Mark Vargas, editor-in-chief of Illinois Review, said entities linked to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s family financial interests have received more than $20 billion in taxpayer-funded state contracts since 2019, including over $180 million from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago.
“JB Pritzker attacks efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government,” said Vargas. “Since 2019, entities linked to his family’s financial interests have collected over $20B in taxpayer-funded state contracts — all held within his so-called “blind” trust. In Illinois, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority has funneled more than $180 million in taxpayer money into the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago since 2011. Under Pritzker’s so-called blind trusts, companies tied to his financial interests have reportedly received more than $20 billion in state contracts since he took office in 2019 – all funded by taxpayers, all approved under his administration, using taxpayer dollars he was sworn to protect.”
According to a statement issued via an X post by Vargas, the information links to a co-authored article on StoneZone. The article outlines allegations of taxpayer funds benefiting assets associated with the Pritzker family. It references public records indicating $180 million in upgrades to a Chicago hotel operated by Hyatt, a company controlled by the Pritzkers, and claims that $20 billion in state contracts have been awarded to firms within his blind trust since 2019. This situation arises as Illinois faces challenges related to high taxes and pension obligations.
Illinois residents encounter the nation’s highest effective property tax rate at 1.83 percent, driven by local governments funding state-mandated pensions and services. The state’s five pension systems are burdened with approximately $144 billion in unfunded liabilities, necessitating daily contributions equivalent to $1 million for nearly 600 years to address these issues. These financial burdens support expansive programs while property taxes have increased, with Lake County’s rate at 2.68 percent, ranking ninth nationally.
Across the United States, state pension debts vary significantly, with Illinois leading at $144 billion unfunded liabilities, followed by California at $90 billion. National violent crime rates position Illinois as the 23rd lowest in 2023 according to U.S. News rankings, while Florida ranks 22nd. Property tax pressures differ across states, with Illinois surpassing New Jersey for the highest rates, impacting funding for welfare and infrastructure nationwide.
Vargas serves as a GOP media surrogate and contributes columns to Newsmax. As Editor-in-Chief of Illinois Review, he emphasizes conservative perspectives in state politics. He previously served on the Iraq Task Force in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2007 to 2010 and advises prominent political figures.
