided they continue winning voter support.
Unlike the U.S. presidency — which is capped at two terms due to the 22nd Amendment — the Illinois Constitution includes no such restriction for the office of governor.
This means current Governor J.B. Pritzker, who was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, is eligible to run again in both 2026 and 2030, should he choose.
Online Reactions Reflect Sharp Political Divide
Supporters of Pritzker celebrated the revelation, posting memes and celebratory predictions like “Pritzker 2026, 2030!”
But critics responded with frustration, comparing Illinois’ system to monarchical power. One account wrote, “Liberals don’t stand for anything. No term limits means endless control.”
Some conservatives used the issue to contrast with federal rules, emphasizing that Trump is barred from serving after January 2029, while Pritzker has no legal limit on how long he can stay in office.
Could Term Limits Be Added in Illinois?
Efforts to add term limits have been proposed before — including through ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments — but none have succeeded.
In order to impose gubernatorial term limits in Illinois, lawmakers would need to pass a constitutional amendment or voters would have to approve a measure through a statewide referendum.
To date, no such proposal has reached the ballot, and legislative interest remains low.
How Illinois Compares to Other States
Illinois is one of several U.S. states — including New York, Texas, and Wisconsin — that allow governors to serve unlimited terms. In contrast, states like California, Florida, and Michigan impose two-term limits to encourage political turnover and reduce long-term consolidation of power.
Debate continues over whether unlimited terms enhance stability or hinder democratic renewal.
Should Illinois set term limits for governors?
Join the conversation at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and let us know where you stand on political longevity and voter choice.
