Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is once again under the spotlight following reports that federal investigators are reviewing allegations of property tax fraud tied to the controversial removal of toilets from one of his Chicago mansions — a move that allegedly saved him hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes.
According to a CBS4 report corroborated by the Chicago Tribune, Pritzker, along with his wife and brother-in-law, is now the subject of a federal criminal investigation examining whether the governor exploited property tax loopholes by deliberately rendering his property “uninhabitable” to dramatically reduce its assessed value.
The mansion in question is located in Chicago’s upscale Gold Coast neighborhood. Pritzker purchased the property in 2007 but reportedly left it vacant for years.
Then, in October 2015, all the toilets in the home were removed — a decision that would later draw intense scrutiny from both watchdog groups and law enforcement.
By removing the plumbing fixtures, the governor was able to classify the mansion as “uninhabitable,” triggering a reassessment of the property’s taxable value. Official county records show that the reassessment dropped the home’s value from $6 million to approximately $1 million.
This reclassification translated into an estimated $331,000 in property tax savings and refunds.
Critics have labeled the maneuver as an “abuse of the system,” arguing that while the action may have followed the letter of the law, it violated its spirit — effectively shifting the tax burden onto ordinary Illinois residents while benefiting one of the state’s wealthiest individuals.
CBS4 confirmed that federal prosecutors are investigating the 2015 incident to determine whether Pritzker or his associates violated state or federal law. A source familiar with the inquiry said investigators are focusing on whether the toilet removal constituted a willful act of fraud or deception to obtain financial gain.
The station’s report stated: “Governor J.B. Pritzker, his wife, and his brother-in-law are now under federal criminal investigation. They allegedly used toilets to avoid taxes.”
Documents reviewed by reporters indicate that the Cook County Assessor’s Office classified the mansion as “uninhabitable” following an inspection in 2015 — a designation directly linked to the removal of fixtures. The reassessment was approved, and the Pritzkers received their tax break soon after.
Pritzker has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his family followed all applicable regulations when seeking the property reassessment.
“I’m very confident that any review of this matter will show that all the rules were followed,” Pritzker said in a statement to CBS4. “Last October, my opponents raised this issue, and it became a political subject. I’ve said from the beginning that we did nothing wrong.”
He added that he has not been contacted by any law enforcement agencies regarding the case.
Still, political analysts point out that Pritzker’s decision to repay the $331,000 tax benefit — a move he made in 2018, just before his gubernatorial campaign — suggests an acknowledgment that the optics of the situation were politically damaging, even if he insists it was legal.
The revelation of the investigation has reignited public anger over perceived double standards in tax enforcement. “Federal tax evasion is a crime for you and me, and Pritzker is guilty of it,” one critic posted online. “Lock him up.”
While no formal charges have been filed, ethics watchdogs argue that the situation raises serious questions about integrity and transparency. “When elected officials manipulate the system to avoid paying their fair share, it erodes public trust,” said one policy analyst.
Even members of the opposition party have seized on the story to demand accountability. “If the average Illinois resident had tried a stunt like this, they’d be facing handcuffs, not headlines,” said one Republican state senator. “It’s time the same rules apply to everyone — even billionaires in the governor’s mansion.”
The timing of the renewed investigation could not be worse for Pritzker, who has faced mounting criticism over Illinois’ fiscal management. His administration has battled ongoing budget shortfalls, rising property taxes, and a steady exodus of residents and businesses from the state.
Opponents argue that the “toilet tax” controversy reinforces a pattern of elitism — portraying Pritzker as a wealthy politician who benefits from the very tax system he claims to reform.
In past interviews, Pritzker has described himself as a champion of middle-class families, advocating for progressive taxation and expanding social programs. However, the scandal threatens to undercut that image.
“You can’t talk about fairness and equity while you’re literally removing toilets to dodge taxes,” said one political commentator.
This is not the first time Pritzker’s finances have come under scrutiny. During his campaign for governor, critics accused him of benefiting from family trust funds and business holdings that operate through offshore accounts.
Although Pritzker disclosed his assets as required by law, questions persist about the extent of his wealth and whether his investments align with his public policy positions.
Political observers note that while the “toilet scandal” may appear almost comical, it underscores a larger problem — the perception that powerful individuals can exploit technicalities unavailable to ordinary taxpayers.
“Removing toilets to get a tax break isn’t clever; it’s corrupt,” said one local taxpayer advocate. “This isn’t just about porcelain. It’s about privilege.”
Legal experts caution that the federal investigation does not necessarily mean charges will follow. The key issue will be intent — whether prosecutors can prove that Pritzker knowingly misled assessors or engaged in a deliberate scheme to defraud the government.
“If the governor simply relied on his attorneys or property managers to handle the reassessment, it will be difficult to establish criminal intent,” explained one legal analyst. “However, if evidence shows he directed or approved the removal for the purpose of reducing taxes, that’s a different story.”
Investigators are reportedly reviewing communications and contractor records from 2015 to determine who ordered the fixture removal and how the reassessment application was prepared.
The scandal has also reignited debate about Illinois’ property tax system — one of the most complex and expensive in the country. Critics argue that the system allows wealthy property owners to exploit loopholes, while working-class homeowners face rising tax bills.
Cook County officials have pledged to review assessment procedures to prevent similar cases in the future. “We need to ensure that no one, regardless of wealth or political power, can game the system,” said one county commissioner.
Meanwhile, calls for greater transparency have grown louder. Ethics reform advocates are urging lawmakers to require elected officials to disclose all property tax appeals and reassessments involving their holdings.
Despite the controversy, Pritzker remains a powerful figure in Illinois politics and a major player in national Democratic fundraising circles. He has long been rumored to harbor presidential ambitions, and any legal developments from the federal probe could have far-reaching consequences for his career.
While his supporters dismiss the investigation as a politically motivated attack, others believe it could damage his standing beyond repair if prosecutors uncover wrongdoing. “If the governor’s under federal investigation for tax fraud, that’s not a small issue,” one political scientist said. “That’s career-ending territory.”
For now, Pritzker is publicly projecting confidence. “We followed the rules,” he insists. But as federal investigators dig deeper, the question is whether those rules were merely bent — or broken.
What began as a curious local story about missing toilets has evolved into a full-fledged federal inquiry with potential criminal implications for Illinois’ most powerful elected official.
At its core, the scandal speaks to a larger question about fairness in governance: should those who make the laws be held to the same standards as those who live under them?
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear — the political fallout will continue to swirl, and the governor who once joked about flushing out corruption in Springfield is now facing accusations that he literally flushed away accountability in his own mansion.
