Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 43rd governor of Illinois since 2019.
On January 19, 1965, Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker was born in Palo Alto, California.
In 1972, JB Pritzker's father, Donald Pritzker, who was the president of Hyatt Hotels, died of a heart attack at age 39.
In June 2019, JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 25, the Reproductive Health Act, into law, repealing the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 and ensuring reproductive rights.
In 1982, JB Pritzker's mother, Sue Pritzker, died in an accident at age 49.
In 1982, the Pritzker family consistently ranked near the top of the Forbes "America's Richest Families" list since its inception.
In 1990, Theodore Muenster, M.K. Pritzker's father, unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate.
In 1992, state representative Jan Schakowsky similarly explored a potential run for if Yates were to retire, and similarly opted not to run once Yates announced his intention to seek reelection.
In 1993, JB Pritzker earned his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law.
In 1993, Pritzker established a campaign committee.
In 1993, Pritzker married Mary Kathryn "M. K." Muenster, whom he had met in Washington, D.C.
In 1994, JB Pritzker considered running for Illinois's 9th Congressional District seat but ultimately did not run after the incumbent announced his intention to seek reelection.
On November 6, 2018, Pritzker won the Democratic primary by a large margin, receiving the largest margin in a gubernatorial race since 1994.
In 1996, JB Pritzker again explored a potential run for Illinois's 9th Congressional District seat but decided against it after the incumbent announced his intention to seek reelection.
In April 1997, JB Pritzker reconstituted his campaign committee in preparation for a run for Congress.
In 1998, JB Pritzker ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 9th congressional district, but he lost in the Democratic primary.
In 1998, after Yates opted to forgo reelection, Pritzker ran in the Democratic primary to succeed him.
In 2003, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed JB Pritzker to chair the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
He is the first Illinois governor to have been elected to a second term since 2006, when Rod Blagojevich was reelected.
In 2006, JB Pritzker's term as chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission concluded, and Abner J. Mikva succeeded him.
In 2006, Pritzker's term as chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission ended.
In 2007, Pritzker and his wife donated $5 million to the University of South Dakota to build the Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center in honor of his wife's parents.
In 2008, JB Pritzker discussed campaign contributions and potential appointments with Rod Blagojevich, as revealed in a 2017 FBI wiretap.
In 2008, JB Pritzker received the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneurial Champion Award for his efforts to promote economic development and job creation.
In 2008, JB Pritzker served as the national co-chair of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and was a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
In 2009, as chairman, Pritzker led the capital campaign and planning to build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, dedicated to teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides.
On June 30, 2011, people who owed taxes from between this date and July 1, 2018, were able to take advantage of a "tax amnesty" program that allowed them to pay without penalty.
In 2011, Milton Academy dedicated the Pritzker Science Center, for which Pritzker provided the lead gift.
In 2013, Pritzker received the Survivors' Legacy Award for his leadership in the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
In 2013, Pritzker worked with Goldman Sachs to fund the first-ever social impact bond for early childhood education.
On October 22, 2015, Northwestern University School of Law announced that Pritzker and his wife, M. K. Pritzker, had made a $100-million gift to the school in honor of Pritzker's great-grandfather, Nicholas J. Pritzker, and the school was renamed the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
In 2016, Pritzker was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
On April 6, 2017, JB Pritzker announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of Illinois.
In May 2017, the Chicago Tribune published an FBI wiretap from 2008 of Pritzker and Blagojevich discussing campaign contributions and appointments, leading to controversy and criticism.
On August 10, 2017, JB Pritzker announced that Juliana Stratton would be his running mate.
By December 2017, Pritzker had spent $42 million of his own money on his campaign.
In 2017, Pritzker joined the Duke University Board of Trustees.
On March 20, 2018, JB Pritzker won the Democratic primary for governor by a large margin, receiving 45.13% of the vote.
On July 1, 2018, people who owed taxes from between June 30, 2011, and this date were able to take advantage of a "tax amnesty" program that allowed them to pay without penalty.
On November 6, 2018, JB Pritzker defeated incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner in the general election, receiving 54.53% of the vote.
During the 2018 campaign, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Pritzker had intentionally caused a mansion he had purchased next door to his home to become uninhabitable by removing its toilets, leading to a property tax reduction. The Cook County inspector general accused Pritzker of a scheme to defraud the county. Pritzker reimbursed the amount of the property tax reduction, and federal authorities opened an investigation.
In 2018, JB Pritzker won the Democratic primary for governor of Illinois. He subsequently defeated Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner in the general election held on November 6, 2018.
In 2018, as part of his gubernatorial race, Pritzker stated his administration would address anti-LGBT hate crimes, expand LGBT access to health care, and oppose any anti-LGBT legislation.
In 2018, during his gubernatorial campaign, JB Pritzker addressed allegations stemming from a 2008 FBI wiretap, defending his conduct and apologizing for controversial comments.
On January 14, 2019, JB Pritzker was inaugurated as the 43rd governor of Illinois, becoming the richest politician in the U.S. with an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion.
In January 2019, with an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, JB Pritzker became the richest politician in the U.S.
On January 17, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed a bill requiring state certification for gun dealers in Illinois. The bill also mandates that gun dealers ensure the physical security of their stores, maintain a detailed list of items for sale, and ensure that employees undergo annual training. This is in addition to the mandatory federal license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On January 22, 2019, Pritzker signed an executive order giving state employees and women covered under Illinois state health insurance expanded reproductive coverage, including abortion. Planned Parenthood officials praised the move and attended the signing event.
On January 23, 2019, Pritzker committed Illinois to the U.S. Climate Alliance. The alliance aims to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by over 26% by 2025.
On January 24, 2019, Pritzker signed an executive order expanding access to Illinois welcome centers for immigrants and refugees. Welcome centers help guide immigrants on a path to citizenship and refugees with access to health care, education, jobs, and legal services.
On February 19, 2019, Pritzker signed into law a bill that raises the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, making Illinois the fifth state in the nation and first state in the Midwest to do so. The bill includes a tax credit for small businesses and maintains the ability of restaurant owners to count tips toward pay.
On April 1, 2019, Governor Pritzker created Illinois's Youth Parole system, marking a career milestone.
On April 7, 2019, Pritzker made Illinois the first state in the Midwest to adopt Tobacco 21, raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21.
On April 12, 2019, Pritzker signed the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act, which protects the right of employers, employees, and their labor organizations to collectively bargain, ensuring that Illinois complies with the National Labor Relations Act.
On May 17, 2019, Pritzker signed legislation to help workers exposed to toxic substances, providing additional protections and resources.
On June 5, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed a $40-billion balanced budget for the 2019–20 fiscal year, which included increased funding for census participation efforts and was financed through tax increases.
In June 2019, JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 25, the Reproductive Health Act, into law, repealing the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 and ensuring reproductive rights.
In June 2019, Pritzker deployed 200 Illinois National Guardsmen to combat flooding across central and southern Illinois. The troops were tasked with sandbagging, protecting levees and keeping evacuation routes open.
In June 2019, Pritzker signed an executive order requiring schools across the state to be "affirming and inclusive" of transgender and non-binary students. He also asked the State Board of Education to take a lead on LGBT rights.
In late June 2019, Pritzker signed the bipartisan capital bill named Rebuild Illinois, worth $45 billion to be spent in six years and estimated to create 540,000 jobs. The bill allocates funds for transportation, education, environmental protection, broadband internet, health care, and libraries.
On June 21, 2019, Pritzker signed a bill banning the operation of private immigration detention centers in Illinois. Another bill forbids state and local police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to deport illegal immigrants. College students who are undocumented immigrants or identify as transgender may apply for state financial aid for college.
On July 1, 2019, the gas tax that funds the 2019 infrastructure plan, 38 cents per gallon and indexed to inflation, took effect. As of 2019, Illinois had one of the highest fuel taxes in the U.S.
In July 2019, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 2512, requiring state universities to report what students pay in tuition fees to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. This initiative aims to increase transparency in the costs of higher education.
In July 2019, Governor Pritzker signed a bill that increases penalties for drivers who cause serious injuries while texting and driving in Illinois. Under this bill, a person who causes serious injuries due to driving while texting could be fined at least $1,000 and have their driver's license suspended for a year.
In July 2019, Pritzker signed House Bill 3343, creating a food program for the elderly, the disabled, and the homeless. Such individuals may collect their benefits from a private business that has a contract with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to provide meals with discounts. This is the state implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In August 2019, Pritzker erased the drug conviction of an Army veteran, Miguel Perez Jr., who suffered a brain injury while serving in Afghanistan and was deported to Mexico in 2018. Perez's supporters hope the pardon will help him return to the U.S.
In August 2019, Pritzker officially requested a federal disaster declaration for 32 Illinois counties due to flooding since February 2019. The request came after the state's disaster assessment was concluded.
On December 4, 2019, the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force (created by House Bill 1581) was due to report its findings to the General Assembly. The task force was established to identify ways to help students reduce their credit card debts after graduating from higher education institutions in Illinois.
According to the governor's office, the 2019–20 budget funded two classes of Illinois State Police cadets in 2019.
In 2019, the balanced budget for the 2019–20 fiscal year, worth $40 billion, authorized increased spending on education in Illinois, including grade schools, community colleges, and state universities. Funding for grade schools rose by nearly $379 million, community colleges by $14 million, and public universities by $53 million. Grants for low-income students received a $50-million increase.
In 2019, to help pay for his capital spending bill, Governor Pritzker expanded gambling by allowing more casinos and legalizing sports betting in Illinois. This expansion is projected to bring an additional $350 million in revenue each year.
On December 31, 2019, Pritzker pardoned approximately 11,000 people for low-level cannabis convictions.
In January 2020, the end of practice of collecting a $5 copay for offsite medical and dental treatments from people detained at a juvenile correction facility took effect.
On March 13, 2020, Governor Pritzker declared that public and private schools in Illinois would be closed from March 17 through March 31 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 16, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order limiting permitted crowd sizes to 50 people in Illinois due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also declined to postpone the state's March 17 primary elections.
On March 20, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order for Illinois, effective the next day, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order required all non-essential businesses to close, while essential businesses such as grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, and pharmacies remained open. 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 in Illinois's hardest-hit communities.
On March 25, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced the extension of Illinois's tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also announced three new emergency assistance programs that allowed small businesses to access more than $90 million in aid.
On April 23, 2020, Governor Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order through May 29 with some modifications. Churches were prohibited from holding meetings with more than 10 people in attendance. Some churches defied Pritzker, held meetings, and filed federal lawsuits.
On May 1, 2020, Pritzker enacted a statewide mask mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19.
On May 5, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced his reopening plan for Illinois, named "Restore Illinois." The plan consisted of five phases and divided the state's 11 existing Emergency Medical Services Regions into four reopening regions, allowing regions to reopen independently of one another.
On July 15, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced a new COVID-19 mitigation plan for Illinois in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19. The metrics included a sustained increase in the 7-day rolling average positivity rate and either a sustained 7-day increase in hospital admissions or a reduction in hospital capacity. Another metric was three consecutive days averaging greater than or equal to 8% positivity rate.
By July 2020, cannabis sales in Illinois had generated over $52 million in tax revenue.
On December 4, 2020, Governor 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 the vaccine.
In 2020, Pritzker launched a job training program for community colleges in Illinois, funded based on the percentage of low-income students attending. This initiative aims to provide job training opportunities for students in need.
In 2020, the legalization of the possession and regulated sale of marijuana for recreational purposes, as signed into law by Pritzker in June 2019, took effect in Illinois.
On December 31, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced the expungement of approximately 500,000 non-felony cannabis-related arrest records in Illinois. This action aimed to provide relief to individuals affected by previous cannabis-related arrests.
On February 22, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed a criminal justice reform bill that makes Illinois the first U.S. state to eliminate cash bail. The provision was initially set to take effect in January 2023 but was put on hold for Illinois Supreme Court review. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the elimination of cash bail was constitutional and went into effect in September 2023.
On February 26, 2021, Governor 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. The Biden administration collaborated on this initiative.
In June 2021, it was reported that JB Pritzker was considering retiring after one term as governor of Illinois.
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, in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases.
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 in Illinois, 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.
On August 26, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that a statewide indoor mask mandate would be reimposed in Illinois starting 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 statewide, as well as for all higher education students and healthcare workers. Anyone who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine by September 5 would have to do weekly COVID testing.
On September 19, 2021, Governor Pritzker began imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students, educators, and most health care workers in Illinois.
On February 28, 2022, Governor Pritzker lifted most of Illinois's COVID-19 restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate. This decision followed the CDC's issuance of new, more relaxed masking guidance.
On March 1, 2022, the task force created by House Bill 1613, which collects and analyzes data on traffic stops to address racial disparities, was scheduled to report its findings to the governor and the General Assembly. This task force report is to occur every three years thereafter.
On May 5, 2022, Lightfoot announced that she had selected Bally's Corporation's bid to construct a casino resort near the Chicago River.
On May 25, 2022, in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's comments following the Robb Elementary School shooting, Pritzker stated that a majority of guns used in Chicago shootings come from states with lax gun laws. Other officials also criticized Abbott's comments.
On July 14, 2022, Governor Pritzker announced the lifting of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students in Illinois.
By the end of 2022, cannabis sales in Illinois had generated $445.3 million in tax revenue.
In 2022, Pritzker was re-elected as the governor of Illinois, defeating Darren Bailey.
On January 9, 2023, JB Pritzker's second term as governor of Illinois began.
On January 11, 2023, Pritzker signed a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in Illinois, which took effect immediately and affected approximately 2.5 million gun owners. The new law was immediately challenged in court.
On January 20, 2023, an Effingham County judge issued a temporary injunction preventing implementation of Pritzker's assault weapons ban. The Illinois Supreme Court later ruled the law constitutional.
In 2023, Pritzker's term on the Duke University Board of Trustees expired.
In November 2024, Pritzker and other U.S. state governors established Governors Safeguarding Democracy, an alliance to protect state interests against anticipated changes in the federal government.
In 2024, Pritzker launched his own beer brand, "JBeers", ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He also named Malört the DNC's "unofficial shot".
In 2024, Pritzker was mentioned as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris in her 2024 presidential campaign, but Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was chosen instead.
In 2024, a group of accounts dubbed the "Pritzker Pals," launched a website, coconutbigboy.com, with the goal of influencing Vice President Kamala Harris to pick Pritzker as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
On January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Illinois reached $15 per hour, following Pritzker's enacted plan to incrementally raise it.
In January 2025, when asked about potential mass deportations under a second Trump presidency, Pritzker favored deporting convicted criminals who are undocumented, while criticizing the targeting of law-abiding residents.
According to Forbes, as of August 2025, Pritzker's estimated net worth is $3.9 billion.
In July 2019, Pritzker signed House Bill 2045, ending the practice of collecting a $5 copay for offsite medical and dental treatments from people detained at a juvenile correction facility.
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