Illinois' Billionaire Governor: JB Pritzker 

Odds on Governor Pritzker staying out of prison?

I'm an Illinois resident. I really didn't want Pritzker as governor since we already had a billionaire in office (Bruce Rauner) but Pritzker has been a legitimately good governor.

I miss this guy and his patriot act show

An Illinois household of 2 teachers and 2 kids here. We love this guy.

There's absolutely no point in talking about ethics in govt until you repeal Citizens United and get Campaign Finance Reform done, and that's not happening until we reform the Supreme Court and that's not happening until we get the Presidency, Senate and House, and that's not happening until we fix gerrymandering, voting access, make election day a holiday, and make absentee/early/mail voting available to all. To *start* with.

As an Illinois citizen, all I can say is, we are very happy to have him. He’s done a lot for our state and a positive way. Still don’t think that billionaire should exist, but nonetheless grateful he’s our Governor

As an Illinois resident I have to say that J.B. Pritzker is the best governor our state has had in a very, very long time. When he first hit the scene, I too had my reservations. But he was a bastion of reason during the pandemic, and his contributions to our state have been numerous. Thanks to some of the programs his administration launched, I can actually call myself a homeowner--something I never thought I'd be able to say. Should billionaires exist? No, I still believe they shouldn't. But, hey--at least his wealth was inherited? I dunno, man. He's not perfect, but I'm proud to have him as our governor. P.S: I love you Hasan and I still miss Patriot Act.

I’m a Chicagoan and my mom has worked in politics for many years. The Pritzker family is very much like the Daleys except wealthier. They’ve always been politically involved in Chicago so it’s no surprise that JB would step up as Governor. He is one of the best governors we’ve had in a very long time if not in our entire history as a state.

I fully own i held my nose when i voted for Pritzker the first time. Rauner was trash and did so much damage to our state and had to go (his comments about all of the social services agencies facing problems/closing were spot on), but I was reluctant to vote for a billionaire. He has proven me wrong and i am delighted to admit that! He's fantastic!

I'm from "downstate" Illinois, and I don’t really call myself a Republican or Democrat. From what I’ve seen, Pritzker’s been pretty good for the state. Am I paying more in taxes? Hell yes, I am, and it’s a lot, but it seems necessary. He’s not perfect, but he’s doing a decent job.

tldr: As a resident of Southern Illinois I want to say that Governor Pritzker is great but he needs to try to connect with the residents of rural southern illinois more. First off I want to say thank you to Hasan for having our governor on, I was so happy to see him interviewed. I personally voted for JB Pritzker, and would happily do so again. The only thing I wish he would do more of is try to win over the people in the southern part of the state. I live in southern Illinois, I am much closer to Kentucky than I am to Chicago, and the majority of people here don't feel seen or heard by our state government. Many people from the southern part of the state believe we should split the state into northern and southern Illinois because they truly believe the state government only cares about and listens to people in Chicago. I personally don't believe that, but it is very rare for the governor or anyone in high state office to travel to southern Illinois to speak or visit. It is very isolating to be a Democrat down here and it is exhausting trying to convince people who only watch fox news that our governor is actually doing great things for our state. So anyway, I guess my point was I wish he would spend more energy and time trying to connect with the people in the southern half of the state but I still really like him and am glad he's our governor.

“To defeat a bad guy with a billion dollars, you need a good guy with a billion dollars.” 😂

A 'damning non answer'. The right answer to 'do you have too much money?" is Yes, tax me. AND limit campaign financing. He got to that point eventually. Make it easier Gov. for the people to hear you. Say it - TAX ME. AND THANK YOU Pritzker for your progressive influence in Illinois.

FYI in the Citizens United versus FEC Thomas was the deciding factor. Had he recused himself the decision would have been 4/4 and not the law of the land. In 2010 when that case came before the courts Thomas had been taking money from Harlan Crow for over 6 years. Harlan Crow was the president of the Trammel Crow foundation that was one of the largest donors to Citizens United. There is a direct line of money and corruption from Harlan Corw to Citizens United and Clarence Thomas simultaneously.

The world really missed out having you host the Daily Show.

Hey, Hasan, could you please let the guy finish a sentence? You interrupted him so many times when he was trying to finish an interesting thought, it was really kind of annoying.

It’s immoral for a society to have both billionaires and homelessness!

If I had a year with this guy, I'd fashion him into a unbeatable politician who wins the Presidency. Pritzker has so much potential and is such a good guy. I'm new to him, but he made a good intro (policies are solid, so he qualifies).

It only sounded weak because all of the applause of us at home couldn't be heard 👏🥳. Thank you so much Governor Pritzker for what you do for America! And thank you so much Hasan for your strength of character and tenacity - so happy you are back. Two truly amazing human beings❣

I wish we had Gov Pritzker as our gov in AR!!! 😭😭😭😭 be thankful Illinois!!

As an IL resident I genuinely like JB as our governor. However- billionaires should not exist😅

Of all the billionaires I’ve seen, this guy has the fullest head of hair!

As an Illinois resident and a state employee, I have to say that J.B. Pritzker is a wonderful governor because he looks out for people who are NOT billionaires! He looks to help everyone have a safe, affordable, and enjoyable life… he listens and responds to what seems best for the average citizen in our state.

As a lifelong Illinois resident, in these times, I am more than grateful to live in Illinois. As long as rights are under attack elsewhere in this nation, I won't even consider an out of state move. That is thanks in great part to JB.

Thanks to JB, our state’s credit rating has gone up 9 times! We’ve legalized weed, passed balanced budgets, expanded reproductive rights to the point where we’re now an abortion haven, and we’re only the 3rd state to pass mandatory paid leave for all workers. I was hesitant to vote for him the first time, but he’s been amazing, especially after our previous garbage Republican governor left the state a mess!

Thanks Pritzker, for being a decent governor. I'm from Michigan but I'm glad the Great Lakes have good governorship protecting them.

I've been able to spend a few days photographing him, he's a really amazing guy, super nice guy. He's been great for illinois

Like it or not... THIS is what Bruce Wayne is supposed to be!

J B is a good governor for us. I voted for him and I'm glad that he won.

21:00 - Democratic Socialist, staunch anti-capitalist and Bernie supporter here, and I got to say I totally agree with Pritzker here. Another phrase that comes to mind is electricity was invented using oil.

Pritzker the GOAT

I’m was happy VP Harris didn’t select JB for my own selfish reasons. It’s rare to have genuinely good people in politics and he’s definitely one of them imo!

Actually, JB has been a great gov for IL. No i dont think that they should exist. But when i say, he and Mark Cuban are the best ones we got. They are the only ones i trust.

Yes, Pritzker makes exactly the right assessment. I would gladly vote for him because he is a realist and uses his wealth for good. I challenge anyone that pretends to have ethics as the highest priority for the litmus test and then comesinto billions of dollars like winning the lottery, to quite literally put their money where their mouth is. I doubt anyone comes into that much money would do even a quarter as much as Pritzker has done for Illinois. So making blanket statements of ethics without real Knowledge is being obtuse

This is the interview we all needed. Thank you Hasan!

The first time I paid attention to politics was when trump won his bid to run in 2016. I saw this governor do amazing work in 2020. The minute he hates on Cheeto he won me over ..

4 59... It's the corruption of immense wealth. There may be good billionaires and multimillionaires, but the problem is they can do a 180 at any time and decide not to be so good, because they have the wealth to do that, where 99% of hard working people don't have that choice and never will.

That's my governor and he's heaven sent!! ❤

$15 minimum wage in Illinois?! I might have to move soon 😅

J.B. is a good man and I'm happy and proud he's the governor of my state. The more I hear of this interview, the more I feel like you're trying to make him look bad - which is uncalled for.

Pritzger has been the best governor we’ve had in my long lifetime…I’m still amazed that he managed to cure us of the terminal Rauner disease.

24:45 Running government like a business does NOT work. Some skills from my working in business are useful in government. PRITZKER Paraphrased.

As a non-Illinois resident, this guy seems like a good billionaire

I am a current Illinois resident and still pay taxes there; however, I have not lived there for the last 22 years due to work. I plan to move back in the next 4-8 years. I have not followed state or county politics, but if Governor Pritzker is the way he seemed in this interview, I hope someone like him is in charge when I make it back.

I want pritzker as president. Dude is fixing Illinois.

I live in Illinois and I think Pritzker has been a great governor. I hope he runs again.

Governor pritzker has been the best governor illinois has ever had .

great interview. funny and informative.

My instant guess was ZERO. He’s crazy

Hopefully in the not too distant future, President Pritzker.

Not my job! If this Billionaire would invite his billionaire class to give up some hip change,…they could end homelessness in America.

J. B. Pritzker have you considered moving to Texas to beat Greg Abbott as Governor? That would be sweet!

Voted for Pritzker each time and would vote again.

I was in business b4 government.... You and errbody else bra😂

The graphic with the income tax brackets is jacked up

Great guy, love his work.

Zip Recruiter ad. You say "back-slash" but the inscription reads "forward slash."

/ is a slash. \ is a backslash. Imagine a | walking through the text if it falls backwards \ it makes a backslash

Hasan was kinda rude. The governor was very nice

That's our Gov❤

He’s been a good governor and he cares.

Never heard of this guy. I like him, gives good vibes.

Great job. P.S. Hasan, it's called a forward slash, not a backslash in your ZIP recruiter ad. (Programmer PTSD)

Every new episode that Hasan puts out, I can't click fast enough. I can't stand any other media show, interviewer, or other awful political coverage. This is the ONLY thing I can watch any more. Thank you, Hasan!! You are brilliant as always. Smartest and funniest and bestest desi around.

I love this governor!! Why not use Illinois tax system for federal system?????? More money you make, more taxi pay less money, less, you make, you less!!! I like that system 😊

What a passionate governor!

The best Governor of my lifetime.🎉

MY GOAT JB

Im an IL resident who has voted for and will continue to Vote torJB. Hes the best gov IL has had

Love JB

lmao not bezos being in his "dominican era" that made me cackle

One of the nicest Billionaire! Proud to call JB my Governor. Wish him all the best.

That's my Governor!! ✊🏾

I so love these episodes!

He seems like a stand up guy

Thank you for your report.

Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:38 The Billionaire Governor 3:20 Governor Pritzker's Applause 6:28 The Battle of Billionaires in Politics 8:45 Bernie Sanders and Progressive Values 9:55 Capitalism and Its Imperfections 12:53 Basketball Analogy in Politics 16:25 The Fair Tax Amendment Battle 18:30 The Impact of COVID on Political Campaigning 21:27 Balancing Government and Philanthropy 23:01 Early Childhood Education Advocacy 24:45 Applying Business Skills in Government 29:11 Pritzker Family Dynamics Generated by Flowsend

He has been an amazing billionaire for Illinois

Bring back Patriot Act 😭 It was the show the people needed. One of the best shows for informing the public. Hasan, talk to Mr Netflix 😔

Is the coalition of voters that would elevate someone like Pritzker (who hand checks) a coalition that could create a Congress politically able to eliminate the hand check? That would require a great deal of new comfort and trust in the perceived enemy of billionaires. We can either trust people willing to hand check that they will eliminate the rule when they win. Or we can wait for someone so good that they win without hand checking who will eliminate the rule.

That's my governor! 😅

Pritzker is a Trust Baby. Just that his Trust is huge as the Vanderbuilts once were.

As an illinois resident i’m pretty happy with jb. I’m a democrat and i actually didn’t vote for him when he first ran back against rauner. I thought he was just another sleazy rich corrupt democrat. Now to be fair, i still think he’s a sleazy rich democrat. Hence his nickname, toilets pritzker. But i’ve been pleasantly surprised by the agenda he’s pushed. I’m happy he’s told the bears to kick rocks on asking the state for money to build their new stadium. Overall i’m just happy he seems like a decent guy and is pushing an agenda that tries to help the people at the bottom.

I'm so glad I found this show.

Hilarious and informative content. Keep it up, Hasan!

Those white snickers and socks are so original.

15:11 It bothers me that he keeps saying “well other billionaires ran and lost so I didn’t just win because of money”. Like babe the problem is that you need hundreds of millions of dollars now to even join the race. No poor or even middle class person could have had the slightest hope of winning that race with only their own financing, but anyone with hundreds of millions at their disposal at least has a chance.

Griffins whole tax thing was so transparent…..he managed to convince the less intelligent people in this state that a progressive tax would harm them.

Hasan catchin' a throatful from some fire vocals. Thank you for another fire video.

One of the best things about the 2024 election is all of the progressive leaders from around the country that i didnt know about before. Pritzker being one of them.

I personally think that taking private money out of politics would be huge. If politicians ran on the taxpayers dollar, they would actually work for taxpayers. Too bad that kind of power shift, one that is simple and obvious and huge, would likely require a full rev01ution and discarding of all pr1vate pr0perty

I lived through these changes and had no idea where they came from. I just thought the world was progressing. He embodies the spirit of the Land of Lincoln. Well done, JB. Fight that good fight!!

16:52 - 17:42 or go directly to 17:00 for the short answer. Yes, increase my taxes (Pritzker's) and for all wealthy people while lowering taxes for others… as Governor in Illinois.

Can't believe im going to say this but I'd vote for that billionaire. lol

I love how I nailed the guess immediately on how much cash he had on him. It's likely not a Billionaire thing, and I bet definitely not a big politician billionaire thing to ever even consider having cash on hand.

This my governor!!

Liked hearing him and wish more politicians were like him

Great job Hasan. Please make it family friendly

My immediate thought when pritzker agreed to the money-in-his-wallet bet was “there’s no way he has cash on him” 😂

Fun fact: we'll never if trump is/was rich 8 years ago since we're still waiting for his tax papers... Weird that's not a topic anymore