Illinois Governor JB Pritzker openly discusses his recent 80-pound weight loss achieved through GLP-1 medication, shedding light on evolving treatments for obesity and diabetes amid his potential 2028 presidential run.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has disclosed for the first time that he has type 2 diabetes and has lost about 80 pounds with the help of a GLP-1 weight-loss medication, adding a new personal dimension to a health story that has long fuelled speculation in political circles. In an interview with CBS Mornings and in comments carried by the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker said the treatment, combined with exercise and diet changes, helped bring his blood sugar back to normal and allowed him to stop taking insulin nine months ago.
Pritzker said he had battled his weight for most of his life and had tried countless diets without lasting success. He traced part of his concern about long-term health to family history, saying his father, Donald Pritzker, died of a heart attack at 39. The governor said doctors first warned him two years ago that he had reached prediabetic status and later diagnosed him with type 2 diabetes at 58, prompting insulin treatment before he moved on to the GLP-1 medication.
The governor’s account also sheds light on how aggressively weight-loss drugs are reshaping treatment for obesity and diabetes. Pritzker told NBC Chicago that “it’s a new world with these GLP-1s” and said his doctor was seeing more patients succeed with the same approach. He also argued that Illinois’ decision to cover GLP-1 use for state employees, with physician approval, could save money by preventing more serious disease and reducing reliance on insulin.
The disclosure comes as Pritzker remains a prominent figure in national Democratic politics and a potential 2028 presidential contender, though he has not announced any such plans. Questions about his weight had followed him for more than a year, and he had previously declined to say whether he was taking a GLP-1 drug. Republican rival Darren Bailey responded in a conciliatory tone, saying he was glad to hear the governor was feeling better and wishing him and his family well. Pritzker, meanwhile, said the experience had changed how he thinks about his health and longevity, and that he intends to keep losing weight.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
