Latest news with #KnoxCollege
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Make Bravery The Norm—Advice To Graduates (& Leaders) From JB Pritzker
Galesburg, IL June 8, 2025 Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers commencement address We're at the end of graduation season, with its outpouring of advice dispensed from podiums across the country. My heart was full of joy and hope for my eldest daughter as she graduated from Knox College, a small liberal arts college in rural Illinois. But I'll admit, I anticipated the graduation speech by Governor J.B. Pritzker with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. For one thing, this is a tough world our kids are graduating into—with the unemployment rate for 20-24-year-olds at 8.2%—more than double the 3.4% unemployment rate for those 25 and over, significant economic uncertainty, and heightened geopolitical risk. What could anyone say to equip and encourage them on this occasion? And in any case, hasn't it all been said? I've heard my share of commencement addresses, and few of them have transcended the usual platitudes. In addition, I am naturally skeptical of very rich guys in positions of political leadership and I worried the Illinios governor and potential presidential hopeful might politicize the speech or make it more about his agenda than the graduates. But when he took the stage in front of these young people and their parents, the governor won me over as he offered some wisdom to the graduates that many of our leaders in business and government could also benefit from. As Gov. Pritzker warmed up, he started with some mild self-deprecation (appropriate, as he was standing where Abraham Lincoln took a stand against slavery in the Fifth Lincoln-Douglas Debate in 1858). He cracked a few jokes and offered some 'dad advice'—turn off the lights when you leave a room, put air in your tires, don't subscribe to too many streaming service subscriptions—very practical, and served up with a dose of humor. The crowd was with him. But then he moved into the heart of the address with three pieces of advice that should speak to us all: Show Up. A leader, grounded in values, shows up for people when it matters, and knows that in many cases what they say or do is less important than the support provided by just being there. The governor touted the importance of showing up for others—attending funerals and soccer games and award ceremonies. 'In a world where TikTok and Instagram tells you to be selfish with your schedule, I am telling you: Be generous with your time. Showing up is a unique and meaningful thing only you can do.' This advice may seem to contradict much advice (including my own) about setting boundaries. But Pritzker's advice is not fundamentally about time management. It is about presence—not about transactions or outcomes—and our commitment to the people in our lives. Doubt. In an increasingly complex world, we may feel the urge to cling to certainty, but certainty offers only a false security and is antithetical to innovation. Pritzker encouraged the graduates to cultivate doubt, because 'doubt makes us curious. Doubt keeps us humble. Doubt makes us seek when it would be so much easier to sit idle. Doubt prompts us to ask good questions. Questions like: am I looking at ALL the facts or just the ones I want to see?' As leaders, our experiences, mental models and the playbooks that we relied on in the past may not be equal to the task of scaling in a complex world. They require constant updating and iteration. Doubt invites leaders to be vigilant about confirmation and other biases, seek out divergent points of view, welcome challenges to assumptions, and be open to experiment. Be Brave. Finally, Gov. Pritzker exhorted the graduates to make courage the norm, not the exception. 'When we tell the stories of history, we often excuse the atrocities of our ancestors by suggesting that they were merely acting on what was popular at the time. Because we understand in our core, whether we want to admit it or not, how much easier it is to live a life that chases popularity rather than courage. Occasionally we are confronted with stories, like the founding of Knox College [established in 1837 by abolitionists committed to educating women and people of color]Pritzker urged the graduates to 'expect bravery' of themselves and their communities rather than accepting passivity that it rooted in fear. In this time of uncertainty and even chaos, it is tempting to double down on fear, to hesitate and wait to see which way the wind blows. Instead, it is not just our newly-minted graduates who we are called upon to show up with the curiosity and humility borne of doubt, and be brave. It is all of us.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to seek a 3rd term amid questions about higher political ambitions
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat's ambitions for higher office. The Democrat will announce his intentions Thursday at an event in Chicago, according to two people familiar with his plans who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the events. The 60-year-old wealthy businessman was a top contender as Kamala Harris' running mate during her 2024 presidential run. Pritzker, who has spent years building his national political profile, remains a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. He has often been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate for his party, fanned by travel to New Hampshire, fundraising and campaigning for Democrats across the country. It's not clear if he may still consider a bid in 2028 or later. 'To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I make sure I'm standing on the right side of history?'' he said at a June commencement address at Knox College in Illinois. 'There is a simple answer: The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be brave.' Illinois does not have term limits. Pritzker is the first governor to seek a third term since Republican Jim Thompson in 1982. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, is a former private equity investor and a philanthropist. He became governor in 2019, his first time serving in public office after losing a 1998 Democratic primary for a suburban congressional seat. He bested a crowded primary field for governor and went on to defeat one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist. The 2018 matchup was one of the nation's most expensive statewide political races, with more than $250 million raised between the largely self-funded candidates. Questions about the wealth and relatability of both candidates — who each have buildings in Chicago named after their families — came up often. For instance, Pritzker faced questions about his Chicago mansion's property taxes. He received a tax break after having the toilets removed from a second mansion he owns next to his family residence and declaring it 'uninhabitable.' Pritzker later repaid the county about $330,000. Working with Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate, Pritzker has boasted balanced budgets and paid down billions of dollars in debt, prompting several upgrades. He also has overseen increased education funding, the centralization of early childhood services, and new laws to make health insurance more comprehensive, accessible and affordable. After receiving generally high marks in his first term for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pritzker defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican with 55% of the vote to become the first Illinois governor to be elected to a second term in 16 years. He promptly delivered a victory speech that seemed bound for a national campaign, denouncing Trump and asking: 'Are you ready to fight?' He has continued to be among Trump's most vocal, no-holds-barred critics. 'Donald Trump is a convicted felon, liable for sexual assault, and a congenital liar,' Pritzker said after Trump's speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 'He is a man who remains wholly unfit for the office of the presidency, both in temperament and character.' In February, Pritzker, who is Jewish, compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany 'I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly. But I know the history intimately — and have spent more time than probably anyone in this room with people who survived the Holocaust,' he said in February. 'Here's what I've learned: The root that tears apart your house's foundation begins as a seed, a seed of distrust and hate and blame.' Pritzker, whose net worth is estimated as $3.7 billion by Forbes, has also bankrolled his political organization, 'Think Big America.' It aims to protect abortion rights and has supported state constitutional amendments to strengthen those protections in Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. Pritzker says the fight for abortion rights is personal and credits his mother Sue with sparking his early interest in the cause when they attended abortion-rights rallies together. His mother died in a car accident when he was a teen. His father, Donald Pritzker, died years earlier of a heart attack when JB Pritzker was a young boy. ___ O'Connor reported from Springfield, Ill.
3 days ago
- Business
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to seek a 3rd term amid questions about higher political ambitions
CHICAGO -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat's ambitions for higher office. The Democrat will announce his intentions Thursday at an event in Chicago, according to two people familiar with his plans who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the events. The 60-year-old wealthy businessman was a top contender as Kamala Harris' running mate during her 2024 presidential run. Pritzker, who has spent years building his national political profile, remains a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. He has often been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate for his party, fanned by travel to New Hampshire, fundraising and campaigning for Democrats across the country. It's not clear if he may still consider a bid in 2028 or later. 'To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I make sure I'm standing on the right side of history?'' he said at a June commencement address at Knox College in Illinois. 'There is a simple answer: The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be brave.' Illinois does not have term limits. Pritzker is the first governor to seek a third term since Republican Jim Thompson in 1982. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, is a former private equity investor and a philanthropist. He became governor in 2019, his first time serving in public office after losing a 1998 Democratic primary for a suburban congressional seat. He bested a crowded primary field for governor and went on to defeat one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist. The 2018 matchup was one of the nation's most expensive statewide political races, with more than $250 million raised between the largely self-funded candidates. Questions about the wealth and relatability of both candidates — who each have buildings in Chicago named after their families — came up often. For instance, Pritzker faced questions about his Chicago mansion's property taxes. He received a tax break after having the toilets removed from a second mansion he owns next to his family residence and declaring it 'uninhabitable.' Pritzker later repaid the county about $330,000. Working with Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate, Pritzker has boasted balanced budgets and paid down billions of dollars in debt, prompting several upgrades. He also has overseen increased education funding, the centralization of early childhood services, and new laws to make health insurance more comprehensive, accessible and affordable. After receiving generally high marks in his first term for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pritzker defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican with 55% of the vote to become the first Illinois governor to be elected to a second term in 16 years. He promptly delivered a victory speech that seemed bound for a national campaign, denouncing Trump and asking: 'Are you ready to fight?' He has continued to be among Trump's most vocal, no-holds-barred critics. 'Donald Trump is a convicted felon, liable for sexual assault, and a congenital liar,' Pritzker said after Trump's speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 'He is a man who remains wholly unfit for the office of the presidency, both in temperament and character.' In February, Pritzker, who is Jewish, compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany 'I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly. But I know the history intimately — and have spent more time than probably anyone in this room with people who survived the Holocaust,' he said in February. 'Here's what I've learned: The root that tears apart your house's foundation begins as a seed, a seed of distrust and hate and blame.' Pritzker, whose net worth is estimated as $3.7 billion by Forbes, has also bankrolled his political organization, 'Think Big America.' It aims to protect abortion rights and has supported state constitutional amendments to strengthen those protections in Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. Pritzker says the fight for abortion rights is personal and credits his mother Sue with sparking his early interest in the cause when they attended abortion-rights rallies together. His mother died in a car accident when he was a teen. His father, Donald Pritzker, died years earlier of a heart attack when JB Pritzker was a young boy. Pritzker is married with two children. He has several prominent family members. His sister Penny Pritzker, is a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery and was a U.S. commerce secretary in the Obama administration.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to seek a 3rd term amid questions about higher political ambitions
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat's ambitions for higher office. The Democrat will announce his intentions Thursday at an event in Chicago, according to two people familiar with his plans who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the events. The 60-year-old wealthy businessman was a top contender as Kamala Harris' running mate during her 2024 presidential run. Pritzker, who has spent years building his national political profile, remains a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. He has often been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate for his party, fanned by travel to New Hampshire, fundraising and campaigning for Democrats across the country. It's not clear if he may still consider a bid in 2028 or later. 'To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I make sure I'm standing on the right side of history?'' he said at a June commencement address at Knox College in Illinois. 'There is a simple answer: The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be brave.' Illinois does not have term limits. Pritzker is the first governor to seek a third term since Republican Jim Thompson in 1982. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, is a former private equity investor and a philanthropist. He became governor in 2019, his first time serving in public office after losing a 1998 Democratic primary for a suburban congressional seat. He bested a crowded primary field for governor and went on to defeat one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist. The 2018 matchup was one of the nation's most expensive statewide political races, with more than $250 million raised between the largely self-funded candidates. Questions about the wealth and relatability of both candidates — who each have buildings in Chicago named after their families — came up often. For instance, Pritzker faced questions about his Chicago mansion's property taxes. He received a tax break after having the toilets removed from a second mansion he owns next to his family residence and declaring it 'uninhabitable.' Pritzker later repaid the county about $330,000. Working with Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate, Pritzker has boasted balanced budgets and paid down billions of dollars in debt, prompting several upgrades. He also has overseen increased education funding, the centralization of early childhood services, and new laws to make health insurance more comprehensive, accessible and affordable. After receiving generally high marks in his first term for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pritzker defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican with 55% of the vote to become the first Illinois governor to be elected to a second term in 16 years. He promptly delivered a victory speech that seemed bound for a national campaign, denouncing Trump and asking: 'Are you ready to fight?' He has continued to be among Trump's most vocal, no-holds-barred critics. 'Donald Trump is a convicted felon, liable for sexual assault, and a congenital liar,' Pritzker said after Trump's speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 'He is a man who remains wholly unfit for the office of the presidency, both in temperament and character.' In February, Pritzker, who is Jewish, compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany 'I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly. But I know the history intimately — and have spent more time than probably anyone in this room with people who survived the Holocaust,' he said in February. 'Here's what I've learned: The root that tears apart your house's foundation begins as a seed, a seed of distrust and hate and blame.' Pritzker, whose net worth is estimated as $3.7 billion by Forbes, has also bankrolled his political organization, 'Think Big America.' It aims to protect abortion rights and has supported state constitutional amendments to strengthen those protections in Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. Pritzker says the fight for abortion rights is personal and credits his mother Sue with sparking his early interest in the cause when they attended abortion-rights rallies together. His mother died in a car accident when he was a teen. His father, Donald Pritzker, died years earlier of a heart attack when JB Pritzker was a young boy. Pritzker is married with two children. He has several prominent family members. His sister Penny Pritzker, is a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery and was a U.S. commerce secretary in the Obama administration. ___ O'Connor reported from Springfield, Ill.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to seek a 3rd term amid questions about higher political ambitions
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat's ambitions for higher office. The Democrat will announce his intentions Thursday at an event in Chicago, according to two people familiar with his plans who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the events. The 60-year-old wealthy businessman was a top contender as Kamala Harris' running mate during her 2024 presidential run. Pritzker, who has spent years building his national political profile, remains a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. He has often been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate for his party, fanned by travel to New Hampshire, fundraising and campaigning for Democrats across the country. It's not clear if he may still consider a bid in 2028 or later. 'To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I make sure I'm standing on the right side of history?'' he said at a June commencement address at Knox College in Illinois. 'There is a simple answer: The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be brave.' Illinois does not have term limits. Pritzker is the first governor to seek a third term since Republican Jim Thompson in 1982. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, is a former private equity investor and a philanthropist. He became governor in 2019, his first time serving in public office after losing a 1998 Democratic primary for a suburban congressional seat. He bested a crowded primary field for governor and went on to defeat one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist. The 2018 matchup was one of the nation's most expensive statewide political races, with more than $250 million raised between the largely self-funded candidates. Questions about the wealth and relatability of both candidates — who each have buildings in Chicago named after their families — came up often. For instance, Pritzker faced questions about his Chicago mansion's property taxes. He received a tax break after having the toilets removed from a second mansion he owns next to his family residence and declaring it 'uninhabitable.' Pritzker later repaid the county about $330,000. Working with Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate, Pritzker has boasted balanced budgets and paid down billions of dollars in debt, prompting several upgrades. He also has overseen increased education funding, the centralization of early childhood services, and new laws to make health insurance more comprehensive, accessible and affordable. After receiving generally high marks in his first term for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pritzker defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican with 55% of the vote to become the first Illinois governor to be elected to a second term in 16 years. He promptly delivered a victory speech that seemed bound for a national campaign, denouncing Trump and asking: 'Are you ready to fight?' He has continued to be among Trump's most vocal, no-holds-barred critics. 'Donald Trump is a convicted felon, liable for sexual assault, and a congenital liar,' Pritzker said after Trump's speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 'He is a man who remains wholly unfit for the office of the presidency, both in temperament and character.' In February, Pritzker, who is Jewish, compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany 'I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly. But I know the history intimately — and have spent more time than probably anyone in this room with people who survived the Holocaust,' he said in February. 'Here's what I've learned: The root that tears apart your house's foundation begins as a seed, a seed of distrust and hate and blame.' Pritzker, whose net worth is estimated as $3.7 billion by Forbes, has also bankrolled his political organization, 'Think Big America.' It aims to protect abortion rights and has supported state constitutional amendments to strengthen those protections in Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. Pritzker says the fight for abortion rights is personal and credits his mother Sue with sparking his early interest in the cause when they attended abortion-rights rallies together. His mother died in a car accident when he was a teen. His father, Donald Pritzker, died years earlier of a heart attack when JB Pritzker was a young boy. Pritzker is married with two children. He has several prominent family members. His sister Penny Pritzker, is a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery and was a U.S. commerce secretary in the Obama administration. ___ O'Connor reported from Springfield, Ill.
