| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Buckle up because today's Playbook is a rollercoaster.
|  | TOP TALKER | | SCOOP: In an only-in-Illinois kind of way, Ashley Gott, treasurer of Williamson County in southern Illinois, faces a primary from… Ashley Gott. Yes, that's right. Treasurer Gott, a Republican man who was appointed to the office before winning it outright in 2020, is being challenged by someone with the same name. But get this. Challenger Ashley Gott was known as Erin Perry until she changed her name on Jan. 6, according to the Williamson County Clerk's office. What a move! "I've never seen anything like this before," Williamson County Clerk Amanda Barnes told Playbook. "It's a first for me." And that's saying a lot given Barnes has been in the office for 26 years, nine as county clerk. Neither of the Gotts, nor Rob Underwood, another candidate in the Republican primary, returned our calls, emails or texts. So we can only guess why challenger Gott would go to such lengths to take on Treasurer Gott. Illinois has a long history of candidates changing their names to cash in on the real or perceived luck of the Irish come election time, especially for judicial races. There was a lawsuit last year accusing Michael Madigan in 2016 of putting in sham candidates on the ballot with Hispanic names to confuse voters. But the Gott case seems to go to the Nth degree. Barnes says as confusing as it sounds today, come Election Day the ballots will offer clarity with a line next to challenger Gott's name saying she changed her name in January.
| | THE BUZZ | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Longtime lobbyist and Democratic political adviser Dan Shomon has severed his contract with the city of Aurora due to Mayor Richard Irvin's Republican bid for governor. "I'm really proud of all that our team at Dan Shomon Inc. has accomplished for the City of Aurora and its citizens on many fronts," Shomon said in a statement to Playbook. "Our team worked with the excellent group of local legislators and Governor Pritzker last year to extend the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. During our service to Aurora over many years, we have also helped bring tens of millions of dollars in projects to the city." Shomon's firm has lobbied for Aurora for more than 15 years and in December saw his contract renewed to the tune of $9,300 per month. A familiar name among Springfield lobbyists, Shomon has been credited with helping Aurora get state funding for the Aurora Civic Center Authority and Hesed House, a feed-the-hungry mission. He's also advised the city on how to manage and distribute state motor fuel taxes, federal highway funds, and Covid-relief monies from Congress. Shomon got his start on the political scene serving as campaign manager and political director for then-Sen. Barack Obama. After Obama left for the White House, Shomon built a lobbying and consulting practice focused on municipalities, large companies and statewide organizations. Irvin's entry in the governor's race raised eyebrows and caused some concern among some of Shomon's other clients and a few members of the House Black Caucus, who are aligned with Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. Now that he's extricated his business from the Aurora contract, those concerns have eased even if Shomon took a hit in the pocketbook. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines: Illinois HB 1780 Puts Patient Access to Generic Medicines at Risk! Generics drive patient savings, yet HB 1780 imposes new costs on patients who rely on generic access to life-saving treatments. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At McLean County Highway Department in Bloomington at 10 a.m. to announce additional funding for local governments to continue restoring infrastructure.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At Chicago Red Line station at 2 p.m. with an update on public safety.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | MADIGAN MATTERS | | — Arraignment today for ex-Speaker Michael Madigan: "The judge has ordered Madigan's hearing be conducted by telephone, which is common during the pandemic. Since the start of the investigation, Madigan has reportedly spent nearly $5 million in campaign funds on legal fees," by WGN 9's Tahman Bradley. — Pritzker freezes funds to Madigan-sponsored projects: "Citing a BGA investigation, nine lawmakers requested the freeze in the wake of former House Speaker Michael Madigan's 22-count federal indictment on charges he traded his office to enrich himself and his friends," by Chuck Neubauer and Sandy Bergo.
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | Former state Sen. Thomas Cullerton pleads guilty to embezzling from Teamsters: "Cullerton faced indictment since August 2019. But he held onto his office until last month, resigning just before his attorney revealed his plans to plead guilty," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — ABOUT 2023 | An early look at the race for mayor of Chicago: "The exit of former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan leaves field wide open, and increases the likelihood that a runoff election will again be needed between the top two vote-getters," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Nancy Rotering is forming "Lawyers for Nancy," a group of more than 100 attorneys who have endorsed the Highland Park attorney and mayor in her bid for the Illinois Supreme Court Second District. Members of Lawyers for Nancy include former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, University of Chicago First Amendment scholar Geoffrey Stone, Cleveland Avenue's Andrea Zopp, Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart, former Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin, Jenner & Block's Gail Morse, and former House Rep. Julie Hamos. The group will host a fundraiser in support of Rotering's candidacy tonight at 5:30pm.Full list of Lawyers for Nancy — Cook County elections: New and old faces enter the fray as candidate filing begins for June primary; Sheriff Tom Dart has 2 challengers so far, by Tribune's Alice Yin — Here are the contested statehouse primary races emerging in DuPage County, by Daily Herald's Alicia Fabbre — Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat in the 13th Congressional District, has been endorsed by the National Association of Letter Carriers.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Springfield's St. Patrick's Day Parade to return but a week later than scheduled, by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie — House lawmakers make it official and ditch the rule requiring they wear masks: Republicans supported ending the "mask theater," saying it takes attention away from the need for ethics reform. The resolution passed 104 to 1. "The singular no vote was cast by state Rep. Lakesia Collins — who sponsored all three previous resolutions to remove mask scofflaws," reports Sun-Times' Taylor Avery — State Police director details response to expressway shootings: Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly "suggested that when it comes to violent and forcible felonies, lawmakers should change the statutes to allow tech companies 36 hours from the moment investigators deliver a search warrant to turn over information," by Capitol News' Grace Kinnicutt. — Appointments pulled, reissued for 2 members of Prisoner Review Board, by Capitol News' Beth Hundsdorfer
| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | | 
City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, appearing on WCIU's 26 N Halsted, will discuss the state of Chicago's Treasurer's Office today, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. | WCIU screenshot | FINANCE FACTS: Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is working with aldermen to mandate the divestment of the city's financial portfolio from fossil fuel funds. It was a goal she set when elected treasurer in 2019 and something she accomplished last year. Now she wants to make sure it sticks. "When I took office, I decided I wanted to make a social impact with our investments," Conyears-Ervin told Playbook in advance of today's "State of the Treasurer's Office Address." "I have degrees in finance. I can make you money. But what if that's not making an impact? Clean energy is an area you can make a difference," she said. At least 38 cities have mandated fossil fuel divestment, and New York City is the largest to do so. Chicago would be the second-largest. "I'm a working mom. We think about the future of our kids. We need to prepare them for the future by providing an environment they can succeed in," Conyears-Ervin said. She'll detail it all in her speech at 2 p.m. live-streamed on the Treasurer's Facebook andYouTube pages.
| | CHICAGO | | — Teachers 'pissed' over mask mandate lifting, but CPS vows to work with union to avoid another work stoppage: "I feel there's more agreement than disagreement," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said. Tribune's Tracy Swartz and Alice Yin report. — Jones College Prep Principal could lose job as local school council formally asks CPS to fire him: "Principal Joseph Powers has battled with LSC members, accusing them of 'undermining his leadership.' The board voted [early] Wednesday to ask CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to begin the process of removing Powers, who's led Jones for 14 years," by Block Club's Jamie Nesbitt Golden. — Chicago drivers brace for even higher gasoline prices, by Tribune's Shanzeh Ahmad and Olivia Olander — No flamin' hots or bulletproof glass: A new model for a corner store opens in Englewood: "Go Green Community Fresh Market, a profound departure from corner stores on the city's South and West sides, opens Tuesday at 63rd and Racine," by WBEZ's Natalie Moore. — Chicago holds 1st violence town hall Wednesday night, via ABC 7
| | | | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines:   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — How a lawyer at the center of Evanston's lifeguard abuse scandal landed a Cook County job: "Records show Lin got interviewed and picked last August to become the director of compliance for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez — even after Evanston's city manager punished Lin for allegedly failing to tell her about the severity of the beach workers' complaints," by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos — Activists demand the release of a Chicago immigrant being held at the Will County jail, by María Inés Zamudio — Towns fighting railroad merger gain new ally in DuPage County, by Daily Herald's Katlyn Smith
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Foxx won't charge Melrose Park man over self-defense shooting, but he faces federal prison for violating probation by having a gun: "Kevin Delaney faces at least eight months for violating terms of his federal probation. The Cook County state's attorney faced criticism in another case last year also involving 'mutual combatants,'" by Sun-Times' Frank Main. — Niece of CPD chief was driving on suspended license during West Side drug arrest, by WGN's Sam Charles and Ben Bradley
| | POT-POURRI | | Rolling Meadows aldermen loosen zoning rules for possible pot shop on south end of town: "Supporters said allowing a dispensary in the area -- which encompasses the shopping centers along Golf and Algonquin roads -- would bring economic benefits to the city and its coffers, instead of losing that revenue to neighboring towns. But opponents argued one marijuana dispensary -- Nature's Care, which added recreational sales to its north-side business in 2020 -- is already enough for a city of Rolling Meadows' size," by Daily Herald's Christopher Placek.
| | ...SWAMP THINGS... | | 'You were in the thick of it': Joliet-area couple sentenced to probation in U.S. Capitol breach: "In sentencing John and Amy Schubert, of Crest Hill, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the couple were active participants in an attempt to subvert democracy and 'replace it with the rule of the mob,'" by Tribune's Jason Meisner.
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what makes a good campaign speech: From Patricia Ann Watson: "Sincerity and authenticity. Realness cannot be manufactured and package up." … Andy Shaw: "One that's short enough to hold people's attention and leave them hungry for more, creative enough to leave them with a memorable line or key factoid, and passionate enough to strike an emotional chord."... John Lopez: "One that focuses solely on the truth, and not on talking points, narratives, platitudes and bromides." What's a political ad you'll never forget? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE FIFTY | | How Covid forced states to digitize high-touch social services: "Propelled by pandemic, at least 43 states are using online referrals to connect health and social needs," reports POLITICO's Joanne Kenen.
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | — 'Putin is angry': U.S. intel heads warn Russia could 'double down' in Ukraine: "But the agency leaders agreed Russia would struggle to overcome fierce Ukrainian resistance," by POLITICO's Quint Forgey. — 'We told you so!' How the West didn't listen to the countries that know Russia best, by POLITICO's Stuart Lau — 'Surprise move': U.S. stunned by Poland's fighter jet offer, by POLITICO's Paul McLeary and Alexander Ward
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Congress rallies to pass $1.5T government funding package, by POLITICO's Jennifer Scholtes and Connor O'Brien — GOP pushes for an 'earthquake in American electoral power,' by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro — Trump's man in North Carolina struggles in Senate primary, by POLITICO's Natalie Allison — Emmett Till anti-lynching act called a victory for his legacy and more than 6,000 others, by Tribune's Darcel Rockett
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Genie Kastrup has been named president of SEIU Local 1. The union's board voted unanimously to elect Kastrup, who becomes the first female president in the union's 100-year history after the retirement of Tom Balanoff, who now holds the honorary title of president emeritus. — Clark Kaericher is now senior VP of government affairs for the Illinois Chamber. He'll also continue as executive director of the Chamber's technology and infrastructure councils, which promote technology interests and infrastructure investments, respectively. — Heidi Azulay joins Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner international law firm as a real estate finance partner in its Chicago office. Azulay previously was with DLA Piper, where she served as U.S. co-leader of the firm's global proptech practice. — HELLO, FELLOWS — The University of Chicago's Institute of Politics is announcing its spring quarter fellows: Joel Benenson, Perry Bacon Jr., Keisha Lance Bottoms, Sarah Longwell, Neil Newhouse and Erin Simpson.
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Gail Purkey for correctly answering that Michael Shakman's campaign in 1969 to be a delegate to the Constitutional Convention gave rise to the Shakman lawsuit. The case is ongoing. TODAY's QUESTION: How many streets are named after mayors of Chicago? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines: Illinois HB 1780 Puts Patient Access to Generic Medicines at Risk! Patients in Illinois benefit from access to life-saving, lower-cost generic medicines. In 2020, generics saved Illinoisians $12.7 billion. HB 1780 would jeopardize the ability of generic manufacturers to sustainably produce low-cost medicines. HB 1780, as currently drafted, would disproportionately impact the makers of low-cost generic medicines and not the manufacturers of high-cost brand-name drugs. The Association for Accessible Medicines, representing the manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, opposes HB 1780 in its current form and without changes. HB1780 puts patient access to generic medicines at risk. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, philanthropist Sandra Guthman, political analyst Andrew Ellison, and journalist Bruce Dold. And belated birthday greetings to NPR Illinois' Hannah Meisel, who celebrated Sunday. -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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