Chicago City Wire

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, has criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's recent gambling winnings, stating they highlight how disconnected leadership has contributed to economic decline and increased costs for families. This statement was made in a press release.

"Pritzker gambling winnings show how divorced he is from everyday Illinoisans," said Dabrowski. "Governor J.B. Pritzker's recently-announced $1.4 million in gambling winnings underlines how out-of-touch he is with the struggles of everyday Illinoisans. Illinois remains one of the nation's worst performing states when it comes to jobs, the economy and taxes. Illinoisans have a choice: a billionaire from the Hyatt dynasty who's detached from the struggles of everyday Illinoisans, or the son of immigrants, from Poland and Ecuador, who arrived with empty pockets and built their American Dream from scratch."

Governor J.B. Pritzker disclosed $1.4 million in gambling winnings for 2024, reinforcing public perceptions of a governor distanced from the challenges faced by ordinary families. As an heir to the Hyatt fortune with an estimated wealth of $3.9 billion, Pritzker's financial status contrasts with an Illinois economy still grappling with debt and slow job creation. Critics argue that flaunting casino winnings while residents deal with property taxes and inflation reflects leadership that is inconsistent with his claims of supporting "working families."

Since taking office in 2019, Illinois has ranked among the lowest states for job and GDP growth. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the state has seen roughly 18,000 net new private-sector jobs over six years, compared to Texas's addition of 1.4 million jobs and Florida's 1.1 million jobs during the same period. Real GDP growth in Illinois has been just 6.8%, placing it sixth-worst nationwide. Economists attribute this stagnation to high taxes, regulatory burdens, and business flight, which supports Dabrowski's assertion that Pritzker’s policies are failing working families.

Illinois now holds the highest property tax rates in the nation, surpassing even New Jersey. The Tax Foundation’s 2025 survey indicates a 1.83% effective rate on owner-occupied homes compared to the U.S. average of 1.04%. Coupled with rising income and sales taxes, Illinois households face one of the heaviest total tax burdens in the Midwest. Analysts associate these costs with Pritzker’s spending priorities and his failure to implement long-term fiscal reform—policies they say continue to drive families and employers out of state.

Dabrowski is a conservative policy expert and president of Wirepoints, known for its detailed fiscal analysis of Illinois’ economy. A former Citibank executive and vice president at the Illinois Policy Institute, he holds an MBA from Wharton and advocates for lower taxes, balanced budgets, and education reform. As the son of Polish and Ecuadorian immigrants, Dabrowski emphasizes restoring opportunities for working families and ending insider politics in Springfield.