Chicago City Wire

Ted Dabrowski, a former banking executive and policy researcher, has announced his candidacy for governor. He made the announcement at a private event streamed on Facebook, emphasizing that good ideas require political action and pledging conservative reform.

"When I chose to move on from my banking career and devote myself to public policy research in Illinois fifteen years ago, I never thought it would lead me to this day," said Dabrowski, Candidate for Governor of Illinois. "If you want to improve conditions in Illinois, you have to understand that you will be challenged by powerful interests who benefit from the way things are---which, of course, is why things are the way they are. That's why, today, I am announcing my candidacy for governor of Illinois. We will win this race by laying out a competing vision for Illinois, one rooted in conservative reform principles."

According to Dabrowski, he began his career outside of politics with an initial focus on presenting facts and logical arguments to improve Illinois. Over time, he realized that strong ideas alone were insufficient in a political system entrenched with inertia and self-serving interests. His candidacy reflects a personal transformation from researcher and advocate to someone willing to engage directly in the political fight for reform.

Dabrowski highlighted the success of two small school districts, Aviston and Bartelso, as evidence that educational excellence is not tied to high spending. Despite spending only about $8,000 per student—the lowest in the state—these districts achieved the highest reading levels in Illinois, outperforming wealthier areas like New Trier and Deerfield. He attributed their success to community values such as parental engagement, faith, and a culture of high expectations. This example underscores his belief that replicating such models could transform Illinois’ broader educational system.

A central theme of Dabrowski’s announcement was his criticism of incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker. He accused Pritzker of making Illinois less prosperous, less educated, and less safe while using reckless rhetoric to divide the state. Dabrowski also claimed Pritzker’s policies have led to stagnant job growth, higher taxes, and worsening student outcomes. By positioning himself as a responsible alternative, Dabrowski aims to offer Illinois families leadership focused on their ambitions rather than political advancement.

Dabrowski’s campaign is rooted in his years of policy work, coalition-building, and statewide engagement rather than political ladder-climbing. He emphasized that his candidacy is built on "moral clarity" and serving middle-class families burdened by high property taxes, educational inequities, and public safety concerns. He also pointed to his unique personal background as a Polish American who speaks fluent Spanish, reflecting his broader ability to connect across diverse communities. Ultimately, he frames his run as a grassroots-driven movement to revitalize Illinois through conservative reforms.

Dabrowski brings over three decades of combined experience in international finance and domestic policy leadership. He spent 16 years in senior financial roles, including as Head of Corporate Banking at Citibank in Poland where he advised the government on economic liberalization and managed multi-billion-dollar Treasury portfolios in Poland and Mexico. After returning to the U.S., Dabrowski became Vice President of Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute and later served as President of Wirepoints, a nonprofit focused on Illinois’ economy and government. His research has been cited by national outlets including The Wall Street Journal. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, an MBA in finance from the Wharton School, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech.