🧵 THREAD: The JB Pritzker Files
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is positioning himself as the Democratic hero of 2028.
But before the national press crowns him, let's look at what he's built.
As always, patience as I pull the thread together. 👇
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is positioning himself as the Democratic hero of 2028.
But before the national press crowns him, let's look at what he's built.
As always, patience as I pull the thread together. 👇
In 2008, FBI wiretaps caught JB Pritzker on the phone multiple times trading political appointment strategies.
On tape, Pritzker advises on who should fill Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat:
"The only reason to do it is if he'll appoint you to something."
"The only reason to do it is if he'll appoint you to something."
What did Pritzker want in return?
He wanted State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias appointed to the Senate, which would have opened the Treasurer slot... for JB Pritzker.
He was lobbying for a state appointment… this is on tape.
He wanted State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias appointed to the Senate, which would have opened the Treasurer slot... for JB Pritzker.
He was lobbying for a state appointment… this is on tape.
Also on tape: Pritzker discussing which Black politicians were "acceptable" for the Senate seat.
He apologized for the "regrettable" language. He has never apologized for what he was doing on those calls.
He apologized for the "regrettable" language. He has never apologized for what he was doing on those calls.
In 2017, Pritzker Group Venture Capital heavily invested in the Chicago health tech firm Outcome Health. Later that year, the Wall Street Journal reported that three employees at Outcome had misrepresented information to advertising clients, but said there was no evidence senior management knew of the misconduct.
Outcome was forced to settle and give investors a controlling equity stake valued hundreds of millions, but that wasn’t enough. After having already settled in 2020, Pritzker helped federal prosecutors go after the company's founders on trumped-up criminal charges and now stands to personally benefit to the tune of tens of millions of dollars in restitution for his firm.
Thanks to Pritzker’s meddling, in 2023, the founders of Outcome Health were tried *again* by Biden’s DOJ after the DOJ illegally seized millions from them and forced them to hire cheaper lawyers.
Prosecutors personally drafted witnesses’ testimony and had them recite it on the stand (unprecedented on its own). But those same witnesses were noted by court to have an undisputed motive to testify falsely, after securing immunity or reduced sentences from the prosecutors.
Pritzker waged a campaign of lawfare against others for for political and financial gain, weaponizing the courts to receive up to $50 million in restitution for a case he already settled.
Prosecutors personally drafted witnesses’ testimony and had them recite it on the stand (unprecedented on its own). But those same witnesses were noted by court to have an undisputed motive to testify falsely, after securing immunity or reduced sentences from the prosecutors.
Pritzker waged a campaign of lawfare against others for for political and financial gain, weaponizing the courts to receive up to $50 million in restitution for a case he already settled.
JB Pritzker (worth 3.6 billion) had the toilets removed from his Chicago mansion... to dodge a $331,000 property tax bill. You read that correctly.
The Cook County Inspector General called it a "scheme to defraud" taxpayers.
A billionaire who would spend $171 million on his own campaign couldn't pay $331K in property taxes.
A billionaire who would spend $171 million on his own campaign couldn't pay $331K in property taxes.
Who directed it? His wife, M.K. Pritzker, had workers remove the toilets. Made the house "uninhabitable." Got the tax break. Then had one toilet reinstalled after the inspection.
Federal investigators opened a probe in 2019. No charges were filed.
Federal investigators opened a probe in 2019. No charges were filed.
The Pritzker administration later gave the contractors who removed the toilet seats nearly $9 MILLION in a COVID-19 Army Corps contract.
Pay-to-play, in the most literal sense imaginable.
Pay-to-play, in the most literal sense imaginable.
Just after winning the 2018 election, Governor-elect Pritzker donated $7 million to House Democrats under Speaker Michael Madigan's control.
$4M in late Oct/early Nov 2018. Another $2.5M to Senate Dems.
$4M in late Oct/early Nov 2018. Another $2.5M to Senate Dems.
Who is Michael Madigan?
The longest-serving state House Speaker in U.S. history… and a convicted federal felon.
On July 2025, Madigan was found guilty on racketeering and bribery. October 2025, he reported to federal prison to serve 7+ years.
Pritzker was his largest donor.
The longest-serving state House Speaker in U.S. history… and a convicted federal felon.
On July 2025, Madigan was found guilty on racketeering and bribery. October 2025, he reported to federal prison to serve 7+ years.
Pritzker was his largest donor.
Madigan's crime was running a bribery operation where ComEd funneled $200M+ in fines and favors to Madigan allies in exchange for favorable legislation.
The "ComEd Four" were also convicted in July 2025.
And Pritzker defended a Madigan-backed hire to oversee ComEd during the investigation.
The "ComEd Four" were also convicted in July 2025.
And Pritzker defended a Madigan-backed hire to oversee ComEd during the investigation.
The Pritzker administration's DCFS (child welfare agency) funded a residential facility for foster youth on Chicago's South Side: Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center.
A staffer sexually assaulted a resident in August 2023.
DCFS did nothing for 9 MONTHS.
A staffer sexually assaulted a resident in August 2023.
DCFS did nothing for 9 MONTHS.
Both the security company and Aunt Martha's had hired staffers with felony convictions in their backgrounds.
Courts finally forced DCFS to act in May 2024.
A DCFS veteran attempted to get officials to backdate records.
The facility was quietly shut down in June 2024.
Courts finally forced DCFS to act in May 2024.
A DCFS veteran attempted to get officials to backdate records.
The facility was quietly shut down in June 2024.
JB Pritzker and his top aides refused to be interviewed about Aunt Martha's.
Kids ended up warehoused in psychiatric hospitals and juvenile jails after the closure created a placement crisis.
Kids ended up warehoused in psychiatric hospitals and juvenile jails after the closure created a placement crisis.
This isn't just JB. It's a dynasty.
Sister Penny Pritzker: Obama Commerce Secretary → Chair of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (close USAID/State Department → Biden's Ukraine Economic Czar.
One family. Multiple administrations. Continuous institutional access.
Sister Penny Pritzker: Obama Commerce Secretary → Chair of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (close USAID/State Department → Biden's Ukraine Economic Czar.
One family. Multiple administrations. Continuous institutional access.
Penny chaired the Carnegie Endowment (a think tank deeply wired into U.S. foreign policy) from 2018–2023 while her brother was governor.
Carnegie receives federal grants. Then she was appointed Biden's Ukraine reconstruction czar, overseeing billions in U.S.-backed economic aid.
Carnegie receives federal grants. Then she was appointed Biden's Ukraine reconstruction czar, overseeing billions in U.S.-backed economic aid.
Cousin Tom Pritzker was Hyatt Hotels' Executive Chairman for 20+ years.
Feb. 2026: Tom stepped down, after DOJ documents revealed his contact with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Virginia Giuffre alleged in a 2016 deposition that she had a sexual encounter with Tom.
Feb. 2026: Tom stepped down, after DOJ documents revealed his contact with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Virginia Giuffre alleged in a 2016 deposition that she had a sexual encounter with Tom.
Tom's statement upon stepping down:
"I deeply regret... my association" with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Pritzkers run the global Hyatt empire. They shape philanthropy, politics, and policy. Their family's executive chairman just stepped down over Epstein and Maxwell ties.
"I deeply regret... my association" with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Pritzkers run the global Hyatt empire. They shape philanthropy, politics, and policy. Their family's executive chairman just stepped down over Epstein and Maxwell ties.
JB & MK Pritzker Family Foundation gave $53.7M in grants in 2023 alone.
Pritzker Foundation (Thomas Pritzker): $34.5M in 2023 grants.
That's $88M+ in one year flowing to organizations that advocate for the same policies Pritzker controls as governor.
Not to mention the 31 billion dollars which Rachel Pritzker advises annually in Democracy Funders Network.
Pritzker Foundation (Thomas Pritzker): $34.5M in 2023 grants.
That's $88M+ in one year flowing to organizations that advocate for the same policies Pritzker controls as governor.
Not to mention the 31 billion dollars which Rachel Pritzker advises annually in Democracy Funders Network.
JB's record for lawfare is unmatched.
Illinois has filed or joined 51 lawsuits against the Trump administration since Jan. 20, 2025… roughly one per week.
Illinois has filed or joined 51 lawsuits against the Trump administration since Jan. 20, 2025… roughly one per week.
But Trump struck back.
In Dec 2025, DoJ sued Illinois and named Pritzker personally as defendant over state laws shielding immigrants from ICE at courthouses, hospitals, and day cares.
The suit claims Illinois violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
In Dec 2025, DoJ sued Illinois and named Pritzker personally as defendant over state laws shielding immigrants from ICE at courthouses, hospitals, and day cares.
The suit claims Illinois violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Pritzker's response to being sued by the federal government was… celebration?
He put out a press release and went on national TV.
Because being sued by Trump is the best 2028 presidential campaign ad money can't buy.
He put out a press release and went on national TV.
Because being sued by Trump is the best 2028 presidential campaign ad money can't buy.
2018: JB Pritzker spent $171.5 million of his own money, the largest self-funded campaign in U.S. history at the time.
2022: Another $152 million.
TOTAL: $323 MILLION across two campaigns for Illinois governor.
2022: Another $152 million.
TOTAL: $323 MILLION across two campaigns for Illinois governor.
Then he told Harvard students:
"Self-financing political campaigns isn't the answer."
He said this after spending $323M to win two elections.
"Self-financing political campaigns isn't the answer."
He said this after spending $323M to win two elections.
JB Pritzker has NOT formally announced. But:
✅ "Not decided" on 3rd term (Apr 2025)
✅ Illinois Democrats lobbying DNC to move IL primary EARLIER
✅ Carville: His chances are being "underrated"
✅ $5M to IL Future PAC (Dec. 2025)
✅ "Not decided" on 3rd term (Apr 2025)
✅ Illinois Democrats lobbying DNC to move IL primary EARLIER
✅ Carville: His chances are being "underrated"
✅ $5M to IL Future PAC (Dec. 2025)
The pitch will be: resistance hero, self-made man, policy governor, fighter.
The reality: FBI wiretaps, toilet fraud, lawfare, bankrolling a convicted felon, nine months of ignored child abuse reports, Epstein-connected family.
That's the JB Pritzker dossier.... for now. There's plenty more where that came from.
🧵END
The reality: FBI wiretaps, toilet fraud, lawfare, bankrolling a convicted felon, nine months of ignored child abuse reports, Epstein-connected family.
That's the JB Pritzker dossier.... for now. There's plenty more where that came from.
🧵END
Bonus (partial) family diagram:
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