Illinois Governor Reveals Diabetes Diagnosis, Significant Weight Loss
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Illinois Governor Reveals Diabetes Diagnosis, Significant Weight Loss
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, 61, recently announced he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago and has since lost 80 pounds.
- His weight loss was achieved through the use of a GLP-1 medication, alongside changes in diet and daily exercise, including a four-mile walk every morning.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker publicly disclosed on Monday, September 21, 2026, that he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes approximately two years ago. Since his diagnosis, Governor Pritzker, who is 61, has lost 80 pounds. This weight loss was aided by a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medication, which he began taking after his doctor also prescribed insulin and indicated he would likely be insulin-dependent for life.
GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, and are prescribed for both Type 2 diabetes and weight management. Pritzker noted that the medication helped curb his appetite, describing the cessation of “food noise.” In addition to the medication, the governor has incorporated daily exercise, including a four-mile walk along Lake Michigan each morning. His wife, MK Pritzker, supported his decision to use the medication, citing a family history of heart disease; Pritzker’s father died of a heart attack at 39.
The governor’s health journey has led to improved glucose levels, and he is no longer insulin-dependent. In 2024, Governor Pritzker authorized the state employee health insurance plan to cover GLP-1 medications, a decision he believes will lead to cost savings by reducing diabetes and obesity-related complications. He shared his story hoping to encourage others to discuss GLP-1s with their doctors.