Extravagant Gifts Including Alcoholic Beverages and Art Remain Unclaimed by Billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker

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Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois is the recipient of a constant stream of gifts, receiving an item valued at around $30 approximately once every three days. However, due to the limitations of his position, these gifts largely go unclaimed and are often not even seen by him.

Pritzker, who is serving his second term as a Democratic governor and boasts a multi-billion-dollar net worth, has been the beneficiary of an array of gifts from global sources. These presents range from a bottle of Japanese whiskey valued at $950 to a mere 35 cents, comprised of one quarter and one dime.

Illinois’ Gift Ban Act, established 25 years ago, prevents public employees, including Governor Pritzker, from accepting such gifts, with limited exceptions. As a result, high-value items like the whiskey from the Japanese embassy and three bottles of tequila worth $450 have remained untouched.

The governor acknowledged during a Springfield visit, “While I do have a preference for tequila, I can’t partake in these gifts, although there are other spirits I enjoy as well.”

Not just high-value alcoholic beverages, but a myriad of other gifts are also stored in Springfield and Chicago. These gifts span 4.5 years and include 561 items with a total value of $16,890.14, according to records obtained by The Big Big News through a public information request. While perishable food items are shared with office staff and visitors, the rest are earmarked for appropriate charitable organizations, as stated by gubernatorial spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh.

Governors commonly receive gifts for various reasons such as ceremonial visits to towns, advocacy events, or promotional activities. For instance, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has sent gifts like king cake and beads to promote Mardi Gras, and authors often send copies of their latest books in the hope of gaining publicity.

Given his $3.5 billion net worth as an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, Governor Pritzker lacks for little. However, the law sets restrictions for less affluent government employees who cannot accept gifts from business entities or lobbyists involved with the state. The limitations specify that gifts from any single source should not exceed $100 annually and that no one may accept food or refreshments worth more than $75 in a single day.

Initiated in 1998 by the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon, co-authored by then-state Senator Barack Obama, and signed into law by Republican Governor Jim Edgar, the Gift Ban Act was Illinois’ first major ethics reform since the post-Watergate era. David Melton, of the advocacy group Reform for Illinois, endorsed the act stating, “As a general rule, not allowing public employees to accept gifts is the correct approach.”

In terms of monetary value, the overwhelming majority of gifts received by Pritzker could have been accepted. The average value of each gift, arriving at nearly 10 per month, is approximately $30. There are only six gifts generally considered off-limits, such as a $200 watch from the Swiss ambassador to the United States and an assortment of eco-friendly products worth $120 from a citizen named Tiffany Kuhl.

From March 2020 to December 2021, 33 gifts were specifically sent to Pritzker in recognition of his pandemic protocols. These included handmade face masks, inspirational items, assorted food, and even a bobblehead from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee.

The governor also inspired artwork like “2:30 p.m. Man,” an acrylic painting by Chicago teacher and artist SeungRi “Victoria” Park. Despite not being politically or religiously inclined, Park felt compelled to paint the governor due to his consistent appearances during the pandemic.

Finally, a detailed list of Pritzker’s gift inventory included 54 shirts, 21 hats, 23 mugs and totes, seven scarves, eight pens and pencils, and 11 pins. Among the 188 books received were works from luminaries such as former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Sidney Blumenthal, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton.

Research contribution by Jennifer Farrar in New York for Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unclaimed Gifts

More about Unclaimed Gifts

• Illinois Gift Ban Act
• J.B. Pritzker’s Official Profile
• Forbes List of Richest People
• Reform for Illinois Advocacy Group
• National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
• History of Ethics Reforms in Illinois Post-Watergate
• Public Records Request Procedures in Illinois
• Profile of Late U.S. Senator Paul Simon
• Biography of Barack Obama
• Office of Illinois Governor’s Spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh