11 Threats Against Pritzker Since Start Of Pandemic: State Police

ILLINOIS — Illinois State Police have investigated at least 11 threats against Gov. J.B. Pritzker or his family since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The paper cites a state police PowerPoint presentation detailing the threats — everything from boaters flipping off the governor's empty mansion to more serious calls for his death.

"Anyone got a high powered sniper rifle I can have?" one person posted on social media. "The governor needs to die and I will gladly kill him."

In May, the governor addressed questions about where his family was riding out the pandemic after reports that his wife and two children had traveled to Florida, despite his statewide stay-at-home order. Pritzker said he had kept his family's whereabouts private due to threats to his and their safety.

• Pritzker Urges Respect For Family's Privacy Amid Safety Concerns

An April 25 email read: "U will reap the whirlwind you (expletive) IDIOT. U WILL DIE, REAL SOON. mark my words you peice of (expletive), you will suffer death, via a bullet in your brain. mark my words you peice of (expletive), you will suffer death, via a bullet in your brain. Get ready to reap the whirlwind mother(expletive), we are coming, gunnning, we are going to kill you. Come and get it moither(expletive), I AM GOING TO KILL YOU. write it down while you have time, you will die soon you (expletive) COMMY."

After being contacted by law enforcement officials, the person who sent the email said he or she was "upset/depressed about their 401 K performing poorly due to the current COVID situation," according to police.

Other posters claimed they were "frustrated" or just "venting" and promised not to make any more threats, police said. One of the posters was taken to a hospital for a mental health check, but ultimately none of the threats resulted in charges being filed, according to the Sun-Times.

Patch has asked state police for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and reached out to the governor's office for comment. This story will be updated if we hear back.