| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. I keep asking Alexa for the temperature so I can hear it say it will be 51 degrees today.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Rep. Chuy Garcia announced yesterday he's backing Delia Ramirez for Congress in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. It's the biggest endorsement in the Democratic primary and sets the stage for a contest on progressive ideology. "Delia is who I believe in," Garcia told the Chicago Sun-Times. "We need more Latinas in Congress." At present, there are 13. "So it's definitely time for them. And I hope my endorsement can make a difference." Garcia voice helps solidify Ramirez's campaign — and some fundraising muscle. That's important in a midterm primary where the three candidates aren't exactly household names. Ramirez, a state rep and assistant majority leader, is a progressive courting progressive votes. Her main challenger is Gilbert Villegas, a Chicago alderman, who heads the council's Latino Caucus. He was featured yesterday by Jewish Insider as a voice for moderates. And a third candidate, Iyman Chehade, is a foreign policy adviser for Rep. Marie Newman (he's embroiled in the ethics probe around the congresswoman). Gauging Garcia's impact: The new 3rd District includes the northern portion of his current district, so Garcia's endorsement of Ramirez will hold sway with constituents who he's represented during his first two terms in Congress. Those constituents, however, are not exactly Garcia's brand. The progressive congressman from the neighboring 4th District is more of a Southwest Side guy whose home base is Little Village — not the North Side neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Logan Square or Avondale. The newly drawn 3rd District also includes western suburban areas previously represented by Rep. Sean Casten, Mike Quigley and Raja Krishnamoorthi, all members of the New Democrat Coalition Caucus, a moderate-left-of-center group of congressional Dems. Point being: The new district isn't as progressive as Garcia and Ramirez, who he has mentored her over the years, and the question is whether that will play out in the ballot box. Who's to say what's progressive? There was a time when Bernie Sanders' call for raising the minimum wage was centrally an anthem for progressives. Now, that's a mainstream idea with broad support. Top issues: Ramirez is focused on housing justice, health care and rebuilding the economy. Villegas lists creating jobs, cutting the cost of living, and fighting for more police officers among his "kitchen table issues." And Chehade's campaign priorities are, addressing student debt, health care, and poverty. They need cash to share their message: Ramirez, who has $110,443 cash on hand, trails Villegas so far in fundraising. Villegas ended 2021 with $377,055 in the bank, and Chehade had $38,846 as of Dec. 31.
| | THE BUZZ | | The Covid war raged yesterday. Some Republican House lawmakers ripped off their masks on the Capitol floor in defiance of rules to keep them on. Even more dramatic was a vote that defied Gov. JB Pritzker's mask mandate for schools. Some Democrats joined Republicans to suspend the rule. "It was a rare instance of legislators flexing their muscle — and an equally uncommon move by Democrats against the governor," according to the Tribune's four-bylined story on the action. A legislative panel voted 9-0 to block the state Public Health Department's effort to define how to implement the rule for schools not involved in a pending lawsuit. The goal was to bring clarity. Instead it's creating more confusion. The governor's team is preaching calm, saying Pritzker "understands that members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules are awaiting a ruling from the appellate court on this issue," according to a statement from spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh . "We look forward to continuing to work with members of the General Assembly, school districts, parents, communities and all stakeholders to use the tools we have to keep in-person learning." Separately in Chicago, the city may adjust when its mask mandate lifts so it coincides with the state's plan on Feb. 28, hoping to avoid confusing the public. Except for schools. (So confusing.) The headline: Chicago's top doctor hints the city mask mandate could end when the state drops its rule on Feb. 28, by Tribune's Alice Yin — RELATED: These COVID-19 treatments help patients avoid the hospital. Who's getting them? "The Illinois Department of Public Health controls the state's supply of virus therapeutics, but officials are not tracking how the coveted treatments are being dispersed," by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Why schools are taking center stage in the culture wars, by CNN's Ronald Brownstein PROGRAMMING NOTE: Illinois Playbook will not publish on Monday, in observance of President's Day. After the hiatus, we'll be back on Tuesday. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 59 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield at 11 a.m. to discuss the Illinois Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In New York with no official public events on her schedule. Only political-related meetings.
| | Where's Toni | | At 3838 W.. Adams St. at 9 a.m. in Chicago along with Cook County Land Bank Authority executive director Eleanor Gorski to announce that 1000 vacant and abandoned properties have been redeveloped since the Land Bank was created in 2003.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — SCOOP | State plans drastic downsize of Pontiac, Vandalia prisons: "According to an overview of the proposal obtained by Lee Enterprises, the IDOC plans to shutter the medium security unit of Pontiac Correction Center by March 16. The unit currently holds 329 inmates and has a maximum capacity of 431. Later this spring or summer, the facility's east and west cellhouses, which have a combined 667 beds and currently house 339 inmates, would shutter, leaving only the north and south cellhouses and mental health units operational," by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore. — Immigration detention ends in Illinois after ICE transfers those awaiting deportation to out-of-state jails: "In January, a federal court order allowed the Illinois Way Forward to proceed. The new law said local officials had to end contracts that previously allowed them to detain people in immigration custody," by Sun-Times' Elvia Malagón. — Illinois gamblers bet nearly $61 million on Super Bowl — leaving sportsbooks, state in the black, but two casinos seeing red: "More than $7 billion has been wagered statewide since legal sports betting launched less than two years ago," by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout.
| | CHICAGO | | — Lightfoot to try again to win passage of stalled gang asset forfeiture ordinance: "The City Council's Committee on Public Safety will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday to consider the revised ordinance that got a frosty reception from alderpersons last month," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — McCormick Place CEO warns of casino impact: "Any plan to convert parts of the convention campus for gambling could hurt operations and push some shows out of town, Larita Clark told the board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority," by Sun-Times' David Roeder, Mitchell Armentrout, and Fran Spielman. — Two Greektown favorites torn down, exposing old mural — and changing face of neighborhood: "The mural featuring a seascape in Greece lines a now exterior wall of what was once the Pegasus restaurant. The site is slated for a mixed-use building with luxury units in the rapidly developing West Loop," by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek. — In reimagining Museum Campus, advocates say the greatest untapped amenity already exists: Nature, by WTTW's Patty Wetli
| | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — BIG DONATION: Megadonor Richard Uihlein has donated $1 million to Republican Darren Bailey's bid for governor yesterday, according to State Board of Elections filings. Uihlein and his wife, Liz, founded the Uline business supply empire just over the Illinois border in Wisconsin. They are among the biggest Republican donors in the country. The campaign contribution to Bailey comes on the heels of Ken Griffin donating $20 million to another GOP gubernatorial competitor, Richard Irvin, adding fuel for a competitive Republican race. — Grasso gets support in 6th District bid: Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso's secured endorsements from House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin, and former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb in his bid for Congress. Grasso is part of a crowd of Republicans in the primary race. Also running are Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and former school board member Rob Cruz. The winner of the GOP primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary between incumbent Reps. Sean Casten and Marie Newman. — Charise Williams is joining the Democratic race for the 1st Congressional District. Williams is the former chief of staff for Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, which works with agencies to incorporate reforms. Before that, Williams was director of external affairs for the Chicago Federation of Labor. — Nabeela Syed, a candidate for state representative in the 51st District, has been endorsed by state Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D - Chicago). — Sen. Dick Durbin has endorsed Michael Cabonargi in his reelection as commissioner to the Cook County Board of Review. Cabonargi worked on Durbin's first Senate campaign.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | Will Lighfoot appoint an Asian American to replace Patrick Daley Thompson? "The stronghold of Daley has kind of narrowed down to the 11th Ward, right. That legacy kind of ends here. And you know he's been toppled now. I think that marks a huge change for the ward. I think we're at a crossroads right now," Ambria Taylor, a middle school teacher and Chicago Teachers Union member tells WTTW's Amanda Vinicky.
| | Patrick Daley Thompson Trial | | Thompson is 37th City Council member convicted in less than half a century: "Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th) is the first former or sitting Chicago alderperson to be convicted since former Ald. Ricardo Muñoz (22nd) pleaded guilty last September and the 37th since Fred Hubbard (2nd) in 1973. It averages out to a Council member convicted every 16 months," reports the Sun-Times.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — David Axelrod to step down as director of U. of Chicago's Institute of Politics in 2023: "I am not leaving the IOP altogether. I never could! In January, I will become the chairman of the IOP's Board of Advisors and will assume a new post as a Senior Fellow, returning for events, mentoring and any other mission for which I am called," he wrote to supporters. — A shooting in Louisville hits home in Chicago: A Democratic mayoral candidate in Kentucky's largest city said he is "shaken but safe" after a man stormed his campaign headquarters Monday, The Associated Press reports. A staffer in the room when the shooting occurred was Matt Erwin, nephew to Illinois political insider and former House Rep. Judy Erwin. Matt Erwin helped barricade the door and the suspect is in custody. — Chicago architect Jeanne Gang is keynoting at Modernism Week, which starts tomorrow in Palm Springs, Calif. — Bill Behrns, Loyola University Chicago's associate athletic director for communications, is receiving the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's Katha Quinn Award. The honor is given each year to a college basketball media contact who goes "above and beyond for members of the media."
| | | |   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Naperville liquor commission member resigns after DUI arrest: "According to police records…Dana Davenport was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and also charged with disobeying a traffic signal, failure to give a signal when required, illegal lane usage and obstructing justice," reports Daily Herald's Kevin Schmit. — On the anniversary of Pratt warehouse shooting in Aurora, state police say they're reducing backlog of FOID card reviews: Police can now "view more details on the people who have had their FOID card revoked, including their recent purchase patterns and reasons for revocation. The serial numbers of all firearms reported stolen will also be included in a database," reports Tribune's Megan Jones.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — 150 convictions tied to a corrupt Chicago police sergeant have been tossed, but not this woman's: "Sgt. Ronald Watts led a police unit that was under investigation for more than a decade for allegedly framing people and stealing money from drug dealers at the Wells complex. After carrying out hundreds of allegedly bogus arrests, Watts and one of his underlings were arrested themselves in 2012 and sent to federal prison for stealing what they thought was drug money from an FBI informant," by WBEZ's Chip Mitchell — Are landmark districts linked to affordable housing and segregation? A Chicago lawsuit makes the connection, but a historic preservationist disputes it, reports Tribune's Sarah Freishtat — Chicago Saw 37K Hit-and-Runs in 2021, But Just 306 Arrests. Why Do Police Solve So Few of These Crimes? NBC 5's Phil Rogers — Chicago cop sues UIC law school claiming discrimination because he's white, by Fox 32's Dane Placko. — Ticket broker gets 1 1/2 years in prison in scheme to sell stolen White Sox tickets on StubHub, by Tribune's Jason Meisner
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what people don't know about your youth: Alliance of the Southeast exec Chris White's family was close to the Cleaves family in Michigan. His dad coached Mateen Cleaves (in soccer), and his mother worked with civil rights leaders Herbert and Francine Cleaves as they tried to integrate their Flint, Mich., neighborhood. … Simon Wiesenthal Center's Alison Pure-Slovin was pulled out of public school and sent to private Jewish school after enduring antisemitic taunts. … Political consultant Kevin Lampe was a wrestler for Hoffman Estates High School and not very good at it. "The coach once said I should become an electrician, because I spent so much time on my back staring at the lights," Lampe wrote. … And Metropolitan Family Services' Bridget Hatch "served as Howard Cosell's radio production assistant at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles." What's your guiltiest pleasure? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE FIFTY | | They used to just run elections. Now state election officials fight foreign agents: "They're dealing with political candidates undermining the election systems that they still run for office in, and conspiracy theories that target even the most obscure parts of America's election infrastructure. And they say the country will face the same issues this year as it elects a new Congress and decides control of three dozen statehouses," reports POLITICO's Zach Montellaro, who interviewed 10 state leaders who oversee elections.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Harris works her old Senate colleagues in anticipation of SCOTUS fight, by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Christopher Cadelago — A 'swift' and 'unified' sanctions slam on Russia? Not exactly, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi, Andrew Desiderio and Jacopo Barigazzi — A heartland GOP primary battle goes all-in on bashing China, by POLITICO's Phelim Kine
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Judge Alan Greiman, former assistant majority leader in Illinois House and appellate court judge: "His time in the legislature was marked by his wily ability to get his progressive agenda enacted while building unusual coalitions. He sponsored the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, as well as legislation granting no-fault divorce and the right to public employee collective bargaining, prohibiting the sale of handguns, banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, protecting newsrooms from unreasonable searches, and was the first in the nation to propose a ban on discrimination based on age. He was an ardent sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment and had the stories to tell about why Illinois failed to pass it," according to his obituary.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Catching up on media moves: John Chase becomes deputy metro editor at the Chicago Tribune after five years as director of investigations at Better Government Association (BGA). ... Alejandra Cancino is now deputy editor at City Bureau. She is a former senior investigative reporter at BGA. … Dan Hinkel has been named investigative reporter covering criminal justice at BGA. He's a former Tribune reporter. And Rex Huppke has been named a columnist at USA Today. He's exiting the Tribune, where he's been a humor columnist. — Daniel Godsel has been named security director at Jewish United Fund of Chicago. Godsel joins JUF after 29 years of service with the Chicago Police Department, including overseeing training, and commanding in two different districts.
| | EVENTS | | Thursday at 6 p.m.: Alexi Giannoulias and Anna Valencia, two candidates for secretary of state, will take part in a virtual town hall. (David Moore couldn't make this one.) Participating will be 15 county Democratic Party leaders, including state Rep. Maurice West. Scan the code to participate.
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Leo Driscoll for correctly answering that the late Sen. Charles Percy was also captain of his college water polo team. TODAY's QUESTION: What was the name of the Illinois segment of Route 66 before it was called Route 66? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services.
We're offering COVID-19 vaccines at more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.
Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we're increasing remote access to mental health services.
We're supporting safer pregnancies and expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine.
Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we're investing in affordable housing to support underserved populations and build healthier communities.
Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care into neighborhoods, homes and hands—so it's never out of reach for anyone.
Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Don DeWitte, former POLITICO publisher Robert Allbritton, Illinois Department of Labor acting director Dana O'Leary, University of Chicago Institute of Politics' Jennifer Steinhauer, Young Democrats of Illinois president Quinne Welter, Chicago Ventures partner Kevin Willer, nonprofit consultant Jean Butzen, Block Club photographer Colin Boyle, and breakfast guru Ina Pinkney. -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 | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment