Pritzker announces grant award, opines on presidential debate

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a public-private investment Tuesday on the West Side of Chicago.

The governor made the presentation at the planned Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation on Chicago’ West Side.

“The Aspire Center: what an amazing new development that’s taking place here. It wouldn’t happen without, I guess you’d say, public, private, philanthropic partnership,” Pritzker said.

A spokesman from J.P. Morgan Chase said his company made an $11 million equity investment in the $36 million Aspire project.

Pritzker praised the Chicago Community Loan Fund and similar organizations for their work.

“They keep our communities afloat through sheer hard work and ingenuity, sometimes when government isn’t there,” Pritzker said.

C.C.L.F. provides financing and technical assistance in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods throughout the Chicago area.

The Aspen Center is scheduled to open next year.

Pritzker also offered advice to Vice President Kamala Harris going into the presidential debate tonight.

The vice president and Democratic Party nominee faces Republican Donald Trump at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

When asked how Vice President Harris could attract undecided voters, Pritzker attacked her opponent.

“Let’s be clear. I think that what Kamala Harris has got to get across first is that the guy on the other side of the stage is a lying liar who lies,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker downplayed expectations for Harris.

“Donald Trump, he’s got the most experience on a presidential debate stage of any presidential candidate in our lifetimes. Think about that. This guy knows how to debate, and Kamala Harris had had fewer debates,” Pritzker said.