| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Monday morning, Illinois. It happened. The mask mandate has (mostly) been lifted — even in schools. Remember when schools shut down last month during Omicron?
|  | TOP TALKER | | Washington is looking to make lynching a federal hate crime for the first time in the nation's history. Congressman Bobby Rush's Emmett Till Antilynching Act, H.R. 55 , is expected to pass tonight in the House before heading to the Senate, where New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker will introduce the bill. "It should have been done 100 years ago. But I celebrate the fact that we are on the cusp of finally getting it right," Rush told Playbook in an interview.
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Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush's anti-lynching bill is expected to pass the House today. | Getty Images | More than 6,500 lynchings were documented between 1865 and 1950, according to a 2020 report by the Equal Justice Initiative. Ida B. Wells, a Black journalist who made Chicago her home, first brought attention to lynchings through her investigative reporting. Then in 1900, the first anti-lynching bill was introduced in Congress by North Carolina Congressman George Henry White. But it wasn't until the 1955 murder of Emmett Till that most of white America started paying attention to the atrocity of racism. Till was a 14-year-old Chicagoan who was visiting family in Mississippi when he was kidnapped and murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman (whatever the gesture was, the woman involved later said she lied). Till's mother insisted on having an open casket at her son's funeral, which was photographed by Chicago-based Jet magazine, forcing the world to see the brutality inflicted on a child. It was a seminal moment in the Civil Rights movement. Still, Congress failed to move forward with any anti-lynching legislation. (Many conservative Democrats in the 20th century argued anti-lynching laws weren't necessary because it was no different from murder, which was already against the law.) Rush came close in 2020. The House passed his bill but it was stalled in the Senate when Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky opposed the measure for being too broad. Rush says Paul is now on board with the bipartisan legislation, which refers to lynching specifically but also includes conspiracy to commit kidnapping and a other "horrendous terroristic kinds of acts that result in bodily harm and/or death," Rush said. Booker, Paul and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott are all expected to show unified support when Rush's version of the bill gets to the Senate this week. The measure has added meaning, Rush said, after the recent convictions of three men in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging in the Georgia town of Brunswick, when he was pursued by the men in a truck before being shot. "I am reminded of Dr. King's words, that 'the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,'" Rush said. "So, we feel that if this is the time to end it, so be it."
| | THE BUZZ | | Rep. Marie Newman's campaign is heartened by some internal polling that shows she's running neck and neck with Rep. Sean Casten in the 6th Congressional District Democratic primary. According to the polling memo obtained by Playbook, the two Democrats each received 37 percent support with 26 percent undecided when first asked about who voters would support. Then, "after hearing positive descriptions of Newman and Casten and no criticisms of either," Newman edged Casten 48 percent to 39 percent, according to the polling memo. The memo doesn't explain what questions were asked but does indicate that the poll was conducted after headlines about the House Ethics Committee looking into whether Newman promised a job to someone in exchange for them not running against her in 2020. The poll also was conducted before news came out about a complaint alleging Casten's 2018 campaign illegally worked with a super PAC funded by his father to air attack ads against his primary opponent at the time. Without being asked specifically about the ethics probe involving Newman or the complaint against Casten, it's hard to know exactly what voters think. But for now, the polling memo indicates the race is close. The June 28 election is 120 days away. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY: A WOMEN RULE INTERVIEW: Join Cecilia Rouse, chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, and Morning Money author Kate Davidson for a conversation exploring President Biden's economic agenda, the administration's plans to tackle financial losses women suffered during the pandemic and what it will take to elevate more women to leadership ranks in the U.S. economy. SUBSCRIBE HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Navy Pier Family Pavilion at 12:30 p.m. for "smiling faces" event.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — Pritzker ends school mask mandate after CDC eases guidelines and court denies appeal: "I'm gratified that the Supreme Court vacated the lower court's restraining order, meaning that if a school mask mandate needs to go into effect in the future, we continue to have that authority," Pritzker said in his tweet. Sun-Times reports — A Kennedy's crusade against Covid vaccines anguishes family and friends: "I love my brother but could not disagree with him more," Chicago businessman Chris Kennedy said in a statement. Three other siblings — Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Joseph P. Kennedy II in an essay in Politico in 2019 and Rory Kennedy in an email this month — have also criticized their brother for his attacks on vaccines," via the New York Times. — Demise of popular Oak Pak Coronavirus Facebook group highlights pandemic's divisions, by Tribune's John Keilman
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker addresses the Kane County Democrats on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos | AURORA — Gov. JB Pritzker rallied Kane County Democrats with a speech at yesterday's Truman Dinner that was interrupted 18 times by applause and once with a gasp when the governor mistakenly referred to the crowd as Cook County instead of Kane. All was quickly forgiven. Rauner's fault: In his speech, that was part cheerleading and part attack, the governor said former Gov. Bruce Rauner's "assault" on social service programs is "the major cause of significant rise in crime that we're seeing today." Pritzker referred to research that says crime rose when Republicans cut violence intervention services, youths summer jobs programs, mental health treatment, and support for state police. "That's why you reap what you sow." Big-name electeds spoke, too: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (via video), Reps. Bill Foster and Raja Krishnamoorthi, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. They all rallied the Democrats in the swing county and reminded of the midterm angst that could see Democrats lose ground. "This election is going to be insane," Harmon said. "The amount of money the Republicans will spend telling lies and distorting facts will be unbelievable." — Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin's firms have $86M in companies making guns and ammunition: "The founder of Citadel, the hedge fund and financial services behemoth, has hit Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker on rising crime. Griffin's critics call these investments and holdings 'hypocritical,'" reports WBEZ's Dave McKinney. … Citadel responds: "Citadel Securities helps people buy or sell stock in companies they choose in order to achieve their financial objectives, including buying a home, funding their children's education and saving for retirement. If lawmakers want to abolish companies that engage in a certain activity that is legal today, that is a different question and one for policymakers to consider," the company said in a statement to Playbook. "It is disappointing that any news organization, particularly one that receives taxpayer dollars, deliberately misconstrued our role in the marketplace to parrot sloppy political opposition research." — And BGA responds to criticism from Pritzker about its story on the governor's blind investment trust: "In an apparent effort to cast doubt on why we published the story, Pritzker's campaign spokeswoman pointed out that in 2020, the BGA had received a $100,000 donation from Pritzker's political nemesis, Citadel founder Ken Griffin—an amount that was about 3 percent of our annual budget. There is nothing new about journalists taking criticism from those we cover. What's novel and troubling here is the presumption that journalists working at nonprofits are unduly influenced by the people whose donations fund their work," by BGA's David Greising — OPINION: Campaigns for judicial office are different by design: "Is it too much to ask a candidate, even a judicial candidate, to conduct a campaign with dignity and without misrepresentations, exaggerations, or implicit promises? Certainly, it is easier said than done, especially when independent expenditure committees over which a judicial candidate has no control become involved in the contest," writes retired Judge Ray McKoski.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — AD IRONY: Richard Irvin is out with a digital ad that pokes at fellow Republican Darren Bailey, who pulled a Democratic ballot in 2008. The two men are fighting for the conservative mantle in a crowded Republican primary for governor. What's funny about Irvin's ad is that he pulled Democratic ballots in 2014, 2016 and 2020 — including the presidential contests where Donald Trump was on the ballot. That means Irvin had to choose between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in 2016, and Joe Biden, Sanders and Michael Bloomberg in 2020. Irvin has sidestepped questions by reporters about whether he voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 general election. — Nikki Budzinski has been endorsed by the left-leaning Jewish advocacy group J Street in the Democratic primary for the 13th Congressional District. — Judge Elizabeth Rochford has received a flurry of endorsements in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court's 2nd District. Backing her are Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz, state Sens. Melinda Bush, Sara Feigenholtz, and Elgie Sims, Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans, former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, former state Sen. Heather Steans, and former state Sen. Susan Garrett (who now heads Center for Illinois Politics). — Monica Gordon, candidate for 5th District Cook County Commissioner, has been endorsed by the SEIU State Council and IOUE Local 150. — Greg Hart, candidate for DuPage County Board chairman, has been endorsed by Roger Claar, Mayor emeritus of the Village of Bolingbrook.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Homeless population count shows numbers dropping in Illinois, but advocates warn we may be in a Covid bubble: They caution that "the latest numbers are not comparable to before the Covid-19 pandemic and question the accuracy of the national point-in-time estimate, which is based on hit-or-miss tallies that typically occur one night a year," by Tribune's Robert McCoppin. — Managers of local Illinois police pension consolidation seek delay amid litigation: "The new Illinois fund set up to manage the assets of suburban Chicago and downstate police pension funds would get an extra year to complete the consolidation under legislation being pursued by the fund that says it can't meet a June 30 deadline. The Illinois Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund told lawmakers during a committee hearing that some individual funds have resisted moving their assets because of pending litigation challenging the constitutionality of the 2019 consolidation legislation," by Bond Buyer's Yvette Shields. — Rep. Barbara Hernandez talks about bills giving teachers time off to get vaxed and additional mental health days, by WCIA's Mark Maxwell. VIDEO — Illinois hunters harvest 147,000 deer during 2021 season, via Tribune
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — A Chicagoan, back home to visit Ukraine, trapped by invasion: 'We need help. This is real war': "We are waiting for some kind of help," says Olga Tsoi of Rogers Park, who grew up in Ukraine and was back visiting her mother when war broke out. "We are on our own." By Sun-Times' Manny Ramos … Hundreds gather in Ukrainian Village to protest Russian invasion of land where many have relatives, by Tribune's William Lee — Gas prices have soared by more than a dollar per gallon over the last year. It could get worse: "Gas in Chicago still isn't as expensive as 10 years ago, when a gallon cost a whopping $4.47," by WBEZ's Charmaine Runes. — Local businesses feel effects of Obama Center infrastructure work: "The $174M infrastructure project will ease access to the Obama Presidential Center and is part of the state's six-year, $21B plan to improve roads and bridges," by The Real Deal. — Obama Center's first art: The Obama Foundation says its first commissioned piece of art will come from Richard Hunt, who grew up in Chicago. Hunt's sculpture, 'Bird Book,' will be placed in the Library Reading Garden outside of the new Chicago Public Library branch on the Obama Presidential Center campus, according to the foundation. — In CPS, more principals and teachers are leaving, by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova — Michael Jordan's Bulls debut game ticket sells for nearly half-a-million: "The ticket nearly set the record for the most expensive ticket sold at an auction, with only Jackie Robinson's Dodgers debut beating it," by Sun-Times' Katie Anthony. — The last nun left at Near North Side Episcopal convent isn't leaving without a fight: "Sister Judith Mandrath's Order of St. Anne has hired a lawyer who's fighting the Episcopal Church to allow her to remain at the convent on North LaSalle Drive," by Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito. — Don't buy paczki on Paczki Day: "Six things to remember about a particular Polish fried pastry as millions fan out over the city," by Sun-Times' Neil Steinberg— DuSable Museum's 'Equiano' exhibit and Instagram film tell story of Olaudah Equiano as if he lived now, with social media, by Tribune's Darcel Rockett | | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | — Speed cameras nabbed drivers around school when kids weren't in class: "6 mph over and they'll ticket you every time," by Tribune's John Byrne and Tracy Swartz — No, it's not in your head. This stretch of the Blue Line is the loudest in Chicago's entire train system: "Stanford University researcher Linh Phan speculated a combination of the speed of the train cars and the quality of tracks had the most impact on the noise level," by Tribune's Joshua Irvine.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Feds: Maine man found with homemade explosives plotted online to commit 'mass murder' at Chicago mosques and synagogues, by Tribune's Jason Meisner — Police still wrapping up foot-pursuit policy in wake of lawsuit in one of two high-profile fatal shootings, by Tribune's Paige Fry and Annie Sweeney — SMOLLETT FALLOUT: Judge allows cameras in courtroom for Jussie Smollett's expected sentencing next month, by Tribune's Megan Crepeau and Jason Meisner
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | ON 60 MINUTES | Local newsrooms strained by budget-slashing financial firms: Alden Global Capital, owner of the Chicago Tribune, comes under the spotlight in 60 Minutes for being among hedge funds "bleeding newspapers dry. It all prompts the question: as local newsrooms and local news coverage shrivel up, to what extent does democracy shrink with it?... 'Local and regional newspapers are so important to our communities, to holding our leaders accountable. They're not just going after some business that is trying to make money,'" says former Tribune reporter Gary Marx, who with David Jackson spent 30 years at the Tribune. (Interesting side note, Marx is now coaching high school football.) 60 Minutes' Jon Wertheim reports
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what we do today that we'll laugh about in 10 years: And Patricia Ann Watson wrote: "Ten years from now we will laugh at the thought of totally gasoline-powered vehicles." What was the worst flub you made in a speech? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The West finally throws a punch in its face-off with Russia, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi — OPINION | Relax, Democrats, Biden's presidency isn't screwed, by POLITICO's John Harris — The left gears up to grow its numbers in Congress, by POLITICO's Holly Otterbein and Elena Schneider — OPINION | If Dems can't do better in factory towns, the Blue wall is in trouble, according to American Family Voices' Mike Lux | | TRANSITIONS | | Jose Sanchez Molina is comms manager at NielsenIQ consumer data company. He previously was deputy press secretary for Gov. JB Pritzker.
| | EVENTS | | — Today at noon: Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin hosts a "Money Mondays with Melissa" conversation with Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and Roseanna Ander and Zach Honoroff of the University of Chicago Crime and Education Labs to discuss the financial impact violence has on Chicago. The discussion will stream on Facebook andYouTube. — Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.: Journalists Maya Dukmasova and Ben Joravsky lead a discussion at The Hideout about "how to become a judge in Cook County." Guests include political consultants Wallace "Gator" Bradley and Mary Kay Dawson Tickets available here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to NPR's Scott Simon for correctly answering that former Cubs player Don Cardwell won eight regular-season games pitching for the Mets in 1969. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the Illinois-born inventor who won the first U.S. automobile race, held in a snow storm? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Rep. La Shawn Ford, state Sen. Rob Martwick, Clifford Law Offices comms partner Pam Menaker, attorney and former Trump state director Kent Gray, petition circulator Sharon Rosenblum, Peterson Institute of International Economics research assistant Jack Fetsch, and Tribune political reporter John Byrne. Feb. 29: state Sen. Jil Tracy. -30- | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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