| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. And Happy International Women’s Day!
|  | TOP TALKER | | Just when Chicago might have had an edge in the competitive race to host the Democratic National Convention in 2024, there’s a strike. What’s the beef: Restaurant workers at the United Center walked off the job Sunday and a strike has been planned for the Big Ten men's basketball tournament that starts today. Dems are watching: There’s some concern that a walkout could prompt other unions to join in solidarity. And that has Democrats watching closely, hoping the disagreements are sewn up before President Joe Biden picks a convention site, possibly in the next few weeks. A person familiar with the selection process said Democrats expect both sides to come to an agreement long before the 2024 convention were to come to town. But they’re paying attention nonetheless. At issue: The 650 shift workers have been negotiating a union contract with Levy Restaurants, the main food service provider at the arena, over concerns about health insurance and complaints of labor law violations. In a statement Tuesday night, Levy said, "We are planning for food and beverage service at the Big Ten Tournament to continue as normal. In the event of a strike, menus will be adjusted to focus on fan favorites and top-selling items." NBC 5 has more on the dispute here. Losing out on the Democratic convention would be a big loss for Chicago — and the United Center, which is already making plans for a huge build-out of the arena in anticipation of the 2024 event. In Atlanta: Chicago’s rival to host the DNC event could have bigger troubles, and we’re not even talking about the state legislature considering bills to tamp down mail-in-voting. Over the weekend, protesters there set fire to police vehicles and construction equipment outside a police training facility. More than 30 people were arrested and 23 were charged with domestic terrorism. What a hot mess. Chicago folks might think there’s no way Biden’s Democratic Party would want to host a convention there, of all places. Maybe not, but ... Dems also want to know they can hold an event where the food is served hot.
| | THE BUZZ | | Mayoral maneuvers: Brandon Johnson secured a big endorsement from SEIU Local 1, the union that represents “more than 45,000 working people,” including janitors, security officers, window washers and employees for the contractors who work at O’Hare and Midway Airports. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman has a story. Watch for Paul Vallas to announce that Willie Wilson is supporting his campaign. Wilson placed fifth in last week’s mayoral election, but his base of 51,200 Black voters has been coveted by both Vallas and Johnson. Along with being aligned on public safety issues, Wilson and Vallas have a personal bond. They have both lost sons. JUICE: The business community is opening up their collective wallets to Vallas. In recent days, he’s received $500,000 from private equity exec Craig Duchossois, who criticized Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s leadership; $250,000 from DRW trading CEO Don Wilson; $200,000 from Madison Dearborn Partners’ James Perry; and $100,000 each from Gerald Beeson and Matthew Simon, execs at Ken Griffin’s Citadel. “Duchossois, a frequent donor to the Illinois Republican Party and GOP officials, previously donated $10,000 to Vallas and $50,000 to the Get Stuff Done PAC, which has spent more than $1 million supporting or opposing candidates for the City Council,” reports Crain’s Greg Hinz. — A break-down of the race: White voters determined who made the runoff. Now Black and Latino voters will pick the winner, writes POLITICO’s Marissa Martinez — What Vallas, Johnson need to do to win the first mayoral runoff debate. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman talked to debate pros. — Tonight’s NBC 5/Telemundo debate starts at 6 p.m. If you are Craig Duchossois, Playbook would like to know if you’ve patched things up with the mayor. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Memorial Learning Center in Springfield, Ill., at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the launch of Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center at SIU School of Medicine.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | 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
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois Supreme Court takes up accelerated appeal of ruling that struck down state ban on assault weapons: “The high court will hear oral arguments on the matter during its May term, according to an unsigned order issued Tuesday,” by Tribune’s Dan Petrella — State revenue projections increase again in fiscal year’s final stretch: “With two months to go before the adjournment of Illinois’ spring legislative session, Gov. JB Pritzker’s state budgeting task may have gotten easier,” by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki. — INVESTIGATION: Kids in crisis face long waitlists as they struggle to get appointments for therapy: Illinois’ lifeline program for suicidal kids is buckling under the weight of the youth mental health crisis. “Treatment options for the low-income children served by SASS are limited by insurance hoops, systemic blockers and sheer scarcity of therapists,” report WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch and Sarah Karp. — The federal government is investigating an Illinois school where students with disabilities were frequently arrested, by Tribune’s Jennifer Smith Richards and ProPublica’s Jodi S. Cohen — Illinois to relocate at least half of current residents at Choate mental health center, by Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer and Lee Enterprises’ Molly Parker — Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys to step down, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson — Illinois is no stranger to train derailments. Could an East Palestine disaster happen here? WTTW’s Jared Rutecki reports — The push continues for a four-lane highway from Southern Illinois to St. Louis, by The Southern’s Les O’Dell
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — 30th Ward: Jessica Gutierrez is being endorsed by former Congresswoman Marie Newman, Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel and state Sens. Sara Feigenholtz and Celina Villanueva, among others in her city council runoff bid. More names here. Gutierrez faces Ruth Cruz in the runoff. — 43rd Ward: Ald. Timmy Knudsen has been endorsed by former aldermanic rival Rebecca Janowitz. Knudsen faces Brian Comer in the runoff. — 48th Ward: Former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris has endorsed Joe Dunne for alderman. He faces Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.
| | CHICAGO | | — Plans for Chicago summer festivals unclear amid Grant Park closures: “With concerts and a NASCAR race set to close at least some of Grant Park nearly every day between May 18 and Aug. 13, the fate of Chicago’s beloved summer festivals, including the Taste of Chicago, are hanging in the balance,” by WTTW’s Heather Cherone. Also reporting: Tribune and Sun-Times. — Mayor Lori Lightfoot remembers slain officer, praises outgoing police superintendent: “Lightfoot tells graduating recruits the death of Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso has left a city of broken hearts,” by Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito. — Cardinal Blase Cupich honored by Illinois Holocaust Museum, via ABC 7
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Legislation that would give the Bears a tax break at Arlington Park property is pending in Springfield: “Arlington Heights officials on Monday declined to give an opinion on the bill as drafted,” by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek. — East Dundee village trustees hope to override mayor’s veto of Elgin Mall project, by Daily Herald’s Alice Fabbre
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Appeals court orders new trials for man who claimed police tortured him into confessing to murders of two children in 1991: “An injustice never ceases to be an injustice until justice prevails,” the state appellate court concluded in a 64-page ruling in the case of George Anderson,” by Sun-Times’ Sophie Sherry. — Former police Superintendent Garry McCarthy testifies in hearing on killing of Officer Clifton Lewis, by Tribune’s Madeline Buckley — Suburban church leader gets 15 years in prison for sex assault, abuse of a child, by Daily Herald’s Susan Sarkauskas — Family of immigrant who died in Chicago area shelter files lawsuit, by Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón
| | POT-POURRI | | — Illinois craft cannabis growers get much needed extension: “Social equity craft growers get an extension to open, but financing their facilities is still a hurdle,” by WBEZ’s Alex Degman. — Oklahoma weed referendum defeated, by POLITICO’s Paul Demko
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what you’d ask in tonight's Chicago mayoral debate. — Eli Brottman: “Have you ever voted for Donald Trump?” — James Castro: “Sox or Cubs?” — Audrey Davis: “How will you incorporate the four pillars of the Legislative Black Caucus’ social agenda to address and mitigate systemic racial inequities and injustices?” — Bryce C. Harris would ask Brandon Johnson: “As a current CTU member, how can Chicago voters trust that you would be a fair advocate for taxpayers while negotiating a new contract with the union next year?" — Nick Kalm would ask Johnson: “What evidence can you give voters that you wouldn’t accede to every CTU demand?” — Andy Shaw: “How will you attract new businesses to fill the vacant storefronts on north and south Michigan Avenue and State Street?” — Patricia Ann Watson: “Why do you really want to be elected mayor of Chicago?” What's the summer event you try not to miss? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | — Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) and Delia Ramirez (IL-03) are taking issue with the Biden administration's reported plan to reinstate migrant detention centers. “It is unacceptable that this administration would even consider going back to the Trump-era policies that caused so much harm and trauma to children and families,” Garcia said in a statement, responding to a New York Times report that the administration is considering a reinstatement of migrant detention centers two days ahead of the anticipated FY2024 Presidential Budget Request. Ramirez was equally emphatic, saying, “We need to uphold the right to seek asylum without the cruel practice of immigration detention — full stop.” — Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15) has helped launch the Congressional Family Caucus, a group that says a natural family is “a man and a woman committed for life to each other and to their children,” according to the religion-focused Washington Stand.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Inside the latest Fox document dump, via POLITICO’s national Playbook — Eric Adams plans to resettle asylum-seekers across U.S., by POLITICO’s Joe Anuta — House GOP faces a new Jan. 6 headache, courtesy of Tucker Carlson, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris, Olivia Beavers and Kyle Cheney
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Chicago's first mayor, William B. Ogden, was a principal in the nation's first transcontinental railroad. TODAY’s QUESTION: How many “acting mayors” has Chicago had in its history and who were they? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Steve McClure, attorney and former Ald. Bob Fioretti, Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals member Judith Hamill, retired Chicago Police Lt. Gene Daly, PR pro Eileen Boyce, former congressional candidate Kina Collins, Hyde Park Hospitality CEO Marc Brooks, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace VP Evan Feigenbaum, public defender Aaron Goldstein, Pepsico public policy and partnerships director Taylor Lustig, Northwestern adjunct professor Bob Rowley, MBA admissions consultant Beth Tidmarsh and NORC research analyst Ridgley Knapp. -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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