Challenges in the Life of JB Pritzker in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and JB Pritzker faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Jay Robert "J. B." Pritzker is an American businessman and politician currently serving as the 43rd Governor of Illinois since 2019. As a member of the prominent Pritzker family, known for owning the Hyatt hotel chain, he has established himself as a successful venture capitalist and investor. Pritzker founded several startups focused on investment, most notably the Pritzker Group, where he holds the position of managing partner. His career spans both the business and political spheres.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1905: Jacobson v Massachusetts Cited

In June 2020, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood cited Jacobson v Massachusetts, a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld the authority of U.S. states to compel people to get vaccinations, in her ruling against plaintiffs who sued Pritzker over lockdown orders.

1998: Run in the Democratic Primary

In 1998, Pritzker ran in the Democratic primary for Illinois's 9th congressional district, following Yates's decision not to seek reelection.

2002: 29.3% of Illinois public high school graduates attended out-of-state institutions

According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, in 2002, 29.3% of Illinois public high school graduates went on to attend out-of-state institutions.

2003: Tuition fees increased

Since the 2003–04 academic year tuition fees, room and board had doubled in virtually every state college or university.

2008: Wiretapped conversation with Rod Blagojevich

In 2008, Pritzker was recorded in an FBI wiretap with Rod Blagojevich, where they discussed campaign contributions and options for Pritzker to be appointed to statewide office.

2016: 46.6% of Illinois public high school graduates attended out-of-state institutions

According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, in 2016, 46.6% of Illinois public high school graduates went on to attend out-of-state institutions.

May 2017: Publication of FBI Wiretap

In May 2017, the Chicago Tribune published an 11-minute FBI wiretap from 2008 of Pritzker and Blagojevich discussing campaign contributions and Pritzker's potential appointment to statewide office, leading to controversy.

2017: 48.4% of Illinois public high school graduates attended out-of-state institutions

According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, in 2017, 48.4% of Illinois public high school graduates went on to attend out-of-state institutions.

2018: Wiretap controversy during gubernatorial campaign

In 2018, During his gubernatorial campaign, Pritzker faced scrutiny over a 2008 FBI wiretap with Rod Blagojevich, but he apologized for controversial comments and received support from Jesse White.

June 2019: Pritzker deploys National Guard to combat flooding

In June 2019, Pritzker deployed 200 Illinois National Guardsmen to combat flooding across central and southern Illinois.

August 2019: Pritzker requests federal disaster declaration for Illinois counties

In August 2019, Pritzker officially requested a federal disaster declaration for 32 Illinois counties due to flooding since February 2019.

March 13, 2020: Pritzker Orders School Closures

On March 13, 2020, Governor Pritzker declared that all public and private schools in Illinois would be closed from March 17 through March 31 due to COVID-19.

March 16, 2020: Pritzker Limits Crowd Sizes, Refuses to Postpone Primary Elections

On March 16, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order limiting permitted crowd sizes to 50 people. Despite pressure, he refused to postpone the state's March 17 primary elections.

March 20, 2020: Pritzker Issues Stay-At-Home Order

On March 20, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order for Illinois, effective the next day. All non-essential businesses were required to close, while essential businesses remained open. The order was originally set to end on April 8.

March 25, 2020: Pritzker Extends Tax Filing Deadline and Announces Emergency Assistance Programs

On March 25, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced the extension of Illinois's tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15. He also announced three new emergency assistance programs that allowed small businesses to access more than $90 million in aid.

April 23, 2020: Pritzker Extends Stay-At-Home Order with Modifications

On April 23, 2020, Governor Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order through May 29 with some modifications, which prohibited churches from holding meetings with more than 10 people in attendance, leading to defiance and federal lawsuits.

May 1, 2020: Pritzker Enacts Statewide Mask Mandate

On May 1, 2020, Governor Pritzker enacted a statewide mask mandate in Illinois.

May 5, 2020: Pritzker Announced Reopening Plan "Restore Illinois"

On May 5, 2020, Pritzker announced his reopening plan, "Restore Illinois". The plan had five phases and split the state's 11 existing Emergency Medical Services Regions into four reopening regions. The regions could reopen independently of one another.

July 15, 2020: Pritzker Announces New COVID-19 Mitigation Plan

On July 15, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced a new COVID-19 mitigation plan to address potential resurgences. The plan uses metrics such as positivity rates and hospital admissions to determine the need for additional mitigations.

July 29, 2021: Pritzker Mandates Masks in State Buildings

On July 29, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that everyone entering a state building in Illinois was required to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status.

August 5, 2021: Pritzker Announces Mask Mandates for Schools, Daycares, and Long-Term Care Facilities

On August 5, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that face masks must be worn at all times while inside P-12 schools, daycares, and long-term care facilities, regardless of vaccination status. He also announced mask requirements for P-12 indoor sports and a vaccination mandate for state employees in congregate facilities by October 4.

August 26, 2021: Pritzker Reimposes Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate and Announces Vaccine Mandates

On August 26, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced the reimposition of a statewide indoor mask mandate beginning on August 30 to handle the surge caused by the Delta variant. He also announced a vaccine mandate for all education employees in P-12 and higher education, for all higher education students and healthcare workers. Those who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine by September 5 would have to do weekly COVID testing.

September 19, 2021: Pritzker Imposes COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

On September 19, 2021, Governor Pritzker began imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students, educators, and most health care workers in Illinois.

February 28, 2022: Pritzker Lifts Most COVID-19 Restrictions

On February 28, 2022, Governor Pritzker lifted most of Illinois's COVID-19 restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate, shortly after the CDC issued new, more relaxed masking guidance.

July 14, 2022: Pritzker Announces Lifting of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for College Students

On July 14, 2022, Governor Pritzker announced the lifting of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students in Illinois.

January 11, 2023: Pritzker signs ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines

On January 11, 2023, Pritzker signed a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, which took effect immediately and affected approximately 2.5 million Illinois gun owners. Gun rights organizations pledged to challenge the law in court.

January 20, 2023: Temporary injunction on assault weapons ban

On January 20, 2023, an Effingham County judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the implementation of the assault weapons ban signed by Pritzker.

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