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Brenden Moore

@brendenmoore.bsky.social
1.3K followers 164 following 200 posts

Illinois government + politics reporter for @capitolnewsil.bsky.social. Corn dog connoisseur, White Sox fan. Always DePaul, UIS. Tips: bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com

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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
@benszalinski.bsky.social and I already had an interview scheduled with Gov. Pritzker this afternoon, so naturally we shifted gears and talked some Bears. The governor told us there were “all the right players at the table” and that action “should happen” during the fall veto session. More:
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Come work with me!
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
While not disavowing Trump, Bailey had kept some distance in 2026. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/RrSLVgP
capitolnewsillinois.com
Trump: ‘I’m all for Bailey’
Donald Trump endorses Darren Bailey for Illinois governor as Bailey keeps his campaign focused on state issues.
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Reposted by Brenden Moore
Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Bears executive leading the team’s stadium effort and minority owner Pat Ryan met with Gov. JB Pritzker's top economic development official in August, according to emails obtained by @CapitolNewsIL via a public records request. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/7hene22
buff.ly
Bears stadium lead, board member met with top Illinois official in August
Chicago Bears executives met with a top Pritzker official as the team continues weighing stadium options in Illinois.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that he recently met with Illinois lawmakers and that the team is still "looking at" the 326-acre land it owns in Arlington Heights. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/fQeqX81
capitolnewsillinois.com
Goodell confirms Bears still ‘looking at’ Illinois despite team’s ‘sole focus’ on Indiana
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the Bears are still considering Illinois as talks over a new stadium continue.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker poured cold water on a call from Illinois Federation of Teachers President Stacy Davis Gates to use Illinois’ $768M Meta settlement to boost education funding, saying “one-time money should really be used for one-time needs.” @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/waLA2l0
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker pours cold water on using Meta windfall for Chicago Schools funding
JB Pritzker pushed back on using Illinois’ $768 million Meta settlement to provide more funding for Chicago schools.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Jealous. Go Sox!
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Just doing my part to perpetuate Illinois' individualistic political culture! Ubi Est Mea?
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
The Capitol pressroom snack station has been replenished (though clearly I underestimated the amount of licorice needed to fill a container). Free for reporters and staff. The price for legislators and lobbyists is a scoop!
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The Illinois House left Springfield today without a vote on the Bears-backed PILOT bill. But Rep. Kam Buckner told me he doesn’t “see this as a May 31 thing,” suggesting lawmakers could tackle it when they return next month. My latest: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawmake...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Lawmakers punt Bears property tax bill to April
Editor's note: We added further comment from Kam Buckner to this story Friday morning. MOORE’S SUMMARY: The Chicago Bears will
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker is not one for labels, but his supply side solutions to address the state’s housing shortage and energy reflect an ‘abundance’ agenda, @brendenmoore.bsky.social writes in his column: loom.ly/HlM70Bw
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
bsky.app/profile/bren...
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Gov. Pritzker said he's "flattered" by 2028 presidential speculation, but insisted his focus is on getting reelected. He said "whatever decisions I would make would really be about what I think is best for the state of Illinois.” Part 3 of our interview: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker part 3: Governor says Illinois ‘prepared’ if feds ramp up immigration crackdown
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gov. JB Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois he’s unsure if the Trump administration will follow through on its
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
bsky.app/profile/bren...
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Despite thinking the Bears “had not set themselves up well for getting something done," Gov. Pritzker believes PILOT legislation will pass — and that the team will ultimately build their new stadium in Arlington Heights. Part 2 of our interview: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker part 2: Governor likes Illinois’ odds in Bears stadium tug-of-war
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gov. JB Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois this week that he likes Illinois’ odds to keep the Chicago
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Subscribe to Capitol News Insider here: illilnoispress.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
illilnoispress.us11.list-manage.com
Illinois Press Association
Illinois Press Association Email Forms
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
New: @benszalinski.bsky.social and I interviewed @govpritzker.illinois.gov earlier this week. He touted progress in his first seven years but said there’s “more work to do” economically as he ramps up his bid for a third term. Part 1 is here — more to come: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/exclusi...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Exclusive interview: Pritzker says Illinois has ‘turned the battleship around’ as he ramps up bid for third term
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In a wide-ranging interview with Capitol News Illinois, Gov. JB. Pritzker touted progress in his first seven years
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
bsky.app/profile/bren...
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Some of the details conveyed to me earlier were not clear. In any case, I wrote it in a confusing manner. Apologies. Story is updated with some better information from the gov's office: bsky.app/profile/bren...
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
The plan would also bar municipalities from requiring minimum lot sizes greater than 2,500 square feet for detached single-family homes. Some of the nitty-gritty details conveyed to me earlier were not clear. My apologies, folks! Our story is updated. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control
Article Summary JB Pritzker will propose a plan during his State of the State address to drastically limit local governments’
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
**Important update** Some new details on what property owners can build by right on land zoned for residential under Pritzker's plan: ≤2,500 sq ft: 1 unit 2,500–5,000 sq ft: up to 4 units 5,000–7,500 sq ft: up to 6 units 7,500+ sq ft: up to 8 units
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Gov. Pritzker could give his State of the State/budget speech outside if he wanted to. The forecast for speech time: sunny skies and 65° with a slight breeze. Just a beautiful day in the capital city. It certainly beats the usual frigid temps and sometimes snowy conditions!
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
It’s a supply side approach to address the state’s housing shortage by tackling the “patchwork of local barriers” that prevents builders from building. But expect significant pushback from local governments to the imposition of statewide zoning standards and permitting timelines.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
New from me: @govpritzker.illinois.gov will use his State of the State address to push a sweeping housing plan that’d permit multi-unit buildings on most residential lots, legalize granny flats and slash red tape that’s slowed homebuilding in recent years. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control
Article Summary JB Pritzker will propose a plan during his State of the State address to drastically limit local governments’
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Illinois lawmakers say there’s “positive momentum” on a Bears stadium package. Indiana’s push helped. But a major hurdle – getting enough Chicago lawmakers on board – remains. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/gwGBV2k
capitolnewsillinois.com
Bears stadium package has ‘positive momentum’ in Springfield, but not in end zone
Article Summary Illinois lawmakers say a long-stalled proposal to help the Chicago Bears build a domed stadium in Arlington Heights
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Jerry Nowicki @nowickipress.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
@brendenmoore.bsky.social will also be bringing back his column, now called Moore in Springfield. Read his first iteration here: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/moore-i...
capitolnewsillinois.com
‘Moore in Springfield’: A deeper look into Illinois government, politics
SPRINGFIELD — People often ask what I love most about my job covering Illinois politics and government. My answer is
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Exciting things on the way. ⬇️
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Ted Dabrowski has traded think tank influence for a spot on the ballot, pitching himself as more electable than the GOP’s 2022 nominee, Darren Bailey. He’s also calling for rolling back Illinois’ 4.95% income tax to 3%. First in our series profiling GOP candidates for governor:
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker quietly dropped $5M into a PAC backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, filings show. The group later confirmed it has raised more than $10M overall. Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski report ➡️https://loom.ly/qLiFVhw
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker drops $5M to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in Senate race
Article Summary JB Pritzker accounted for nearly 80% of the $6.3 million Illinois Future PAC raised in 2025, according to
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
The reason Stratton needs outside help? Raja Krishnamoorthi. He raised $3.6 million in Q4 and entered 2026 with $15.2 million cash on hand, per his campaign's FEC filing. By my count, he dropped $4.8 million on TV ads in the final three months of 2025 alone.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Also, the filing only covers through December, so it's plausible that Pritzker's given more since. But we won't know that until after the March 17 primary.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Pritzker's endorsed Stratton and one of his former top campaign aides is running the PAC, so his financial support had been expected. But its extent had not been known until now. The PAC began running ads earlier this month. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pac-sup...
capitolnewsillinois.com
PAC supporting Stratton’s Senate candidacy launches long-awaited ad
Article Summary A new 30-second TV and digital ad highlights Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s status as Gov. JB Pritzker’s governing
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
New: Gov. JB Pritzker donated $5 million last month to Illinois Future PAC, the outside group backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, per the PAC's FEC filing. His cousin, Jennifer Pritzker, added $1.05 million. The PAC raised $6.32 million overall in 2025. #twill
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The 3 leading Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin called for some version of dismantling ICE, but only Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton called for the agency's complete abolition. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/ZXW6k28
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois’ Democratic U.S. Senate primary heats up over ICE
Article Summary Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton all to varying degrees called
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Illinois has averaged about one lawsuit a week against the Trump administration since January 2025. Here’s the status of them all. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/456Vp38
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois vs. Trump: One lawsuit a week
Article Summary Illinois has filed or joined 51 lawsuits against the Trump administration between January 2025 and January 2026, challenging
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Inside JB Pritzker’s media strategy as he gets in Trump’s head, grows his 2028 profile and embraces social media influencers. @benszalinski.bsky.social & @brendenmoore.bsky.social report ➡️ loom.ly/WwOiMT0
capitolnewsillinois.com
Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker has ramped up his media appearances in 2025 by embracing social media influencers and bringing
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Anyways, lots of interesting nuggets in there, so go read it! capitolnewsillinois.com/news/needlin...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker has ramped up his media appearances in 2025 by embracing social media influencers and bringing
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
A major goal? Getting the attention of Trump, an avid watcher of cable news. After the president threatened to jail him last October, Pritzker and his team made a “very intentional” choice to have his first interview live on MSNBC: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/as-trum...
capitolnewsillinois.com
As Trump says Pritzker ‘should be in jail,’ Illinois’ governor taunts: ‘Come and get me’
Article Summary President Donald Trump posted to social media Wednesday that Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
His growing presence on podcasts, influencer pages, cable TV and in the country's newspapers of record has led to speculation that Pritzker is gearing up for a 2028 presidential bid. Pritzker's team says that's not the goal. Still, it's exposing him to a larger audience.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The shift reflects the rapid change in the media landscape during Pritzker’s tenure. For instance, the governor held 23 meetings with newspaper editorial boards during his first 14 months in office. Most of those no longer exist.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The biggest growth area? New media. After sitting for only a handful of interviews combined in the first six years of his governorship, Pritzker appeared on more than two-dozen podcasts and social media influencer pages in 2025, accounting for 24% of his scheduled interviews.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Pritzker went on a national media blitz during the pandemic in 2020, but most of his interviews during his first term overall were with Illinois-based media outlets. But he has gone more national — and new — in the second term. Check it out here: public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
public.flourish.studio
Copy of Pritzker interview by year
A Flourish data visualization by CNI
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Our reporting shows the media strategy of Illinois’ governor has shifted considerably since he took office. Local media accounted for 82% of his interviews in '19 but only 19% by '25, per a review of his calendar and limited data provided by his campaign: www.datawrapper.de/_/imnqp/
datawrapper.de
Pritzker's media appearances as governor | Created with Datawrapper
Capitol News Illinois compiled a list of one-on-one media interviews by Gov. JB Pritzker between 2019 and 2025
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Gov. Pritzker showing up a lot on your TikTok scroll, favorite podcast or TV screen? That’s no coincidence. @benszalinski.bsky.social + I report on Pritzker’s embrace of an all-of-the-above media strategy drawing the attention of Trump and a national audience: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/needlin...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker has ramped up his media appearances in 2025 by embracing social media influencers and bringing
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Top Illinois Democrats are calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal after video contradicted the federal account of a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, echoing two shootings involving federal agents in Illinois last year. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports loom.ly/c2UeC_U
capitolnewsillinois.com
After fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, Illinois Democrats seek Kristi Noem’s impeachment
Article Summary S. Rep. Robin Kelly plans to file impeachment articles against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
From Chicago’s Operation Midway Blitz to Minneapolis, the pattern is familiar: ICE shooting, DHS claims self-defense, then evidence that appears to tell a different story. My pal @ckubzansky.bsky.social digs into the parallels: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/07/f...
chicagotribune.com
Feds’ statements after Minneapolis driver killed by ICE officer echo pattern from Midway Blitz in Chicago
The feds’ statement recalls claims from DHS in the aftermath of two federal agent-involved shootings that took place during Chicago’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
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Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Even with signs of fiscal challenges reemerging in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats do not appear to be considering raising income taxes on the wealthiest this year, @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social www.stlpr.org/government-p...
stlpr.org
Despite budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot in Illinois
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is not making a graduated income tax a priority in 2026, despite backing the idea in principle and mounting budget pressures.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Illinois’ budget math is getting tougher, but a graduated income tax — rejected by voters in 2020 — remains off Gov. JB Pritzker’s agenda heading into 2026. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports: loom.ly/wZ8bgtU
capitolnewsillinois.com
Despite mounting budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot
Article Summary JB Pritzker is not making a graduated income tax a priority in 2026, despite backing the idea in
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Christine Hatfield @christine.21st.show · 11/12/2025
The primary elections in Illinois really aren't so far away. It's just a couple of months until early voting starts. @brendenmoore.bsky.social with @capitolnewsil.bsky.social joins us on @21st.show to talk through some of the bigger developments in the Senate, House and governor races.
youtube.com
From governor’s race to House and Senate seats, the latest in 2026 election campaigns across Illi...
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Gov. JB Pritzker met with Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, discussing the recent Trump immigration raids and inviting the pontiff to visit Illinois. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. Get the full story here: loom.ly/ziVwb24
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker discusses immigration crackdown with Pope Leo XIV in Rome
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, with the two discussing the Trump
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