J.B. Pritzker
J.B. Pritzker (Democratic Party) is the Governor of Illinois. He assumed office on January 14, 2019. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.
Pritzker (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Governor of Illinois. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
He was first elected on November 6, 2018, on a joint ticket with lieutenant governor candidate Juliana Stratton. Pritzker defeated incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) by a margin of 15 percentage points. When Pritzker took office, Illinois switched from a divided government to a Democratic trifecta.
Pritzker listed the following as executive and legislative accomplishments during his tenure: enacting balanced budgets each year and receiving credit upgrades for the state, increasing public school funding, banning assault weapons, and passing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.[1]
As of August 2023, Forbes estimated Pritzker had a net worth of $3.6 billion, making him the wealthiest elected official in the United States. Pritzker is an heir to the Hyatt Hotel chain.[2] New York Magazine's Gabriel Debenedetti wrote, "He is unapologetic about the political headway his donations and suggestions can make — electing Democrats is important, he says, so he’s doing what he can to help. [...] In [the 2022] midterms, that posture meant spreading donations to gubernatorial races such as his own (he spent more than any candidate ever has to boost a far-right opponent in Illinois’s GOP primary who he determined would be easy to beat) and to lower-profile but highly consequential contests like the election of a liberal judge to tip the Wisconsin Supreme Court to the left."[3]
Before being elected governor, Pritzker had not held elected office. He was a partner in Pritzker Group Private Capital, a venture capital firm, and founded 1871, a nonprofit digital start-up incubator. He ran unsuccessfully for Illinois' 9th Congressional District in 1998, placing third in the Democratic primary.[4]
Biography
Pritzker was born in Atherton, California, on January 19, 1965. He received a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.[5][6] Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel chain, ran the private equity firm Pritzker Group with his brother until 2017.[2] He also founded 1871, a nonprofit small business incubator based in Chicago.[7]
Political career
Governor of Illinois (2019-present)
Pritzker was elected the 43rd governor of Illinois on November 6, 2018.
Elections
2022
See also: Illinois gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Illinois
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Illinois on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | J.B. Pritzker (D) | 54.9 | 2,253,748 |
 | Darren Bailey (R) | 42.4 | 1,739,095 | |
 | Scott Mitchell Schluter (L) | 2.7 | 111,712 | |
 | Emily Johnson (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 28 | |
 | Shon-Tiyon Horton (Independent) (Write-in)  | 0.0 | 28 | |
| Elizabeth Sebesta (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 18 | |
| Total votes: 4,104,629 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mancow Muller (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois
Incumbent J.B. Pritzker defeated Beverly Miles in the Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | J.B. Pritzker | 91.9 | 810,989 |
 | Beverly Miles | 8.1 | 71,704 | |
| Total votes: 882,693 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Illinois
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Darren Bailey | 57.5 | 458,102 |
 | Jesse Sullivan | 15.7 | 125,094 | |
 | Richard Irvin | 15.0 | 119,592 | |
 | Gary Rabine | 6.5 | 52,194 | |
 | Paul Schimpf | 4.4 | 34,676 | |
 | Max Solomon | 0.9 | 7,371 | |
| Total votes: 797,029 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Keisha Smith (R)
- Christopher Roper (R)
- Cheryl Erickson (R)
- Emily Johnson (R)
2018
General election
General election for Governor of Illinois
J.B. Pritzker defeated incumbent Bruce Rauner, William McCann, and Grayson Jackson in the general election for Governor of Illinois on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | J.B. Pritzker (D) | 54.5 | 2,479,746 |
 | Bruce Rauner (R) | 38.8 | 1,765,751 | |
 | William McCann (Conservative Party) | 4.2 | 192,527 | |
 | Grayson Jackson (L) | 2.4 | 109,518 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 115 | ||
| Total votes: 4,547,657 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | J.B. Pritzker | 45.1 | 597,756 |
 | Daniel K. Biss | 26.7 | 353,625 | |
 | Chris Kennedy | 24.4 | 322,730 | |
 | Tio Hardiman | 1.6 | 21,075 | |
 | Bob Daiber | 1.1 | 15,009 | |
 | Robert Marshall | 1.1 | 14,353 | |
| Total votes: 1,324,548 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Illinois
Incumbent Bruce Rauner defeated Jeanne M. Ives in the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bruce Rauner | 51.5 | 372,124 |
 | Jeanne M. Ives | 48.5 | 350,038 | |
| Total votes: 722,162 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Governor of Illinois
Grayson Jackson defeated Matthew Scaro and Jon Stewart in the Libertarian primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Grayson Jackson |
| Matthew Scaro | |
 | Jon Stewart | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
J.B. Pritzker did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Campaign website
Pritzker's campaign website stated the following:
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JB's Priorities for Protecting Net Neutrality Twenty-three state attorneys general, including Illinois, are suing the FCC to preserve net neutrality. Right now, Illinois should be taking actions to ensure that every Illinoisan has unfettered access to the internet. Unfortunately, Bruce Rauner continues to fail families throughout the state by remaining silent while the Trump administration reverses consumer protections and infringes upon free speech. As governor, I will ensure that all internet traffic is treated equally so that everyone can continue to use the internet to grow their businesses, further their education, and enjoy the freedom of expression. JB will fight to protect net neutrality:
JB's Commitment to Women's Rights It is unacceptable that today in Illinois women make only 79 cents on the dollar compared to men — and that African American women who make 63 cents and Latina women who make just 54 cents on the dollar are also more likely than other women to live in poverty. Bruce Rauner’s failed policies have hurt women across this state. He imposed drastic cuts to the Child Care Assistance Program, which provides affordable child care to low-income families, three-quarters of which are female-headed single-parent households. Rauner also vetoed the No Salary History bill that would have helped narrow the wage gap by preventing employers from setting salaries based on previous ones. And Rauner’s 736-day manufactured budget crisis threatened access to free breast and cervical cancer screenings for more than 9,000 low-income women. In Springfield, Juliana and I will continue to stand up for women’s rights. I will fiercely defend women’s healthcare, fight for policies that improve women’s economic well-being, and foster a culture in which sexual harassment is not tolerated. I will also stand up to Donald Trump when he proposes policies that hurt Illinois women, and I will stand with women as we work to root out sexual harassment and discrimination from our society. JB will fight for women’s rights:
JB's Plan for Economic Inclusion JB’s plan to foster economic inclusion will expand opportunities for minority entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state, reversing the trend of disinvestment and outward migration while restoring hope and opportunity for communities that need it most. In order to achieve true economic inclusion, JB’s plan focuses on twelve areas of opportunity to create economic growth and jobs: Procurement Reform
Increase Access to Capital
Minority and Women-Owned Business (M/WBE)-Focused Business Accelerators
Diversify the Pipeline of Workers Employed by Union and Non-Union Building Trades and Contractors
Ensure Communities of Color Share in the Economic Benefits of Marijuana Legalization
Incentivize Job Creation
Youth Employment
Access to Financial Institutions
Consumer Protection
Online Lending
Small Businesses Borrowers' Bill of Rights
Increase High-Speed Connectivity
JB's Plan to Protect Illinois Seniors JB will work to protect seniors across Illinois: Ensure seniors live with dignity in the environment of their choice with access to quality care
Protect access to affordable, dependable healthcare for seniors
Rebuild human services to give seniors the tools they need to live independently in their communities
JB's Priorities for Protecting Immigrant Families Unlike Bruce Rauner, I won’t stand idly by while Donald Trump tries to separate children from their parents and attacks the foundations of our American values. I will resist his attempts to build a wall along our southern border, eliminate DACA, and end Temporary Protected Status for people from El Salvador, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Immigrant families want the same thing my great-grandfather did when he came to the United States: safety, freedom, and the opportunity to build a better life. As governor, I will support our immigrant families and speak out against xenophobia, racism, and injustice because every Illinois family deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As governor, I will work hand-in-hand with students, advocates, and elected officials to improve educational opportunities, increase healthcare options, and foster economic opportunity for immigrant youth and their families. JB will fight to protect immigrant families:
JB's Priorities for Protecting the Environment Unlike Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner, I stand on the side of science and believe climate change is real. The transition to a clean energy economy has already begun, and Illinois will be left behind if we don’t act. As governor, I will bring all stakeholders to the table to put Illinois on a path toward 100% clean, renewable energy and make sure that every community justly benefits during this transition. Additionally, I will invest in clean water infrastructure, expand energy efficiency efforts, and support the agencies that protect our environment. Most importantly, I will honor the Paris Climate agreement and join the U.S. Climate Alliance. Here are my priorities:
Legalizing Marijuana There is an abundance of evidence that shows we can legalize marijuana in a safe way. It would have real benefits for Illinois, including reducing opioid overdoses and bringing in much needed revenue from taxation. Most importantly, legalizing marijuana is a step forward in reforming our broken criminal justice system. Criminalizing marijuana hasn’t made our communities safer. What it has done is disproportionately impact black and brown communities. There are way too many people who have gone to prison or are currently sitting in prison for marijuana related offenses. The criminalization of marijuana has never been and never will be enforced fairly and it’s time to bring that to an end. JB will work to legalize marijuana, reduce mass incarceration, and reinvest in Illinois communities:
A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence People resort to violence when they lose hope and are closed off from opportunity. Systemic racism and disinvestment has closed communities off from economic opportunity for decades and this has only been compounded by Bruce Rauner. Unemployment in the five Chicago communities most affected by gun violence is as high as 35%. Unemployment in other regions of the state most affected by gun violence exceeds the state average too. Bruce Rauner’s 736-day budget crisis decimated funding for violence prevention, after school programs, and mental health services, all of which contribute to more resilient communities. We need to fight for all communities to be healthy and safe, and we need to partner with those already doing this work. As governor, I will work with all communities affected by gun violence. Together, we will lead efforts to treat gun violence as a public health epidemic, rebuild healthy communities, and increase firearm safety. JB will treat gun violence as a public health epidemic:
JB will work to rebuild healthy communities:
JB will increase firearm safety:
JB's Commitment to LGBTQ Rights My mother was an LGBTQ activist during the mid-1970’s in San Francisco. She instilled in me a spirit of inclusivity and respect for the humanity of all people. That’s why I’ve been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights my entire life. I marched in the Chicago Pride Parade long before it was a celebration, but instead was a protest march. And 20 years before it was legal, MK and I hosted a gay wedding in our backyard not to make a statement, but because Stephen and Dale were our friends and were in love. We have made historic strides towards equality in Illinois, but we still have a long way to go. Especially today as Donald Trump threatens to undermine the civil rights of LGBTQ people and Bruce Rauner remains silent. Rauner’s 736-day manufactured budget crisis threatened the lives of LGBTQ people by cutting critical funding for HIV testing and prevention and by gutting homeless youth services, substance abuse services, and mental health services all critically important to LGBTQ people. We need a governor who will restore stability and defend the rights of every person in Illinois. My administration will fight hate wherever it occurs in our state by rooting out bullying in our schools and enforcing workplace nondiscrimination laws. I will work with the legislature to pass annual budgets that invest in social service agencies that address the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ community. When I’m governor, the LGBTQ community won’t just have a seat at the table, they will be equal partners in the fight to make equality a lived reality for all. JB will fight for LGBTQ rights:
JB's Priorities to Raise Wages in Illinois Protect Collective Bargaining Rights Governor Rauner’s extreme agenda is a direct attack on Illinois’ working families. Governor Rauner favors right to work legislation, which would destroy unions in this state, and has proposed legislation that would significantly limit collective bargaining by preventing workers from bargaining over central tenets of employment—wages and healthcare. JB knows workers are the heart of every organization and must be treated with respect. JB will fight to protect collective bargaining rights because he believes unions are key to building a strong middle class. JB will protect fair share agreements and will be a good faith partner for labor unions and workers. Support a Living Wage Governor Rauner is holding the minimum wage hostage to his extreme agenda. Governor Rauner pays lip service to a minimum wage increase, but does not support a living wage for Illinois’ working families. JB supports raising the minimum wage to $15. JB understands that respect for workers means paying them a living wage. A person making Illinois’ current minimum wage of $8.25 an hour earns just $17,160 annually to work full time. Raising the minimum wage will help reverse the growing wage gap. Fight for Equal Pay JB will fight to strengthen Illinois’s Equal Pay Act. Women not only deserve equal pay, but they also deserve to know when they’re being paid less than their male counterparts. Equal pay laws should include harsher penalties for companies that are not in compliance. JB will also fight to make sure progress toward equal pay isn’t rolled back on the federal level. Enforce Laws Protecting Workers from Misclassification and Wage Theft Governor Rauner wants to help business at the expense of workers. Governor Rauner’s extreme “turnaround agenda” fails to acknowledge the enforcement and investigative work that must be done to protect workers. JB understands that worker misclassification and wage theft hurt workers and business. JB supports full enforcement of the 2010 Illinois Wage Theft Enforcement Act, which strengthens worker protections, and improving accountability measures for employers that improperly pay their employees. JB will appoint a Director of the Department of Labor who will relentlessly enforce all laws and direct the Joint Misclassification Enforcement Task Force to actively investigate and penalize employers who are in violation of the law. Fight for an Enforceable Prevailing Wage Governor Rauner wants to repeal the Illinois Prevailing Wage law. Under Governor Rauner’s administration, the Illinois Department of Labor hasn’t updated wage rates depriving workers of what’s owed to them. JB will fight to protect prevailing wage law in Illinois. JB supports a law that would formalize wage determinations, just as the federal prevailing wage law does. Studies show that prevailing wage laws do not drive up construction costs. Instead, they elevate worker skills in the construction industry, promote better workplace safety, and increase government revenues. Strengthen Project Labor Agreements Governor Rauner wants to repeal the Illinois Project Labor Agreements Act. Governor Rauner would prohibit the use of project labor agreements on state-funded projects, except where required by federal law. JB believes that Project Labor Agreements help ensure a skilled and experienced workforce and foster greater employment opportunities for women and people of color in the construction industry. JB will promote diversity in union apprenticeship programs and will sign an executive order to advocate the use of PLAs by all State agencies. JB's Plan for the Opioid Epidemic Unfortunately, Governor Bruce Rauner is once again failing to lead. In 2015, bipartisan members of the General Assembly came together to pass the Heroin Crisis Act, a forward-thinking and comprehensive bill to combat the epidemic. Rauner vetoed the bill – forcing legislators to override his veto – the only override of that legislative session. Rauner also proposed slashing funding for addiction treatment by 20 percent, with Illinois already in the bottom three states for providing publicly funded addiction treatment. Rauner’s 736-day manufactured budget crisis made the problem worse, devastating the state’s addiction and mental health treatment services and forcing 27 public health departments to reduce staff or services. All the while, Illinois’ opioid crisis spiraled out of control. We can’t afford to ignore this crisis. We need a governor who will recognize this emergency and prioritize addressing it. My plan is focused on six key priorities:
Focus on Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Education As governor, I will work with the medical and mental health communities to make sure that pediatricians discuss the serious dangers of opioids with parents and patients, both during routine check-ups and when writing prescriptions. I will also encourage regular mental health screenings, and work to ensure that psychiatrists discuss drug abuse with adolescent patients, given the increased danger of drug addiction in patients with mental illness. Finally, I support a greater public health campaign in schools. This will allow for the dangers of opioids to be taught at a younger age and ensure the stigma of addiction will not prevent those who need it from seeking treatment. Reduce the Risks of Prescription Opioids To combat prescription opioid abuse, I will work with physicians to put in place measures that help keep people safe. I will fight to strengthen Illinois’ prescription monitoring program so that physicians and pharmacies have access to accurate information about the quantity of opioids their patients receive. I will also work to ensure that physicians are better trained in the dangers of opioid addiction and treatment options as part of continuing medical education. Finally, as called for in the updated prescribing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I will support legislation to implement comprehensive prescribing guidelines that further limit the number of days of an initial opioid prescription, which can reduce the risk for addiction. Remove Barriers to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery As governor, I will use a multi-pronged approach to remove barriers to addiction and mental health treatment and recovery. I will restore the treatment, housing, and workforce development supports that were decimated under Bruce Rauner and look for ways to expand capacity across the state for treatment services. Additionally, I will facilitate coordination between hospitals and social service agencies to ensure that individuals who receive emergency treatment for drug use are directed to treatment programs when they’re discharged. We also need to expand jail and prison substance use disorder case management systems to connect individuals to community treatment upon release. This coordination will give those suffering from drug addiction the tools they need to transition into recovery. Work with the Criminal Justice System to Prioritize Treatment Over Incarceration As governor, I will work to increase access to problem-solving drug courts, ensure that judges understand the available treatment options, and ensure those options are more readily available. That means having enough space to meet demand in rehabilitation programs, including both inpatient or medication-assisted treatment programs. Providing access to this treatment will help formerly incarcerated people ease back in to the community, increasing their chances to rehabilitate their lives and reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Ensure Health Insurance Companies Cover Addiction Treatment Fairly However, a recent report found that 75 percent of Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) denied coverage for a range of treatments. This is in addition to almost half of commercial insurance companies that deny coverage for inpatient treatment and nearly one-third that deny coverage for partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and medication-assisted treatment. The report also found that both Medicaid MCOs and commercial insurance companies regularly use other barriers to care for mental health and substance use disorder treatment short of outright denial. As governor, I will work to ensure that insurance companies provide the coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment that they are lawfully required to cover. I will strengthen enforcement of the state’s parity laws and close loopholes that still allow insurance companies and MCOs to partially deny coverage based on a range of non-quantitative treatment limitations. I will also work to expand healthcare across our state, through my first-in-the-nation public option health insurance program, IllinoisCares. Leverage Federal Funding Opportunities to Fight the Opioid Epidemic Locally As governor, I will fight to ensure that the state is capturing as much federal funding as possible. I will focus on matching opportunities, where a modest state investment can unlock federal funding. I will also find ways for the state to assist local governments and non-profit organizations in taking advantage of federal grant opportunities. This is especially true for many of our small and rural communities that may need more technical assistance on grant applications. Finally, I will help local governments form intergovernmental task forces, so that police departments, schools, and public health departments can work together to combat opioid abuse across our state. Conclusion JB's Priorities for Economic Stability We must undo the harm caused by Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership and systemic disinvestment in Illinois’ communities. We can do this by empowering local community lenders and small business owners, and establishing innovative financing models that increase and expand access to capital to those who need it the most. I am committed to working with leaders, like Kurt Summers, who have fought to expand economic opportunity for the people of our state. Together, we can achieve these goals if we: Restore and Expand Small Business Development Centers Across the State Empower Under-Served Communities by Giving Them a Seat at the Table Reenvision Investment Incentives for Distressed Communities End the Rauner Era of Systemic Disinvestment through innovative funding models Small businesses employ approximately 2.4 million people in Illinois, that’s nearly 46% of the private workforce. In order to restore economic stability and vibrancy to underserved communities, small business development must be a core solution. That means expanding access to capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs, providing training and mentorship, and incentivizing investment. I remain dedicated to the revitalization of all communities across Illinois, and the programs above represent one important aspect of my economic development plan. JB's Plan to Support Illinois Veterans As the son and grandson of Navy Veterans, I have a very personal commitment to uphold the sacred obligation to those who risk their lives so that we can live in a free and democratic society. Illinois should help smooth the transition for Veterans and their families as they return to communities as civilians, and we also need to make sure that once they are home they are supported with housing, employment, healthcare, education and any additional services they need. To make this a reality, we need to increase access to social and economic opportunity. We must make it easier for Veterans and their spouses to get and keep good paying jobs so they can take care of their families. Access to affordable housing and healthcare options for Veterans and their families must also be increased. It is unacceptable that our Illinois Veterans’ homes – homes that care for our frail, elderly Veterans – have caused the death of over a dozen Veteran heroes. Over the past three years, we have lost too many Veterans to Legionnaires Disease and deaths continue to be reported. Our heroes deserve to live out their remaining years in dignity, not in fear of unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. We must address ongoing health and safety issues in Illinois Veteran’s homes. It’s unacceptable that cases of Legionnaires disease continue to be reported, and that lives continue to be lost. Increase opportunities for education and employment for Veterans and their families
Ensure Illinois Veterans of all ages have safe, stable, and affordable housing options
Improve healthcare options for Veterans across the state
Better manage and coordinate Veteran's services
JB's Criminal Justice Reform Plan As governor, I will propose an office of Criminal Justice Reform and Economic Opportunity, spearheaded by my pick for Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. This office will focus on evidence-based solutions to move us forward. We will build economic opportunity to keep people out of the criminal justice system and help Illinoisans transition back to their communities. We’re going to support youth and adults so they don’t enter the justice system in the first place. We’re going to reform sentencing to match the offense and support rehabilitation. Finally, we’re going to reduce gun violence with the public health approach we need to keep our communities safe. Long term, we must reverse Bruce Rauner’s systemic disinvestment in communities across our state. Bruce Rauner decimated human services in Illinois, blocked public education funding, and undermined economic opportunity for so many of our communities. These are the services and foundations that enable communities to build better lives and as governor, I will fight every day to reverse this damage. My plan focuses on four key areas:
Legalize Marijuana and Modernize Sentencing We must start with Illinois’ sentencing laws. We need sentencing guidelines that not only match the offense, but also work to deter crime and build safer communities. We also need to reform the bail system and partner with communities across the state to bolster successful diversion programs and robust data collection. As governor, I will work to reverse the foundational causes of mass incarceration. Under Bruce Rauner, we’ve seen steady disinvestment in our communities, human services decimated, and economic opportunity for our middle class and those striving to get into the middle class disappear. Yet, Illinois will spend over $1.4 billion in FY17 incarcerating its citizens. We need to modernize our approach to sentencing to focus on public safety and smart sentencing. The savings obtained from modernizing the sentencing system should be invested directly back to our communities to fund programs that reduce incarceration in the first place and expand opportunity for all Illinois communities.
Reducing Recidivism Our state government should partner with communities to help people released from prison thrive. We need to build strong social connections and create economic opportunity in our communities and that can’t just start when people are released. It means rehabilitative services, job training, and re-entry services that begin in prison and extend after release. Expanding these programs in our prisons and in our communities will build that bridge between incarceration and re-entry. It will connect individuals to the social and economic opportunities they need to thrive and reduce recidivism. It’s a long-term investment in our state that will help lower future incarceration costs, which currently cost over $23,000 per inmate. Let’s spend money educating instead of incarcerating Illinoisans.
Juvenile Justice Reform While adolescents are more likely to take risks and behave impulsively, their brains are also more open and responsive to education and rehabilitation. Recognizing this, we should focus on rehabilitative alternatives to prosecution and incarceration in our juvenile justice system. Keeping adolescents out of the system will not only improve their own well-being, it also frees up resources we can use to invest in education and building community capacity. In 2016, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice spent $172,000 annually to incarcerate each youth. That is a staggering 29 times more than effective community-based alternatives to incarceration that cost an average of only $6,000 per youth, per year.
A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence and Holding Law Enforcement Accountable There is no single cause for this epidemic and there is no single solution. Access to guns and where they come from is one factor. Over half of guns recovered by the Chicago Police Department can be traced to a state outside of Illinois. Without better data collection and law enforcement coordination across the state, it’s hard to know the same about crime guns recovered from Peoria and East St. Louis to Cairo. That’s a problem. Systemic disinvestment in our communities leading to adverse economic outcomes is also a key factor. Unemployment in the five Chicago communities most affected by gun violence is as high as 35%. Unemployment in other regions of the state most affected by gun violence exceeds the state average too. This has only been compounded by Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership. His 736-day budget crisis decimated funding for violence prevention, after-school programs, and mental health services. We need to fight for all communities to be healthy and safe, and we need to partner with those already doing this work. As governor, I will work with all communities affected by gun violence. Together, we will lead efforts to treat gun violence as a public health epidemic, rebuild healthy communities, increase firearm safety, and support the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Conclusion JB's Domestic Violence Prevention Plan We know that counseling and therapy, legal services, shelter, and job training provide survivors of domestic violence with the resources to successfully leave abusive relationships. But instead of setting children and families up for success, Bruce Rauner did long-term damage to the tools domestic violence survivors need to build a path toward self-sufficiency. Due to Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis, payments to domestic violence shelters were delayed or cut, resulting in many agencies reducing staff hours, laying people off, and taking out lines of credit. In July, Governor Rauner vetoed all funding for domestic violence services, jeopardizing life-saving services for more than 53,000 adults and children who receive support from community-based providers each year. Even after the legislature overrode Governor Rauner’s dangerous veto, the Department of Human Services continued to drag its feet in getting payments to domestic violence shelters. My Plan: Putting our children on a path to success
Tools for parents to rebuild their lives
JB's Plan to Resist Trump Illinois will be deeply impacted by this administration’s devastating agenda, and Governor Bruce Rauner is asleep at the wheel. Rauner is silent in the face of Trump’s attacks and refuses to put in place policies that will protect Illinois families. Worse, Rauner is actively working to force a special interest agenda on Illinois that will amplify Donald Trump’s destruction. After a 736-day budget crisis, with a state economy in turmoil, and with public school funding at risk, Illinois simply can’t afford Trump’s agenda or more of Rauner’s failed leadership. My parents raised me with a commitment to social justice. I’ve spent my life fighting for Illinois families and bringing people together to solve big problems for this state. Those values are under attack and I am ready to fight every day to make sure Illinois is a firewall against Donald Trump’s destructive agenda and hateful rhetoric. We will protect and expand health care for all of our families, invest in education, defend our environment, stand with our immigrant families, and fight for civil rights. I’m running for governor because the values that I care about are under siege by Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner and I am ready to stand with passionate Illinoisans and resist. After Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, there is so much work to do and this my plan to resist Trump as Illinois’ next governor. Protecting Health Care Rauner How We Resist Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are ramming through mean-spirited and deeply unpopular legislation to overhaul the progress we’ve made to make health care more accessible and affordable under the Affordable Care Act. If they are successful, the impact on Illinois would be nothing short of devastating. Millions of Illinoisan’s health care could be jeopardized, 650,000 of our neighbors would be automatically stripped of Medicaid in 2021, and 46,000 Illinois workers could lose their jobs. Premiums would skyrocket, with seniors bearing the brunt of the cost, and Illinois women could lose access to critical health services through Planned Parenthood. Trumpcare is a direct attack on the health care of millions of families, seniors, and women in Illinois. But even after bipartisan governors across the country criticized the legislation, Bruce Rauner refuses to take a principled stand. Instead, Donald Trump’s partner in Illinois is working to force his special interest agenda on our state through his own destructive Medicaid proposal and his threat to veto HB40. I’m running for governor to fight for Illinois families and that means doing everything in my power to protect their health care. I will resist Trump in Washington and stand with governors across the nation to provide meaningful leadership that will protect and expand health care for all Illinoisans. That means working to expand access to care, increase patient choice, and keep costs down by providing a public option health insurance plan. This public option will provide another choice in the health insurance marketplace and protect Illinoisans from rising premiums at no additional cost to taxpayers. I will also stand with Illinois women in the fight to protect women’s health care and their right to choose. Unlike Rauner, that is a promise I will never waiver on. Funding Education Rauner How We Resist Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos want to reduce the federal government’s investment in our greatest asset – our children – by threatening to cut more than $9 billion from the U.S. Department of Education. Their assault on public education will directly and disproportionately hurt low-income students. Rather than invest in programs that provide everyone with an opportunity to achieve their academic potential, Trump plans to drastically reduce funding and funnel savings into school choice programs. Bruce Rauner has a long history with Betsy DeVos, which comes as no surprise given their overlapping agendas. Young children missed out on opportunities to learn and grow as a result of Rauner’s changes to the Child Care Assistance Program. High school graduates left the state in part because of the financial instability surrounding public universities and lack of MAP grants. The ‘short term pain’ associated with Rauner’s budget crisis came at the expense of children and families across our state. Like Donald Trump, Rauner’s narrow, special interest agenda threatens the well-being of children and families across the state. In order to build a globally competitive workforce, we have to provide a world class education to every Illinois child. For over 20 years, I have been fighting for increased access to early childhood education and I won’t stop as governor. I’m going to take a two-generation approach to building a comprehensive, birth-to-five system of early childhood education. I plan to raise the state’s investment in K-12 schools to address the imbalance that exists between the share of state and local school funding. Finally, I will give our high school graduates a reason to stay in Illinois by making public universities more affordable, supporting our community colleges, and investing in our financial aid programs. We can achieve these goals by implementing a progressive income tax, where those who can afford it, pay more. Restoring the Environment Rauner How We Resist Donald Trump is compromising our future and our children’s future in his quest to disregard science and lead us to environmental ruin. Trump and his climate change denier EPA Director Scott Pruitt are systematically working to gut the EPA, proposing $2.6 billion in cuts to the agency that would slash 3,200 jobs. Trump is simultaneously working to eliminate the Clean Water Rule, which would ensure safe drinking water, as well as the Clean Power Plan, which set out to regulate energy plants powered by fossil fuels. On June 1, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, a historic international agreement between 195 countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Trump’s withdrawal was a striking statement that the U.S. will not partner to reduce the impacts of climate change. Bruce Rauner has been silent as Donald Trump wages war on our environment. While leaders of cities and states across the country stepped forward to say that they will continue to uphold the provisions of the Paris agreement, Bruce Rauner failed to act. Rauner has done nothing to push back on Trump’s proposed cuts to the EPA, which could lead the Illinois regional office to close entirely or cut critical jobs and programs. In fact, Bruce Rauner’s director of the Illinois EPA is a former registered lobbyist who represented some of this state’s largest polluters. And, of course, the damage done by Rauner’s budget crisis has decimated conservation programs across the state. As governor, I will stand with science, not with Donald Trump. One of my first acts will be joining responsible leaders across the country to ensure that Illinois upholds the provisions of the Paris Climate Agreement. I will fight Donald Trump’s cuts to the EPA and ensure our regional office keeps its doors open. I will work to expand clean energy production and invest in green jobs. Finally, I will pass a budget that restores funding to the conservation programs that keep our environment safe and clean. Climate change is a real threat, and we have a responsibility to our children to act. I’m ready to do that as governor. Fighting for Immigration Reform Rauner How we Resist The United States is a nation of immigrants. Every generation, our country is strengthened by men and women from across the globe seeking freedom and opportunity here. Rather than welcome this generation of immigrant children and families, our president has demonized Mexicans, turned his back on Syrian refugees, and has implemented a modified travel ban to several Muslim-majority nations. Estimates from 2015 found that if Donald Trump were to succeed in deporting every undocumented immigrant in Illinois, the state could lose $25.6 billion in economic activity, $11.4 billion in gross state product, and approximately 119,214 jobs. We must protect our ideals and do everything possible to make the promise of America the practice of America. Illinois should serve as a beacon of hope, a place where every person is given the tools to build a better life, contribute to their community, and help strengthen our economy. Illinois is home to approximately 1.8 million immigrants, but Bruce Rauner has done nothing to protect them from Donald Trump’s hateful agenda. In fact, he’s proactively taken steps to jettison immigrant integration programs and dilute pro-immigrant bills. Immigrants were nearly 18% of Illinois’ workforce in 2013, and in 2012 undocumented immigrants in Illinois paid approximately $793.7 million in state and local taxes. Today’s immigrant families want the same thing my great-grandfather did when he came to the United States: safety, freedom, and the opportunity to build a better life. As governor, I will strive to build the social and economic infrastructure necessary to create opportunities for everyone, regardless of citizenship. Unlike our governor, I will welcome refugees with open arms and send a message to the president that Illinois is a welcoming state. I will restore and expand funding for immigrant integration services. Finally, I will proudly sign pro-immigrant bills like the Illinois Trust Act into law and look forward to standing with immigrant families to rebuild trust in our communities. Standing Up to Intolerance Rauner How we Resist Donald Trump and his administration have supported and enacted flagrantly racist policies, from pledging to build a wall on the Mexican border to placing a travel ban on Muslims who want to come to the U.S. Trump rescinded a Department of Education guidance designed to protect transgender students. A new policy by Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinds a 2013 memo from then-Attorney General Eric Holder, which sought to reduce the use of mandatory minimums for non-violent offenders. Long sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders have not been proven to increase public safety, deter violence, or effectuate greater rehabilitation. However, they have been found to criminalize communities of color and drive up incarceration costs. Under Bruce Rauner, hate crimes against Jews, Muslims, Arabs and Hispanics in Chicago hit five-year highs in 2016. His administration has decimated social services in Illinois that primarily serve communities that need it the most. After-school programs for at-risk youth and preventative HIV programs for LGBTQ populations have been particularly devastated, despite clear evidence of their effectiveness. Rauner has done nothing to stand up for transgender Illinoisans in the face of Donald Trump’s blatant discrimination. I’m proud to have worked with Holocaust survivors to build the Illinois Holocaust Museum, which educates tens of thousands of Illinois students and teachers on how to fight intolerance and hate every year. As governor, I will listen to the diverse experiences and views of Illinoisans and ensure those who have gone voiceless for far too long have a seat at the table. l will fund our social services and ensure access in communities that need them the most. I will stand with our transgender students and all Illinoisans against bigotry. Finally, I will fix our school funding formula and provide access to capital in communities that have been left behind. Illinoisans deserve a governor fighting to give all communities the opportunity to thrive. Join Me In the days that followed, my greatest hope was that Trump would prove me wrong. For the sake of our country, I hoped that Trump would rise to the responsibility of holding our country’s highest office. Those hopes were quickly dashed. I won’t mince words. Donald Trump’s administration has been plagued by staggering incompetence on his best days and a flagrant disregard for our values, ethics, and the rule of law on his worst. Our basic values and way of life here in Illinois are under threat. The long-term stability of this state and the well-being of our families is at stake if we don’t act. We need a governor ready to resist Donald Trump with every tool at their disposal and I am ready to be that governor. I hope you will join me. Illinois Cares: JB's Healthcare Plan Meanwhile, hard-working Illinois families could face losing healthcare coverage, rising premiums, and limited selection in the health insurance marketplace. As governor, I will use every tool at my disposal to ensure that Illinoisans have the healthcare coverage they need, and the first step is introducing a healthcare option called IllinoisCares. I propose a public health insurance option that would allow every Illinois resident the chance to buy low-cost health insurance. I will work with legislators and the health care community to design this public option to provide another choice in the health insurance marketplace, to lower the cost of premiums and mitigate market uncertainty – at no cost to taxpayers. If the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains the law of the land, my plan would provide an important avenue to expand access to affordable healthcare in Illinois. But if Republicans in Washington are successful in repealing ACA, IllinoisCares would become even more necessary and could give Illinois a path to expanded innovative healthcare coverage at the state level. I hope there continues to be conversation about how we can expand healthcare coverage across our country, including the consideration of a federal single payer system, which I support. But with Donald Trump in the White House and Republicans in control of the House and Senate, it’s now up to the states to innovate. That’s why I’m proposing a public option for Illinois, which would be the first in the nation leading in this way. IllinoisCares would allow Illinois residents to buy into the state’s Medicaid system:
“As Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington try to destroy the progress made by the ACA, Bruce Rauner sits in Springfield doing nothing for the more than 1 million Illinoisans whose coverage is at risk,” said JB Pritzker. “Our state has the chance to lead the nation with a progressive idea that expands coverage while offering residents an affordable healthcare option. My proposal, IllinoisCares, is a public health insurance option for the people of Illinois. As governor, I will do everything I can to make sure that all Illinoisans have quality, affordable healthcare coverage at the best price possible.” Early Childhood Education My plan includes the following: 1. Ensure every child participates in kindergarten In Illinois, roughly half of kindergarten-age children live in low-income households, around 20 percent speak a language other than English at home, around 14 percent have special needs, and several thousand are homeless. Research indicates that during kindergarten, there is a clear achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged kids. While evidence suggests that participation in kindergarten, particularly full-day kindergarten, improves academic outcomes, self-confidence, and the ability to interact with others, it is estimated that 5,000 school-age children are not enrolled in kindergarten across the state. Lowering the compulsory age of education from six to five will ensure that every child is able to benefit from the cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of kindergarten. It will also build upon the investment the state is making in birth-to-five early learning services. Unfortunately, Bruce Rauner put the education of kindergarten children in jeopardy by trying to use school funding as leverage to score a political win. Illinois needs to fully fund its schools and ensure that school districts across the state equitably receive the resources they need to provide kindergarteners with a high-quality education. 2. Put Illinois on a path towards universal preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds Illinois is currently serving approximately 110,000 3 and 4-year-olds through the state’s Preschool for All and the federally-funded Head Start Program. In order to provide every parent with the opportunity to enroll their 3 and 4-year-olds in a high-quality preschool program, Illinois would have to serve over 200,000 more children, 50,000 of which are considered low-income. The state should make bold moves to accomplish that goal, but it has to be done incrementally because there aren’t enough teachers or classroom space to do this overnight. We need to increase the state’s investment in the Early Childhood Block Grant so that Illinois can serve at least 12,500 more children every year, while investing in training the teachers we’ll need to expand access even further. This would enable the state to enroll every low-income child within four years and put Illinois on path towards serving 100,000 more children in eight years. Illinois is currently in the middle of a five-year preschool expansion plan initiated under Governor Pat Quinn and supported by a federal grant from the Obama Administration. Despite state efforts, Illinois is currently ranked 21st in the nation in preschool access for 4-year-olds. Even though he claims to support early learning programs, Bruce Rauner vetoed the state’s FY18 budget allocating $443.7 million for the Early Childhood Block Grant. 3. Increase access to the Child Care Assistance Program Increasing income eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program to 200 percent of the federal poverty level would allow a family of three to qualify for assistance with an annual salary of about $40,000. Today, Child Care Assistance Program eligibility is capped at 185 percent of the federal poverty limit, which would leave a family of three outside of the system if they earn more than roughly $38,000. We would also create an exit ramp that allows those who qualify for it to continue receiving assistance as their wages increase up to 300 percent of the FPL which is roughly $61,000 annual earnings for a family of three. Increasing access to the Child Care Assistance Program is critical to a two-generation approach to supporting children and their parents. Under my plan, working parents can avoid having their assistance abruptly taken away when they get better paying jobs or get a raise. Working parents who receive child care assistance are more likely to maintain stable employment, earn more money, and reduce their debt. When families don’t have access to affordable, high-quality child care, they are more likely to place their children in inferior settings. This can contribute to the 30-million-word gap that already exists between higher-income families who can afford high-quality child care and those from lower-income families who cannot. Unfortunately, more than 30,000 children lost access to high-quality child care over the last few years because of Bruce Rauner’s assault on working families. On July 1, 2015, Rauner made Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program the least accessible program in the nation when he lowered income eligibility to 50 percent of the federal poverty limit, or no more than $10,045 a year for a family of three. This change in policy denied child care assistance to 90 percent of the working families who typically apply for the program. Under pressure from the public and the legislature, Rauner increased income eligibility up to 162 of the federal poverty limit in November 2017 and promised to elevate it back up to 185 percent of the federal poverty limit when a full budget was authorized – a promise Rauner failed to fulfill until October 2017 – 84 days after lawmakers voted to override his veto of the fiscal year 2018 budget. 4. Expand birth-to-three services and create a new "Family Engagement Portal" Evidence-based home visiting programs have shown positive long-term impacts on children through increased school readiness, reduced child maltreatment, and reduced lifetime arrests and convictions. Evidence-based home-visiting programs also show positive impacts for families, such as increased parental income and increased percentages of parents who live together. Illinois currently has several birth-to-three home-visiting programs administered by the Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education. As governor, I will work to expand the reach of those programs and create a new ‘Family Engagement Portal.’ This new, parent-centered mobile and online portal will provide parents and caregivers with information about publicly available local child development resources for children and families. We’ll also strive to reach all new and expecting parents through health care providers and urge them to sign-up to receive mobile messaging about maternal and child health, positive parenting practices, and early learning programs. Focusing on assisting parents will help build stronger families and enhance the learning environment for young children. Bruce Rauner’s 736-day budget crisis has debilitated families’ access to birth-to-three home-visiting programs, which did not receive a full-year appropriation in FY16 or FY17. Instability surrounding the state budget and late payments from the state resulted in a 30 percent decline in home-visiting funding. Bruce Rauner even proposed restricting access to the Early Intervention Program, which helps infants and toddlers overcome developmental delays. Thankfully, parents, medical professionals, and advocates fought back against this proposal and succeeded in protecting critical services for young children. 5. Invest in adding more teachers and classrooms Early childhood education is a critically important part of a successful education system that strengthens families and communities. Research clearly shows that investments in high-quality early learning opportunities, starting at birth and through age five, increases children’s school readiness, raises high school graduation rates, boosts labor participation, and improves health outcomes. It also saves money by reducing expenditures later in life on remedial programs, job training, and incarceration. In fact, it’s fiscally responsible to invest in early learning. Inspired by experts like Barbara Bowman and Irving Harris, for almost two decades, I’ve been at the forefront of local and national efforts to increase access to high-quality early learning opportunities. As a national activist, I provided Congressional testimony, spoke at the National Governors Association and numerous other organizations, and I supported the creation of the First Five Years Fund, a national advocacy organization advancing high-quality early childhood education. In 2014, I helped lead President Obama’s White House Summit on Early Childhood Education. This is a priority for me and as governor, I will make Illinois a national leader in early childhood education. Conclusion Our children deserve better. As governor, I will work to provide a strong early educational environment for every Illinois child starting at birth and will assist parents and caregivers in their desire to strengthen families. Think Big: A Plan for Illinois Jobs I’m running to be a governor who represents our entire state and my plans for our economy reflect that. There are unique assets and needs in Central and Southern Illinois that must be a part of any plan to create jobs in our state. My plan will invest in infrastructure so we can make Illinois a place where people want to do business again. It will provide capital and support for small businesses, the number one job creators in our state. It will lift up our community colleges and public universities as engines of economic growth and incubators for start-ups and new businesses. All while supporting longstanding pillars of Illinois’ economy like agriculture and manufacturing. The challenges across our state are real, the needs are large, but I’m ready to create jobs in Illinois again. Here’s my plan: Infrastructure for Our Future Rauner's Record My Plan Create jobs statewide by employing Illinoisans on new construction projects. I will ensure these are good-paying jobs by supporting Project Labor Agreements and prevailing wage. Support our farmers and manufacturers and attract new businesses by creating the transportation and logistics network they need to thrive. Upgrading our roads, rail, and water will be critical to getting goods to market and allowing manufacturers to expand. Build up our high-speed broadband infrastructure to ensure statewide access for businesses and entrepreneurs. Small businesses need high-speed broadband to succeed, and we need to make access throughout the entire state a priority. Ensure safe drinking water by updating our lead service lines and water infrastructure. New Business Creation Rauner's Record My Plan Expand availability of microloans to increase access to capital for small businesses. I will help chartered community banks and certified Community Development Financial Institutions deploy more capital and tie state assistance to benchmarks in order to ensure effectiveness. Restore and expand Small Business Development Centers to help small businesses navigate regulatory requirements and connect with lenders. Business owners need mentorship, training, and support to succeed and SBDCs are critical in making that happen. Introduce a Truth in Lending Act to protect small business owners from online and alternative lending products that are detrimental to their fiscal health. Invest in Higher Education Rauner's Record My Plan Empower community colleges as hubs of economic growth, workforce training, and innovation. The National Sequestration Education Center at Richland Community College in Decatur offers associate degrees and training in carbon sequestration technology. This is the type of innovative education that grows and develops our economy. Richland Community College and community colleges across our state need a partner in the governor’s office who will pursue federal dollars, create public-private partnerships, and pursue private investments in technology and innovation. Support university-based start-ups by reinstating matching funds and modest seed grants to help start-ups better leverage federal money. I will also bring together university and business leaders to promote private capital investment in growth stage companies. University incubators and the start-ups they create are a critical resource for economic growth and deserve support from the state. Expand youth apprenticeship programs by promoting partnerships between high schools and trades unions and encouraging companies to establish multi-year commitments for apprenticeship programs. We should also leverage federal dollars as new federal apprenticeship funding opportunities become available. Promote environmentally responsible energy development by investing in renewable energy cooperatives, promoting the widespread development of wind and solar power, and supporting the Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center at SIU Carbondale and other innovative research efforts. Nurture our Agricultural Economy Rauner's Record My Plan Improve farm to market infrastructure by upgrading rural roads, nearly half of which are rated in poor, mediocre, or fair condition. Upgrading the locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers by using federal dollars will also support the $54 billion in agricultural products that flow through the Mississippi River watershed to get to market. Expand access to capital for family farmers so they can invest in new technology that keeps their businesses competitive. Defend agricultural education to ensure that these programs remain a vibrant part of our vocational education programs and that Illinois has well-trained future farmers. Support agricultural research at our universities and colleges to find value-added ways to expand the use and marketability of our state’s natural resources, like soybeans and corn. Jumpstart Manufacturing Rauner's Record My Plan Support Illinois’ growing manufacturing export industry through infrastructure upgrades to the roads, rails, bridges, and waterways that transport these goods. Nurture advanced manufacturing by extending quality, high-speed internet access to rural communities across the state. Support manufacturers in securing access to capital and create training opportunities to meet their unique needs. Manufacturing employs 10 percent of the state’s workforce and deserves continued support. Foster the growth of manufacturing incubators like mHUB across the state and allow local manufacturers, academic researchers, and entrepreneurs to innovate, create jobs, and meet workforce demands.[8] |
” |
| —JB for Governor[9] | ||
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
Reported as possible 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee
- See also: Vice presidential candidates, 2024
Media reports discussed Pritzker as a possible 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate.[10] Vice President Kamala Harris (D) selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) as her running mate on August 6, 2024.[11]
In 2020, President Joe Biden (D) announced Vice President Kamala Harris (D) as his running mate six days before the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). In 2016, both Hillary Clinton (D) and Trump announced their running mates three days before the DNC and RNC, respectively.
Redistricting in Illinois after the 2020 census
On May 28, 2021, Illinois lawmakers approved revised legislative district maps. The House voted 70-45 in favor of the maps, with all Democrats present voting 'yea' and all Republicans present voting 'nay.' The Senate voted 40-18 in favor of the maps, also with all Democrats present voting 'yea' and all Republicans present voting 'nay.'[12] Also on May 28, 2021, Illinois lawmakers approved a revised state supreme court district map. The House voted 71-45 in favor of the maps, with all Democrats present voting 'yea' and all Republicans present voting 'nay.' The Senate voted 40-18 in favor of the maps, also with all Democrats present voting 'yea' and all Republicans present voting 'nay.'[13]
On June 4, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed the new maps into law.[14]
On May 11, 2020, Pritzker announced he would self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus. Pritzker tested negative for the virus.[15] On September 29, 2020, Pritzker announced that he would quarantine again for 14 days after a member of his staff tested positive for the virus.[16]
Ballot measure activity
The following table details Pritzker's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for J.B. Pritzker | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| Ohio Issue 1, Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative (2023) | 2023 | Supported[17] |  Approved
|
| Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure (2023) | 2023 | Opposed[18] |  Defeated
|
| Illinois Amendment 1, Right to Collective Bargaining Measure (2022) | 2022 | Supported[19] | Approved |
| Illinois Allow for Graduated Income Tax Amendment (2020) | 2020 | Supported[20] | Defeated
|
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Pritzker has two children with his wife, MK.[21]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Candidate Governor of Illinois |
Officeholder Governor of Illinois |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Executive and Legislative Achievements," accessed August 7, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Forbes, "J.B. Pritzker," accessed May 13, 2021
- ↑ New York Magazine, "J. B. Pritzker Is a New Democratic Power Broker He is rich and powerful, making him both an ally to Joe Biden and his own center of influence.," August 3, 2023
- ↑ Cook County Clerk, "Official final results," accessed August 7, 2023
- ↑ National Governors Association, "Gov. J.B. Pritzker," accessed May 13, 2021
- ↑ Chicago Magazine, "J.B. Pritzker: The Other Mayor of Chicago," February 19, 2014
- ↑ Illinois.gov, "About the Governor," accessed May 13, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ JB Pritzker for Governor, "Issues Archives," accessed September 13, 2018
- ↑ Axios, "Who could be Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick," July 21, 2024
- ↑ X, "Harris on August 6, 2024," accessed August 6, 2024
- ↑ BillTrack50, "IL HB2777," accessed June 2, 2021
- ↑ BillTrack50, "IL SB0642," accessed June 2, 2021
- ↑ Illinois News, "Gov. Pritzker Signs Redistricting Maps that Preserve Minority Representation and Reflect Illinois' Diversity," accessed June 9, 2021
- ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Pritzker: Senior staffer positive for COVID-19, so ‘rest of the team, myself included, is working from home’," May 11, 2020
- ↑ PBS, "llinois Gov. Pritzker will quarantine 2 weeks," September 29, 2020
- ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "With his own money and campaign staffers, Pritzker launches national bid to protect abortion rights," October 18, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Pritzker defeats Uihlein — in Ohio," August 10, 2023
- ↑ PBS.org, "Illinois vote takes center stage in battle over union rights," October 19, 2022
- ↑ WTTW, "Stage is Set for Major Fight Over Illinois Constitution, Tax Policy," April 9, 2019
- ↑ National Governors Association, "MK Pritzker," accessed May 13, 2021
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Bruce Rauner (R) |
Governor of Illinois 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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State of Illinois Springfield (capital) |
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| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
