| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. It’s been 20 years since the most Chicago thing ever happened — an airport was bulldozed overnight, via WBEZ.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot worked to rid City Hall of the machine-style politics that dictated it for generations. Lightfoot instituted ethics reform that limited outside employment of city workers. She changed the conflict-of-interest rules to prevent the kind of shakedowns that Ald. Ed Burke is accused of. Aldermanic prerogative was cut back. And the mayor took away power from entrenched committee chairs. That didn’t motivate voters, who instead sent Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson to the mayoral runoff — candidates both connected to Chicago’s old school style of politics Johnson’s campaign is being navigated in large part by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who’s also the powerful boss of the county Democratic Party. And Johnson’s campaign is funded by the Chicago Teachers Union, which gave hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s machine. Vallas is a product of the fabled Daley “machine,” having worked for former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration. A key Vallas campaign aide is former Daley Chief of Staff Gery Chico. And Vallas is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, though he says it won’t be a conflict since he hasn’t taken money from the organization. Next chapter: Lightfoot stood up to both the police and teachers unions, ultimately to her peril, and now voters must decide which machine they’re going to get behind instead. A new poll offers some insight. Vallas is leading Johnson, according to the survey sponsored by Emerson College Polling, WGN-TV and The Hill. By the numbers: Vallas, the former Chicago Public Schools CEO, had 46 percent of the vote to Johnson, the Cook County commissioner, who had 41 percent, the survey found in polling 1,000 very likely voters from March 23 to 25. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points. What makes the race close: 13 percent of voters are still undecided. Vallas’ lead grew some when voters were asked which candidate they were leaning toward. Vallas then saw his numbers go to 53 percent to Johnson’s 47 percent, according to the poll. Other stats: The poll shows young people like Johnson, while older voters favor Vallas. Men are leaning to Vallas, and women are about evenly split. And the Latino vote appears to be breaking more toward Vallas. This is the third poll in less than a week. The Manhattan Institute poll over the weekend had Vallas ahead, and so did Victory Research. Meanwhile … Johnson promises he won’t cut ‘one penny’ from CPD: “On $800 million in tax increases to pay for an array of new social programs, he told the City Club of Chicago, ‘I’m ready and willing to negotiate the details,’” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. WGN has the audio from his speech. Vallas and Johnson trade attacks over ‘MAGA’ signs, ‘racist’ criticism over defund the police: “Monday morning, Vallas held a rally with trade unions supporting his campaign where he denounced an effort to place lawn signs around the city linking him to former President Donald Trump,” by Tribune’s Gregory Pratt, Alice Yin and Hank Sanders. BREAKING: Ald. Sophia King, who was knocked out of the mayor’s race last month, is endorsing Vallas in the runoff. King chairs the City Council’s Progressive Caucus. Endorsements that sing: Wilco, Common and Actors’ Equity Association have endorsed Johnson. And so have some civil rights, labor and employment attorneys. Details here.
| | THE BUZZ | | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES: The heart of the federal criminal case against four Chicago business and civic leaders was spelled out Monday when former ComEd Vice President Fidel Marquez took the stand to reveal how the utility created do-nothing jobs for associates of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The goal, the prosecution said, was for ComEd to get support on legislation. How they did it: “Over the course of eight years, ComEd paid [the friends of Madigan] hundreds of thousands of dollars, even though they had no particular expertise and ultimately did virtually no work for the utility. Some, like Eddie Acevedo, seemed to be downright incompetent, Marquez said,” the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long report. Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore was fully aware of the scheme, according to Acevedo’s testimony. Keeping the boss happy: “She wanted to make sure that we did everything possible to make sure that Michael Madigan had a favorable disposition toward the company,” Marquez testified, per Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. If you are Gery Chico, Playbook wants to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: At America’s beverage companies, we are committed to reducing our plastic footprint. That’s why we’re carefully designing our plastic bottles to be 100% recyclable, including the caps. Our goal is for every bottle to become a new one, so they don’t end up in our oceans, rivers and landfills. Learn more at EveryBottleBack.org. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | On Monroe Street at 9:30 a.m. for a LaSalle Street announcement.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. 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
| | TAKING NAMES | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton headlines a Chicago Humanities event at the Riviera Theater on May 22 for the Joanne H. Alter Women in Government Lecture. This event honors the late activist Joanne H. Alter’s work on behalf of women interested in social action and public service. Clinton, an Illinois native, will discuss her work advocating for civic engagement through Onward Together, her thoughts on current affairs and her connection to Alter. Tickets here starting at 10 a.m. today — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Six-term former Congressman Adam Kinzinger has donated $25,000 to the Dirksen Congressional Center, which he recently designated as the repository for his public papers and artifacts. "The Dirksen Congressional Center is a leader in educating the public on the workings of Congress — and they do so in a nonpartisan way,” Kinzinger said in a statement, adding that the institution's namesake was an effective leader because “he knew how to build consensus from both sides of the aisle.” — 20 years since the Iraq war began: Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw talk about gaining more than they ever gave up, via ABC News. — John Thomas, who toyed with a run for mayor after serving as a “mole” with the feds, stars in a podcast by Crain’s Alby Gallun. — State Rep. Kelly Cassidy likes social media as much as the next lawmaker, but she says she’s not on TikTok. Don’t be deceived like we were by the bot featuring her photo.
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 4/5 FOR THE 2023 RECAST POWER LIST: America’s demographics and power dynamics are changing — and POLITICO is recasting how it covers the intersection of race, identity, politics and policy. Join us for a conversation on the themes of the 2023 Recast Power List that will examine America’s decision-making tables, who gets to sit at them, and the challenges that still need to be addressed. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Pardon sought for Black Illinois man executed in 1908: “The arrest of Joe James, who was sleeping under a tree before he was grabbed, beaten and arrested, led to a race riot in Springfield,” via The Associated Press. — Lawmakers approve kindergarten reform, plan to address childhood literacy, by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — 30th Ward: Jessica Gutiérrez is out with a new ad attacking rival Ruth Cruz and using Alds. Ariel Reboyras, Felix Cardona Jr. and Anthony Sposato as foils. — 43rd Ward: Five months after being appointed, Ald. Timmy Knudsen hopes to survive a runoff with Brian Comer, by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout — 46th Ward: Kim Walz is endorsed by Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Vallas, Johnson commit to resurrecting Department of Environment: “At a forum in Pilsen, both mayoral candidates vowed to revive the shuttered agency to improve air, water quality and enforce ordinances to bring polluters into compliance,” by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo. — Public transit advocates outline system’s pressure points ahead of Chicago mayoral election, by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Blair Paddock — 4 South Side groups awarded $1M in grants will offer free services to ‘transform health care,’ by Sun-Times’ Mariah Rush — Stories behind 7 restaurants named for women, by Nicole Schnitzler for the Tribune
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Tales from the Crypto: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission sued Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, in Chicago's federal court Monday, alleging that they’d broken rules by not properly registering with the CFTC, via Bloomberg. — Owner of Chicago-area construction company charged with bribing Cook County official, by Tribune’s Adriana Pérez
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what has stopped you from running for office. John Mark Hansen: “Facing an honest appraisal of my limitations.” Dennis Johnson: “Besides the campaign funding, I don’t do meetings.” Kelly Kleiman: “I can’t bear to call strangers to ask for money.” Andy Shaw: “The fear of people like me: reporters.” Bill Velazquez: “I travel too much.” Patricia Ann Watson: “The dread of no longer being free and authentic.” What do you keep doing even though you know it’s wrong? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | — Sen. Tammy Duckworth is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate a pharmaceutical wholesaler over its abortion pill plans. “Duckworth’s letter is part of a growing chorus of Democratic senators fighting for more widespread access to abortion pills at pharmacies," via POLITICO’s Congress Minutes. Energy was high at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association annual award’s reception last night at the Carpenters Regional Council Hall in Chicago. Honorees were veteran union leader Deborah Cosey-Lane and Mike Macellaio of the Building Trades Council. The big laugh came at the expense of co-chair Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor. He was an event co-chair but couldn’t make it, prompting jokes that it’s because he had a hard time finishing the Shamrock Shuffle held over the weekend. AFL-CIO President Tim Drea also was a co-chair. Also attending: Party Chair and State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, state Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul, state Treasurer Mike Frerichs, state Rep. Matt Hanson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, McHenry County Board member Kelli Wegener, Democratic county chairs Kristina Zahorik (McHenry), Christine Ballard (Ogle), Jay Briney (Mason), Patrick Cortesi (McLean), Lauren Beth Gash (Lake), Mark Guethle (Kane), Fidencio Hooper-Campos (Whiteside), Charlie Laskonis (Winnebago), Dondi Maricle (Kankakee), State Central Committeeman Thomas Maillard, Kendall County Board member Brooke Shanley, 43rd Ward Committeeperson Lucy Moog, MWRD President Kari Steele and MWRD Commissioners Patricia Theresa Flynn, Donna Miller, Kim Neely DuBuclet and Dan Pogorzelski.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: America’s leading beverage companies - The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo - are working together to reduce our industry’s plastic footprint through our Every Bottle Back initiative. We’re investing in efforts to get our bottles back so we can remake them into new bottles and use less new plastic.
Together, we’re:
- Designing 100% recyclable plastic bottles – we’re making our bottles from PET that’s strong, lightweight and easy to recycle.
- Investing in community recycling – we’re marshalling the equivalent of nearly a half-billion dollars with The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners to support community recycling programs where we can have the greatest impact.
- Raising awareness – we’re adding on-pack reminders to encourage consumers to recycle our plastic bottles and caps.
Our bottles are made to be remade. Please help us get Every Bottle Back. | | | | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — U.S. wants allies to line up against China. Europe is starting to listen, by POLITICO’s Phelim Kine and Stuart Lau — Biden’s nominees hit the Senate skids, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett, Daniella Diaz and Daniel Lippman — Christie sees a lane in the GOP primary: Trump destroyer, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky
| | KUDOS | | Congratulations to colleagues Josh Gerstein, Alex Ward, Peter Canellos, Hailey Fuchs, Heidi Przybyla, Elena Schneider and Holly Otterbein, who were honored with the Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting by Syracuse University's Newhouse School for POLITICO’s extensive reporting on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
| | WEDDING BELLS | | Big Sky wedding: Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Shaun McCabe and Ashley Phelps, a comms consultant and longtime staffer of former Congressman Rodney Davis, tied the knot in Montana over the weekend. They met in 2019 in D.C., and their first date was at Green Street Smoked Meats in Chicago’s West Loop. Pic and pic!
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Colby Huff for correctly answering that the now-defunct Chicago Times called Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address “silly, flat and dishwatery utterances.” TODAY’s QUESTION: Which Illinois high school was the first in America to have an organized basketball team? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Democratic Committeewoman Carol Ronen, former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Ron Gidwitz, former Treasury Secretary and Paulson Institute Chair Hank Paulson, former House Rep. Marlow Colvin, Pride Action Tank Executive Director Kim Hunt, Jenner & Block comms senior manager Samantha Budde and ABC News national correspondent Alex Perez. -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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