* I had heard that the governor had been taken to the hospital yesterday. I called Pritzker’s press office. They called me back a little over an hour later and denied it. I expressed my strong displeasure with them today. NBC Chicago…
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker had a “minor complication” from a recent procedure and was taken to a Springfield hospital earlier this week, a spokesperson for the governor confirmed to NBC Chicago Friday. […]
Spokesperson Matt Hill said no ambulance was needed and Pritzker was treated and sent home.
* Sun-Times…
Pritzker, 61, on May 1 underwent a “routine outpatient urology procedure” and stepped back from public duties for a week. The Democratic governor returned to public duties on Monday and attended a press conference alongside Mayor Brandon Johnson and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, as well as Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin.
Pritzker was asked Monday if he was disclosing any ongoing concerns or treatments related to his medical procedure.
“Nope. You guys got plenty of information,” Pritzker said with a laugh.
And we still don’t know what that procedure was earlier this month and why he had to go to the hospital this week.
…Adding… I wasn’t the only one…
- Johnny B - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:13 pm:
The Governor accuses local leaders who oppose or have serious reservations of his BUILD plan of dealing in bad faith and peddling disinformation.
Physician heal thyself
- Dakno Thing - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:22 pm:
I personally do not need or want to know anymore about the Governor’s “urology procedure” - no thank you. And I don’t think I’m in the minority on that.
And unless the man is incapacitated in some way, I also don’t really need or want to know much about what sounds like probably would amount to an urgent care visit in a bigger city than Springfield.
I am all for transparency in government but sometimes think the press overestimates what the public needs or wants to know about things like this.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:33 pm:
Lying to the press about medical issues isn’t a posture that the Democratic Primary electorate is going to tolerate. The GOP folks might be fine with it when it is there guy, but when one becomes the chief executive of a government of millions of people there is some sacrifice to the healthcare issue. The Governor has to some extent been unclear on where he stands on this, both refusing to address questions about his weight loss from the press and then making jokes during speeches about putting the “gov” in Wegovy. Can’t really have it both ways.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:33 pm:
===sometimes think the press overestimates===
Blah, blah.
The point here is that a flat denial was issued. The denial was not factual.
- West Sider - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:34 pm:
Seems fine to me. https://x.com/JBPritzker/status/2055328428061073903?s=20
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:35 pm:
===Seems fine to me===
Then his office should’ve answered the question truthfully.
Also, I thought he looked gray in that video.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:36 pm:
===The denial was not factual. ===
No one should be defending the response you received. There can be an explanation offered as to why it was not willful or deliberate, but there’s not a defense for it.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:41 pm:
===there’s not a defense for it===
Correct. Don’t lie. Simple as that. Rauner got himself in trouble over and over again for that very reason. I mean, it started right out of the gate on election night when he said he’d spoken to Democratic leaders.
Relationships take a long time to build but can be broken in an instant.
- Give us Barrabbas - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:43 pm:
Meh it was probably a prostate issue and preventative care. Though I will say about men’s health in a general way is, this governor has in fact what Blago only ever boasted of having.
- SAP - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
“No comment” would have been an acceptable response.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
===Meh===
No. You’re completely missing the point. Don’t lie.
- Steph's curry - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:57 pm:
give us barrabas, if it was a prostate issue and preventative care issue as you said, it would have been a great time for the governor to be a a leader and encourage men to get their prostrates checked. missed opportunity to lead and do good coupled with a lie is bad.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 12:57 pm:
The lie is the obvious problem but now it invites speculation on a medical issue and just invites the question are you lying now too
- Johnny B - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:05 pm:
It doesn’t take any testicular virility to tell the truth.
There is a terrific book on the subject called:
Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life by Sissela Bok.
She details the negative effects of deceit on individuals and society, emphasizing the effects of the erosion of trust.
Little lies no doubt lead to bigger lies.
Unfortunately lying is common in our society.
A renewed commitment to truth is essential for a healthy society
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:10 pm:
The gov’s press office could have told a different lie - That they had no info on that or would check on it. They did not need to flat out deceive. This country has been so poorly served by people covering up the health condition of Biden and Trump and the current missing Congress members Tom Kean and Frederica Wilson and probably others I’m forgetting. We do not need Team Pritzker participating in that rot.
- No relation - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:19 pm:
May I suggest a new category for posts, similar to It’s Just a Bill - “Case of Liar Liar Pants are on Fire”
With regard to the post my first reaction after the first paragraph, if you must lie don’t lie to the press. Upon reading the last paragraph my thought was I am a 70 year old male with my own urinary problems I don’t need to compare notes with the Gov.
- Thomas Paine - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
Never lie to reporters.
It’s really that simple.
They could have chosen to just not call Rich back, which might have made him a little mad but hey, dodging reporters and chasing people who are dodging you is part of the game.
But there is really no excuse for calling him back to tell him a lie.
- Abjad - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:27 pm:
I think the governor is putting the “we go” back into wegovy. With all that recent weight loss and the consequent engulfment by loose skin, he could have any number of lifestyle complications.
Awkward, yes. But rather than lie, just refrain from telling us which specialist you needed.
- Norseman - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
These kind of errors shouldn’t be made and certainly not at this stage of his political/governmental career.
- New Day - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
While being a public person, JB is very private when it comes to things like this. Not out of deception but that’s who he is. I know we don’t think people are entitled to any privacy once they’re elected but I’m going to give the man some grace on this one.
- Think Again - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:40 pm:
=stepped back from public duties for a week=
The lie is a huge problem - but so is the lack of transparency. Having our Governor being in some state of incapacity for a week without notice is a big deal.
- NIU Grad - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:42 pm:
“JB is very private”
When running for a third term and the presidency, being personally private and heavily scripted goes out the window. After the multi-year intrigue around President Biden’s health, this does him no favors…
- Leslie K - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:48 pm:
This lie is profoundly disappointing. Delay a response, say “we are not commenting at this time,” etc. But to just deny something like this (especially when it will clearly come out eventually anyway) is…profoundly disappointing.
- Jibba - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:52 pm:
The governor owes us noting of the details of his procedure or health. He only owes transparency about his general fitness to do the office, including not lying about that fitness, and time spent while less than optimal fitness.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:54 pm:
To the goofy rage-filled commenter I just deleted: My question was whether the governor was taken to the hospital. I didn’t even ask why. I just asked that.
Also, you’re banned.
- Big Deal - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
A’ight. Snafu from the Gov’s team. They miscalculated this one. It’s embarrassing and was ill-advised.
I understand the displeasure of “the lie,” but I think JB has been a pretty transparent operation when compared to the past quarter century of fools in the top slot.
Next issue please…
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:00 pm:
===Next issue please===
I was fully prepared to move on before people started telling me to do so.
So, no.
- Spinster - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:03 pm:
It’s also how you turn a nothing into a something. Every media outlet gave the gov some grace last week by not overcooking it. Now it’s a “what’s he hiding?” deal.
- @misterjayem - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:03 pm:
I know this exposes me as an old-timer, but I still believe that lying to the press is a tactical failure as well as an ethical one.
– MrJM
- LEI - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:10 pm:
As far as I know, no IL law requires the governor to publicly disclose EVERY medical visit or diagnosis. Clearly, Governor Pritzker is still more than capable to carry out official duties and I support his right to privacy in this matter.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:12 pm:
===no IL law requires===
Probably the goofiest response today.
Take the L and move on.
- SAP - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
==Governor Pritzker is still more than capable to carry out official duties and I support his right to privacy in this matter.== Nobody disputes the Governor’s right to privacy. The criticism is about the lying.
- Alton Sinkhole - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:18 pm:
Praying for the Gov and hoping everything is okay with him
- Buddy - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:27 pm:
There’s a balance between transparency to the public and allowing some privacy for medical matters — especially when they don’t impact governance or public safety. The office will learn from this. The Governor has been very transparent throughout his time in office. For now, I’m grateful the Governor is okay and back to work.
- K3 - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:35 pm:
If he thinks this is invasive, wait until the national press takes off the kid gloves with him. Glad he’s okay, maybe just be more forthright next time.
- Which One’s Pink - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 2:40 pm:
I agree with what Jibba said at 1:52. Having had urological procedures myself, I can understand the governor not wanting to divulge any details. However, totally denying having gone to the hospital was totally unnecessary. It’s quite possible the urological procedure involved a catheter for a few days. If so, I don’t blame the governor for taking a week off.
- Patricia Watson - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 3:01 pm:
That command crew of awe shucks, “it’s just Sharp Elbows”, bunch most certainly dropped the ball and made an unnecessary mess with this one. Welp, I choose to sincerely extend my energy to wish the man well and best healing. He is mortal with a wife and two children who are most certainly worried about him.
Peace all.
- New Day - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 3:11 pm:
“Having our Governor being in some state of incapacity for a week without notice is a big deal.”
But he wasn’t incapacitated for a week. He was working the whole time including today when he made an appearance downstate. Good grief take a breath.
https://x.com/JBPritzker/status/2055328428061073903?s=20
- Flapdoodle - Friday, May 15, 26 @ 3:38 pm:
Good Lord, people! Rich’s point here was that the Guv’s staff flat out lied to a journalist, an unfortunate and significant breach of professional integrity made all the more relevant by the Guv’s own aspirations and statements. Speculation about the Guv’s health, when details about it ought to be made public, or what the Guv’s staff might have said instead are immaterial to Rich’s justified complaint. When such things start happening, it’s the health of the body politic that’s in question, not a governor’s.