| | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos and Maria Carrasco | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. Tip your hat to suburban voters who will push past the cold and pandemic fatigue today to head to the polls. |  | TOP TALKER | | Michael Madigan's exit as chairman of the state Democratic Party — a move that two days ago he said he wasn't ready to make — is creating some chaos within the party. Gov. J.B. Pritzker made his move to have greater control of the party by joining with Sen. Tammy Duckworth to endorse Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris. Harris is seen as a strong candidate because she's worked behind the scenes in Democratic circles. Harris served in the Cook County Democratic Party on committees handling recruitment, pre-slating and other appointments. Harris' challenge could be that her career is focused on Chicago and Cook County politics, but Pritzker knows that to win statewide elections, northern Illinois is where the votes are. "The next leader of the Democratic Party of Illinois must continue the progress we've made by supporting Democratic candidates who will help working families at the local, state and federal levels equally," Pritzker and Duckworth said in a joint statement, adding they believe Harris "is best qualified" to do that. Loyalty could matter, too. Harris was an early backer of Pritzker's run for governor, and her daughter works for Duckworth. Another big name in play is Rep. Robin Kelly, who tweeted her interest in the job and is endorsed by Sen. Dick Durbin and Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez. Kelly's challenge is that she would have to split her time between D.C. and Illinois, so she likely would lean on Durbin's downstate aide, Bill Houlihan. In a statement, Durbin praised Harris as "a proven leader" but endorsed Kelly, noting she lived 20 years in Peoria and was a statewide candidate when she ran unsuccessfully for Illinois treasurer. "Her experience in Congress, the state legislature, and managing an Illinois constitutional office afford her a breadth of important experience and skill sets," he said, adding he "can't think of a better person" to lead the party. While Kelly could be a good fundraiser for the party — which was Madigan's strength — it's Pritzker's wealth that is likely to fuel the organization in the coming years. And if that's the case, he'd want his own candidate in the top position. Latino activists are pushing state Sen. Cristina Castro for party chairman. She is a member of the Democratic Central Committee. Still, other candidates could emerge in the next 30 days when an appointment must be made. In the meantime, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough will serve as interim chair. The appointment is based on a weighted vote by Democratic committee members representing each congressional district. Keeping quiet amid all the jockeying is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Her loyalty is split. Kelly was an early backer of her mayoral campaign, and Harris is her City Council floor leader. | | THE BUZZ | | | 
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, flanked by members of the Legislative Black Caucus, signed the omnibus criminal justice reform bill Feb. 22, 2021. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP | The criminal justice reform bill that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Monday will eventually transform how Illinois' judicial system works. Cash bail won't be eliminated until 2023, and the rule that police officers statewide wear body cameras won't be required until 2025. What will remain front and center is the political debate about the measure even though it's become law. The reform action will be a rallying cry for Pritzker's re-election campaign as he looks to motivate Black and progressive voters to get to the polls. And opposition to it will be a Republican talking point. On Monday, for example, GOP Chairman Don Tracy hinted at the rhetoric that is sure to play out when election season heats up: "The governor is willfully undermining public safety — endangering citizens, emboldening criminals, and making Illinois less safe for families," he said. Pritzker was ready with a rapid response: "This bill protects police officers," he said after signing the measure. It provides "more for police officers, and doesn't take away from them," he said. "I am actually very confident that this is going to make policing safer, and it's going to make the public safer." RELATED — Sweeping overhaul of criminal justice: "Illinois and 26 other states have enacted more than 100 new laws dealing with law enforcement policy since May, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But it is the only state so far to eliminate financial conditions for releasing people from custody while they await trial. California approved a similar law in 2018 but voters blocked it from taking effect," by Tribune's Dan Petrella. — Stratton, Sims, Slaughter, Foxx, Preckwinkle praise the bill: "It's 'time to look at criminal justice policy through an equity lens and tell the truth about how systemic racism' has disproportionately affected Black people," says Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton. By Sun-Times' Rachel Hinton. — From the opposition: Lawmaker files bill to enhance penalties on crimes against law enforcement: "I don't believe a side-arm and a bullet-proof vest is enough to keep law enforcement safe in light of this legislation becoming law," says Rep. Andrew Chesney in a WIFR report. — SIDE NOTE: There was symbolism in Pritzker signing the criminal justice reform bill at Chicago State University, a predominantly Black school. Years ago, the university was saved by Black lawmakers who worked to get the same level of funding for CSU that other state universities received. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com | | | | A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: PBMs work with Illinois' employers and the Medicaid program to keep health care more affordable for millions of Illinoisans and are poised to save consumers and the State $39 billion over the next 10 years. Today, as Illinois faces a global pandemic and multibillion budget shortfall, now is the time for legislators to strengthen, not limit, the PBM tools that employers, consumers and the State rely on to manage costs and ensure access to medicines. Learn more. | | |
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In City Hall at 9:30 a.m. for the signing of the Welcoming City Ordinance. | | WHERE'S J.B. | | At Washington Middle School in Springfield at 11 a.m. to announce the expansion of a monthly food benefits program to help approximately children across Illinois. Then at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in Springfield at 12:30 p.m. to discuss a low-interest loan program to help communities with utility costs. | | Where's Toni | | No official public events. | | THE LATEST NUMBERS | | The Illinois Department of Public Health on Monday reported 34 additional deaths and 1,246 new confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus. That's a total of 20,303 fatalities and 1,175,655 cases in Illinois. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from Feb. 15 through 21 is 2.8 percent. Chicago's positivity rate is at 3.2 percent. | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | — Officials remain mum on Covid-19 vaccines for immigrant detainees in Illinois: "In Illinois, people detained or incarcerated in jails and prisons became eligible to get the vaccine starting on Jan. 25. There are at least 177 immigrants detained in county jails in Illinois, according to data from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In addition to the facility in Kankakee County, the county jails in northwest suburban McHenry County and Pulaski County, at the state's southern tip, also have federal contracts to house detained immigrants. When WBEZ asked officials about their plan for vaccine distribution for this population, officials didn't share much information. Instead, the agencies shifted responsibility for vaccinating ICE detainees amongst each other," by WBEZ's María Inés Zamudio. — Vaccines are supposed to be free, but some Chicagoans are being charged $200: "Michigan Avenue Immediate Care, listed on the vaccine-finding website the city is using, is charging $195 for a so-called vaccine consultation to people who are uninsured, or whose insurance provider is out-of-network, according to one customer and a medical technician at the clinic," reports WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel. — How one small Chicago pharmacy is doing its part to vaccinate its community: "Armitage Pharmacy sits near an area that has been hit hard by Covid-19. Though it's technically in Logan Square (which hasn't been hit as hard as some nearby zip codes), it's right next door to Hermosa, which is in a zip code that lost more than 200 people to Covid-19. That puts it among zip codes with the highest death rates in the city," writes WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel. | | | | NEW - "THE RECAST" NEWSLETTER: Power dynamics are changing. "Influence" is changing. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is our new twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. And POLITICO is recasting how we report on this crucial intersection, bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Don't miss out on this important new newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — BAILEY announces governor run, pledges to fight 'political elites': "Republicans and Democrats have worried about the donor class more than they've worried about the working class, and friends, that ends now," state Sen. Darren Bailey told supporters at a kickoff event in Effingham. Tribune's Rick Pearson reports — KINZINGER's new hire: Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) has hired Matthew Rodenwald as press assistant to his Country First political campaign to push back against loyalists of former President Donald Trump. Rodenwald is well familiar with political messaging having most recently served as director of communications for the Illinois Opportunity Project, a campaign to fight the graduated income tax initiative. — In Dolton a big-name endorsement plus allegations of corruption and vote buying: "When it comes to election endorsements, they don't get much bigger than the likes of Anton 'Tony' Valukas," the former U.S. attorney, who's donated to the campaign of a a Village Board candidate he mentored over the years. It's one of the interesting tidbits coming from today's election in the south suburban town, writes Daily Southtown's Ted Slowick. — Weather, 'voter fatigue' could hurt turnout for today's primaries in Waukegan and North Chicago: "Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at 54 locations in Waukegan and North Chicago, with drastically less turnout expected than the 69.37 percent for the Nov. 3 presidential election, when 80 percent of the votes were cast before Election Day," writes Lake County News-Sun's Steve Sadin. | | CHICAGO | | — 100-year, $1 billion deal to send Chicago water to Joliet gets committee OK: "Annual increases will be capped at the consumer price index or 5%, whichever is lower. That prompted Ald. Jason Ervin to ask if Joliet residents were getting a better deal than Chicago residents and businesses," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — ALD. REILLY attacked 'out of nowhere' outside of downtown bar: "Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly said he was randomly attacked one night last week by two men who punched and kicked him outside a bar in his ward. Reilly said he was waiting outside for friends to settle their tab at Boss Bar in River North around 10:30 p.m. Thursday when a man approached him. 'Out of nowhere this guy ran up on me. He was yelling at me,' Reilly said. 'I didn't understand what he was saying. His pupils were dilated. He was enraged, and before I know it, he's on top of me, punching me in the face,'" by Tribune's John Byrne and Annie Sweeney. — Chicago wants leeway to require Covid vaccines for employees — but has no plans to do so: "At its Wednesday meeting, the board will weigh whether to allow the district's chief executive officer to require proof that job seekers and current employees obtain a coronavirus shot as a condition of employment, though they would get exemptions based on medical conditions or 'sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance,'" by Chalkbeat Chicago's Mila Koumpilova. — How one Chicago school is confronting the thorny 'learning loss' question: "Chicago leaders have said they are working on a districtwide plan to address learning loss, an undertaking that could claim a significant portion of the roughly $720 million the district received from the second federal stimulus package," reports Chalkbeat Chicago's Mila Koumpilova. — Restaurant help: DoorDash has launched Main Street Strong Accelerators, a $2 million initiative to provide financial support and education resources to women-, immigrant- and BIPOC-owned restaurants that have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. Small restaurants from Chicago and four other U.S. cities can apply until March 2. Selected participants will each receive $20,000 in grant funding and get training in marketing, technology integration, managing cash flow, and menu creation. | | | |   | | |
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Investigators at Cook County medical examiner's office will be offered new jobs under restructuring: "Investigators are the medical examiner's frontline workers who collect information that helps determine what deaths in Cook County receive autopsies," by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek. — Parents in Evanston Township question why their teens continue to learn remotely five days a week: "Twelve months into this, they are not equipped emotionally to continue with this isolation. Their development depends on interaction," says Dr. Valerie Kimball, a pediatrician and parent. NBC/5's Chris Coffey reports | | THE STATEWIDES | | Illinois housing agency claims success in helping pandemic-hit renters, homeowners: "In the state's Covid relief bill, Illinois lawmakers instructed IHDA to allocate one-third of the federal housing assistance funding for disproportionately impacted areas — zip codes that experienced higher rates of infections and pandemic-related layoffs. IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust said in actuality, around two-thirds of funding went to such communities," by NPR Illinois' Derek Cantú. | | HIGHER-ED | | Kenosha's Carthage College retires Red Men and Lady Reds team names to boost race and gender equity: "The liberal arts college in Kenosha will now compete as the Firebirds — a vibrant creature featured in Russian and Slavic mythology — following approval from the board of trustees Friday and months of consideration for a new name to represent the small campus nestled along Lake Michigan," reports Tribune's Alyssa Cherney. | | POT-POURRI | | Chicago weed giant settled racial discrimination suit claiming subsidiary's workers made illegal deliveries to military bases: "The settlement in federal court in Maryland came a month before Verano Holdings began trading publicly in Canada with a nearly $3 billion valuation," reports Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. | | | | JOIN US TODAY TO MEET THE FRESHMEN: The freshman class of the 117th Congress took office just three days before an armed mob stormed Capitol Hill and in the middle of a once per century pandemic, making its first month in office just a bit different from any previous class. Join POLITICO for "Red, Fresh and Blue," featuring live interviews with newly elected members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Huddle newsletter author Olivia Beavers will moderate back-to-back live interviews with Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) and Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.). REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | SPOTTED | | Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who is running for chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, held a virtual fundraiser Monday night. The event was hosted by Judge Patricia Brown Holmes. Guests included House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Rep, Barbara Lee of California. Others who attended via Zoom included state Sen. Mike Simmons, Cook County Board of Review's Larry Rogers Jr., County Commissioners Dennis Deer and Donna Miller, Chicago State University President Z Scott, former state Rep. Careen Gordon and Erika Weaver, who was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 15th. | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Congress finally gets first chance for answers about the Jan. 6 insurrection, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Andrew Desiderio — Garland cruises through confirmation hearing as GOP support solidifies, by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Josh Gerstein — Trump taunts don't shake McConnell's hold on Senate GOP, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett — Bloomberg's 2020 aides got an unwelcome surprise in their tax forms, by POLITICO's Christopher Cadelago — Every pro team's Jackie Robinson, by The Undefeated | | TRANSITIONS | | — LISA DUARTE, who's been serving as first assistant deputy governor for Budget & Economy in Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration, is leaving for the private sector. Duarte is joining Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres as an attorney and equity partner leading the law firm's government affairs and public law practice. In the governor's office, Duarte oversaw 15 agencies involving budget, economy, economic development, and regulation. In a statement, Pritzker called Duarte "an invaluable member of my administration from day one…I am proud to have had her on our team and I look forward to cheering on her successes in this new chapter." — Jake Braun has been appointed to the Department of Homeland Security's Management Directorate, which is responsible for the agency's IT systems. Braun most recently served as executive director for the University of Chicago's Cyber Policy Initiative, where he worked at the center of policy, technology, and national security. Braun also co-founded the DEF CON Voting Machine Hacking Village where he co-authored two award-winning works on election security. Braun previously served as the DHS liaison to the White House during the Obama administration. — Maribel Duran has been named deputy chief of staff for operations in the Department of Agriculture. Duran recently served as managing director for equity and inclusion for the Aspen Institute and was chief of staff for its Leadership Division. She began her career working at Chicago Public Schools. | | EVENTS | | Tonight at 7:30 p.m. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot headlines a fundraiser for LPAC, which supports LGBTQ candidates. Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts and real estate investor Jennifer Pritzker are hosts. | | | | A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: Employers in Illinois provide prescription drug coverage for nearly 6.7 million Illinoisans. In order to help keep care more affordable, employers work with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who deploy a variety of tools to reduce prescription drug costs and help improve health outcomes. PBMs also work with the Illinois Medicaid program in the same way to help control costs. In fact, PBMs are poised to save consumers and the State $39 billion over the next ten years. Today, as Illinois faces a global pandemic and a multibillion budget shortfall, now is the time for legislators to strengthen, not limit, the tools that employers, consumers and the State rely on to manage costs and ensure consumers can access the medicines they need. Learn more. | | |
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to political consultant Frank Calabrese for correctly answering that a painting of the Union Stockyard Fire of 1934 hung in Chicago's City Council chambers for years. TODAY's QUESTION: Among Jim Edgar's four statewide elections, what is the only county he never won? Email to skapos@politico.com. | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Joyce Foundation education program director Stephanie Banchero, "American Pharaoh" author Elizabeth Taylor, Cresset Capital Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Malkin, and Forefront director of public policy Bryan Zarou. -30-
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