'Horrifying': IL Leaders React After Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot

Minutes after news broke that conservative activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk had been shot while delivering remarks at Utah Valley University, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the shooting, which President Donald Trump said claimed the life of 31-year-old Kirk.

"The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying," Pritzker tweeted. "Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm," he added, saying he was sending his sympathies to those close to Kirk, a father of two who grew up in Wheeling, Illinois.

Related: 5 Things To Know About Charlie Kirk

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who along with Pritzker has been sparring with Trump in light of ICE enforcement and plans to send the National Guard to Chicago, said he was praying for Kirk and his family. "Violence, in all its forms, should be condemned and has no place in our society," he said via X.

Here's how other Illinois officials reacted Wednesday to the political violence, a disturbing trend that's seemed to become more frequent in recent months. In June, a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were assassinated in their home. In April, a fire was set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish. Trump himself was shot during a campaign rally in July 2024.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-89) issued a statement, saying, "My heart is broken, and I am angry. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in a senseless act of violence ... It is deeply disturbing that hatred has escalated to the point where lives are being stolen. That this happened while he was speaking on political violence at a university, a place that should be dedicated to free speech and the open exchange of ideas, makes it even more tragic. If ideas cannot be debated on campus without fear of violence, we have truly lost our way. Grief and outrage go hand in hand today," she said, calling for swift justice.

In an update Wednesday evening, the FBI said they have the suspected shooter in custody.

"Political violence is wrong—no matter the ideology it stems from," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said. "It has zero place in our country. My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family."

His counterpart, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, also condemned the violence, saying,"It does not matter which side you are on. There is simply no place for political violence in this country. This is horrifying and should not happen in America."

Before news of Kirk's death, Downstate Rep. Mike Bost (R-12) said he and his wife were "shocked and saddened by the horrific attack on conservative leader Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University today. Our prayers are with him and his family as we await confirmation of his condition."

Other political leaders across the country also spoke afer the shooting, with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer calling it "horrific" and "unacceptable," and urging action: "We should all come together to stand up against any and all forms of political violence."

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said the shooting "deeply disturbed" her, adding, "we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence."

Vice President JD Vance called Kirk "a genuinely good guy and a young father" before sharing Trump's announcement of Kirk's death, writing, "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."

Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, which advocates for conservative politics on school campuses. He was born in Arlington Heights and later attended Wheeling High School, as well as Harper College. He leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and two young children.