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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
“It seems crazy, but it’s true that when I serve out the end of this second term, I will be the longest-serving Democratic governor in the history of Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said last month during the Democratic National Convention.
I looked it up and it’s true.
Pat Quinn served about six years as governor, replacing Rod Blagojevich, who also did six years before doing time in prison.
Dan Walker served four years before he also went to prison. Otto Kerner left before the end of his second term to become a federal judge, then went to prison. Sam Shapiro filled out the remainder of that term.
Adlai Stevenson did one term and then ran for president twice.
Henry Horner died before the end of his second term, which John Stelle completed.
Edward Dunne, John Peter Altgeld and Joel Matteson were all one-termers.
Augustus French served seven years because of a change in the new state constitution. The five Democrats before that served one term or less. The state’s earliest governors were members of the Democratic-Republican or Republican-Democratic parties. None served more than four years.
What people wanted to know last month, though, was whether Pritzker wants to try for a third term in two years.
I’m told that one priority for a potential third term could be finally addressing why Illinois has historically lagged the nation in employment.
The state’s unemployment rate in July was 5.2%, which is widely considered to be “full employment” but was still almost a point higher than the national average. And that’s consistent with history.
Pritzker in a recent interview with me pointed to the state’s relatively high labor force participation rate as a reason, but our participation rate really isn’t that much different than lots of other states that have lower unemployment rates.
The governor talked about a third term during a state delegates’ convention breakfast, but cautioned his audience that his wife, MK, was his “term limit,” explaining that if people want him to run again they’ll first have to convince her.
MK grew up in a political household. Her father was chief of staff to South Dakota Gov. Richard Kneip and then ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. She was a U.S. Senate staffer in D.C. when she met the future governor. This stuff is in her blood.
Mrs. Pritzker has kept a fairly low profile the past six years, fiercely guarding her family’s privacy, particularly during the pandemic. She’s probably best known for throwing huge, swanky parties (including convention week’s Salt Shed soiree featuring John Legend) and for finishing the task of decorating the governor’s mansion and publishing a book about the official residence.
But she made a rare appearance at a bill-signing event this summer to talk about her involvement with incarcerated women. The bill her spouse signed into law provides free identification cards for newly released inmates. Mrs. Pritzker took up the cause of incarcerated women at the beginning of the Pritzker administration.
MK helped set up an ID pilot program at Logan Correctional Center back in 2020 and told reporters at the event that she’d visited women’s prisons more than a dozen times since Gov. Pritzker was sworn in.
She said her focus since her first prison visit in January 2019 “has been on ensuring incarcerated Illinoisans are treated with respect and dignity, and that they are given a real opportunity to rehabilitate and return to post-incarceration life with a chance at avoiding recidivism and making positive change.”
There are no current signs that Mrs. Pritzker is ready to move on to private life. And her spouse clearly appears to be enjoying his current job, regardless of what just happened to his national ambitions with Vice President Kamala Harris’ elevation to presidential nominee.
So, does MK want to move back to Washington, D.C., if Harris wins and if Pritzker is offered a Cabinet position? Or, would she want to continue her work here in Illinois? And would Pritzker himself be happy working for someone else after years of leading a large state? Or does she just want it all to end?
Those are a lot of ifs, starting with Harris’ election and then an actual Pritzker appointment, and if he’d want it. I’ve gone back and forth on this. I thought for a while that I had a good handle on it, but now I’m not so sure.
Let’s see what their options look like in a few months.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 7:52 am
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I was skeptical of her potential anti union slant initially but Raimondo has been a stellar commerce secretary as far as I’m concerned. Also I think the gotion fiasco will be an albatross around Pritzker’s neck for higher ambitions but that be will cruise to a third term as long as the credit upgrades keep coming.
Comment by Macon Bakin Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:03 am
It all depends on if Harris wins and wants him or not. If not, I see no reason to expect him to not expect him to run for reelection. And if, heaven forbid, Harris loses, the Pritzker has a platform as a major blue state to oppose the GOP prominently in an attempt to raise his national profile for 2028.
Plus, let’s face it, the ILGOP couldn’t find their way out of a wet paper bag, so it’s not like they’re unseating him any time soon.
Comment by TJ Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:18 am
Regardless of what happens in November, he should view a third term with at least some trepidation. The longer one sits atop a huge government bureaucracy, the better the chances are of something politically damaging happening. The prison review board controversy earlier this year is an example of how a governor can wear the jacket for something he has very little day-to-day control over. That would tempt me to do a mic drop after two successful terms if I were JB.
Comment by Quit while ahead? Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:36 am
Why not stay? I don’t think there is a cabinet position inn Washington that would keep him in the public eye or give him power and press access he has here. He will surely win and if something super comes up he can always resign and take it
And let’s face it he doesn’t need the money so no need to guilt for a money making job. And if Durbin retires he won’t have to sell that seat either
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:45 am
Nice story, Rich. I like the emphasis on MK Pritzker, especially the line about “her focus since her first prison visit in January 2019 “has been on ensuring incarcerated Illinoisans are treated with respect and dignity, and that they are given a real opportunity to rehabilitate.” That is a very noble goal, and we are only beginning to scratch the surface on this. Miles to go before we get there, however.
Well done.
Comment by H-W Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:45 am
He would be great at all those positions and he’s done it all: business, charity, family, etc. IMO, it is either up to the federal level or he’s done with being in the hot seat for politics.
Comment by Two Left Feet Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 8:55 am
I hope he goes for a third term. Obviously, it’s there if he wants it, and as I have said before, he actually appears to enjoy the gig.
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:01 am
“prison review board controversy”
Find ten people that aren’t political junkies who has the slightest idea what it is you are referring.
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:02 am
I think Pritzker has done a very good job as Governor and I hope he will stay.
I’m not sure why anyone would be attracted to a cabinet post, but he can always discuss with his sister.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:15 am
The man is running for US Senate if Harris loses. If Harris wins, I think he goes in the administration.
He has been a stable force following the chaos of Quinn and Rauner. He was Santa Claus due to covid relief and a humming economy. His third term will likely be in the midst of a recession and dealing with a legislature coming of the the sugar high of ARPA and CARES money.
JB is ambitious and surrounded by ambitious people. Going to DC is a better move to advance his political future than staying in the state.
Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:22 am
Secretary JB Pritzker?
What a waste.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:24 am
I wonder what job in the administration would even be the right fit for him if he did move to DC though. He surely still has national ambitions. But the Commerce Dept to White House pipeline does not seem particularly promising. Maybe Energy, build up some foreign policy creds with some nuclear negotiations? But hard to imagine him being the right fit at any of the ‘big four’ Cabinet positions
Comment by CornAl DoGooder Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:40 am
“Also I think the gotion fiasco…”
“Fiasco” only for people who believe everything Jeanne Ives writes. Gotion is going to be a great job creator and important part of the state’s employment future.
Comment by New Day Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:41 am
As for JB, I would be shocked if he didn’t go for a third term. He loves being governor.
Comment by New Day Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:48 am
Sorry to the nit-pick. But Dan Walker served four years because he lost in the primary to Mike Howlett (who was backed by Mayor Daley.)
Walker did time about a decade after he left office for activities he was engaged in related to his Savings and Loan business dealings in the 80s.
Comment by Juice Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:50 am
Another good piece by Rich.
I would like JB to stay as governor. He’s a big fish in a big lake, but I think he flounders in the DC waters. JB’s national efforts will help him gain friends for IL. He can use that to further improve things in the state. Bask in it JB. You the man here.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:53 am
I see a third term for JB. He likes being in charge. And as long as the ILGOP continues to run craven, Trump-aligned, minority-demonizing, election-denying whackadoodles the governorship will be his.
Comment by workingfromhome Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:55 am
What Candy said x2.
I would view a cabinet position as a demotion compared to being governor.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:55 am
== “prison review board controversy”
Find ten people that aren’t political junkies who has the slightest idea what it is you are referring. ==
I don’t disagree with you. While it wasn’t exactly inside baseball, it wasn’t a major scandal either. I mentioned it as a cautionary tale of what could go wrong when you’re governor. Bad stuff can happen on your watch and you can get blamed even when you have little control over the events. Just something for JB or anyone else to consider when deciding whether to take a plunge into a third term.
Comment by Quit while ahead? Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:59 am
JB may run again – but the longer he stays in office the more chance that some of his policy decisions can come back to bite him. The Belvedere plant looks tenuous at best – his Green energy policies that ban all new gas and large-scale nuclear plants may put Illinois behind neighboring states for huge energy-intensive projects. Lastly, all long-tenured Govs face the threat of a potential scandal that reaches up to his office. He may want to avoid that and seek new challenges
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 9:59 am
I shutter to think of someone other than JB as governor. We have had SO many bad governors. When was the last good one before JB? Edgar? And he was good only because he wasn’t awful.
Comment by Banish Misfortune Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:12 am
Regardless of the outcome of the November election, I see JB running for a third term.
Don’t see him taking a Cabinet position or making a Senate run. He seems to like being top dog.
I see a Presidential run in 4 years.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:16 am
I hope he stays for a third term.
Comment by Dupage Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:17 am
@ Anonymous @ 10:00
I am confused. Where exactly does Illinois lag behind the rest of the country? I don’t see it. 4-5% unemployment is normal according to economists. As to the rest of our economy, we are generating phenomenal returns on our investments, and paying down debt. Our population is stable according to the U.S. Census. Our workers are paid more that workers elsewhere. Indeed, most of us are much better off than we were four years ago. And contrary to what political “pundits” want to tell us, our masking policy clearly saved lives.
Where exactly are we doing poorly?
Comment by H-W Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:17 am
==I would view a cabinet position as a demotion compared to being governor.==
100%. Total demotion.
Comment by low level Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:17 am
Oops. Never mind.
Comment by H-W Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:18 am
I hope he goes for a third term. Finding a replacement of his caliber and competence won’t be easy, sort of like finding the handsome prince among lots of toads. Scandals and pseudo scandals from past actions of oneself and/or others are always lurking. Faux News, Putin, Trump and his GOP constantly make up “facts” to foment scandal and division. He and MK have weathered it all. I hope they continue to lead.
Comment by froganon Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:23 am
I think he genuinely enjoys being governor of Illinois and would be happy to stay put. We’re living in an Illinois that is becoming more functional in ways that I have not experienced in my adult life, and it’s largely due to his leadership. Maybe he has national ambitions, but just because someone is extremely competent at what they are doing doesn’t necessarily mean they want to move up somewhere else if it’s not a true advancement of their career. There’s only one position that would be a career advancement for him, and fingers crossed, that job will already occupied by Harris in 2028.
Comment by Leap Day William Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:35 am
He should remain as governor, where he’s much more consequential. He has a GA basically to his liking, and no challenge from extremist Republicans, who are stuck with their voters and can’t change.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:37 am
H-W you at least you admit you are confused unlike most of the commenters in this bubble
JB is promising to fix the non existent problem of population loss and lackluster job growth if he is re elected to a 3rd term
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:43 am
Pritzker has been the most effective governor of my lifetime. And yes, the law of averages says he is likely to experience some kind of something as governor. He is the Chief Executive of the fifth largest state in the nation.
I think he likes being governor (a much better job than president) because he likes Illinois and he seems like a natural at the position.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 10:59 am
==H-W you at least you admit you are confused unlike most of the commenters in this bubble==
LOL. Well, at least the voters aren’t confused, having re-elected the governor, statewide officials and Democratic super majorities by solid margins.
Comment by low level Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:02 am
Illinois is now the 6th largest state behind Pennsylvania and the population has declined by by 263K since 2020
https://www.britannica.com/topic/largest-U-S-state-by-population
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:09 am
New day you can’t just hand wave away concerns from people who don’t want Illinois money in the coffers of CCP aligned companies accused of forced labor as Jeanne Ives sycophants, that is so dishonest.
Comment by Macon Bakin Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:09 am