Friday, July 29, 2022

POLITICO Illinois Playbook: What Pritzker wants

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln
Jul 29, 2022 View in browser
 
Illinois Playbook

By Shia Kapos

TGIF, Illinois. We caught Congressman Rodney Davis getting a hit and RBI in the Congressional Baseball Game last night before it was delayed by rain. Republicans ultimately won, 10-0. Davis at the plate

TOP TALKER

The bitter battle for control of the Illinois Democratic Party will be resolved Saturday when 34 Democratic State Central Committee members vote on who will be in charge for the next four years.

Their choice: Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who took the reins in 2021 or state Rep. Lisa Hernandez, who is being backed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Why the infighting: There's a debate on how much Kelly can accomplish given she's a federal office holder and can't fundraise for state races. Pritzker says that's problematic. Kelly says it's not, since a separate committee handles state business.

What their goals are: Pritzker's team has been so focused on party logistics it hasn't always articulated what it wants the party to be.

On Thursday, an aide close to the governor said Pritzker "wants the party to flourish with a legitimate get-out-the-vote effort and voter-protection effort to reach across every community in Illinois — Black, brown, Asian, white — in a way that the party can't currently do."

Reading between the lines: Pritzker's unlimited resources would help build a robust infrastructure of statewide programs with legions of field representatives to help elect federal and state candidates.

Kelly and her allies are digging in their heels that the party is already being transformed. Saturday's election is a good example. It's an open meeting — which wouldn't have been the case under former state House Speaker Michael Madigan, who ran the party for years.

Central Committeewoman Elizabeth Lindquist tweeted out a list of Kelly's accomplishments, including "grassroots fundraising operation, an open hiring process, [and] the deployment of organizers throughout the state." And, Lindquist adds Kelly did it "all while keeping a close eye on her own back."

How they're voting: Along with Lindquist, state Rep. Will Davis, the 2nd District committeeman, is backing Kelly, saying it's "shameful" that Pritzker is trying to push the congresswoman out. His full statement is here.

Chuy holds the cards: Last year, when Kelly was first elected party chair, a bloc of Latino committee members determined the outcome. That appears to be the case again. Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, state Sens. Cristina Castro and Omar Aquino and state Rep. Delia Ramirez have kept their lips sealed on who they'll endorse. We'll find out tomorrow.

THE BUZZ

Bailey can't get grip on GOP: Governor nominee Darren Bailey is at the top of the Illinois Republican ballot, but he's come up short in reshaping the GOP state central committee.

In leadership elections this week, only two out of seven candidates backed by Bailey won their elections, including in Clay County, where he lives.

In the 12th District, Bailey and Congresswoman Mary Miller endorsed Ben Stratemeyer over Rhonda Belford, who won by a wide margin. Particularly stinging was the fact that Stratemeyer's No. 2 on the ticket was Bailey's wife, Cindy.

In the 5th District, Aaron Del Mar defeated Chris Cleveland, who was backed by Bailey but bowed out a few hours before the vote. Del Mar was the lieutenant governor running mate with Gary Rabine in the GOP primary.

Bailey also got involved in the 9th District race, endorsing Sally Nyhan Davis of Glenview against Julie Cho and Joan Lasonde, both of Wilmette. Lasonde won even though Bailey and Miller made calls on behalf of Davis.

Similar scenes played out in the 13th and 15th districts. Bailey endorsed Maria Vazquez over state Rep. Tim Butler, only to see Butler run away with it. And state Sen. Jason Plummer defeated Rep. Brad Holbrook, who was disqualified for failing to get a recommendation from an official in the district. Instead, Miller's husband, state Rep. Chris Miller, wrote the recommendation and he doesn't live in the 15th. Bailey tried to get Holbrook back on the ballot but to no avail. The rules is the rules.

Bailey's two wins: In the 14th, Larry Smith of Somonauk defeated Raquel Mitchell of Bolingbrook. And in the 17th, Chad Weaver of Erie defeated Kurt Glazier of Sterling.

Side note: In the 10th District, Mark Shaw won re-election to the central committee but lost his Lake County chairman seat to Keith Brin.

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

 

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WHERE'S JB

At Cantigny Park at 9:30 a.m. to announce new tourism grants . Then at 555 West Monroe St. in Chicago at 11:30 a.m. with AG Kwame Raoul to announce next steps in battling opioid crisis.

WHERE'S LORI

In Bronzeville at 9:30 a.m. for the topping off ceremony of 43 Green, a new mixed-income, transit-oriented development in the INVEST South/West community.

Where's Toni

No official public events.

BUSINESS OF POLITICS

Willie Wilson launches voter registration drive with ambitious goal: 1M new Chicago voters: "Wilson is determined to turn the tide of voter apathy before the February mayoral election, which will be his second attempt to win the office," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman.

— Patrick Cortesi was re-elected as chair of the McLean County Democrats. He and other officers will serve a two-year term. Also elected: Luisa Gomez as vice chair, Blair Broughton as secretary, and Matt Watchinski was re-elected as treasurer.

CAMPAIGN MODE

— THE JUICE: Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee for secretary of state, just filed A-1s showing his campaign raised $614,000 in the past month since winning the Democratic primary and has more than $785,000 on hand. Big donation: $10,000 from the 27th Ward headed by Walter Burnett Jr., who endorsed Anna Valencia in the primary. Also, $59,900 each from the Carpentry Advancement PAC, Engineers Political Education Committee fund, Laborers' Political League Great Lakes Region, and LIUNA.

State Sen. Robert Martwick will be unopposed in the general election, as late-filing period ends with no Republican challenger, by Nadig of Nadig Newspapers

Park Ridge City Clerk Raspanti will challenge State Sen. Laura Murphy on November ballot, by Park Ridge Herald-Advocate's Caroline Kubzansky

THE STATEWIDES

63 percent of traffic stops in Chicago targeted African Americans last year, state report shows: "Black drivers from across the state have raised concerns for years that police are more likely to stop them than white drivers — that remains true based on this data," said Joshua Levin, an attorney with the ACLU of Illinois. Sun-Times' Tom Schuba reports.

Illinois has the most Muslims per capita in the U.S. A new report provides a snapshot of their needs: "The report highlights assets, like business ownership, and needs, like mental health services, for more than 350,000 Muslims in Illinois," by WBEZ's Esther Yoon-Ji Kang.

Consumers want the consumer protections but not so keen about paying more for clean energy, according to Harris Poll's William Johnson

Back-to-school spending expected to hit record high as inflation soars. 'It's kind of adding up now,' by Tribune's Talia Soglin

CHICAGO

Maude Latour performs on day one of the Lollapalooza at Chicago's Grant Park on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

Maude Latour performs on day one of the Lollapalooza at Chicago's Grant Park on Thursday, July 28, 2022. | Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP

Lollapalooza Day One: Metallica fans turn out, group protests Mayor Lori Lightfoot's curfew for teens, by Tribune's Doug George, Kayla Samoy and Adriana Pérez ...

Lollapalooza extends Chicago contract 10 more years, founder Perry Farrell tells WGN's Dean Richards ...

Lollapalooza photo gallery, via Sun-Times

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks on day one of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks on day one of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park on Thursday, July 28, 2022. | Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP

Lori Lightfoot's steamrolling attitude a blast from the past : " In ramming through a NASCAR race — and more — the mayor adopts a governing style she campaigned against," writes Crain's Greg Hinz.

Chicago police won't help investigate those who seek abortions here from states where it's illegal: new order from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, by Tribune's Alice Yin

Wrigley Field plays host to swearing-in ceremony of 656 new citizens, by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek

The battle over a lucrative asphalt deal at Chicago's airports , by WGN 9's Andrew Schroedter and Ben Bradley

COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS

Nearly 20,000 Cook County residents holding revoked FOID cards — enough to populate a medium-sized suburb: "Cook County sheriff's police told Illinois legislators Thursday that "manpower" issues are the main reason why the revoked cards are still in the hands of potentially dangerous people," by Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles.

Want to own a piece of Arlington Park? Kitchen auction begins racetrack's liquidation, by Daily Herald's Christopher Placek

Provident Hospital's revamp put on hold a third time as costs balloon; Cook County to reassess plans, by Tribune's A.D. Quig

Two Des Plaines cops to be honored for saving lives, by Daily Herald's Russell Lissau

DAY IN COURT

Oak Lawn chief defends officers after viral video shows beating of teen during arrest: " Police say the 17-year-old had an illegal firearm when he took off on foot; a bystander says the teen did not appear to resist," by Sun-Times' Andy Grimm.

Waukegan alderman released on bond after being charged with dozens of felonies, by Lake & McHenry County Scanner's Sam Borcia

HIGHER-ED

North Central College taps retired Dominican University head Donna Carroll to step in as interim president, via the Naperville Sun

 

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Reader Digest

We asked for your thoughts on a third national political party:

Attorney G. A. Finch: "If done well, a third party would be a healthy option. So many people are alienated by the extreme right wing and the extreme left wing and feel they have nowhere to turn. A third party could give voice to radical moderates, keen consensus seekers, and robust coalition builders."

Patricia Ann Watson: "Sadly, it's time. Never thought I would support this. The GOP pushed out its moderating voices, and both parties are suffering from the corruption of those with despotic tendencies that come bearing coffers of cash."

The Lollapalooza moment you'll never forget? Email skapos@politico.com

FROM THE DELEGATION

— Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin has mild Covid-19 and will work remotely , issuing a setback to Democrats trying to pass bills with tight margins in the Senate

Big cat bill propelled by 'Tiger King' has shot at becoming law: "The Big Cat Public Safety Act, led in the House by Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), would limit ownership of big cats — including tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cougars and hybrids of those breeds — to wildlife sanctuaries, state universities and certified zoos, and prohibit breeding the cats unless they are at a certified zoo or animal exhibitor," via The Hill.

THE NATIONAL TAKE

House Dems find a surprise unifier: Joe Manchin, by POLITICO's Jordain Carney and Sarah Ferris

Splitsville: McConnell and McCarthy break on big votes, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Olivia Beavers

Justice Thomas no longer listed as GWU faculty after Roe backlash, by POLITICO's Olivia Olander

A Democrat who dropped out of the Wisconsin Senate race is giving the party a $600,000 surprise gift, by NBC News' Natasha Korecki

Indiana Republicans keep struggling over an abortion ban, via The Associated Press

MEDIA MATTERS

Historic South Side newspaper changes hands: "Weekly and Herald now under one nonprofit," reports Aaron Gettinger in South Side Weekly.

KUDOS

The Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) was recognized as the best manufacturing advocacy group in the nation, winning the inaugural 2022 Leadership Award from the Conference of State Manufacturers Associations during its annual meeting this week in San Diego.

TRIVIA

THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that in 1949 Dan Rostenkowski tried out for the Philadelphia Athletics. His father would convince him to give up his dream and return home, as his mother was losing a battle with cancer. After her death, Rostenkowski enrolled at Loyola University in Chicago.

TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the babbling burglar? Email skapos@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today: Chicago State University assistant comms director Sam Brief, and former NBA star Tony Brown.

Saturday: State Rep. Dan Swanson, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former state Rep. Mike Tryon, former Ald. Deb Mell, Illinois Pollution Control Board's Cynthia Santos, former McCormick Foundation Darly Education Director Cornelia Grumman, Chicago Police spokesman Don Terry, Northwestern University associate dean of comms Roderick Hawkins, World Business Chicago marketing VP Andrew Hayes, Benesch Law legal recruiting manager Kendra Abercrombie, LBH Chicago project director Lauren Cvengros, Durbin alum and American Petroleum Institute comms VP Ben Marter, and WBEZ reporter Kristen Schorsch.

Sunday: state Rep. Mary Flowers, former House GOP leader Tom Cross, Edwardsville Township Supervisor Kevin Hall, former state Rep. Helene Miller-Walsh, State Board of Education Legislative Affairs Executive Director Amanda Elliott, real estate attorney Langdon Neal,  Deputy Legislative Director James Floyd, Public Communications Inc.'s Katie Heinz Pfingsten and investment adviser Claude Ohanesian.

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