| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday morning, Illinois. It will be a full circle moment Feb. 28 when the mask mandate ends. That's two years to the day when Gov. JB Pritzker held his first Covid-19 update.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Jesse White, the longtime Illinois secretary of state is finally dipping his toe into the 2022 midterms with an endorsement… for the state Supreme Court. White is backing Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her bid for the high court's newly shaped 2nd District. In a statement coming out today, White called Rochford "a brilliant judge, "a wonderful person" and someone with "superb judicial experience." Talk about pouring it on thick. It's the kind of wording that the Democratic secretary of state candidates are pining for. They'll have to keep waiting. So far, White isn't saying who he's backing for the job he's held since 1999. "Jesse is holding his cards close to his vest," spokesman Dave Druker told Playbook. White had said he would endorse in the secretary of state race in January but that came and went without the promised news. It seems likely that we'll see him hold off until the general election. That way he stays above the fray while Democratic candidates Alexi Giannoulias, Anna Valencia and David Moore duke it out in the primary. Though the Supreme Court is lower profile, it's no less important. It's a key race for Democrats who want to make sure they keep a majority on the court (Democrats have a 4-3 majority). Issues related to redistricting, for example, could be pivotal. Democrats vying for the seat along with Rochford are Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and Kane County Judge René Cruz. Republicans running are former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes. The seat opened up after the retirement last year of Justice Robert Thomas. The 2nd District encompasses Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall and Dekalb counties.
| | THE BUZZ | | JOB TREND: With the Great Resignation hitting employers in every sector, Google is releasing new data on the most searched jobs across the country. Out of 18 metro areas analyzed, Chicagoans are the only ones looking to become actors — and Chicago is the only city that's seeing searches for both teacher and substitute teacher. The top five jobs Chicagoans are searching using the term "how to become" are:
- How to become a notary
- How to become a real estate agent
- How to become an actor
- How to become a teacher
- How to become a substitute teacher
Why it's interesting: In 2019, the General Assembly passed legislation to increase the minimum wage for teachers. It was sponsored by then-senator and now-Deputy Gov. Andy Manar — and signed into law by Gov. Googler himself, JB Pritzker. Factoid: Illinois now ranks 9th in teacher pay nationwide, according to a recent study. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration's climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island at 11 a.m. to discuss the Illinois Family Relief Plan in the proposed fiscal 2023 budget. At the Discovery Center Museum in Rockford at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the Illinois Family Relief Plan.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | In the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. presiding over a meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — PANDEMIC ENDGAME | As mask restrictions ease up, experts weigh in on the right time to return to normalcy: "The nation's top infectious disease expert earlier this week indicated that from here on much Covid-19 risk assessment will be guided by state and local governments — or even individual decision making — as opposed to national mandates and guidelines," by Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos and Joe Mahr. — 'Coexist with Covid:' Pritzker, Ezike address plan to lift mask mandate by Feb. 28, by Capitol News' Jerry Nowicki — School board's tie vote upholds mask requirements in Park Ridge-Niles District 64 after fiery meeting, by Pioneer Press' Jennifer Johnson — Parents, educators call for Covid-19 exit strategy after schools left out of Pritzker's plan to lift mask mandate, by Tribune's Karen Ann Cullotta — Chicago, Cook County to lift restrictions with IL mask mandate end, by ABC 7's Jessica D'Onofrio — Masks optional at most suburban Catholic schools starting today, by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek — The war continues: Man throws brick at Wiener's Circle window after denied service for refusing to wear a mask, by Sun-Times' Sophie Sherry
| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | — Obama kicked off presidential campaign 15 years ago in Springfield: A look back and forward: "Thursday marks 15 years since Barack Obama officially launched his first presidential campaign on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield," by Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet. — STATEHOUSE HONORS: A historical marker will be erected later this year on the grounds of the Old State Capitol to commemorate Barack Obama's 2007 and 2008 presidential campaign announcements from the building's lawn, according to a statement this morning from the governor's office.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Another man won't face murder charge after change to state law; Republicans say SAFE-T Act should be repealed: "Prosecutors said they would have charged a man involved in a shootout with the murder of his friend, who was killed by gunfire from someone else, but won't under the new law. Advocates defended the law change as more fair and say defendants still face stiff consequences for the crimes they actually committed," by Sun-Times' Matthew Hendrickson. — Many unvaccinated prison guards are avoiding discipline, despite state mandate: "Prison staff had until Jan. 31 to get their first shot of the vaccine according to an arbitration decision that came down at the end of last year. Camile Lindsay, chief of staff to IDOC Director Rob Jeffries, said 73% of workers had gotten at least one shot as of Feb. 4. About two-thirds of staff are fully vaccinated," by WBEZ's Patrick Smith. — State audit finds lax fiscal controls at board where former officer was accused of falsifying OT reports: "In response to the audit, the merit board, which oversees Illinois State Police applications, promotions, demotions, suspensions and firings, blamed a "former employee," whom a source familiar with the audit confirmed was the former financial officer accused of overtime fraud, Jenny Thornley," reports Tribune's Ray Long. — Monitor found state hired person on the 'Blagojevich clout list,' by Sun-Times' Manny Ramos. — LEGISLATION UPDATE | Bill would require insurance companies to cover plastic surgery costs for abuse victims, by ABC 20's Jakob Emerson
| | CHICAGO | | — MORE TEXTS | Lightfoot text to Illinois AG over police reform: 'Do you really want (a) public fight with me over the consent decree?' "Lightfoot's texts with Kwame Raoul delve into a particularly sensitive political issue for the mayor, a former federal prosecutor who vowed to reform the Police Department but has faced criticism from advocates who say she hasn't done enough," by Tribune's Gregory Pratt and Madeline Buckley. — BREAKING LAST NIGHT | Police union raises dues to beef up PAC: The board of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago voted yesterday to raise union dues by $10 per check to beef up the organization's political action committee fund. FOP President John Catanzara said on a Facebook post last night that the goal is to create a $2.5 million fund to help political candidates beat "the crooked politicians." Catanzara added: "Enough is enough. … Whether it's Springfield or City Hall, change is coming. You were warned." — Lightfoot dodges defeat as committee narrowly approves her COPA chief: "The Committee on Public Safety voted 9-6 to confirm Andrea Kersten's nomination despite the furor over the three-day suspension COPA recommended for CPD Officer Ella French for failing to activate her body-worn camera during a botched police raid," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Demolition begins on West Ridge building after raid by federal agents and Chicago police: "A search warrant was served at 6948 N. Western Ave. Tuesday evening and, within hours, an emergency demolition order was issued," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — This Chicago charter school expelled more students than any other school. Can that change? By Chalkbeat's Margaret Kates — Harold Washington's presence looms large: Friends and associates talk about "the man who defeated the machine," by WGN 9's Tahman Bradley. — Two locally owned grocery stores being built on West Side, by WTTW's Marissa Nelson and Acacia Hernandez
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Israel takes center stage in Newman v. Casten race: "[T]he ongoing investigation into whether Rep. Marie Newman gave a job to a potential rival has damaged Newman ahead of a June primary with Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) — and her vote against funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense had already set up a brutal primary. Casten, a two-term Democrat from another part of the Chicago suburbs, is endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel and other groups that want to defeat candidates who, like Newman, have broken with the party's position on Israel to oppose military aid or criticize the Jewish state," by the Washington Post. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Toni Preckwinkle has secured the endorsements of nearly three dozen pastors in her reelection bid for Cook County Board president. Among those endorsing: Bishop Claude Porter, Pastor Michael Eaddy, Bishop Shirley Coleman and Apostle Carl White. Full list here
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | Patrick Daley Thompson Trial | | — Accountant takes center stage at Thompson's trial, gets in trouble himself: "Someone overheard Robert Hannigan talking to two upcoming witnesses — in violation of a court order — during a lunch break while Thompson's friends and family were seen nearby. Hannigan allegedly called his cross-examination 'just a game of gotcha,'" by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel and Tim Novak. — What Thompson knew: "Records presented to the jury by prosecutors on Wednesday appeared to show that Thompson was keenly aware of his mortgage interest deductions, not only from his loans at Washington Federal but also his traditional mortgages on his Bridgeport bungalow and a nearby rental property," by Tribune's Jason Meisner. | | DAY IN COURT | | — Judge clears former CPS special education student's sexual assault lawsuit for trial: "The boy's family accused Chicago Public Schools, through its employees at Bogan high school, of failing to properly supervise the two children, both 15 at the time with cognitive disabilities," by Sun-Times' Nader Issa. — Illinois man arrested in 25-year-old Tennessee murder kept low profile in his hometown, by Peoria Journal-Star's Nick Vlahos — Chicago woman arrested for vandalizing Ella French memorial, by WGN 9's Alonzo Small
| | POT-POURRI | | McHenry City Council approves marijuana infuser, via Shaw Media
| | Reader Digest | | We asked when you were most nervous speaking in public: Former state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg wrote: "Addressing the state's annual Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at the historic Old State Capitol during my first year in the Senate was for me otherworldly. My wife and I both lost family during the Holocaust, and we had named our very young son, Nadav, in tribute to those family members. Standing at the lectern I was awash with emotion sharing the intensely personal experiences of my family's journey." Gail Purkey, retired comms director of the Illinois Federation of Teachers: "I was the first speaker and MC for the memorial service for my dear friend Jackie Gallagher, a longtime political operative and CTU spokesperson." Attorney Graham Grady: "Speaking at my law school graduation ceremony at Northwestern. I was nervous because my parents there, Gov. Jim Thompson had just delivered the commencement address, and civil rights icon James Nabrit, Jr. who argued Brown vs. Board of Education , alongside Thurgood Marshall, had spoken brilliantly just before that." Alison Pure-Slovin of the Simon Wiesenthal Center: "I was honored to give the invocation in Springfield to the House in 2019. I was so nervous I thought I would pass out." Playbooker Timothy Thomas Jr.: "Giving the opening remarks to the 2008 Chicago Gospel Music Festival in front of a capacity crowd at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion because the director had a scheduling conflict. I thought I was going to pass out." Thanks everyone. If you could afford a Super Bowl ad, what would you advertise? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Danny Davis pitches unemployment insurance interest waiver: "The Illinois congressman is drafting legislation to reinstate a waiver on the interest that states must pay on unemployment insurance loans they took from the feds during the pandemic," via Bloomberg.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Democrats' social spending dreams stuck in winter purgatory, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett — Read the emails showing Trump allies' connections to voting machine seizure push, by POLITICO's Betsy Woodruff Swan — Texas GOP's new voting law sparks rejections, confusion ahead of primaries, by POLITICO's Marissa Martinez
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | Cynthia DeNicolo, Melissa McGurren press defamation cases against The Mix: "[They] are pursuing separate defamation lawsuits against Hubbard Radio for public statements the company made denying their claims that Ferguson mistreated women at the station, according to recent court filings reported by Inside Radio," by media reporter Robert Feder.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Jennifer Steinhauer is director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics' Speaker Series. She previously was a longtime reporter for The New York Times. — David Rowe has joined Kroll data and technology company as a managing director in the firm's transaction opinions practice. He most recently was in executive finance roles at Northern Trust within their Institutional Asset Servicing and Wealth Management businesses. In a full-circle moment, Rowe previously worked at Kroll from 2004-2010. — Tim Foley has been named president to the Board for the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Foley is an account manager with Diversified Brokerage Services in Chicago.
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to MBA student and former state legislative aide Mason Sloan for correctly answering that naturalist John Burroughs taught school in Buffalo Grove. TODAY's QUESTION: Which Illinois city for years was home to the largest Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the country? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | ComEd comms manager Lauren Huffman, Arctaris Impact Investors managing director Ben Bornstein, PBS Newshour's John Yang, and Playbooker Matthew Feldman -30-
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