| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Happy Monday, Illinois. I hope your Earth Day included the outdoors.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, speaking to reporters after he was named speaker, carried the bill to diversify Illinois corporate boards. | Pool photo by State Journal-Register's Justin Fowler | SCOOP: A state law designed to diversify Illinois-based corporate boards is having mixed results, though House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who sponsored the legislation, remains optimistic about the data. The numbers are meh: While women’s representation on corporate boards has reached more than 20 percent on average, they are underrepresented in most companies compared to their workforce. And non-white minorities are even more underrepresented relative to the state’s population. “I’m pleased that we’re breaking the glass ceiling for women and getting them at the table, but I’d also like to see those numbers improve for Blacks, Latinos and Asians,” Welch told Playbook in an interview. He carried the bill in 2019 before becoming speaker in 2021. The measure was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. It requires Illinois companies to list their corporate-board makeup based on sexual orientation, race or ethnicity. The data is then compiled and analyzed by University of Illinois experts, who report the results. The thinking was that making the numbers public will nudge companies to act. Here’s the full report. The goal is part of a nationwide effort to improve on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. ESG has been broadly embraced, though it’s also faced backlash recently from companies who see it as “woke” politics. Welch says he’s only heard positive feedback from Illinois business leaders, even if the numbers aren’t yet panning out. “Corporations want to make improvements,” he said, describing the phone calls he’s received from company execs. It’s anecdotal, but it’s enough to keep him positive. “We got their attention. I think it will only continue to improve.” Proving his point. Last week, Chicago-based BMO Harris Bank named Darrel Hackett, who is African American, as its new CEO and board chairman. By the numbers: 17 percent of the companies that filed reports have fewer than two female directors and three firms (2.9 percent) report having no female directors at all. Comparatively: “Illinois firms are more likely to have only zero, one, or two female directors," as compared to S&P 500 firms, which are more likely to have three or more female directors, according to the report. Firms with women at the table: Tootsie Roll Industries, OFS Credit Co., Ulta Beauty, Morningstar and Nanophase Technologies Corp. all exceed the 20 percent minimum threshold that gender equity advocates suggest, according to the report. African Americans “are particularly underrepresented” among corporate directors. Of the firms reporting, 32 firms had no Black board members ,and 34 had one. “For the average board, Black directors comprise about 9 percent of the total board membership,” according to the report. By comparison, Black directors comprise about 10 percent of total board membership for the average S&P 500 board. Asian and Latino representation: There are 59 firms that have zero Asian directors and 26 firms that have one Asian director. And 72 firms report zero Latino directors, while 21 firms reported having one Latino on the board. LGBTQ representation: Three firms indicated having one director disclosing an LGBTQ+ identity, while 22 firms disclosed having zero and 75 firms didn’t disclose at all.
| | | | 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 nature. Learn more at EveryBottleBack.org. | | | | | THE BUZZ | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has issued a 100-days “Getting It Done” report that includes accomplishments centered on modernizing outdated technologies. The report also includes efforts to ramp up ethics standards and curb the use of fleet vehicles for personal use. “We need to start by changing the culture internally and show that we are serious about holding ourselves accountable, operating more efficiently, cutting waste, and restoring public trust,” Giannoulias says in the report. Nuts and bolts: The office is working to improve IT systems, redesigning the lobbyist database and redrafting rules to enable certified notaries to work virtually. People pleaser: Giannoulias has implemented a “skip the line” feature that allows you to schedule an appointment at the DMV instead of waiting in line. Other actions: The office is simplifying the public’s ability to submit complaints to the Inspector General’s Office and starting an ad campaign to promote job openings. About carjackings: Giannoulias also has provided financial grants to six law enforcement groups to improve efforts to combat carjackings and motor vehicle thefts. If you are Darrel Hackett, Playbook would like to know what banking legislation you'd like Illinois lawmakers to address. 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 | | At Midway Airport at 2:30 p.m. to cut the ribbon on The Orange Line restaurant, a new concessions offering at the airport.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Professional Building at 10:40 a.m. with Sen. Tammy Duckworth to highlight federal funds for the Caring for High-Risk Infants project. Thank you for reading Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: skapos@politico.com
| | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Should Dems have picked a swing state for their 2024 convention? “While picking Atlanta would’ve made a strong statement about Democrats’ plans to compete in the Sun Belt, it would have been purely symbolic,” by FiveThirtyEight’s Nathaniel Rakich. With charts and data
| | | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | | — Could Michael Madigan be bought? “Jurors to weigh central question in ‘ComEd Four’ trial after closing arguments today,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association:   | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — State lawmakers debate bill on human composting, which proponents say is an eco-friendly way to deal with remains: The debate “included references to the 1973 dystopian thriller ‘Soylent Green,’” reports Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner. — Work at State Capitol complex will shut down Monroe Street, by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie — LGBTQ residents moving to Illinois from states with conservative agendas, by Tribune’s Lizzie Kane — POT POURRI: Two new cannabis stores prepare to open in Springfield, by State Journal-Register’s Zach Roth
| | ELECTION FALLOUT | | — Johnson’s win as mayor furthers Democratic leftward tilt as party examines big tent philosophy: “The potential for increased friction between moderates and progressives threatening the party’s future has grown to the point that a special committee was formed by Cook County Democrats to determine what it means to be a Democrat in today’s political climate,” by Tribune’s Rick Pearson and John Byrne. — Paul Vallas sues consultant who allegedly defrauded campaign out of $680,000: “Chimaobi Enyia, hired to get out the vote in Black communities, is accused of being paid for work he refused to give an accounting of or return when confronted by Vallas,” by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba and Fran Spielman. — How Vallas spent campaign cash: The mayoral candidate paid $9.8 million to campaign consultant Joe Trippi’s Lever Communications, which ran TV ads; $1.8 million to Redhorse Strategies; and nearly $270,000 to M3 Strategies, a polling company that claimed it was polling independently. M3 is led by Matt Podgorski, a former Republican candidate for Cook County Board.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Lightfoot offers blunt takes on Chicago crime and corporate equity efforts: "There are parts of my city that look like the fires of '68 just got put out," Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at the meeting of the African American Mayors Association. "Black people have been representing those areas forever. Why is it that we have taken so long for ourselves to wake up? If we are content with crumbs, our people will never, never prosper." Mark Walsh reports for Crain’s. — More take-aways, from Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — Mayor-elect Johnson’s plans to double number of summer jobs for Chicago’s teens might require some work: “Johnson will take office just two weeks before the city’s deadline to apply for summer employment, and he will be locked into a budget set by the previous administration,” Mariah Woelfel. — Hundreds march in the Loop to reach out to teens who caused chaos last weekend, by Sun-Times’ Violet Miller — CTA’s struggle to address safety and other issues takes time and money from riders’ pockets, by Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat — Historian Shermann Dilla Thomas leads visits to South and West Side neighborhoods, with Sun-Times’ Neil Steinberg — OPINION: Downtown is a neighborhood, too. Give it the respect it deserves, writes Crain’s Greg Hinz — Get well, John Greenfield. The Streetsblog Chicago blogger was injured in a downstate biking accident and is hospitalized in Carbondale, according to a post to his blog.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Da Bears bill: State Rep. Marty Moylan explains his proposed measure in Springfield “to move the ball forward on the Chicago Bears’ plan to build a new stadium and entertainment complex in Arlington Heights,” via interview with WTTW’s Paris Schutz.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Two former Cook County assessor’s employees charged in bribery scheme: “Golf outings worth nearly $3,500 were exchanged for property tax reassessments that lowered valuations on two properties by about $81,000, federal prosecutors say,” by Sun-Times’ Violet Miller. — Woman whose murder convictions were overturned sues city, Chicago police detectives, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Jeffrey Irvine Cummings and LaShonda A. Hunt have advanced on a bipartisan vote to be considered by the U.S. Senate as U.S. District judges for the Northern District of Illinois. — Lisa Curcio Gaston, a retired Cook County judge, is now the Chicago Yacht Club new commodore — and the first woman to head the club in its 148-year history, by Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito. — Ken Griffin, the Citadel CEO, has donated $20 million to Miami Dade College to set up the Griffin Scholarship Fund for Miami-Dade high school graduates who attend the college. Details
| | | | 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. | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what legislative issue you’re following: Randy Bukas: “The changes to the Local Government Distributive Fund to restore local governments’ share of the income tax back to 10 percent of the receipts.” Alec Lopata: “Bills that solve problems for nonprofits, including a charitable giving incentive that doubles as middle-class tax relief (HB 1241), a bill raising the audit threshold for nonprofits since we have the worst threshold in the entire country (HB 1197) and a bill that waives lobbyist registration fees for small nonprofits (SB 1349).” John Lopez: “Legislation related to mental health, especially HB 475.” Dan Schneider: “Bills that will benefit Illinois consumers, particularly HB 3314. It would require debt collectors to pay a defendant's attorneys fees if the creditors' original lawsuit asks for attorneys fees, if the plaintiff-creditor loses or voluntarily dismisses the case.” What’s South Side restaurant you’d take a guest visiting Chicago for the first time? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | — Why Congressman Eric Sorensen voted with Republicans on resolution related to D.C. policing: “Sorensen's reasoning for the vote, however, appears to have little to do with policy or what he believes in, and everything to do with political gamesmanship and re-election,” reports Peoria Journal Star’s JJ Bullock.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — Gun violence is actually worse in red states. It’s not even close, by POLITICO's Colin Woodard — Wall Street starts to fear a debt limit crisis, by POLITICO’s Ben White, Sam Sutton and Eleanor Mueller — Why Biden world cares — a lot — about when he announces his reelection, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago, Holly Otterbein and Jonathan Lemire — Biden eyeing former Booker campaign aide for top reelection role, by POLITICO’s
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Heidi Keye Biederman was executive director of the Large Unit District Association, “where she represented the 56 largest school districts in Illinois” and was an elected board member and president of School District 41 from 1976 to 1981, via obituary.
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Patrick Pendergast, who was convicted of murdering Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison Sr., is the only client of Clarence Darrow’s to be executed. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who did Chicago’s first Black mayor name as his first chief of staff? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Mayor Richard M. Daley, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Preston Jones Jr., former state Rep. Maria “Toni” Berrios, LaSalle Network CEO Tom Gimbel, Clayco's Roz Skozen, Medill professor emeritus Owen Youngman, WE Communications’ Lara Weber and Newberg Group’s Abby Walsh. -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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