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Gov. Pritzker Has Broken Leg

Gov. J.B. Pritzker holds giant scissors at the ribbon cutting for the Illinois State Fair in August 2019
Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, holding giant scissors, was frequently on his feet in August. Here he's seen at the ribbon-cutting for the Illinois State Fair.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has broken his leg, and his office says he doesn’t know how it happened.

The administration says the governor has a “hairline fracture to his left femur” — commonly known as the thigh bone.

In a statement Thursday, the office says Pritzker doesn’t know what caused the injury — just that it’s older, and his pain has been getting worse in recent weeks.

That coincides with Pritzker frequently being on his feet in August — doing bill signings, political rallies, and walking all over both the Illinois and DuQuoin state fairs.

The governor's office says the fracture does not require surgery, but Pritzker will need up to six weeks to recover. It says he will remain “fully engaged” in his job.

Brian Mackey hosts The 21st Show and formerly reported on state government.
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