JB Pritzker

JB Pritzker
Born	Jay Robert Pritzker 19 1, 1965
Birthplace	Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, lawyer
Title	43rd Governor of Illinois
Known for	43rd Governor of Illinois
Education	Duke University (BA) Northwestern University School of Law (JD)
Children	2
Website	[https://www.illinois.gov/government/governor Official site]

Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker (born January 19, 1965) is an American politician, lawyer, and businessman who has served as the 43rd governor of Illinois since January 14, 2019. A member of the Democratic Party and an heir to the Pritzker family fortune built on the Hyatt hotel chain, Pritzker entered public life after decades of work in venture capital, philanthropy, and Democratic Party politics. He won the 2018 gubernatorial election by defeating Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner and was reelected in 2022 against Republican nominee Darren Bailey. His tenure as governor has been defined by the legalization of recreational cannabis, expansion of abortion access, increases to the minimum wage, management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, and an increasingly prominent role as a Democratic voice in opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump. Before seeking the governorship, Pritzker served as chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2006 under Governor Rod Blagojevich and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. His career in business centered on co-founding Pritzker Group, a private investment firm, along with several venture capital initiatives in the Chicago technology sector.

Early Life

JB Pritzker was born on January 19, 1965, in Palo Alto, California, to Donald Pritzker and Sue Sandel. He is a member of the Pritzker family, one of the wealthiest families in the United States, whose fortune was built through the founding and ownership of the Hyatt hotel chain. His father, Donald Pritzker, was a co-founder of Hyatt Hotels alongside his brother Jay Pritzker. JB Pritzker's given name, Jay Robert, pays tribute to his uncle Jay.

Pritzker grew up in a family environment shaped by both business enterprise and philanthropic activity. The Pritzker family has been associated with a range of cultural and educational institutions, and JB Pritzker would later continue this tradition through his own charitable endeavors. He attended Milton Academy, a prestigious preparatory school in Milton, Massachusetts, before proceeding to higher education.

The family's Jewish heritage has also been a significant part of Pritzker's identity. He was involved in the establishment of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois, which opened in April 2009. The museum was designed to emphasize lessons for the future and to serve as both a memorial and an educational resource. Pritzker was later recognized by the museum for his contributions to its development and mission.

Education

Pritzker attended Milton Academy before enrolling at Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently attended Northwestern University School of Law (now the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law), where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. The Pritzker family later made a substantial financial contribution to Northwestern Law. In October 2015, Northwestern University announced that the Pritzker family had made an unprecedented gift to the law school, which was subsequently renamed in the family's honor.

Career

Business and Venture Capital

After completing his legal education, Pritzker pursued a career in business and investment. He co-founded the Pritzker Group, which operates Pritzker Group Private Capital, a private equity firm where he has served as managing partner. The firm has been involved in the acquisition and management of a portfolio of companies across various industries.

Pritzker also played a role in fostering the technology startup ecosystem in Chicago. He co-founded Chicago Ventures and helped fund Techstars Chicago and Built in Chicago, initiatives aimed at supporting early-stage technology companies in the city. These efforts positioned Pritzker as a notable figure in Chicago's business community prior to his entry into electoral politics.

Philanthropy and Early Education

In addition to his business activities, Pritzker has been involved in philanthropic work, with a particular focus on early childhood education. He established the Pritzker Early Education Foundation, which has focused on programs supporting children from birth through age five.

One notable initiative connected to Pritzker's early education work was a program in Utah that attracted investment from Goldman Sachs to fund preschool programs using a social impact bond model. The program was designed to demonstrate that investment in early education could yield measurable returns in terms of reduced special education costs and improved long-term outcomes for children.

However, Pritzker's charitable activities have also drawn scrutiny. An investigation by the Better Government Association found that while his philanthropic giving was substantial in absolute terms, his charitable structure allowed significant tax benefits, leading to questions about the net cost of his giving relative to the tax savings generated.

Pritzker's philanthropic work has also extended to South Dakota, where he has contributed to projects associated with the University of South Dakota.

Early Political Career

Pritzker was a longtime active member and financial supporter of the Democratic Party before seeking elected office. In 1998, he ran for the United States House of Representatives in Illinois's 9th congressional district but was unsuccessful in securing the seat.

From April 1, 2003, to July 26, 2006, Pritzker served as chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich. He succeeded Rose Jennings in the position and was followed by Abner Mikva. The role gave Pritzker experience in state government and policy related to civil rights and anti-discrimination enforcement in Illinois.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign and Election

Pritzker entered the 2018 race for governor of Illinois, running in a crowded Democratic primary field. He won the primary and advanced to the general election against Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner. During the campaign, Pritzker outlined a platform that included the legalization of recreational marijuana, raising the minimum wage, expanding abortion access, and addressing climate change.

On the issue of cannabis legalization, Pritzker emphasized his support during the campaign, including public statements around the April 20 (4/20) date traditionally associated with marijuana advocacy.

Pritzker also campaigned on abortion rights, though the endorsements of abortion-rights organizations were divided among candidates in the Democratic primary.

The campaign was not without controversy. Pritzker faced criticism from Republicans over a property tax reduction of approximately $230,000 on one of his properties, which drew accusations of exploiting the property tax system.

Pritzker defeated Rauner in the general election on November 6, 2018, and took office on January 14, 2019, with Juliana Stratton serving as his lieutenant governor.

First Term as Governor (2019–2023)

Pritzker's first term was marked by an ambitious legislative agenda and the challenge of managing the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minimum Wage

One of Pritzker's earliest priorities was raising the state minimum wage. Shortly after taking office, he set a six-month deadline for the Illinois General Assembly to pass a minimum wage increase. The legislature subsequently passed a bill gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, which Pritzker signed into law.

Reproductive Rights

Pritzker took executive and legislative action to expand abortion access in Illinois. In January 2019, he signed an executive order related to women's reproductive rights, signaling that his administration would prioritize the protection of reproductive healthcare access in the state. Illinois under Pritzker became a destination for individuals seeking abortion services from states with more restrictive laws, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Cannabis Legalization

In June 2019, Pritzker signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, making Illinois one of the first states in the nation to legalize recreational cannabis through the legislative process rather than a ballot initiative. The law included provisions for social equity in cannabis licensing, aimed at addressing the disproportionate impact of drug enforcement on minority communities.

Climate and Energy Policy

Pritzker signaled early in his tenure that his administration would take an active role in addressing climate change. Shortly after his inauguration, he outlined plans for Illinois to pursue clean energy goals and to rejoin multi-state climate agreements. His administration supported the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, which set a goal of transitioning Illinois to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Net Neutrality

Pritzker expressed support for net neutrality protections during his campaign and early in his governorship, positioning Illinois in opposition to federal efforts under the Trump administration to roll back net neutrality rules.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant governance challenges for Pritzker. He issued stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, and other public health directives aimed at controlling the spread of the virus in Illinois. His pandemic management drew both praise for its relative decisiveness and criticism from some legislators and residents who objected to the scope of executive authority exercised during the crisis.

Immigration

Pritzker took a welcoming stance toward immigrants during his governorship, positioning Illinois as a state that would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts beyond what was required by law.

Reelection in 2022

Pritzker sought reelection in 2022 and won the Democratic primary without significant opposition. In the general election, he faced Republican nominee Darren Bailey, a state senator from downstate Illinois. Pritzker won reelection by a substantial margin, securing a second term.

Second Term and Opposition to the Trump Administration

Pritzker's second term has been characterized in part by his role as a vocal critic of the policies of the second Trump administration. In February 2026, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against President Trump's tariffs, Pritzker sent the federal government an invoice for $8.6 billion, representing what he described as the cost to Illinois taxpayers of the tariffs that had been ruled unconstitutional. The move attracted national media attention and was covered by outlets including Politico, which described the action under the headline "Pritzker to Trump: You owe us."

In February 2026, Pritzker's administration announced that pharmaceutical company AbbVie would construct two new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities at its North Chicago headquarters, a development framed by the governor's office as evidence of continued economic investment in Illinois.

Also in February 2026, Pritzker renewed his push for legislation banning cellphones in schools across Illinois, after a similar effort had failed to pass the Illinois General Assembly the previous year.

As the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, several Republican candidates have announced campaigns to challenge Pritzker, including Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in 2022, as well as Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and James Mendrick.

Pritzker's administration has also faced scrutiny over proposed reductions to the state's local government distributions, drawing opposition from community advocates.

Personal Life

JB Pritzker is a member of the Pritzker family, one of America's wealthiest families. His father, Donald Pritzker, co-founded Hyatt Hotels. Pritzker has two children. He and his family have maintained residences in Chicago, Illinois.

Pritzker's Jewish heritage has been a public aspect of his identity. He was involved in the founding and support of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois, which opened in 2009 and was designed to serve as both a memorial to Holocaust victims and an educational institution for future generations.

He has also been associated with charitable work in the Yankton, South Dakota, area through donations connected to his family's philanthropic interests.

Recognition

Pritzker has received recognition for his philanthropic contributions and his role in public life. The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center honored him for his support of the institution. The Pritzker family's gift to Northwestern University School of Law resulted in the school being renamed the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, one of the most significant naming gifts in the history of American legal education.

In the political arena, Pritzker has gained national attention as a Democratic governor willing to directly challenge the policies of the Trump administration. His February 2026 invoice to the federal government for $8.6 billion in tariff refunds was covered by national outlets including The Wall Street Journal and Politico, elevating his profile within the Democratic Party.

Legacy

As of 2026, JB Pritzker's governorship has reshaped several areas of Illinois policy. The legalization of recreational cannabis through the legislative process, rather than by ballot initiative, positioned Illinois as a model for other states considering similar measures. His administration's expansion of abortion access made Illinois a regional hub for reproductive healthcare, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs decision. The passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act set ambitious clean energy targets for the state.

Pritzker's willingness to use the governor's office as a platform for opposing federal policies under the second Trump administration has drawn comparisons to other Democratic governors who have positioned themselves as leaders of the party's resistance efforts. His actions on tariff refunds, immigration policy, and other areas of federal-state tension have contributed to an ongoing national debate about the role of state governments in checking federal authority.

His philanthropic legacy, particularly in early childhood education and Holocaust remembrance, extends beyond his political career. The Pritzker Early Education Foundation's work on birth-to-five programs and the family's contributions to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and to Northwestern University's law school represent sustained commitments to education and cultural preservation.

Whether Pritzker will seek higher office after his time as governor, or continue to serve in his current role, remains a subject of political speculation. His combination of personal wealth, national media presence, and record as a two-term governor of a major state has made him a recurring figure in discussions about the future of the Democratic Party.