Outcomes for Illinoisans have dropped since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. The nation’s Democrats need to see where he’s taken Illinois before following his lead on the national stage.
By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appeared on CNN, The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live, made what sounded like a stump speech in New Hampshire and been the subject of a Newsweek article speculating about a run for president.
Pritzker himself hasn’t announced if he’s running for a third term as governor or might be occupied with a run for president in 2028.
But before deciding whether Pritzker should be leading the nation, there’s a basic question to consider: How has Illinois done since he took office?
Illinois’ economic growth since Pritzker took office has been the seventh worst in the nation, and the worst among the 10 most-populated states. Other measures of the state economy are also disappointing.
Economic growth trailed the nation
Illinois’ economic growth trailed the nation during Pritzker’s tenure, ranking 44th for percentage growth in state gross domestic product. Illinois’ GDP grew by 30.6% between 2018 and 2024 without adjusting for inflation, ranking seventh worst in the nation.
Illinois’ GDP growth trailed neighboring states as well as the nation under Pritzker’s administration, driven in part by years of outmigration as residents left the state for lower-cost locales.
Andriesen’s report continues here.