Mr. Pritzker attended Milton Academy, a private boarding school, and he sent both of his children to private schools in Chicago. By supporting school choice for low-income students, Mr. Pritzker insulates himself against accusations of hypocrisy.
Mr. Pritzker isn’t the first Democrat to make this switch. Last month, Pennsylvania gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro changed his education plan to include private school choice. But Mr. Pritzker’s flip is even more notable than Mr. Shapiro’s. Illinois is more heavily Democratic than Pennsylvania and is dominated by some of the most powerful—and notoriously ruthless—teachers unions in America.