Daughter of Democrat governor spends New Year's in Bahamas away from Illinois COVID restrictions

Theodora Pritzker, the eldest daughter of Illinois Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker, reportedly partied maskless in the Bahamas for New Year's Eve, despite the fact that her father has instituted some of the most strict lockdown measures in the country. 

She posted photos of herself on Instagram celebrating the New Year in a flashy pink dress holding arms with her friends, Prairie State Wire reports. 

Her father and uncle own various shell companies in the Bahamas, according to The Chicago Tribune, and the Pritzker family has a mansion on the Caribbean island. With a net worth of $3.6 billion, the Hyatt Hotel heir is the richest politician in the nation.

Governor Pritzker told Illinoisians prior to New Year's celebrations: "Omicron and delta are coming to your party so you need to think twice about how many people will be gathered together, keeping social distancing if you’re at a party. And if you cannot, leave."

The Bahamas has tourist-friendly COVID rules. Illinois is one of the few states to have a mask mandate, which,  except for two months during summer 2021, has been in place since the start of the pandemic.

Chicago and most of surrounding Cook County on Monday began requiring patrons ages five and older to show proof of COVID vaccination before entering gyms, restaurants and other entertainment venues. 

Many Illinois state employees such as teachers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Pritzker urged Illinois doctors to postpone non-emergency surgeries due to the omicron surge in the state.

Illinois is hitting record numbers of COVID cases as the state battles the omicron variant. More than 30,000 new cases were reported Dec. 30. More than 67% of Illinois residents have been vaccinated with at least one dose.