| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday morning, Illinois. Your Playbook host is headed to Lincoln today to tour the town — and the world's largest covered wagon. Looking forward to coffee and conversation tomorrow morning. We've got a good crew of RSVPs so far! Sign up and join us.
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Gov. JB Pritzker and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin take a stand on gun issues | File photos | Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law yesterday to make ghost guns illegal. It's part of an effort he and lawmakers have pushed to help tackle violence in Chicago and across the state. Ghost guns are firearms that aren't traceable. Lead sponsors of the measure signed by Pritzker were state Rep. Kam Buckner and state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, who were both on hand along with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for the signing. Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles has the nuts and bolts on Illinois becoming the first state in the Midwest to ban the do-it-yourself guns. The Illinois measure passed with some bipartisan support, though there are critics who say Pritzker's overall reform efforts have fueled crime. Pritzker's biggest detractor is fellow billionaire Ken Griffin, who also made headlines yesterday on a different issue in the gun debate: Griffin's financial empire has increased its holdings in gun-related stocks, reports WBEZ's Dave McKinney. Big stake: "Citadel, and its market-making cousin, Citadel Securities, increased the value of their gun and ammunition manufacturing holdings by 62 percent during the first quarter of this year compared to the final three months of 2021," McKinney reports from a company filing with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission shows. Citadel spokesman Zia Ahmed defended the investments, saying as a market maker the company's role is to help people "buy or sell stock in companies they want to invest in to achieve their financial goals — whether to buy a home, fund their children's education or save for retirement." Back and forth: Griffin suggested Pritzker focus instead on making streets safer. And Pritzker's team expressed exasperation that Griffin would "double down" to defend the investments.
| | THE BUZZ | | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Anna Valencia's husband, Reyahd Kazmi, didn't just correspond with his wife about work projects that had bearing on the city, he worked to set up meetings in private rooms behind City Hall chambers, according to text messages obtained by Playbook. On Jan. 10, 2019, Kazmi corresponded with Suzett McKinney, the former head of the Illinois Medical District (IMD), about a meeting with Ald. Walter Burnett. Kazmi was working for Ignite Cities, which sought a contract with the IMD. And Valencia, the city clerk, had laid the groundwork for him to meet McKinney as the two women had become friends. In emails that day in January, Kazmi told McKinney that Burnett was "stepping out" of a scheduled committee meeting to meet with him, adding that he was "sure [Burnett] would do the same for you." Kazmi then urged McKinney to hide the true reason they were meeting, saying it could cause confusion. "If you need to get it scheduled, I totally understand. Just be sure to say it's about something else," the email said. Keeping the meeting off the books also meant there would be no official record of their discussion. Burnett would later help deliver changes to city law that would allow the Ignite Cities project with IMD to move forward. Contacted about the emails, Burnett told Playbook he doesn't remember such a meeting. And Valencia's team didn't immediately return a request for comment. Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I'd like to hear from you: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Mayor's Office of People With Disabilities Field Office at 1:30 p.m. to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
| | Where's Toni | | At the 2nd District Commission office at 11 .m. to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month and discuss new and expanded mental health services being provided by Cook County Health. … At Provident Hospital at 5:30 p.m for the 3rd District Town Hall regarding Cook County's plans for funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.
| | SPOTLIGHT | | SCOOP: Drew Peterson's former attorney considers revealing killer cop's secrets: Joel Brodsky also questions why he received "such a severe sanction when two powerful politicians — former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Chicago Alderman Ed Burke — still have the ability to practice law and collect fees despite being charged by federal prosecutors with using their public office to steer business to their private law practices," by WGN 9's Ben Bradley.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — OPPO | As Aurora mayor, GOP governor candidate Richard Irvin said charges last year against girlfriend would be 'taken care of' at scene of her arrest, police report shows: "Irvin disputes the characterization. … 'I meant that she would get a lawyer, which is what I helped her to do.'" Tribune's Megan Jones, Steve Lord and Ray Long.
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All six candidates take part in the Daily Herald's virtual GOP governor candidate forum on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. | Screen shot | — Daily Herald's GOP governor's forum: Richard Irvin and Darren Bailey tussle over how pandemic was handled, story by Marni Pyke — POLL in IL-01: Three candidates in a crowded race of 17 have emerged as top Democratic contenders for Rep. Bobby Rush's seat. A recent poll by Lake Research Partners shows Jonathan Jackson, a businessman and son of Rev. Jesse Jackson, with 19 percent, and state Sen. Jacqueline Collins and Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell each with 14 percent. Trailing are nonprofit leader Karen Norington-Reaves (5 percent), businessman Jonathan Swain (3 percent), and the rest further behind. The poll was commissioned by Collins. Here's the polling memo — Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Rochford has been endorsed by the Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 in her bid for the Illinois Supreme Court's 2nd District. The union represents some 5,000 firefighters and paramedics in and around Chicago. — BURRRN! Darren Bailey's new digital ad pokes fun at GOP governor opponents, Jesse Sullivan and Richard Irvin, who used an ax and garden sheers in their recent ads. Bailey's ad is called "Roasting Pork." A blow torch is involved. — Joe Hackler, a Republican candidate for state representative in the 112th district, has been endorsed by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. — Cindy Cronin Cahill, former Elmhurst Treasurer, released her first video ad of her campaign for DuPage County Board District 1 in the Republican Primary. — Election 2022: A guide to the Illinois primaries, including the key dates, where to vote — and the highest-profile issues, by Tribune's Clare Spaulding
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — REMINDER: Early voting has started in every part of the state but Chicago, which has a May 26 start date (delayed because ballots had to be tweaked). — We want to see your political mailers: "Send us photos of campaign ads you receive in the mail and help bring more transparency to elections," via POLITICO.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois casino revenue surges to $122M for April: "Revenue from video gaming terminals declines slightly, but they remain the state's top gaming revenue generator," by USBets Chris Altruda. — There aren't enough airplane mechanics, either: "As carriers ramp up for the busiest summer since the coronavirus pandemic began, companies such as AAR in Rockford are scrambling to keep planes flying," by Crain's John Pletz. — Who, actually, is the richest Illinoisan? Crain's Steven Strahler reports "There's a clear leader, but the title has been up for grabs."
| | Covid Update | | Heading to 'high' risk? City, county public health chiefs split in predictions for Chicago area's Covid-19 future: "Masks would be urged for all residents in indoor public spaces in counties that rise to the high risk level. One of Cook County's top doctors says she doesn't expect the county to hit that level anytime soon. But Chicago's Dr. Allison Arwady has said it 'could happen potentially even in the next few weeks,'" by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago faces $306M budget shortfall in 2023: That's $561 million less than the deficit that Budget Director Susie Park had projected, "Chicago's financial picture has been buoyed by the city's red-hot real estate market, which has boosted revenue by more than $201 million from the taxes that are paid when a property is sold, Budget Director Susie Park said." WTTW's Heather Cherone reports. — Chicago to restart voluntary water meter installations after three-year pause amid concern about elevated lead levels : "A new state law kicks off Jan. 1 requiring lead service lines be replaced with non-lead lines when a meter is installed. That increases the cost of the meter installation, so the city is rushing to install as many meters as possible by year's end," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Lightfoot's youth curfew law sent to Chicago City Council to put earlier restriction on the books , by Tribune's Alice Yin, Gregory Pratt and John Byrne — The Chicago Teachers Union votes on its leadership Friday. What's at stake? Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova and Mauricio Pena report — CPS automatically enrolled students in JROTC military training program that's supposed to be voluntary: IG report, by Tribune's Tracy Swartz — Court Theatre to receive 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award, by Sun-Times' Miriam Di Nunzio
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County's guaranteed income program to open applications this fall, aims to become permanent after 2-year trial run, by Tribune's Alice Yin — Kemper Lakes Business Center sells for $190M, highest price for suburban office site in 17 years, by Daily Herald's Mick Zawislak — 'Our major concern is safety': Officials want Tyson the bison gone by Memorial Day , by Daily Herald's Mick Zawislak
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Chicago police lieutenant — Eddie Johnson's wife — refusing to testify in sex assault lawsuit: records: "Attorneys for the officer suing Johnson, Cynthia Donald, said in a motion this week that a process server made at least nine attempts to serve a subpoena to Johnson's wife, Lt. Nakia Fenner, between mid-April and early May," by WGN 9's Sam Charles. — Maywood mayor arrested for DUI after found asleep in his car in the middle outbound lane of the Kennedy: police : "Nathaniel George Booker, 37, faces a misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of alcohol and obstructing drivers on the highway, police say," by Sun-Times' David Struett. — As R. Kelly's Chicago trial nears, things get testy between defendants , by Tribune's Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau
| | POT-POURRI | | New craft cannabis licenses issued amid turmoil in Illinois marijuana industry: "Illinois has begun issuing new craft grow cannabis licenses, and a judge has authorized the state to hold a corrective lottery for dispensary applicants that filed lawsuits challenging the licensing process — two developments mark small but significant steps" in Illinois' slow-growing weed industry, reports Robert McCoppin. Weed moves: "Three top state cannabis officials are leaving their jobs; Gov. J.B. Pritzker's spokeswoman on cannabis, Charity Greene; the cannabis regulation oversight officer, Danielle Perry; and the state's top official for regulating dispensaries, Bret Bender. Paul Isaac, deputy secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, becomes the interim cannabis regulation oversight officer," McCoppin reports.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked whether personality matters when you pick a candidate: Attorney Graham Grady: "Personality trumps platforms. Platforms and policy positions tell what the candidate intends to do on known issues. Personality, on the other hand, provides insights into how the person will handle unknown and unforeseeable situations." ... For Brent Pruim, "Personality is a necessary but not sufficient condition for me to decide." … And David Prosperi, who traveled with Ronald Reagan and Dan Quayle during their respective 1980 and 1988 campaigns, says "voters want to see the candidates face-to-face, watch them speak, shake their hand, look them in the eye, and take a measure of them as a potential president or governor. Issues matter, but so does charisma and personality." Do you have rules for corresponding with your significant other during work hours? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden invokes Defense Production Act to increase supply of U.S. infant formula, by POLITICO's Myah Ward — Dems stand back and watch Chuck and Joe show, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett … Says Sen. Dick Durbin: "I put so much time into immigration on reconciliation. It took a year of my legislative life. I have nothing to show for it." He continued: "I wish Chuck well on reconciliation. I'm going to focus my legislative efforts in the 60-vote world." — Inside the last-minute Trump endorsement that enraged Pa. Republicans, by POLITICO's Meridith McGraw and Holly Otterbein
| | TRANSITIONS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Alex Comisar has been named senior VP at Rise Strategy Group, the PR and strategic communications firm led by Tarrah Cooper Wright and Tara Swords handling, among other things, Chicago's bid for the 2024 Democratic Convention. Comisar has spent the past six years leading comms for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Comisar previously worked in public affairs and on local lobbying campaigns — as well as L.A.'s successful bid to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Comisar is leading Rise Strategy Group's L.A. office. — Rush health system names new CEO: Omar Lateef is president and CEO of Rush University Medical Center, and he will continue in that role as well as his new one, reports Tribune's Lisa Schencker
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 5 p.m.: Good Government Illinois, the organization headed by David Orr, the former Cook County Clerk, is holding its fundraiser at Bounce Chicago. Details here — Friday at 6 p.m.: Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., whose father led the American conservative movement, and Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin will headline a forum of Republican candidates at Elements Banquet Hall in Orland Park. The event is co-hosted by Orland Township Republican Committeewoman Elizabeth "Liz" Gorman and Steve Balich of Homer Township. Register here
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Andy Shaw and Mark McCombs for correctly answering that the "Baseball Palace of the World" was the original Comiskey Park and Merv Connors was the first White Sox player to hit three homers there in a single game, TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the congressman who lived so close to a Chicago Park District golf course that errant golf balls often ended up in their yard? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Secretary of State liaison Bob Juliano, attorney Eric Herman, Playbooker Phil Smith, and Cook County Sheriff's candidate Carmen Navarro Gercone, who celebrated yesterday. -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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