Gov. JB Pritzker is pressing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to announce a federal plan to help stranded Americans in the Middle East, including a commitment to use charter flights or military aircraft to help them safely leave the region.
The Democratic governor detailed his concerns, and offered suggestions, in a letter penned to Rubio and Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. It came after Pritzker participated in a staff-level briefing with the State Department on Tuesday, along with other governors’ offices and congressional offices.
According to a source familiar with the call, the department did not provide further details or "instill confidence" that there is a plan to transport stuck Americans out of the area.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the U.S. military campaign against Iran was intensifying — with both Washington and Israel working to destroy Iran’s security forces — as more warplanes arrive in the region. President Donald Trump on Sunday said the operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," could last "four weeks or less." Six Americans have been killed during the ongoing war.
The State Department on Tuesday said it has helped more than 9,000 American citizens safely return from the Middle East, including more than 300 people from Israel. The department also is helping with charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan for American citizens. They’re also helping Americans with commercial flights from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Egypt. For those in countries lacking commercial flights, the department is helping them travel to other countries "as conditions allow," including ground transportation for those trying to leave Israel.
But Pritzker says he wants to see a more concrete plan, and his office is getting calls from people asking for help.
"The State of Illinois and our federal congressional delegation are receiving numerous requests from U.S. citizens seeking additional support to return to the United States," Pritzker wrote in the letter. "Illinois citizens have expressed considerable fear for their safety as well as serious financial and logistical challenges. These inquires have included travelers and residents across multiple different countries in the region."
The governor brought up with Rubio and Namdar "immediate actions" he wants in place to help U.S. citizens, including a public commitment to use charter flights, military aircraft or both to assist Americans attempting to leave the region, and exploring using emergency contracts with charter companies or commercial airlines. He also is requesting clear guidance for Americans abroad about how to sign up, schedule and safely access flights or other transportation, and to identify safe locations to set up temporary diplomatic posts in areas where U.S. embassies have been attacked or destroyed.
"There are parents who want to get home to their children, workers and business owners who need to return to their jobs, people who have families and communities that rely on them," Pritzker wrote. "Our country shares an urgent obligation to help get stranded Americans home."
Pritker asked Rubio to respond to his request within 24 hours, "with clear guidance and detailed instructions to the public."
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March 4, 2026 at 11:33AM
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