JB Pritzker's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of JB Pritzker.

Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 43rd governor of Illinois since 2019.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1994: Largest Margin in a gubernatorial race

On November 6, 2018, Pritzker won the Democratic primary by a large margin, receiving the largest margin in a gubernatorial race since 1994.

2006: First Illinois governor to have been elected to a second term since Rod Blagojevich

He is the first Illinois governor to have been elected to a second term since 2006, when Rod Blagojevich was reelected.

2008: Entrepreneurial Champion Award

In 2008, JB Pritzker received the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneurial Champion Award for his efforts to promote economic development and job creation.

2009: Opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

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.

2013: Pritzker Receives Survivors' Legacy Award

In 2013, Pritzker received the Survivors' Legacy Award for his leadership in the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

October 22, 2015: Northwestern University School of Law Renamed in Honor of Pritzker's Great-Grandfather

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.

March 20, 2018: Won Democratic Primary

On March 20, 2018, JB Pritzker won the Democratic primary for governor by a large margin, receiving 45.13% of the vote.

November 6, 2018: Defeated Bruce Rauner in General Election

On November 6, 2018, JB Pritzker defeated incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner in the general election, receiving 54.53% of the vote.

2018: Elected Governor of Illinois

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.

January 14, 2019: Inaugurated as Governor

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.

February 19, 2019: Pritzker Signs Bill Raising Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour

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.

April 7, 2019: Pritzker Adopts Tobacco 21

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.

April 12, 2019: Pritzker Signs Collective Bargaining Freedom Act

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.

May 17, 2019: Pritzker Signs Legislation to Help Workers Exposed to Toxic Substances

On May 17, 2019, Pritzker signed legislation to help workers exposed to toxic substances, providing additional protections and resources.

June 2019: Illinois Legalizes Recreational Cannabis

In June 2019, Pritzker signed the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law, legalizing the possession and regulated sale of marijuana for recreational purposes starting in 2020.

June 2019: Pritzker Signs $45 Billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Bill

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.

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

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.

December 4, 2020: Illinois to Receive Initial Doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine

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.

2020: Recreational Cannabis Legalization Takes Effect in Illinois

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.

February 26, 2021: Mass Vaccination Site at United Center Announced

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.

February 28, 2022: COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted

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.