Democrat J.B. Pritzker took office Monday as the state’s 43rd governor, delivering a message of bipartisan cooperation while the state tackles the challenges still facing it.

But while calling for that cooperation, Pritzker did not shy away from detailing how his approach will be different from his predecessor’s.

With the outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner looking on from a seat on the stage, Pritzker — who joined five other Democrats in taking their statewide offices — said the state must pass a balanced budget even though “our obligations as a state outmatch our resources and the solution requires a collective commitment to embracing hard choices.”

“But be clear about this — I won’t balance the budget on the backs of the starving, the sick and the suffering,” Pritzker said. “I won’t hollow out the functions of government to achieve an ideological agenda. I won’t make the government the enemy and government employees the scapegoat.”

During Rauner’s tenure, the state went through a prolonged budget impasse that severely strained human services organizations that deliver services on behalf of the state.

Rauner also engaged in an ongoing war on organized labor, particularly against unions representing government workers.

Pritzker also said Illinois must begin a new century of statehood with leadership “that abandons single-minded, arrogant notions. No, everything is not broken.”

For his part, Rauner attended the inauguration, something his predecessor, Pat Quinn, did not four years ago when Rauner became governor. Rauner’s final official communication was a tweet sent before the ceremony where he said “it has been a privilege to serve the people of Illinois as governor. I pray the new administration will build on the challenges we met to conquer the challenges that remain.”

Pritzker takes office with daunting problems still facing the state. The backlog of bills still stands at more than $7 billion, the state desperately needs a new capital improvement plan although there is no agreement on how to pay for it and Illinois is no closer to resolving the problem of steadily increasing pension payments that are starving other state programs of money.

Democrats hold super majorities in both the House and Senate, but that is no guarantee Democrats alone will provide the votes for issues on Pritzker’s agenda, particularly when it comes to paying for a capital plan or even putting an amendment on the ballot for a graduated income tax.

Even before he delivers his first budget speech, Pritzker faces additional financial challenges. Illinois universities recently said they want a $314 million increase to help offset years of cuts. And Pritzker has said he will resume negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members who have gone four years without raises.

During his speech, Pritzker touched on many of the themes from his campaign. He said the current flat income tax is “simply unsustainable” and work must begin on the graduated tax.

“All who enter a discussion about our state’s budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcome to the table,” he said. “But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will.”

Pritzker said the state will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and that as one of his first acts as governor, Illinois will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors who are fighting climate change.

The Illinois Republican Party didn’t appear to be buying into any message of unity. Party chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement saying Pritzker’s agenda “will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades — borrow, tax, spend, repeat.”

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, (House Speaker Michael) Madigan, (Senate President John) Cullerton and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise,” he said. “We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.”

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington said there is much the governor and Senate Republicans can do together in a bipartisan fashion despite disagreements on the progressive income tax.

“We Republicans believe that reducing the burden on families and businesses is more productive, more conducive to economic growth. He believes obviously strongly the way he does,” Brady said. “He’s been very clear that aside from that issue there’s many issues we can work together on.”

In addition to Pritzker, five other statewide officials took the oath of office Monday, all of them Democrats. Juliana Stratton became the state’s first black lieutenant governor.

Kwame Raoul, a son of Haitian immigrants, is taking office as attorney general. Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Mike Frerichs begin new terms and Jesse White, the state’s first black secretary of state, starts a record sixth term.

Staff writer Cassie Buchman contributed to this report. Contact Doug Finke: doug.finke@sj-r.com, 788-1527, twitter.com/dougfinkesjr.

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Other updates from Inauguration Day



1:45 p.m. Monday: "Hamilton" star performs

Miguel Cervantes, the star of the Chicago production of the hit musical Hamilton, performed for the crowd to wrap up the inauguration ceremony. He sang a medley that included songs from the musical, including "My Shot" and "History Has Its Eyes on You," as well as a rap version of the state song.

1:30 p.m.: Frerichs takes treasurer's oath

And they saved the tallest for last. Michael Frerichs, the tallest statewide official at 6-foot-8, took the oath of office to take his second term as state treasurer.

1:20 p.m.: Mendoza takes comptroller's oath

Susana Mendoza took the oath for her first full term as Illinois comptroller, the state official who pays the state's bills.

Mendoza, a Democrat, became comptroller in 2016 after she won a special election to fill the remaining two years of the term won by Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who died in 2014.

Whether Mendoza finishes her new comptroller's term remains to be seen. She is one of many candidates on the ballot this year for Chicago mayor.

Mendoza did not mention her mayoral aspirations during her inaugural address.

1:05 p.m.: White takes SOS oath

Jesse White took the oath of office to begin his sixth term as Illinois' secretary of state. White, 84, was sworn in for his first term on Jan. 11, 1999.

12:55 p.m.: Raoul takes AG oath

Former Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul took the oath of office to become Illinois attorney general, the state's top lawyer. He replaces Lisa Madigan, who didn't seek re-election after four terms.

In a hit on President Donald Trump, Raoul said state attorney generals' roles have evolved in recent years to help stop "misguided federal policies that violate our citizens' rights."

Raoul also pledged to take on the state's gun violence problem.

"We cannot prosecute and incarcerate our way out of this problem."

12:50 p.m.: Republican response

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released the following statement in response to Governor J.B. Pritzker's inaugural address:

“It’s clear that Governor Pritzker’s agenda will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades — borrow, tax, spend, repeat. Over the course of the election and again today, Pritzker promised billions of dollars in new spending, programs, and regulations, all of which our state cannot afford.

"And just a few short months ago, Pritzker broke with his party boss, Mike Madigan, when he promised to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party - but we didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes. Pritzker never intended to end the status quo in Springfield. Rather, he’s reinforcing it.

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, Madigan, Cullerton, and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know that they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise. We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.

12:45 p.m. Stratton takes lt. gov. oath

Former state Rep. Juliana Stratton became Illinois' first black lieutenant governor when she took the oath of office Monday. In her speech, she recalled her ancestors who went from slavery to farming and community-building in Mississippi.

12:02 p.m.: We have a new governor

J.B. Pritzker, the billionaire businessman who coasted to an easy victory over Republican Bruce Rauner in the November election, was sworn in Monday as Illinois' 43rd governor.

Pritzker took the oath of office from Judge James Snyder during a ceremony at the BOS Center in Springfield. As he took the oath, he put his hand on a Bible and, according to Politico Illinois, a book written by his great grandfather — a family heirloom detailing the late patriarch’s immigration to the United States from the Ukraine.

11 a.m.: The ceremony begins

The ceremony that will see J.B. Pritzker become Illinois' 43rd governor began with music from the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest, the 566th Air Force Band, and the 144th Army National Guard Band.

The Southern Illinois Children's Choir will sing the national anthem, and Alexandria du Buclet will sing "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" prior to an opening prayer by Bishop Henry Phillips from Power of Change Christian Church and a musical performance by Soul Children of Chicago.

Then comes the swearing-in and speeches for the constitutional officers. They'll go in this order. J.B. Pritzker (governor), Juliana Stratton (lieutenant governor), Kwame Raoul (attorney general), Jesse White (secretary of state), Susana Mendoza (comptroller) and Mike Frerichs (treasurer).

The BOS Center is mostly full as the ceremony begins. The center's highest-most tier is empty and there are open seats in the second level. The lower seating bowl and the floor, which includes a stage shaped like the state of Illinois, are full.

10 a.m.: 'Hamilton' actor to perform at swearing-in

Miguel Cervantes, who portrays Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago production of the hit musical "Hamilton" is scheduled to perform at today's swearing-in ceremony at the BOS Center.

His name appears in the program that is being distributed. He will perform at the end of the ceremony after all of the newly sworn-in officials' speeches.

Cervantes appeared at the Illinois Bicentennial birthday party in Chicago last month to perform a special rap song about Abraham Lincoln.

9:30 a.m. Pritzker participates in prayer service

Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker and other incoming statewide elected officers participated in an interfaith prayer service Monday morning at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St.

Abraham Lincoln's family belonged to the congregation of First Presbyterian. The current church is home to the pew the Lincolns bought for $50.

8:30 a.m.: Rauner tweets final goodbye

Outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner tweeted a final message as governor in the final hours of his term.

"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Illinois as Governor. I am so grateful for the opportunity. I pray the new administration will build on the challenges we met to conquer the challenges that remain. May our future be bright and may God bless our great state."

Rauner's schedule says he will be in attendance at Monday's inauguration ceremony at the BOS Center in downtown Springfield.

Four years ago, outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn did not attend Rauner's inauguration. A Quinn spokesman said he was "working and finishing up his work as governor.”