Pritzker’s Shameless No Flush No Blush Political Scheme

Governor J.B. Pritzker paid $118,255 in Illinois taxes for his reported 2019 net or “base” income of $2.4 million. Yet this same governor donated $56.5 million from his own pocket (apparently unearned) to push Illinois voters to support a new graduated income tax amendment that proponents have dubbed the “fair tax.”

Despite being so heavily invested in passing this progressive income tax, the governor’s documented history has included “cheating the taxman.”

In the now infamous “toilet-gate” scandal, Pritzker has been under federal investigation for what the Cook County inspector general called a “scheme to defraud” taxpayers.

Five toilets were removed, by order of the Pritzkers, from one of the family’s Chicago mansions shortly before an inspection, for the purpose of having the home declared uninhabitable. The intention was to reinstall one or more after the inspection. This ruse benefited the Pritzker’s bottom line to the tune of over $331,000 in property tax breaks.

This comes on the heels of Pritzker paying a mere $216,000 on adjusted gross income of $6.2 million reported on his personal 2018 Illinois taxes. Given his billion-dollar net worth, this has raised eyebrows. By contrast, Pritzker’s forerunner in the gubernatorial mansion, Bruce Rauner - estimated to have a net worth only 20% of Pritzker’s - reported $90 million in income, paid $23 million in federal taxes, and paid several millions to the Illinois Department of Revenue, according to tax returns made public during his 2017 campaign.

Additionally, Pritzker has refused to disclose tax returns from his family trusts, which have been criticized for evading taxes by using offshore accounts.

During the current campaign season, Pritzker has made massive donations to candidates in DuPage County who either voted for his income tax amendment or publicly promised to support it. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, in September alone the governor’s political committee, “JB for Governor,” paid Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn $27,500. “JB for Governor” also paid candidates Ken Meija-Beal the amount of $57,800, Jennifer Zordani the amount of $57,800, and Janet Yang Rohr the amount $57,800. These candidates are opposing State Representatives Amy Grant, Deanne Mazzochi, and Grant Wehrli, all of whom voted against the tax increase.

Pritzker has repeatedly used his private wealth to influence public policy to raise Illinois income taxes. At the same time, he has gone out of his way to ensure that the bulk of his own personal wealth is protected from the Illinois taxman. Is that fair?