WATCH LIVE: JB Pritzker Inauguration As 43rd Illinois Governor

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Inauguration ceremonies began Monday morning for Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, who becomes the 43rd governor of Illinois. The billionaire Democrat succeeds Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who he defeated by 15 points in November in an election that handed his party a supermajority of both the House and Senate.

Events began with an interfaith prayer service at First Presbyterian Church and continued with a swearing in ceremony at the Bank of Springfield Center.

Other statewide elected officials were also sworn in Monday morning include, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Jesse White, Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who announced her campaign for mayor of Chicago eight days after winning re-election.

"At 200 years old, Illinois is still a young promise. Our time here has been but a blink. In 2019, we must begin a new century with new maturity, and enough foolishness to believe we can make a difference. That starts with leadership that abandons single-minded, arrogant notions," Pritkzer said. "No. Everything is not broken."

After being sworn in by Judge James Snyder on a Bible and a book recounting his great-grandfather's journey from Ukraine to the United States, Pritzker said Illinois represented the "beating heart of the Republic." He promised to pass a balanced budget and implement a "fair tax system" and lower the cost of government while delivering high-quality services.

The current tax system is simply unsustainable. Others have lied to you about that fact. I won’t. The future of Illinois depends on the passage of a fair income tax, which will bring us into the 21st Century like most of our midwestern neighbors, and like the vast majority of the United States.

I’m not naïve about what it will take to do this. All who enter a discussion about our state’s budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcomed to the table. But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will.

In his first address as governor, Pritzker also promised to push for improvements to the state's infrastructure, raise the minimum wage, bring a renaissance to downstate Illinois with broadband internet across the state, embrace the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, become the "fastest-growing big state economy in the nation" and legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana.

Watch the livestream again here or read Gov. Pritzker's inaugural address

Illinois Republican Party Chair Tim Schneider responded to Pritzker's address, describing the new governor's agenda as the same one "that has dragged our state down for decades – borrow, tax, spend, repeat." The GOP would hold Democratic leaders accountable for their "false promises," Schneider said.

"Just a few short months ago, Pritzker broke with his party boss, Mike Madigan, when he promised to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party - but we didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes," Schneider said in a statement. "Pritzker never intended to end the status quo in Springfield. Rather, he’s reinforcing it."

Although Democrats have the votes to pass an agenda without any Republican votes, Pritzker has indicated he hopes to start his term with bipartisan goodwill, as he visited a reception for GOP lawmakers and invited opposition party leaders to his home for dinner. Pritzker has also appointed recently retired Arlington Heights Republican state Rep. David Harris as director of the Illinois Department of Revenue and asked two directors appointed by Rauner to stay in their jobs. Pending Senate approval, Heidi Mueller will continue to serve as director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and Matt Perez will remain State Fire Marshal.

Related:

• Pritkzer Dips Into Own Pocket To Double Salaries Of Senior Staff
• Pritzker Hopes To Legalize Marijuana Soon After Being Sworn In
• Pritzker Elected Illinois Governor, Promises To 'Fight For Truth'