Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has many fans and friends. He receives a $30 gift every three days, but due to work commitments, he accepts none of them and rarely even sees them.
The second-term Democratic governor and billionaire received hundreds of gifts from around the world, ranging from a $950 bottle of Japanese whiskey to 35 cents (25 cents and 10 cents to be exact).
The state is 25 Gift Prohibition Act Public officials such as Pritzker are prohibited from accepting gifts, with broad exceptions. As a result, the overpriced bottle of liquor was praised by the Japanese embassy, while three bottles of tequila worth $450 were never used.
“I can’t do this,” Pritzker said during a stop in Springfield. “I would say I love tequila, so that’s why people give it to me, but I also love some other spirits.”
Expensive wine bottles aren’t the only gifts Pritzker shuns. Most are stored in Springfield and Chicago, with a staff member writing thank-you notes. A log provided to The Associated Press through a public records request includes 4 1/2 years of honoraria totaling 561 gifts valued at $16,890.14.
Perishable food items are shared with office staff and visitors. The remainder will eventually be sent to appropriate charities, said Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokesman for the governor.
You might think of reasons why the governor receives gifts: a gift bag when he visits a town or cuts a ribbon, a plaque from an advocacy group when he supports its cause. Promotions also play a role. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards sent king cakes and beads to drum up interest in Mardi Gras, and the writers seemed convinced that getting copies of their latest works into Pritzker’s hands would lead to his fame. on bestseller lists.
The Hyatt Hotels heir has a net worth of $3.5 billion, but he doesn’t aspire to much.But for those government employees who are not among them The 326 richest people in the countryAccording to Forbes magazine, the law It is forbidden to accept gifts from these people Persons doing business or seeking business with the state, persons engaged in state regulatory activities, lobbyists.
Acceptable gifts from one source may not exceed $100 in one year, and no one may accept more than $75 worth of food or refreshments in one day.
The Gift Ban Act was sponsored in 1998 by the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, co-authored by then-first-term state Sen. Barack Obama, and passed by Republican Gov. Jim Ed Signed by Jim Edgar. Watergate Financial Disclosure Act.
“It’s been very effective,” said David Melton of Illinois Reform Advocates. “Generally speaking, they (public officials) are not allowed to accept gifts. This is the right thing to do.”
Pritzker could accept the vast majority of his gubernatorial gifts based on value alone. Less than 10 gifts per month are delivered per month, with an average price of about $30.
In addition to four bottles of luxury spirits, there are only six generally prohibited gifts, including a $200 Mondaine watch from the Swiss ambassador to the United States, as well as a $120 eco-friendly pet waste bag, biodegradable diaper bag, bamboo Cutlery and cutlery. More information comes from a citizen named Tiffany Kuhl.
The COVID-19 crisis has prompted displays of generosity from the governor’s admirers. From March 2020 to December 2021, Pritzker received 33 gifts specifically to thank him for his pandemic response, including some that seemed more personal: a handmade face mask, a Heartfelt items, food selections, and Governor Pritzker bobbleheads from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee.
and “2:30 PM Man,” an acrylic painting of a smiling Pritzker by Chicago teacher SeungRi “Victoria” Park. artist.
“Every day at 2:30 p.m., he was on my TV,” Parker said, referring to Pritzker’s daily news briefings during the height of the pandemic. “I don’t vote for any politician, but I like him. I want to draw him. He reminds me of Buddha.”
Pritzker, the state’s third Jewish governor, was not Parker’s spiritual leader, but his message resonated.
“I don’t follow religion, and I don’t follow politicians,” Parker said. He has been COVID-19 free in the 3 1/2 years since the coronavirus reached Illinois. “But I believe in science.”
As for the governor’s gift scorecard? Shirts: 54 pieces. Hats: 21 items. Mugs and Totes: 23 items. Scarves: 7, including three Loyola University scarves in maroon and gold. Pens and pencils: 8. Pins: 11 (plus a rolling pin).
There are 188 books in total, 27 of which are written by the authors themselves, including former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. He is listed as sending a signed copy of his autobiography, although he died two years before Pritzker was elected. Sidney Blumenthal, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, sent his latest biography of Abraham Lincoln, along with tequila and a pink flamingo stuffed toy. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and his co-author Mark Green each sent a copy of “Destroying America,” criticizing Donald Trump’s presidency.
Sometimes gifts come in the wrong bag of chips, such as on June 6, when Pritzker stopped at a Freeport elementary school and received two bags of chips from the Stephenson County Democratic Party. Mrs. Fisher’s Potato Chips from nearby Rockford, rather than the equally salty Mrs. Mac’s Potato Chips Made in Freeport.
Party Chair Jody Coss couldn’t tell if she was eating Freeport snacks when she decided to add some hometown flavor to the governor’s greetings.
“The purpose,” Kos said sheepishly, “is to give Mrs. Michael’s to him.”
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Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed.
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