| | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. After a warm weekend honoring the work of Martin Luther King Jr., the nation will turn its gaze to the transfer of power in Washington. |  | TOP TALKER | | While the changing of the guard in the Illinois House of Representative hogged headlines last week, the state Senate was making history on its own. The criminal justice reform measure, which eliminates cash bail and requires police officers to wear body cameras by 2025, heads to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk after emotional debate and a key concession pushed a vote into the early morning hours of Jan. 13 — with only hours to spare for the House to give approval. Critics complained the legislation, which also tracks misconduct by law enforcement, was moving too fast through the session for proper vetting and discussion. But supporters are quick to mention that public Zoom hearings were conducted two and three times a week all summer and into the fall along with data and documents provided at every turn. "These weren't new ideas," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford , who helped shepherd through the four-pillar omnibus package that included criminal justice reform. She recalled introducing similar bills years ago alongside then-state Sen. Barack Obama. "For me, it's been the longest haul ever," Lightford said. At about 8 p.m. last Tuesday, Democratic sponsors of the legislation realized they didn't have the votes from their caucus. That led to an hourslong discussion. They shared "real experiences that Blacks live every day," said Sen. Elgie Sims, who recalled the day cops tried to force his hands on the hood of his car in front of his daughter's preschool class. Officers said he fit the description of a Black man in the neighborhood, but they backed off when they saw his legislative plates. The raw stories about racism brought some legislators to tears in a Democratic caucus meeting, according to three lawmakers. After hours of testimony, a few more senators came on board. Members of the Latino Caucus, Sens. Heather Steins and Melinda Bush spoke in support of the bill. Now after midnight, the bill was still three votes short of the 30 it needed to pass. The sticking point was a portion of the bill that ends qualified immunity, which protects officers who make mistakes in determining who to arrest. Law enforcement fiercely opposed the idea. Sims and House co-sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter, recognized a compromise was needed or the measure wouldn't get passed. The plan was to create a commission that would study the issue and create a trailer bill to be added in the next session. In the earlier iteration of the bill, qualified immunity was connected to collective bargaining, prompting an outcry from a range of industries. That was removed, says Sims. "It was never intended to change all of collective bargaining" — just police union contracts. The tweak was enough to get more senators on board, and the bill passed with a few votes to spare around 4:30 a.m. before it was sent to the House. Sims called it "a fascinating case study in how things happen" in the Legislature. As Lightford drove home from Springfield over the weekend, she reflected on the magnitude of the passage. "I remember when the budget was $32.5 billion and now it's $40.5 [billion]. I'd ask myself, 'How could it be that the conditions are the same in my community? Things aren't changing.' I understand generational poverty and concentrated poverty. It's like an open wound that won't heal. Now, I finally feel like we're going to the root." RELATED — The end of cash bail? Backers and opponents ponder the consequences as bill awaits Pritzker's signature, by Tribune's Annie Sweeney, Megan Crepeau, Dan Petrella, John Keilman and Robert McCoppin — Vote by mail, remote voting, 'decoupling' bills fail in lame duck session, by Capitol News' Sarah Mansur — Thousands of Illinois drivers would get their licenses back under criminal justice reform bill, by ProPublica's Melissa Sanchez | | THE BUZZ | | Today is President Donald Trump's last full day in office and the Washington Post reports he'll be making the most of it, potentially signing off on 100 pardons and commutations. And, according to the New York Times, it's turned into a lucrative market for some of the president's allies who are collecting fees from wealthy felons or their associates on the promise accessing to the process. Trump is expected to leave the White House for Mar-a-Lago hours before Joe Biden is sworn in during a public ceremony in a heavily militarized D.C. on Wednesday. It's a rocky transfer of power with one revelation after another emerging from the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol, the latest showing that former campaign staff and people within his administration "played key roles" in orchestrating the rally ahead of the deadly assault, according to the Associated Press. Trump's rally leading up to the attacks casts a long shadow. A central Illinois mayor has apologized for saying the media lied about the riot. "Thomasboro Mayor Tyler Evans, who has faced calls to resign since he posted the video, issued a statement Thursday apologizing for his comments and condemning the violence at the Capitol. He said he made it as far as the Capitol steps and saw very little evidence of violence, and that some people told him they'd been allowed into the building," reports ABC/7. The Sun-Times reports that a North Shore clothing shop had installed "a QAnon-themed window display last spring." The irony is that it's owned by the wife of the CEO of @properties — the real estate firm that fired an agent who attended the "March To Save America" that devolved into the Capitol attack. And the Illinois Capitol was locked down over the weekend to discourage protests leading up to the inauguration, reports the Tribune's Stacy St. Clair. We should have seen all this coming, write POLITICO's Sam Stein and Daniel Lippman. (In fact, many people did.) How the first day of the Trump presidency foreshadowed the four years to come: "[A]s Trump's tenure comes to a close this Wednesday, fewer days are as symbolic of his time in office as the first: the jubilation of the fans, the dread of the foes, the bellicosity of the rhetoric, the unorthodoxy of the approach, disruptiveness as a tactic, chaos as a byproduct, and the petty obsessions that colored it all." WGN Channel 9's Ben Bradely looks at the Trump era through a Chicago lens in a piece headlined: "What the hell is happening in Chicago," a catch phrase Trump often used about the city. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com | | | | TRACK FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: Track the first 100 Days of the Biden administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the initiatives, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Chatham Education & Workforce Center opening at 9:30 a.m. | | WHERE'S J.B. | | At the Thompson Center at noon for a Covid-19 update. | | Where's Toni | | At the Chatham Education & Workforce Center opening at 9:30 a.m. | | THE LATEST NUMBERS | | The Illinois Department of Public Health on Monday reported 50 additional deaths and 3,385 new confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus. That's 18,258 fatalities and 1,072,214 cases in Illinois. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from Jan. 11 through 17 is 5.9 percent. Chicago's positivity rate is at 8.1 percent. | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | | 
Dr. Helene Gayle helped lead the study being used to guide cities and states on how to distribute the Covid-19 vaccines. | Getty image | — Meet the government's vaccine whisperer: "When the federal government set out to inoculate the entire country against coronavirus, it turned to Helene Gayle, a legend in the infectious disease world who's advised everyone from presidents to rock stars — Bono once called her 'my queen' for her advice on how his nonprofit should address poverty and disease," from POLITICO's Women Rule newsletter. — A nursing home network offers cash bonuses to employees who get a vaccination: "The health care network, BRIA Health Services, which has multiple facilities in the Chicago area, is offering the cash bonus as an incentive to persuade staff members to take the vaccine, creating one possible tool for employers and agencies to boost vaccine rates….Some studies have shown that incentivizing vaccines can increase participation, but some experts are wary of the practice," writes Tribune's Madeline Buckley. — Southern Illinois first to return to indoor dining, state Dept. of Public Health says: "Region 5, which covers southern Illinois, is the first to enter the state's Tier 1 coronavirus mitigations and resume indoor dining. The region will now be allowed to abide by the loosest regulations, including indoor dining service limited to either 25 guests or 25% capacity per room, whichever is fewer, according to public health department. Indoor service reservations are limited to two hours and four people per party maximum," by Tribune's Paige Fry. — Chicago moves to Tier 2 in state coronavirus plan: Some restrictions under the state's coronavirus recovery plan are easing up in Chicago and surrounding counties after a change in the qualifying metrics brought on by more hospital staffing, the state's department of health announced Monday. The Illinois Department of Public Health said the state was launching contracts for a surge staffing program. Mitigation benchmarks involving medical and surgical bed limits were subsequently adjusted to reflect the change," by Tribune's Morgan Greene. — On vaccine eligibility, 'we are going to trust you,' Cook County says: "Only a small segment of the population is eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations so far, including health care workers, hospital employees, medical professionals and long-term care facility residents. So how are vaccination providers ensuring no one is cutting in line?" asks Daily Herald's Jake Griffin. | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Welch made commitments for reform to force out Madigan. Can he keep them? "Shortly after picking up the speaker's gavel for the first time, Emanuel 'Chris' Welch pledged 'a new day' in the Illinois House, one that recognized diversity, autonomy and transparency and a break from the near-autocratic rule of Michael Madigan. Whether Welch can fulfill that promise will quickly become evident as he puts together a leadership team, writes new rules for how House business is conducted and works on a legislative redistricting plan. Although an ally of Madigan's, Welch told legislators he intends to take the chamber in a new direction," by Tribune's Rick Pearson. — Madigan vacates Springfield apartment, fueling speculation about resigning from Illinois House: "They were downsizing. He doesn't expect to be there as much. He probably didn't need something like that like he's had over the years," said Madigan's longtime spokesman Steve Brown. "He could just stay at a hotel. He's probably just there for session days." Sun-Times' Fran Spielman reports. — Plan would make Iles House, Lincoln Cottage part of Lincoln Home National Historic Site: "The Elijah Iles House at 628 South Seventh Street is the oldest surviving house in Springfield and sits a block from where it was originally built. Iles was the city's first merchant, opening his store 200 years ago this June," by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie. | | CHICAGO | | — Man accused of living in O'Hare for 3 months was supposed to be going home to India: "After coming to the United States five years ago to complete a master's degree program, Aditya Singh said goodbye to his friends in California on Oct. 19 and boarded a Chicago-bound flight from Los Angeles to begin his journey home to India. He never made it. In a troubling series of events that raises security questions at one of the world's busiest airports, authorities allege Singh lived undetected for nearly three months at O'Hare until this past weekend, when someone finally noticed and alerted police," by Tribune's Christy Gutowski. — Anjanette Young rallies against police misconduct after raid on her home: "Standing outside her church for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally, social worker Anjanette Young called for change as she recalled the night when Chicago police officers mistakenly raided her home. Young said no other citizen should ever have to be treated the way I was treated,'" by Tribune's Gregory Pratt. — CPS head wants to compromise with teachers but says in-person classes must remain an option: "I know the union will exhaust all of its legal resources and other recourse in order to make their point clear, but I would much rather be spending that time in person, at the bargaining table, coming to a resolution that allows families to get back into the building but also takes into consideration the health and safety of our staff," CPS Chief Janice Jackson said. Tribune's Alice Yin and Hannah Leone report. ... CTU continues plea to CPS for safe school reopenings: The Chicago Teachers Union and supporters held a march on the South Side Monday as it continued the union's monthslong plea for a safe reopening plan, reports Sun-Times' Madeline Kenney. — Rogers Park community rallies to save local YMCA: "Past and present members of the High Ridge YMCA — set to close Jan. 22 — rallied Sunday as they pushed to keep it open," by Sun-Times' Clare Proctor. — Random shooting spree's fourth death: "A 61-year-old woman who was shot in the face Jan. 9 after she walked into an Evanston IHOP died Saturday, a week after police allege her killer went on a random shooting spree from Chicago's South Side to Evanston," by Tribune's Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas. | | | | KEEP UP WITH CONGRESS IN 2021: Tensions remain high on Capitol Hill as we inaugurate a new president this week. How are lawmakers planning to move forward after a tumultuous few weeks? How will a new Senate majority impact the legislative agenda? With so much at stake, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings you the most important news and critical insight from Capitol Hill with assists from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the essential guide to understanding Congress. | | | | |
| | COOK COUNTY | | — Nooses found at York High School football field in Elmhurst: police: "Investigators found messages on the tape used to attach the nooses to the bleachers. One message read, 'Let them play!' and the other read 'Hear us now! Please!' police said," by Sun-Times' Emmanuel Camarillo. — Column: A Catholic pastor speaks out about Trump. Some parishioners walk out: "As President Trump has lied about so many things," he told the congregation, "I have never spoken out, and fear we are teaching the young that truth and facts do not matter." ... A dozen people walked out of Mass that morning. Nearly two dozen more at the 9:30 Mass, by Tribune's Mary Schmich. | | DAY IN COURT | | Illinois Department of Corrections officer accused of forgery: "A Stateville corrections officer is accused of depositing several stolen checks into his credit union account, officials said. Francois Kopca, 28, of Romeoville, is facing three counts of felony forgery, a statement from Illinois State Police said,'' by Tribune's Rosemary Sobol. | | POT-POURRI | | Illinois sitting on $62M in cannabis revenue meant to foster businesses and help neighborhoods: "Despite promises that cannabis legalization in Illinois would fund more minority business participation and neighborhood improvements, the state has yet to spend $62 million collected for those purposes. Part of the delay in awarding the money is due to problems with the state's system to award new cannabis business licenses. The other reason for the holdup, officials say, is because of an outpouring of requests for funding," by Tribune's Robert McCoppin. | | HIGHER-ED | | Illinois State University president to receive $46k bonus before June retirement: "Larry H. Dietz was awarded the performance bonus, less than the $50,000 maximum allowed in his contract, in a unanimous vote during the special meeting. The $46,000 comes on top of the annual base salary of $375,000 for the president, who announced he will retire on June 30. The Oak Brook-based executive recruiting firm Witt/Kieffer was tapped to lead the search for Dietz's replacement," by Tribune's Alice Yin. | | EVENTS | | — TONIGHT: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago, in partnership with the incoming Biden-Harris administration, will take part in the National Covid-19 Memorial Service to remember lives lost to the disease. At 6 p.m. Chicago time, residents and businesses are encouraged to turn off their lights and electronics, and step outside with a lighted candle and moment of silence. After reflecting for 10 minutes, lights can go on—as a symbol of moving from darkness to light, organizers say. Businesses and residents are encouraged to share how they are participating by emailing covidmemorial@cityofchicago.org and post on social media using #brightertogether. — WEDNESDAY at 5:30 p.m.: Indivisible Chicago hosts "Everything New is Blue Again" to commemorate Wednesday's inauguration. The virtual event starts with activists Tom Moss and Marj Halperin hosting a panel discussion with Reps. Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, and Marie Newman, who were propelled to Congress with the help of Indivisible Chicago volunteers. Live improv comedy and music performances follow, featuring Chicago music icons Michael McDermott, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and Jon Langford, of the Waco Brothers. At 7 p.m., the event turns into a watch party for the nationally broadcast celebration. | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Joe Biden can unite the country by being boring, writes POLITICO's John F. Harris — Census Bureau director stepping down after outcry over immigrant count, by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro — 30 things Donald Trump did as president that you might have missed, by POLITICO staff — Groups with Biden ties pose ethics quandary for his administration, by POLITICO's Theodoric Meyer | | KUDOS | | Charles Smith has been named executive committee chairman of the Business Leadership Council, a group that focuses on economic growth in Chicago's Black community. Smith is founder and CEO of CS Insurance Strategies, a commercial insurance brokerage based in Chicago and with operations in New York and Los Angeles. He replaces Loop Capital's Jim Reynolds Jr., who has stepped down. Reynolds, along with former ComEd CEO Frank Clark, Ariel Investments Co-CEO John Rogers Jr., and others, founded the BLC more than a decade ago. | | MEDIA MATTERS | | Joe Ricketts, who started (and killed) DNAinfo, returns to the media game: The patriarch of the Cubs owners and donor to Donald Trump's campaign, is hiring staff to launch an online national news outlet called Straight Arrow News "that he said will do what other outlets aren't doing — providing news without a political slant," writes the Omaha World-Herald. | | IN MEMORIAM | | — Joe Scheidler, founder of Pro-Life Action League, dies at 93: "Scheidler's family and allies remembered him Monday as a particularly effective and passionate leader — but one also targeted by opponents in litigation that lasted decades and landed repeatedly before the U.S. Supreme Court," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. — Chicago music community mourns punk, noise musician Alejandro Morales: "Morales, 46, died Jan. 3 while visiting family in Puerto Rico, where he grew up. The cause of death has not been disclosed," by Sun-Times' Sam Kelly | | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Illinois College of Optometry senior director Dr. Vince Brandys for answering Friday's question (which wasn't posed well but he figured it out anyway). Former state Rep. Ralph Capparelli, who died last month, was the lawmaker whose good friend from the neighboring district was the late Republican state Rep. Roger McAuliffe. After McAuliffe's death and their districts were redrawn, Capparelli faced McAuliffe's son in 2004 — and the younger McAuliffe won. TODAY's QUESTION: Which governor was the first to live in the Illinois executive mansion? Email to skapos@politico.com . | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Cook County Dems executive director Jacob Kaplan, Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Everytown for Gun Safety deputy comms director Adam Sege, and retired legal secretary Linda Morris. Monday: Wheeling trustee Joe Vito, former GOP state rep candidate Eddie Corrigan, election attorney Frank Avila Jr., government affairs exec Joe Fawell, political consultant Ty Cratic, comms consultant Carolyn Grisko, and Windy City Live producer Andrea Dres. -30-
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