Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is reportedly entertaining thoughts of a 2028 presidential run. He’s got the billionaire bankroll, national donor ties, and progressive bonafides to make headlines. But before Pritzker looks toward Pennsylvania Avenue, perhaps he should take a hard look at the wreckage back home.
Under Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois continues to rank among the worst states in the nation for fiscal health, outmigration, and public corruption. The state is drowning in unfunded pension liabilities — north of $140 billion — a ticking time bomb passed from governor to governor, now ignored by one with the means and mandate to tackle it.
Taxes? Sky-high. Illinois residents face some of the heaviest tax burdens in America, with rising property taxes fueling the exodus of middle-class families and businesses. The state has lost over 150,000 residents since 2020 — more than any other in the Midwest — and that’s not just weather-related. People are voting with their feet.
Meanwhile, crime in Chicago remains a national talking point for all the wrong reasons. Despite promises to curb violence and invest in communities, the city has seen rampant carjackings, theft, and a perception of lawlessness that’s turning tourists and investors away.
Public education, too, is faltering. While Pritzker touts increased spending, performance outcomes remain stagnant. Meanwhile, he’s scrapped Illinois’ only school choice program — the Invest in Kids scholarship — leaving thousands of low-income families scrambling for options.
Yet on the national stage, Pritzker poses as a model progressive leader, handing out campaign checks, flying to early primary states, and cozying up to party elites. He speaks of “equity” and “opportunity” — lofty ideals that ring hollow to the working families trying to navigate a broken state government.
A presidential run requires not just ambition but a record of leadership. Illinois, under Pritzker, is not a success story — it’s a cautionary tale.
If Governor Pritzker wants to run the country, he should first prove he can fix Illinois. So far, he hasn’t.
