Source: Politics<\/p>\n
CHICAGO \u2014 Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago and began taking a GLP-1 medication, resulting in an 80-pound weight loss that he says has transformed his health and daily life.<\/p>\n
The disclosure marks the first time the Democrat has publicly disclosed that he has diabetes, as well as officially acknowledging that he is on GLP-1 medication, which is prescribed both for diabetes treatment and weight loss. The governor told CBS News<\/a> he started taking the medication after doctors warned that he would likely need insulin for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n Pritzker is viewed as a likely 2028 presidential candidate and has spent two years batting away questions about his visibly slimmer appearance, though he did hint at his weight loss during the Gridiron Club and Foundation\u2019s annual white-tie dinner in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m JB Pritzker, governor of the great state of Illinois, and if you\u2019re seeing me in person for the very first time, yes, I\u2019m the guy who put \u2018gov\u2019 in \u2018Wegovy,\u2019\u201d he told the high-profile crowd<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 61-year-old governor said he has struggled with his weight since childhood, dating back to when he was a 7-year-old. That\u2019s about the time his father, Donald Pritzker, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 39 while playing tennis.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump has made Pritzker\u2019s weight an issue, often commenting about it<\/a> in personal attacks. Asked about his weight loss during an interview with POLITICO in the spring of 2025, Pritzker said, \u201cHow about, just for health.\u201d<\/p>\n In Monday\u2019s CBS interview, the governor said he closely monitored his cholesterol, triglycerides and other health markers for years because of his family history. But after becoming governor, he acknowledged the stress of leading the nation\u2019s sixth-largest state contributed to additional weight gain.<\/p>\n Two years ago, that concern became more urgent when doctors diagnosed him with Type 2 diabetes, he told CBS. \u201cMy doctor said, \u2018Oh no, you\u2019ll never come off of it. You\u2019re going to have to do this the rest of your life, and I recommend that you take a GLP-1,\u2019\u201d Pritzker recalled about being told he\u2019d have to take insulin.<\/p>\n His wife, MK Pritzker, encouraged her husband to proceed on GLP-1. \u201cI want him to be around for a really long time,\u201d she told CBS.<\/p>\n The governor\u2019s office confirmed that as a result of the GLP-1, plus improved diet and exercise, Pritzker \u201cis no longer on insulin and down to levels that indicate no diabetes\/prediabetic levels.”<\/p>\n Pritzker said the effects were almost immediate. Within days, he said, he didn\u2019t feel the appetite urges. \u201cIt was the strangest feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n The governor also has gained local attention for taking walks along the Lake Michigan walking path in Chicago. Along with adopting the healthy habit, it\u2019s allowed him to talk regularly to constituents.<\/p>\n During Monday\u2019s interview, Pritzker side-stepped questions about whether he was running for president. \u201cI honestly am focused on what’s best for the people of Illinois,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The governor also talked about being proud of Illinois’ decision to cover GLP-1 medications for people with diabetes, becoming emotional describing a woman who approached him and told him access to the medication had saved her life.<\/p>\n The announcement about his weight comes as Pritzker is taking a more prominent role in the 2026 midterms, chairing a political action committee<\/a> focused on investing at least $20 million in Democratic House races. The move has added to speculation about a potential presidential bid, where the demands of a national campaign would put his health and stamina in sharper focus.<\/p>\n