Billionaire governor JB Pritzker considered as potential Biden replacement failed to deliver promised jobs to black residents: study
Billionaire Illinois Gov.JB Pritzker failed to deliver jobs promised for black workers in the emerging cannabis and green energy industries, an economic advocacy group said in a scathing report.Pritzker – considered a potential replacement for President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket – will be hosting the Democratic National Convention on his Chicago turf in August.“Governor Pritzker wants the DNC to celebrate his leadership of the state.
However, it would be an injustice to do so without acknowledging the deteriorating state of affairs for Black communities, especially in Chicago,” said Darius Jones, senior advisor of the National Black Empowerment Action Fund.The group’s report, called “Equity Delayed, Dreams Denied.How Pritzker Botched Illinois’ Cannabis and Clean Energy Programs,” noted that the black unemployment rate in Illinois is the second highest in the country at 9.4%, and more than double that of white residents.
It’s also more than 50% higher than the overall national black unemployment, the report said.“The situation in Illinois cannot be blamed on national trends or factors outside the state’s control.It’s a direct result of the failed policies and neglect from the Governor, J.B.
Pritkzer,” the report said.“Governor Pritzker has repeatedly fallen short on his promises to the Black community, particularly in creating wealth and job opportunities in the Green Job and Cannabis sectors, among other areas.”Pritzker, 59, is a considered a White House contender because of his billionaire net worth as an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, which would ease his ability to reach voters in a short time by potentially self-funding his campaign – should Biden step aside following his debate debacle against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.Pritzker approved the legalization of marijuana for sale and consumption shortly after taking office in 2019 but the report noted that both Illinois and New Yo...