Illinois Governor JB Pritzker attributed rising inflation to former President Donald Trump's tariffs and Republican policies, arguing that these federal actions have increased costs for American families. Pritzker stated that Americans are feeling the pain from tariffs and congressional Republicans cutting assistance programs, leading to higher prices at grocery stores, gas pumps, and pharmacies.

Federal Policy and State Response

In a video message posted on X on June 8, 2026, Pritzker criticized the federal approach, noting that inflation is worse than when Trump took office. He specifically cited Trump's tariffs and his "war of choice in Iran" as drivers of increased costs. Pritzker highlighted that Illinois has countered these trends with state-level interventions, including passing a balanced budget aimed at lowering costs in housing, health care, and education.

The Illinois legislature worked with the Governor to implement several relief measures. These efforts include curbing hidden fees, pausing a planned gas tax increase, eliminating the sales tax on back-to-school items, and regulating insurance pricing.

Economic Warnings on Inflation

Economist Peter Schiff commented on the situation, suggesting that the Iran conflict serves as a "perfect scapegoat" for rising prices and could be used to explain continued inflation ahead of elections. The Iran-Israel conflict has escalated with missile strikes and retaliatory attacks, raising concerns about higher oil prices and broader economic fallout.

Separately, Moody's economist Mark Zandi warned that the U.S. economy is growing below its potential. He cited risks from rising unemployment, persistent inflation, and slowing growth, noting that weaker expansion is being exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs linked to the conflict.

A federal judge in Boston struck down President Donald Trump's proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, ruling that the payment was an unauthorized tax rather than a lawful penalty. The decision removes a significant potential cost burden for major technology employers that rely heavily on skilled foreign talent, though the White House has announced its intent to appeal the ruling.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's H-1B Visa Fee

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled on Monday that the Trump administration lacked the authority to impose the massive fee on certain new H-1B visa applications. In his ruling, Sorokin stated that the substance and application of the $100,000 payment revealed it to be a tax, regardless of what the payment was called, and that Congress had never authorized such a charge.

The administration had argued the fee was a lawful penalty intended to curb overreliance on foreign labor and protect American workers. However, the court determined that immigration law did not grant the president unilateral power to create such a charge. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers pushed back against the ruling, stating that President Trump has clear legal authority to restrict the entry of any class of aliens he determines is not in America's best interests.

Big Tech's Heavy Dependence on H-1B Workers

The ruling arrives as major technology companies continue to dominate H-1B hiring. According to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, Amazon.com, Inc. led all companies with 4,644 approved new H-1B petitions for initial employment in fiscal 2025.

The H-1B program allocates 65,000 visas annually, plus another 20,000 for workers with advanced degrees.

Broader Immigration Fight Continues

Trump introduced the fee through a September proclamation, arguing companies had exploited the program to replace American workers with lower-cost labor. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led a coalition of Democratic attorneys general challenging the policy, praised the ruling, calling the fee an attack on America's ability to attract and retain high-skilled talent. The administration is expected to appeal the decision.