* The Sun-Times…
[Gov. JB Pritzker] is for the first time revealing publicly that he’s lost 80 pounds with the help of a GLP-1 weight-loss medication, with plans to lose more. The governor laid bare his previously undisclosed medical history in an hourlong interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, saying the “food noise” is gone with daily exercise and the injections fueling weight loss he didn’t think was possible.
“I honestly didn’t think about the fact that just two years ago at the Democratic convention, that I was 80 pounds heavier. I didn’t notice that except that now I’ve seen pictures or video of myself and now that I’ve had some success, I look in the mirror and I think about the videos and I think, ‘Wow, that’s quite a difference,’ ” Pritzker said. “And I guess other people see it, which is nice.” […]
He said he’s been on “every diet you could imagine” with no long-term success. But it wasn’t until a doctor diagnosed him with prediabetes, and later Type 2 diabetes, at age 58, that he began taking insulin — and ultimately a GLP-1 medication to help regulate his blood sugar. […]
It was that diabetes diagnosis and insulin prescription that gave him a lifesaving wake-up call — and got him thinking about his own longevity.
Pritzker said the medication — combined with exercise and diet — has been so effective that he stopped taking insulin nine months ago, and his blood sugar levels have gone back to normal.
* CBS…
“I’ve been overweight most of my life, really, since I was probably 7 or 8 years old,” Pritzker said.
That was around the time his father Donald died of a heart attack at 39.
“He was actually quite an active person, even though he was overweight, and so he was on a tennis court and had a heart attack, and my mother was there, and he died in her arms,” Pritzker said.
Given the family history, Pritzker said he’s always kept an eye on his own blood work, but he acknowledges that the high-pressure job of being the governor of the country’s sixth-largest state led him to put on even more weight, which forced him to put up with unwanted attention.
* The Tribune…
Pritzker has faced myriad questions about his weight loss for more than a year, and until Monday he’d declined to answer directly when asked if he was taking a GLP-1 or any other type of weight-loss drug, even as it became clear that he was losing weight.
In an NBC-5 interview last year, he said, “I’m not going to answer that question partly because I think there are a lot of people who are on those GLP1s, and it’s kind of none of anybody’s business. Sometimes people are doing it because they have a health problem, like a genuine medical problem, diabetes or something else. And those are amazing drugs.”
Republican President Donald Trump has made fun of the governor’s weight a number of times in the past, including calling Pritzker a “big fat slob,” even as the president is overweight.
Pritzker himself has referenced his body shape on the campaign trail. When he first ran for governor, his campaign motto was “Think Big,” a phrase he’s repurposed repeatedly since being elected. He even made a veiled reference to weight-loss drugs at an event in Washington in March when he joked about his weight loss, saying, “I’m JB Pritzker, governor of the great state of Illinois and if you’re seeing me in person for the very first time, yes, I’m the gov who put ‘gov’ in Wegovy,” referencing the well-known GLP-1 drug.
* Pritzker’s GOP opponent Darren Bailey…
* NBC Chicago…
[Pritzker] said “it’s a new world with these GLP-1s” and “even the doctor said he’s seeing more and more and more people who are succeeding at doing what I did.” […]
The state of Illinois covers GLP-1 use for state employees, with physician approval.
“I really do believe it’s saving the state money because I think about the number of people who no longer are on insulin or never become a diabetic because of the GLP-1 or they lose weight and they’re less likely to get some of serious disease,” Pritzker said.
* More…
* NYT | Sizing Up a 2028 Bid, He Used a Weight-Loss Drug to Drop 80 Pounds: In the CBS interview, he said his doctors warned him two years ago that had reached diabetic status and would need to begin taking insulin injections. That, Mr. Pritzker said, prompted a new fitness regimen that includes regular predawn four-mile walks in Chicago and taking a GLP-1. He has since lost enough weight to stop taking insulin, an aide said. The CBS interview comes about a year after Mr. Pritzker discussed his weight with the NBC affiliate in Chicago. In that interview, conducted during a walk along the Lake Michigan shore, Mr. Pritzker dodged questions about whether he was taking a GLP-1 while promoting walking outdoors as “great for your mental health.”
* WSJ | Ahead of Possible Presidential Bid, JB Pritzker Says He Is Taking Weight-Loss Drugs: Trump has repeatedly called attention to Pritzker’s weight, including suggesting that he should “spend more time in the gym” and calling him a “slob” who “wants to eat all the time.” Pritzker has also suggested Trump would benefit from losing some pounds. “It takes one to know one on the weight question,” Pritzker told reporters in August 2025.
* WGN | Pritzker says he’s using a GLP-1 in weight loss journey: Pritzker started the medication after his doctor warned he would likely need insulin for the rest of his life. The concerns about diabetes had not been previously disclosed by Pritzker or his team. In a candid interview airing Monday on CBS’s network morning program, Pritzker opened up about his health. Pritzker says he’s no longer on insulin and his blood sugar is no longer at diabetic levels, which he attributes to the GLP-1 paired with a change in diet and exercise.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 1:56 pm:
I’m glad Pritzker is talking about this. I’m one of many also taking weight loss drugs. I’ve lost about 10% of my body weight and feel better and have more energy. I’m hoping to lose more weight over the next year.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:00 pm:
Congratulations on JB. The drug evidently works, but JB also is doing what is required by including exercise in routine. Losing weight is a lifestyle change. Keep it up Gov.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:00 pm:
Good for JB.
– MrJM
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:06 pm:
Good for the Gov., although I kind of agreed with the “it’s no one’s business” response too. Bailey has taken the high road a couple of times during the campaign, which is progress too.
- Marc Avelar - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
I, too, congratulate Governor Pritzker, for not only his weight loss, but for his sharing his weight loss and how he got to today publicly.
I know first hand what Governor Pritzker has gone through, though without the diabetes diagnosis or GLP-1, as I’ve lost over 70 pounds since start of 2024.
Even winning a local 90-day challenge earlier this year with over 100 other members at age 61 .
Pics of contest win can be seen here:
https://www.facebook.com/61593919238941/posts/122106594789463974/?app=fbl
Now, I’m in a different challenge, focusing on Performance/muscle building, while addressing strength training challenges for ppl my age and older, namely anabolic resistance, age related muscle loss, and preventing Sarcopenia.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:27 pm:
Good for him; tbh, I was a bit surprised it took him as long as it did to go down this path. I have had significant weight loss using these same medications, and I can say it is a game changer in terms of health and, to be honest, comfort. If he is going to run for higher office, it’ll be physically easier when you are carrying less weight around.
Also, props to Bailey for not taking the low road; so many folks feel comfortable doing so when it comes to talking about other people’s weight.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 2:58 pm:
“The state of Illinois covers GLP-1 use for state employees, with physician approval.”
This is no longer true. I was on it for 6 months and started my tapering. But on July 1, Aetna denied a refill, even though they provided the doctor with approval for two more rounds of 4 weeks in July and August. In the letter to me it stated, GLP-1 are no longer approved for weight-loss.
- levivoted4judy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:01 pm:
These drugs initially were in the same boat as stomach stapling surgery to a lot of people. It wasn’t considered losing weight the “right way” and many considered it cheating. Glad it is being framed as a way to deal with chronic health conditions and extend life expectancy. JB is a good messenger for this.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:04 pm:
@Marc Aveler, I highly recommend you look into Sprint Triathlons. It is a great all around workout and training that will benefit you continuously without over use of any certain aerobic muscles. I recommend watching videos and there are many specialized to over 50.
Great job and good work! (yes, banned punctuation was needed)
- P. - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:10 pm:
Hey Lurker it may be an issue with the close of open enrollment and start of a new year. Total nonsense but that timing tells me it may be that. Keep fighting with your PCP, insurance and the pharmacies.
- Incandenza - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:14 pm:
It’s the bare minimum of decency, but I do appreciate Bailey’s mostly positive extension of his well wishes here. Basic decency and kindness like this is missing at the national level from the GOP
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:15 pm:
===This is no longer true.===
It is for me. I’m a retired State employee with Aetna as my carrier. I’ve been taking Ozempic since last November and have not received any such denial. I can relate with JB and others who’ve struggled losing weight. Food is an addiction and the cravings and hunger always derailed my attempts at weight loss. GLP-1 drugs slow digestion so food stays longer in the stomach thus curbing appetite. It also works on the parts of the brain that regulate cravings which has been the game-changer for me. This category of drugs has shown promise in treating other addictions as well.
- Walker - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:35 pm:
A senior leader open and honest about his health is certainly refreshing. Good for JB.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 3:52 pm:
I weighed up to 270 on meat and barbells…I stopped eating animal flesh twenty-five years ago and now weigh 190…just saying.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 4:03 pm:
1. I was wondering what was taking JB so long to open up, his weight loss is obvious, but now I understand the delay. He had to be ready to talk about diabetes, his dad dying on the tennis court, and a lifetime of fat jokes. Not easy. I give him big props.
2. Bailey could have said nothing. Other Republicans are taking the low road. I will give credit where credit is due to him. I will also say that I think he and Pritzker probably agree on a lot. Not a lot on politics. Not a lot on how we get from where we are to where we want to be. But probably 80% on where we want to be as a state, the importance of family, friendship, marriage; the loss of family and the weight of it. The really big stuff, in other words.
3. I was struck by a stat in the NY Times article that 10% of the US is taking a GLP-1. I agree with Pritzker that its an economic win for the state that public employees are covered. I read a brief story talking about all of the economic benefits and one that hit me was “airline fuel savings” which are projected around $580 million this year. In the wake of Pritzker’s disclosure it seems that mandating insurance coverage across Illinois is something we should be discussing.
YDD
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 4:07 pm:
If you take these medications for weight loss only. some insurance may consider that not medically necessary and deny coverage. If you are pre-diabetic or have other, related health issues, then your insurance will cover it.
Good for JB. While I am not on any GLP-1, I’ve made it a point in the past year to lose weight, cut alcohol, eat better and get regular exercise. It’s made a big difference for me. I hate starting on the treadmill, but once I get past 10-15 minutes, staying on and finishing is much easier. And I always feel great when I’m done, mentally and physically.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 4:24 pm:
“If you take these medications for weight loss only. some insurance may consider that not medically necessary and deny coverage. If you are pre-diabetic or have other, related health issues, then your insurance will cover it”
This almost verbatim what was written to my doctor after I was denied. Thank you 47th for clarifying what I was trying to say.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 4:41 pm:
Respect to JB for sharing his weight-loss and health story when he felt ready. And thank you (and congrats) to the commenters here who have shared their stories. I’ve begun my journey this week (no GLP-1s at this point, but not ruling it out).
And, although I never thought I would have occasion to say this–respect to Bailey for his response on this topic.
- Occaisionally Moderated - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 6:09 pm:
Glad for Gov Pritzkers health win. And hats off for saying it out loud, it may inspire someone else to start a health journey.
For a billionaire, that cat is relatable.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 6:25 pm:
==If you take these medications for weight loss only. some insurance may consider that not medically necessary and deny coverage. If you are pre-diabetic or have other, related health issues, then your insurance will cover it.
I was pre-diabetic when I started using GLP-1s and now I’m in the normal range–and don’t appear to be at risk as long as I keep this up. That said, 47 is right here in that my doctor uses obstructive sleep apnea to ensure we don’t have issues with the authorizations. My sleep apnea has gotten better too, but I’ll likely always have it.
I’ve lost 125 lbs and still about 60 or so to go and as OneMan said, I’m healthier and just more comfortable. The drugs vary on effectiveness for people, but they have been amazing for me (and see a real doctor if you are thinking about it and not the online drug companies).
And good on Bailey. While it’s safe to say I’ll never be a fan I appreciate his comments.
- Give us Barabbas - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 6:52 pm:
The stuff is truly transformative. And the studies seem to suggest it has added benefits for cardiovascular health and cognition. What I know for sure is, Before the medication I never knew a day where I wasn’t ravenous three times a day and now that noise is gone. I eat whatever I want as long as it’s no bigger than a deck of poker cards, and I often get by on one meal a day without feeling tired. But you have to keep doing the work: exercise and talking to someone to manage your stress, and getting good sleep, all these things play a big part in dropping weight and not yo-yoing back up again. I applaud JB and wish him a long happy life.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Sep 22, 26 @ 7:45 pm:
And apologies to 47th Ward, I wasn’t thinking about the double meaning of 47.
- Hobbitish - Wednesday, Sep 23, 26 @ 9:13 am:
My wife has been on one (zepbound) for a few months, and it’s amazing how much easier it is to push away the plate when she’s full and snack less. She’s lost ~10% of her starting weight so far. Also, she’s an Illinois public employee and hasn’t had any issues with Aetna covering it.