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 "JB" Pritzker is the current governor of Illinois, serving since 2019. He hails from the prominent Pritzker family, known for owning the Hyatt hotel chain. Before entering politics, Pritzker was a successful businessman, founding several venture capital and investment firms, most notably the Pritzker Group, where he serves as a managing partner. He leverages his business acumen in his role as governor, focusing on economic development initiatives for the state.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1905: Jacobson v Massachusetts

In 1905, The State of Illinois worked with the U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled against the plaintiffs, allowing the lockdown orders to stay in place. In her ruling, she 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.

1998: Failed Congressional Run

In 1998, Pritzker ran to represent Illinois's 9th congressional district, but lost in the Democratic primary.

2008: FBI Wiretap Conversation with Rod Blagojevich

In 2008, J.B. Pritzker had a conversation with Rod Blagojevich that was later recorded by the FBI. The conversation discussed campaign contributions and potential appointments for Pritzker to statewide office.

May 2017: FBI Wiretap Published

In May 2017, the Chicago Tribune published an 11-minute FBI wiretap from 2008 of Pritzker and Blagojevich discussing campaign contributions and possible appointments for Pritzker to statewide office. Pritzker later apologized for comments he made in the conversation.

2018: Addressed Wiretap Allegations During Gubernatorial Campaign

During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, Pritzker addressed allegations related to an FBI wiretap of a conversation he had with Rod Blagojevich in 2008. He emphasized that he had not been accused of any wrongdoing and apologized for controversial comments made during the conversation.

January 17, 2019: Pritzker signed bill requiring state certification for gun dealers

On January 17, 2019, Pritzker signed a bill requiring state certification for gun dealers and mandating physical security measures, detailed inventory lists, and annual employee training. The Illinois State Rifle Association challenged the bill, arguing it violates the Second Amendment, leading to a lawsuit.

February 2019: Flooding in Illinois

Beginning in February 2019, Illinois experienced severe flooding, leading to the deployment of the National Guard in June and a request for a federal disaster declaration in August of 2019.

August 2019: Pritzker Requested Federal Disaster Declaration for Illinois Counties

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

2019: Illinois Finances in 2019

In 2019, Pritzker claimed his income tax proposal would generate $3.4 billion in tax revenue. Illinois faced $8.5 billion in unpaid bills and $134 billion in pension liabilities.

2019: Pritzker Addressed Pension Liabilities in 2019

In 2019, Pritzker declined to assume Chicago's pension liabilities, fearing it would jeopardize Illinois's credit rating. However, he considered pooling pension funds and created a task force to address municipal pension debts. Moody's raised Illinois's credit rating after a balanced budget was passed.

March 13, 2020: Declared closure of Illinois schools

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

March 16, 2020: Issued executive order limiting crowd sizes

On March 16, 2020, Pritzker issued an executive order limiting permitted crowd sizes to 50 people. He refused to postpone the state's March 17 primary elections, citing a lack of authority to do so.

March 20, 2020: Issued stay-at-home order in Illinois

On March 20, 2020, Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order to take effect the next day, requiring all non-essential businesses to close while essential businesses remained open. The order was originally set to end on April 8. The state government coordinated a public health response, working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens to provide testing sites.

March 25, 2020: Extended tax filing deadline and announced emergency assistance programs

On March 25, 2020, 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: Extended stay-at-home order with modifications

On April 23, 2020, Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order through May 29 with some modifications, including a prohibition on church meetings with more than 10 people in attendance.

May 1, 2020: Enacted statewide mask mandate

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

May 5, 2020: Announced "Restore Illinois" reopening plan

On May 5, 2020, Pritzker announced his reopening plan, "Restore Illinois", which had five phases and split the state into four reopening regions. The plan allowed regions to reopen independently, starting with retail curbside pickup, delivery, and outdoor activities. Subsequent phases included reopening manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops, salons, restaurants, and bars with capacity limits, gatherings of up to 50 people, and eventually full reopening of the economy.

July 15, 2020: Announced new COVID-19 mitigation plan

On July 15, 2020, Pritzker announced a new COVID-19 mitigation plan based on metrics such as a sustained increase in the positivity rate, hospital admissions, and hospital capacity to determine whether additional mitigations were required in a region.

December 4, 2020: Announced receipt of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

On December 4, 2020, Pritzker announced that Illinois would receive 109,000 initial doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it.

February 26, 2021: Announced mass vaccination site at the United Center

On February 26, 2021, Pritzker, along with other officials, announced that eligible Illinoisans could get vaccinated starting March 10 at a new mass vaccination site at the United Center.

July 29, 2021: Required face masks in state buildings

On July 29, 2021, Pritzker announced that everyone who enters a state building was required to wear a face mask regardless of vaccination status.

August 5, 2021: Announced mask mandates in schools and vaccination mandate for state employees

On August 5, 2021, 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 that face masks were required for all P-12 indoor sports, and that all state employees in congregate facilities must be vaccinated by October 4.

August 26, 2021: Reimposed statewide indoor mask mandate and announced vaccine mandate

On August 26, 2021, Pritzker announced that a statewide indoor mask mandate would be reimposed to handle the surge caused by the Delta variant beginning on August 30. He also announced a vaccine mandate for all education employees in P-12 and higher education statewide and for all higher education students and healthcare workers, requiring weekly COVID testing for those not vaccinated by September 5.

September 19, 2021: Imposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate

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

February 28, 2022: Lifted COVID-19 restrictions

On February 28, 2022, Pritzker lifted most of Illinois's COVID-19 restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate.

May 25, 2022: Pritzker Responds to Texas Governor's Comments on Gun Laws

On May 25, 2022, Pritzker responded to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's remarks following the Robb Elementary School shooting by asserting that a majority of guns used in Chicago shootings come from states with lax gun laws.

July 14, 2022: Lifted COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students

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

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, effective immediately. This legislation affected approximately 2.5 million Illinois gun owners, prompting legal challenges from gun rights organizations.

January 20, 2023: Temporary Injunction Against Assault Weapon Ban

On January 20, 2023, an Effingham County judge issued a temporary injunction against the implementation of the assault weapon ban signed by Pritzker. However, the Illinois Supreme Court later ruled the law constitutional.