| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Monday morning, Illinois. And Happy Casimir Pulaski Day! (Be warned, this is one of those only-in-Illinois sort of newsletters today.)
|  | TOP TALKER | | SPRINGFIELD — For all the political change afoot in Illinois, today is all about tradition as hundreds of candidates queue up at election offices here and in Chicago to formally file to get their names on the June 28 primary ballot. It's the official kickoff of the 2022 election season for congressional, legislative, state and county offices. This sign-up is usually conducted in November before a March primary, but that changed when census data was delayed and redistricting was put on hold, pushing everything back, including the primary. Peggy Hubbard, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, was first in line in Springfield and has been there since Friday . Last night, while sitting under an awning outside the State Board of Elections offices at a Springfield strip mall, she said: "It's about strategy and trying to get my name first on the ballot." Being first in line for any particular race gives candidates a chance to be part of a lottery to get the coveted top spot on the ballot for their respective races. In Hubbard's case, she could face a handful of Republicans in the GOP primary for the seat now held by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth. We even found Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch turning in ballots this morning.
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Republican governor candidate and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, with the khaki coat, was in line before 6 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2022, to turn in his petitions for the June 28 primary. | by POLITICO's Shia Kapos |
While many high-profile candidates assigned campaign staffers to hold their spots until the doors open at 8 a.m., Paul Schimpf , a Republican candidate for governor, was in line before 6 a.m. "I wanted to get here early to turn in petitions and get on with my day. At 8 o'clock the line is really long and I'd lose most of my day," he said as snow flurries started to fall. "The other thing it's just fun to be here and see your friends. Being a candidate is a shared experience that nobody really understands unless you're another candidate. So it's fun to see everybody, talk and commiserate."
Candidates can still file their petitions through March 14. Those who are in line the last day have a chance to win the last spot on the ballot for their respective races. (Like we said, this is so Illinois.) The thinking is that the top and bottom names tend to get voters' attention on Election Day. Though with so many folks voting in advance these days, we question how much that theory still holds true. The other reason candidates wait to file petitions is to cut down on the time opponents can challenge their signatures — another time-honored Illinois ritual. If a candidate can't back up the veracity of a signature, that petition signature could be thrown out. Too many omissions, and a candidate risks not making it on the ballot. It's a complicated system that's created a whole cottage industry of election lawyers to defend (and challenge) petitions and was put in place to help incumbents with built-in organizations succeed. Some might even call it a machine. RELATED — Lots of interest in suburban congressional seats so far — but how many candidates actually will file? Daily Herald's Russell Lissau reports — DAYS UNTIL THE PRIMARY: 113
| | THE BUZZ | | DOPE IDEA: There's a move to put all the cannabis-related work now done across 13 state agencies all under one umbrella — to operate much the same way the State Liquor Control Commission handles booze issues. Rep. Marcus Evans says his bill would centralize administrative work related to cannabis and "give clarity of authority." Currently, different areas of the adult-use cannabis law, which went into effect two years ago, are handled by state departments of Agriculture, Financial and Professional Regulation, and Public Health, among other agencies "Right now, it's confusing," Evans told Playbook. "I want to make sure we have agreement from the administration and the industry. A bill like this should have full support, so I'm not rushing it through." In other words, if it doesn't make it through this spring's abbreviated session (shortened to make space for the upcoming primary), then it could pop up again later in the year. "We want the best cannabis administration in the country. We're in the middle of the country so Illinois is an important state. Once it's no longer illegal [in other states], we want to make sure it's administered right," Evans said. The deets: Evans' bill (which has yet to have a hearing) calls for the governor to appoint seven members and an executive director to the Cannabis Control Commission, which would be charged with coordinating activities of the various state departments. A commission would operate more independently than a department, which have a solid-line relationship with the governor's office. That's important, Evans said, when time comes that someone else (ie. a Republican) sits in the governor's office. "You don't want someone to come in and strip equity pieces out. It should be a stand-alone commission to make sure it's successful." The new commission would also have the power to name lottery winners by determining who qualifies for social equity status. Evans hopes that would "greatly reduce" the likelihood of legal problems that have cropped up over the past two years in getting dispensary and craft-grow licenses out the door. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | HAPPENING TUESDAY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ON THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN: Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph for a panel discussion on the future for Afghan women. Guests include Hawa Haidari, a member of the Female Tactical Platoon; Cindy McCain, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's first female ambassador to the U.S.; and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Learn how female Afghan veterans are planning their futures, what the women still in Afghanistan face, and what the U.S. can do to help. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Carpenters Local 16 Union Hall in Springfield at 9 a.m. along with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea to rally supporters after filing their petitions.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Polish Museum of America at 9:45 a.m. in honor of Pulaski Day.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events
| | MADIGAN MATTERS | | — MUST READ: Tribune political reporter Ray Long, who's covered Illinois politics for more than 40 years, published "The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer," available on Amazon . It's an amazingly timely book that puts into perspective the historic events of last week — the federal indictment of the most powerful figure in Illinois politics. One chapter opens this way: "The biggest raw power play I ever saw Speaker Madigan pull off came on an income tax increase late in the 1989 spring session, a year after saving the White Sox. The Madigan team code-named the surprise tax hike Operation Cobra. With secret planning and swiftness, Madigan introduced a temporary boost in rates and passed it in less than six hours with the bare minimum sixty votes — all Democratic votes. GOP Governor [Jim] Thompson, who in three straight spring sessions had been calling for a 40 percent income tax hike that Madigan opposed, found himself caught off guard as never before." — Exclusive video shows reclusive former speaker opening up about ward politics, campaigns and Bruce Rauner: "A video recording of a deposition Madigan gave in a lawsuit unrelated to the ComEd bribery scandal that ultimately ended his reign and forms the backbone of the federal indictment provides a lengthy and insightful look at the famously terse and reclusive politician in action," reports Tribune's Ray Long. FULL VIDEO — Madigan's Chinatown 'scheme': " Since the former Illinois House speaker was indicted under a law that's been used to go after mob bosses, the charges involving ComEd have gotten the most attention. But there's another big piece of the case," by Sun-Times' Tim Novak, Jon Seidel, Mark Brown. So many questions… — Famously shrewd, Madigan has been indicted. But what did he actually say on tape? Tribune's Jason Meisner and Ray Long report — Were elections supported by tainted money from former House speaker? by ABC 7's Craig Wall. — Only 19 Democrats broke from Madigan. Will his shadow change course of midterm elections? Daily Herald's Marni Pyke reports — Where will Madigan fit in Illinois' history of political corruption? Daily Herald's Jake Griffin reports.
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | — Former first lady of Ukraine from Chicago — whose husband was poisoned during election — urges immediate and severe action against Russia: "The world cannot just stand by and watch." Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos reports — Why Ukraine's phone and internet still work, by POLITICO's Sam Sabin and Laurens Cerulus — West resists Ukrainian calls for a no-fly zone, but warms to other requests, by POLITICO's Maeve Sheehey
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — In-person registration rule for sports betting ends: "Waived for 10 months during the pandemic, Illinois is permanently eliminating the in-person registration requirement for sports betting Saturday, opening up the floodgates for DraftKings, FanDuel and other online sportsbooks to compete for Chicago-area customers," by Tribune's Robert Channick — Turns out state lawmakers hate auto-renew contracts, too, via Pew Trusts — Inmates are leaving gangs and stripping tats for jobs and better lives, by The Associated Press
| | LEGISLATIVE UPDATE | | — Legislation to remove elected officials charged with crimes related to official duties: "It's gotten to the point where Illinois residents are well-practiced in watching local or statewide public officials who are facing multiple investigations, charges, and/or complaints going about their jobs unfazed, or worse yet, sailing to victory for another term on Election Day. But, that may start to change" if Democratic state Rep. Dave Vella sees his bill passed, reports Margaret Rock for Center for Illinois Politics. — How to solve Illinois' teacher shortage? Lawmakers push variety of ideas: "The measures come amid a persistent problem with unfilled teacher positions, both in Illinois and nationwide. Solving the problem starts with framing it accurately, said state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, who prefers the term 'teacher vacancy,'" by The Pantagraph's Taylor Vidmar. … One example: Rep. Anne Stava-Murray's bill would increase substitute teachers, via DeWitt Daily News — Legislation aims to remove age limit on leaving kids home alone, by WMBD's Julia Bradley
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | — In praise of Jesse White's lack of ambition: "The Secretary of State's office has traditionally been a stepping stone to something bigger, but White focused his energies on making the place less of a hassle," by Chicago magazine's Edward McClelland. — Choose Chicago has two finalists for new CEO: "Former Chicago Zoological Society COO Rich Gamble and Chicago Architecture Center CEO Lynn Osmond have been shortlisted for the job three months after the tourism group relaunched its search process," by Crain's Danny Ecker. — Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's $10M defamation suit dismissed, by Tribune's Christy Gutowski and Tracy Swartz
| | CHICAGO | | — 'Cold day, but warm hearts' — Lightfoot leads thousands diving into Lake Michigan for Polar Plunge: " After going virtual last year, a shivering throng was back again to take the plunge Sunday at North Avenue Beach," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — Minimum pay law for Uber and Lyft drivers proposed in Chicago: "Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, introduced the measure that would make sweeping changes to the city laws that govern ride-share services — including driver compensation. His proposal was lauded by a gig workers' group that said it was time their drivers got more protections after weathering two years of the COVID-19 pandemic," by Tribune's Alice Yin. — Almost a year after he was shot in the head on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Kayden Swann is thriving: "Doctors hope the 2-year-old — with time or surgery — will regain some vision," by Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito. — Wolf of Main Street: Monarch Investment and Management Group, the fastest-growing landlord in the U.S. Midwest (with offices in Chicago), "used evictions to drive up rents during the pandemic," by Bloomberg's Kriston Capps and Sarah Holder. — Cubs in talks for West London club owned by Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich, via Bloomberg — Thousands show support for Ukraine at downtown rally: 'There is no more time to wait,' by Sun-Times' Madeline Kenney
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Fact-check: Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin claims he reduced homicides by 40% his first year in office: "Experts say using percentages instead of actual numbers to describe crime trends is misleading," by Better Government Association's Analisa Trofimuk — Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison has been endorsed by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in his reelection bid for the county's 17th District — Nikki Budzinski has been endorsed by the Illinois Pipe Trades Association in her campaign for Illinois' 13th Congressional District. The IL Pipe Trades represent 19 local unions and more than 1,500 union contractors in Illinois.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Kim Foxx defends reforms, calls for focus on data amid Cook County's surge in violent crime: "The Cook County state's attorney also said she will have much to say about Jussie Smollett after the actor is sentenced on Thursday," by Sun-Times' Andy Grimm. — As Skokie prepares to levy tax to renovate 'blighted' Old Orchard, expect other shopping centers try something similar to survive, by Tribune's Robert McCoppin
| | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | Masks on trains and planes, still? TSA policy decision coming soon: "Metra 'will follow the TSA order until it ends. Therefore, if it is extended beyond March 18, it will be extended onboard,' spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile said," by Daily Herald's Marni Pyke.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — $1M bail for man accused of shooting 2 Chicago cops at West Side hot dog stand: "Judge Kelly Marie McCarthy said she couldn't hold Kailon Harris-Caldwell without bail, as prosecutors requested, because he was hospitalized and didn't appear in court," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — Ag chief continues to defend loan forgiveness suit brought by white farmers; Suggests court expand program by $36B — Mario Speedwagon? Convicted fraudster used phony employee names to apply for pandemic loan after release from prison, feds say, by Tribune's Jason Meisner
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what additional ethics reforms you think are needed in Illinois: Alliance of the Southeast's Chris White suggests a publicly funded or low-cost-to-candidate swift process for arbitrating contested signatures. And retired CPA Joan Waggoner would enhance conflict of interest rules to lessen opportunities for public officials to use their office for direct or indirect personal enrichment. What event prompted you to wait in line for more than two hours? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | 
REMEMBERING BLOODY SUNDAY -- Vice President Kamala Harris, center, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, far left, march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge after Harris spoke in Selma, Ala., on the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," a landmark event of the civil rights movement, Sunday, March 6, 2022. | AP Photo/Brynn Anderson | — Is Covid over? No, but Global Health funders are moving on, by POLITICO's Erin Banco — Picket line or pitcher's mound, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is game to talk, by POLITICO's Nick Niedzwiadek and Eleanor Mueller — Why Greene and Gosar are McCarthy's unsolvable problem, by POLITICO's Olivia Beavers
| | EVENTS | | Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.: Former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti hosts a roundtable discussion about leadership at the DuPage County Historical Museum. The event is timed with International Women's Day. On the panel with Sanguinetti, a Republican running for DuPage County clerk, will be DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Kavita Athanikar and Palos Township Trustee Tasneem Abuzir.
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY's ANSWER: No one guessed that Barrington Center (where Sutton Road crosses Route 68) was originally called Miller Grove. But Larry Beaumont correctly notes there's a Miller Grove of historical significance in southern Illinois. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the Cook County assessor whose son became an Illinois Supreme Court justice? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Sen. Tim Bivins, C Strategies CEO Becky Carroll, Kivvit managing director Judy Erwin, property developer George Kalogeras, InvestBev Group's Brian Rosen, Latino News Network owner Hugo Balta, and Bloomberg editor Lydia Mulvany. -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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