By: Nick Binotti
Gov. Pritzker is by far Illinois’ biggest political spender. He spent over $350 million on his two gubernatorial campaigns. Another $58 million on the “Fair Tax” campaign of 2020. Pritzker even spent over $20 million picking his Republican opponent for the 2022 election.
With Illinois firmly under his and his allies’ control, Pritzker has increasingly turned his attention – and considerable wealth – towards other states. The governor is attempting to influence policy at the state level across the country, both personally and via his abortion rights non-profit called Think Big America. His contributions are still small, at least by Pritzker’s standards, but expect that to change as the federal election approaches – especially if the governor thinks his chances for becoming President are growing.
Wirepoints recently collected political finance data from various state-level election commissions. We found Pritzker has made many sizable contributions across the country since 2020.
Some notable spending includes:
- $28 million to the Democratic Governors Association, including a recent $2 million contribution in October 2023. This is the group that’s been known to meddle in Republican primaries and boost far-right candidates in swing races.
- $4.2 million to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
- $1 million in Ohio to various reproductive rights groups.
- $1 million to Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom. This is not the first time the governor inserted himself in Silver State politics. Back in 2022, Pritzker contributed $250,000 to Home Means Nevada, a group that, much like the DGA above, inserted themselves into GOP primaries in an effort to assist Democratic challengers in the general election.
- $250,000 in Arizona to Arizona For Abortion Access.
- $250,000 to various Democratic candidates and committees in Virginia.
- $250,000 to the Michigan state Democrats.
- $100,000 to the North Carolina Democratic Party.
- $600,000 total directly to other states’ gubernatorial candidates – Beto in Texas, Crist in Florida, Whitmer in Michigan.
Keep in mind this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of every state in which Gov. Pritzker is active. Nor does it represent contributions he has made at the federal level this election cycle, although those currently reach well into the six-figures.
While these contributions may be comparatively limited by Pritzker standards, they are significant enough to bolster the campaigns receiving them. As the Democratic National Convention in Chicago nears, look for Pritzker’s contributions to grow larger and spread further.
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Property tax bills come due: Cook County residents will repeat last year’s sticker shock
- Chicago progressives, don’t fret loss of your ‘Mansion Tax.’ The biggest one of all is already law, which your chosen leaders despise
- Rivian shaping up as another example of why government shouldn’t pick winners and losers
- Gov. Pritzker’s 2025 budget address and the kitchen table issues that actually matter
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
I could be wrong but I think there’s a critical voter policy about to be implemented.
Pritzker should name his upcoming
Presidential campaign “ Mirth &Girth”
Even the thought of it happening is
To painful to think about.
He would turn the west wing into a meat
Locker with sides of beef ageing on
Hooks near the Oval Office.
Interesting to mention “Mirth&Girth” the old portrait of Harold Washington in women’s lingerie when you consider the Pritzker fortune is a major supporter of all things transgender.
Also, let’s remember that the M&G work of art was destroyed by a group of Democratic Politicians who sincerely believed in freedom of expression. Just not this particular expression!
I wonder if (or when) Pritzker’s habit of apparently eating too much, will catch up with him.
Beto for Texas… LOL
When I see Pritzker’s “Think Big America” name I think the really big thing about him is his head and that’s not counting another part of his anatomy might be even bigger.
I used to work at a Chicago club where Pritzker was a member. He would openly brag about one day being Governor of Illinois and that being a mere stepping stone to President of the United States.
I personally don’t see it, but every dollar he is donating, is ultimately going toward that goal.
Money has no value when you’ve never actually worked for it.
Is there a breakdown of what the other Pritzker family members are donating like to transgender agendas or so called women’s health?
There are many Pritzkers making similarly large contributions across the country, a few even to Republican interests. We kept this list limited to the politician and left the civilians out of it.
Thanks but those particular citizens are most likely the ones who convinced JB to run for office. None of the relatives even with billions can get policy or laws enacted without having someone in a high political office. Look at all the laws enacted now by executive decree or laws pertaining to whatever agenda they wanted to put through like transgender bathrooms or abortion rights. If they used their own money without someone in a high political position their agendas may have stalled or go nowhere. They have tons of money but lacked the power to make law. Now they… Read more »
NY State jobs to illegal immigrants now. Illinois too?
Remember those jobs grant significant defined benefits pension entitlements after a few years of working (early retirement).
What legal ramifications to pension entitlements if these public-employee- illegal -immigrants are deported?
The origin of it is in the Grand Cayman – How’s that for some Democrat hypocrisy? Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi have to break laws to come up with $$$, whereas Pritzker just draws on his tax sheltered offshore accounts.
OK. Nobody else is raising money in Illinois? There aren’t any republicans raising money or donating locally or nationally? Why not report on them too?
Are the checks written from JB himself? or from “Pritzker Family Trust” offshore tax-sheltered $billions$?
Just in JB’s name or under Think Big America. None of the political contributions in this piece were from a family trust.