Gov. J.B. Pritzker to self-isolate after staff member tests positive for COVID-19

The staff member, who was not identified by state officials, tested positive for the virus Monday after initially testing negative for the virus last week during weekly testing, according to Pritzker’s office.

By Rachel Hinton

Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a daily briefing in March 2020. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will self-isolate for 14 days after a member of his staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff member, who was not identified by state officials, tested positive for the virus Monday after testing negative for the virus last week during weekly testing, according to Pritzker’s office.

That staffer attended events with Pritzker on Wednesday in Chicago, Thursday in Marion and Sunday in Marseilles; both the governor and the staffer were wearing masks during their interactions.

A spokeswoman for Pritzker said the governor has not shown any symptoms and other staff members in the office all tested negative for the virus. A contact tracing effort is underway, she said.

In May, the governor self-isolated after a senior staff member tested positive. The staff member was asymptomatic.

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