Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's financial prosperity was on full display as his 2024 tax summaries revealed an adjusted gross income of more than $10 million, as reported by ABC7 Chicago. The billionaire governor, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel empire, and his wife, MK, showed their earnings to include $4.2 million in capital gains and an unexpected $1,425,000 from gambling winnings. Despite the revelation, the campaign did not disclose the total income from trusts that are benefiting his family.
Striking it lucky, in a report given by the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker's gambling winnings came from stints at a Las Vegas casino, though his specific game of choice remains undisclosed. It's worth noting, these gambling fortunes arrived in a state where, under Pritzker's own administration, gambling options have seen significant expansion. Signed into law in 2019, sports betting and additional casino licenses have broadened Illinois' gaming landscape, though the governor has since placed his abundant assets into a blind trust to thwart conflicts of interest.
The tax summaries also underscored Pritzker's considerable donations, with personal charitable contributions listed at $3.3 million. Not taking a salary as governor, Pritzker's financial moves are handled through a blind trust that paid out $30.2 million in federal taxes and $4.5 million in state taxes last year, as indicated by ABC7 Chicago.
Running mate Christian Mitchell, who once stood as one of Pritzker's deputy governors, also disclosed his 2024 income. Reporting nearly $600,000 last year, Mitchell claimed a notable $65,841 deduction. Currently serving as vice president of civic engagement at the University of Chicago, Mitchell’s earnings were a compilation of his professional dedication and his involvement in the Illinois National Guard. The governor's political future appears robust, with eyes possibly set on a presidential run in 2028, following the trend of hefty self-funded campaigns and substantial earnings, without misplacing none of the acumen that his private equity background has afforded him.
