Pritzker bans insider trading by state employees, faces hypocrisy claims

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – New rules for employees of the state of Illinois will prevent betting on the outcomes of current events and state government actions on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.

Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order that prohibits the use of the services that have grown in popularity over the past two years.

It specifically bans all state workers and government leaders from using any non-public information to be used or shared with anyone in an effort to earn a financial edge.

Pritzker said the order is in an effort to ensure transparent and ethical government operation. In the announcement, he said restrictions on insider trading are not strong enough at the federal level.

“While the Trump Administration continues to be riddled with stories of appointees looking to make a profit, Illinois is stepping up to ensure those who are serving the public not their own personal financial gain,” Pritzker said.

In a post on X, Pritzker further criticized the Trump Administration.

We’re seeing prediction market corruption more and more in the federal government.Donald Trump thinks it’s ok to cheat, but I won’t allow it in state government. pic.twitter.com/ISsIvW6fbF— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) April 22, 2026

“Donald Trump thinks it’s okay to cheat, but I won’t allow it in Illinois state government,” Pritzker said. “Betting on questions that you already know the answer to is the equivalent of insider trading, and I just won’t allow it.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, a former state representative, responded to Pritzker’s announcement, claiming his action was hypocritical because he isn’t transparent about personal earnings from leadership.

Great. Now tell Illinoisans about all your hidden investments in businesses that get BILLIONS in state contracts.— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) April 22, 2026

The Center Square contacted Bailey for comment, but did not receive a response before publication.

Bailey’s comment reflects a 2022 finding that dozens of companies Pritzker is invested in through a blind trust earned billions of dollars in state contracts.

Bailey and his running mate, Aaron Del Mar, have proposed an “Illinois DOGE” – modeled similarly to Tech CEO and Billionaire Elon Musk’s federal initiative – with which they seek to reduce state government spending through the analysis and cutting of unnecessary and redundant contracts.

The order comes as state lawmakers have sought to gain more oversight and regulative power over the betting platforms, along with imposing new taxes, in recent weeks.

Early this month, the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission brought a legal complaint against Pritzker – and other state officials – in federal court, alleging they overstepped the CFTC’s exclusive authority to oversee and regulate the betting platforms.

The lawsuit remains pending.