| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. President Joe Biden rolled out some dad jokes and we don’t mind ‘em at all.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, speaking at Loyola University School of Law, is endorsing Paul Vallas for mayor. | AP File Photo/M. Spencer Green | Former Gov. Pat Quinn is endorsing Paul Vallas in the Chicago mayor’s race. They’ll make it official at a press conference this morning. Quinn had endorsed Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the first round of the contest in February. Quinn had considered running for mayor himself last year and even collected signatures. But he decided against it, saying he would focus instead on efforts to create a “taxpayer advocate” position in Chicago to address property tax relief and reform. A populist governor: Quinn, a former state treasurer who became governor after the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, went on to win a full four-year term. He’s known for taking on populist crusades, including petition drives to start a Citizens Utility Board and reduce the size of the Illinois House. Progressive support: When he endorsed Garcia, he cited the congressman’s “progressive” credentials. So he could just as easily have backed Brandon Johnson for the city’s top job. In Vallas, Quinn is backing a fellow policy wonk. When they meet today to announce the endorsement, they'll discuss “the effects of increasing taxes in gentrifying Chicago communities, as well as the current ComEd corruption scheme and its impact on the city’s utility,” according to a press statement. More on the race ... A hot mic moment: After Tuesday night's debate wrapped up, Vallas turned to Johnson, saying, “Do we have one more of these?” The point being: They’re ready for Election Day. So are we. It’s 13 days away. Here’s the full debate on WGN 9, moderated by Tahman Bradley and Lourdes Duarte. The gist: The debate reinforced the candidates’ different approaches to policing and education. Johnson said again he’d add 200 detectives and sidestepped a question about adding more police. And Vallas insisted that hundreds of retired officers would be willing to return to work to fill depleted ranks of the police force. From the Tribune: “Johnson distanced himself from past comments about 2020′s civil unrest, where he said looters were acting ‘out of desperation,’ while Vallas ducked a question about past comments he made criticizing ‘Democrats,’” by Alice Yin, Gregory Pratt and A.D. Quig. Sun-Times calls the debate a draw, via Fran Spielman. A Good discussion about the race, via University of Chicago Institute of Politics and featuring pollster Jason McGrath of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign. NAMES TO KNOW: Joe Trippi, who ran Democrat Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential primary race, is advising Paul Vallas’ campaign. Trippi is a Democratic heavy-hitter who also has a good connection to Illinois politics. He advised Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart back in 2010 when he considered a run for mayor. Dart’s chief of staff in the sheriff’s office was Brian Towne, who is managing day-to-day operations for Vallas. Towne also ran Vallas’ mayoral bid in 2019. Brandon Johnson’s team is led by senior adviser Jason Lee of United Working Families. And the campaign manager is Nick Merlino, who’s worked on campaigns in battleground states such as Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida as well as on the Retire Rubio campaign. Bill Neidhardt, a comms exec for former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Bernie Sanders, is also advising.
| | THE BUZZ | | Dazed and confused: That might be how some 11th Ward voters are feeling as they try to figure out how they’re going to vote April 4. A few facts. Ald. Nicole Lee is endorsing Paul Vallas, who won 58 percent of the vote in the ward that’s been home to the Daley clan for decades. “I endorsed Paul Valls because I know he’ll be a strong partner in supporting our police department,” Lee said in a statement. Vallas is endorsing Lee, too. He even tweeted it. SEIU is also endorsing Lee, but but but ... the union is endorsing Brandon Johnson, not Vallas, for mayor. Even more confusing: SEIU has sent out mailers endorsing Lee and Johnson. But with their pictures right next to each other, it looks like Lee and Johnson are endorsing each other. They’re not. Shenanigans: There are also fake mailers floating about that say Lee endorses Johnson. To be clear, she does not. If you are Joe Trippi, Playbook would like to know what makes Chicago politics different than anywhere else. 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 | | No official public events.
| | 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 | | — Medical debt is devastating Illinois families, a new report shows: “A proposed state law would mandate that hospitals screen uninsured patients for financial help,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. — Illinois AG Kwame Raoul urges Kia, Hyundai to take ‘comprehensive action’ over Chicago area car thefts: “Last year, 10 percent of all registered Kia vehicles and 7 percent of all registered Hyundai vehicles in Chicago were stolen, according to Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul’s office,” by Sun-Times’ Mohammad Samra. — Gov. JB Pritzker names Bria Scudder deputy governor: “Scudder will serve as deputy governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment and Energy. Scudder had worked in the Governor’s Office as first assistant to former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell,” via WAND. — $175M available in B2B grants for restaurants, hotels and creative arts businesses: The recovery grants will go to small businesses still grappling with the lingering impacts of the pandemic in the restaurant, hotel, and creative arts industries, according to a statement from the governor’s office. A webinar Friday at 10 a.m. will explain more. — Illinois lags in study of states’ value to taxpayers: “WalletHub puts Illinois 36th among the 50 states in overall return on taxpayers’ investment, a ranking weighed down by its relatively high burden for property and sales taxes,” by Sun-Times’ David Roeder. — Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki leads March for Life rally; abortion access groups have counter protest, by State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck — Illinois one step closer to phasing out Styrofoam food containers, via Fox 32
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Ex-ComEd attorney testifies he was pressured by Madigan associates to hire clout-heavy law firm while negotiating legislation in Springfield: “He’s a key witness for prosecutors because he is providing an insider’s view on how the company, and particularly former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, allegedly tethered its success to the legislature by keeping Madigan happy,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long. Sun-Times' take, by Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — In 4th and 5th ward races, it’s about public safety, development: “A state lawmaker and the outgoing incumbent’s chief of staff are vying for the open seat in the 4th Ward. And just to the south, a lawyer is competing against a religious charity director in the 5th Ward,” by Sun-Times’ Mary Norkol.
| | CHICAGO | | — City Council urged to postpone declaration of independence: “The Better Government Association and the League of Women Voters say no changes in rules or committees should be approved until a new council is seated in a couple of months,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — New report on nation’s law enforcement ‘crisis’ offers a path forward: “Whichever mayor is selected, it will take two terms, I think, to get where you want to go with CPD,” said former interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck, who also served in Los Angeles. Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba reports. — Notebaert Nature Museum workers urge support for union, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Lollapalooza lineup 2023: Taking ‘The Grants’ to Grant Park, via Vulture
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Jennifer W. Steans is the new board chair of Navy Pier. She's served as a Navy Pier board member since 2015. In her day job, Steans is president and CEO of Financial Investments Corp., where she oversees private equity investments and The Steans Family Foundation.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Arlington Heights mayor calls accusations of coziness with Bears 'offensive': “Mayor Tom Hayes reiterated that the village would approve the project only if it's a ‘win-win’ where taxpayers get a net financial benefit,” by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek. — After decades of trying: South suburban officials, state lawmakers renew calls for Peotone airport, reports WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky — Schaumburg considers $1,000 'inflation relief' payments for full-time workers, by Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — Kane County GOP sees $2M grant as Democratic election interference, by Daily Herald’s James Fuller — Bannockburn tops ‘Best Places to Live in Illinois’ list, by WGN 9’s Alonzo Small
| | | | 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 if you’ve ever called your state legislator. Randy Bukas, Freeport city manager: “Called my state legislators on a number of issues. What’s really nice is when they call me about a municipal issue that’s pending and how it would impact the community.” Graham Grady: "Called legislators who represent Cook County asking them to support a funding campaign for Brookfield Zoo and the Botanical Gardens.” Christine Walker: “Called then-state Rep. Julie Hamos when insurance repeatedly denied speech therapy to my son when he was diagnosed with autism. Turns out it was happening throughout Illinois.” Chris White: “Called my state for help when a health system denied Paxlovid to my kid who was eligible due to their disability.” Do you have to live in Illinois to manage a political campaign here? Email skapos@politico.com
| | POT-POURRI | | — The growing Chinese investment in illegal American weed: “Multiple states in the West are seeing an increase in Chinese workers and funding at unlicensed cultivation operations,” by POLITICO’s Natalie Fertig.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Tammy Duckworth will question panelists during today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing to examine rail safety issues in response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Everything you should know about the potential Trump indictment, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — MAGA protesters in Manhattan crowded out by anti-Trump rivals, by Wesley Parnell for POLITICO — THE FIFTY: Progressives have a new minimum wage goal: $20 and up, by POLITICO’s Nick Niedzwiadek — DeSantis fails to stem hits from Trump world, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Brian Gill is senior director of government affairs and policy at the Shedd Aquarium. Gill had been federal policy director for the Illinois Environmental Council. He started his career on political campaigns and in government, including in the White House Office of Management and Budget and at the Defense Department. — Katie Stanczykiewicz is now director of government relations for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. She was deputy political director for Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Democrats for the Illinois House.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Western Springs Village President Alice Gallagher died Tuesday. Elected mayor in 2017, Gallagher was credited in a village news release as “a leader with a steady and calming presence during a time of global uncertainty,” reports Patch’s David Giuliani. — Lin Brehmer is memorialized by writer Paul Engleman, via Medium.
| | EVENTS | | — Today at noon: A virtual discussion about water advocacy with MWRD VP Kimberly du Buclet, the Sierra Club Illinois, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Southeast Environmental Task Force. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Velazquez for correctly answering that in 1876, counterfeiter James “Big Jim” Kennally was foiled in a plot to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln in an attempt to hold it in exchange for a pardon for his engraver, who was serving a 10-year prison sentence. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who is the Chicago mayor whose son-in-law became an Illinois governor? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Democratic State Central Committeeman Bill Houlihan, Elmhurst University political science professor Connie Mixon, publishing veteran Linda Johnson Rice, clinical psychologist Patricia Howse, business consultant Benton Cook III and Piece pizzeria's Billy Jacobs. -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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