Illinois Governor Demands $8.6 Billion Refund After Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs

Pritzker calls for $1,700 per Illinois household after court rules tariffs unconstitutional

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has demanded an $8.6 billion refund for Illinois residents from former President Donald Trump after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the White House's broad array of foreign tariffs in a 6-3 decision. Pritzker, a frequent Trump critic, decried the tariffs for 'wreaking havoc on farmers, enraging our allies, and sending grocery prices through the roof.'

Why it matters

The Supreme Court ruling represents a major rebuke of Trump's trade policies, which were widely criticized for harming American consumers and businesses. Pritzker's demand for a refund highlights the significant financial toll the tariffs took on Illinois families and the governor's efforts to hold the former administration accountable.

The details

In an open letter to Trump, Pritzker called for a refund of $1,700 for every one of Illinois' 5,105,448 households, totaling $8,679,261,600. Pritzker also criticized the Trump administration for costing Illinois $8.4 billion in withheld or canceled federal funding, which he said were 'not handouts' but 'dollars that real Illinoisans paid in federal taxes'.

  • The Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs on February 20, 2026.
  • Pritzker delivered his State of the State address earlier this week in Springfield.
  • Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who is running for a third term and is considered a potential 2028 presidential contender.

Donald Trump

The former president whose administration imposed the tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“On behalf of the people of Illinois, I demand a refund of $1,700 for every family in Illinois. There are 5,105,448 households in my state, bringing the total damages you owe to $8,679,261,600.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

“These are not handouts. These are dollars that real Illinoisans paid in federal taxes and that have been constitutionally approved by our elected Democratic and Republican representatives in Washington.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday, where he may respond to Pritzker's demands.

The takeaway

Pritzker's demand for an $8.6 billion refund highlights the significant financial toll that the Trump administration's tariffs had on Illinois families, and the governor's efforts to hold the former president accountable for policies that were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.