Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reveals 80-pound loss using GLP-1 medication

JB Pritzker, Illinois’ Democratic governor, publicly confirmed that a GLP-1 weight-loss medication enabled him to lose 80 pounds since spring 2024 and that he intends to continue shedding weight. He explained that a pre-diabetes and later Type II diabetes diagnosis at age 58 led to insulin treatment, which he discontinued after the GLP-1 therapy normalized his blood sugar. The governor highlighted that the state’s group health insurance program covers the drug for diabetic patients, a policy he helped enact before his own use.

While praising the medication’s impact on his health and activity level, Pritzker warned that fiscal constraints might force a review of coverage, especially for Medicaid recipients. He also referenced past weight-related attacks, including AI-generated memes from Donald Trump, and expressed a desire to share his experience to help others struggling with obesity.