Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2024 Tax Returns Reveal $1.4 Million Gambling Winnings: What It Means for Illinois

Last year was quite the financial win for Gov. JB Pritzker. His 2024 income tax returns show he and his wife, MK Pritzker, had an adjusted gross income of nearly $10.7 million. This is a big leap from the roughly $2.8 million they reported in 2023.

A large part of this income came from gambling. Their filing revealed $1.4 million in winnings, alongside $4.2 million from capital gains, almost $3.9 million in dividends, and over $800,000 from interest. Notably, Pritzker does not take a salary as governor.

A campaign spokesman mentioned that the governor had both wins and losses at a casino in Las Vegas, but didn’t specify which games he played. The growth in gambling options in Illinois happened under Pritzker’s leadership. In 2019, he signed legislation to legalize sports betting and expand the number of casinos and slot machines, as a way to support his ambitious $45 billion infrastructure plan.

Pritzker’s family has long-standing ties to casinos, stemming from their wealth in the Hyatt hotel chain. Before his governorship, he had invested in a company that linked him to a small stake in Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino. However, he no longer has direct investments in casinos and manages his finances through a blind trust to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Recently, trusts benefiting Pritzker paid over $30 million in federal taxes and around $4.5 million to Illinois. With an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion, he’s gearing up for a potential third term and considering a presidential run in 2028.

In terms of taxes, the Pritzkers paid nearly $3.7 million federally and over $869,000 to the state. They also contributed $3.3 million to charity last year, showcasing their commitment to giving back. This year marks the highest income for Pritzker since 2021, as he has invested significantly in political campaigns. Since taking office, their reported income has mostly been between $2 million and $5 million, contrasting with $34.5 million in 2017 before he entered public service.

This financial picture reflects how politics, gambling, and investment can intertwine, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for public figures managing wealth and interests. As Illinois continues to expand its gambling landscape, it will be interesting to watch how that impacts not just the state’s economy but also the decisions of leaders like Pritzker.

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