Pritzker Touts GLP-1's + Illinois Medicaid Spent $25M on Weight Loss Drugs in One Quarter

Chicago's $75 million parking meter deal echoes its infamous 2008 sale, while Gov. JB Pritzker's public weight-loss journey reignites debate over taxpayer-funded GLP-1 coverage. Chicago parking meter deal: The City Council approved a new agreement allowing New York-based investment firm Stonepeak to take over Chicago's parking meter system from Chicago Parking Meters LLC, which has controlled it since Mayor Richard M. Daley's widely criticized 2008 sale of the infrastructure for $1.15 billion. Under the new deal, the city gets a $75 million upfront payment and 5% of annual profits going forward — a share it hasn't received in nearly 18 years. Mayor Brandon Johnson had wanted to buy back the system outright but said the city couldn't afford it amid an $882 million projected FY2027 deficit; he's expected to let the deal stand rather than veto it. Some council members, including those who opposed the original 2008 sale, backed the new deal as an imperfect way to recoup some lost revenue, while warning other municipalities to consider long-term consequences before selling off public infrastructure for quick cash. Pritzker's weight-loss drug disclosure: Gov. JB Pritzker revealed in a Substack post that he's lost 80 pounds over about 18 months using GLP-1 prescription medication, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and initially prescribed insulin; he says he's since come off insulin. Pritzker is pushing to expand Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, noting Medicare often covers them but Medicaid frequently doesn't. Illinois Medicaid spent $25 million on weight-loss drugs in Q1 2025 alone, covering more than 23,000 prescriptions. State Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) said he supports improving access but opposes mandates or price-fixing, and argued Pritzker could have called a special legislative session on the issue rather than centering it on his personal story. The Center Square's Jim Munti reports. What's your take — should Medicaid be required to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and was the new parking meter deal Chicago's best option? Leave your thoughts in the comments. #Illinois #Chicago #JBPritzker #ParkingMeters #CenterSquare #TheStates