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| By Shia Kapos |
Happy Tuesday, Illinois. It’s a huge day in American political history as we all learn about the Espionage Act.
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 | TOP TALKER | |
Donald Trump appears in federal court in Miami today on charges he held onto classified documents and obstructed justice. Yet, he's still in the presidential race and may get a boost in the polls after today's proceedings. Watching it closely is Nancy Jacobson, the CEO of the centrist political organization No Labels. Jacobson was in Chicago this month talking to donors for No Labels' third-party presidential bid. She believes there’s an appetite for a candidate who runs in the political middle. Case in point: Chicago business exec and Republican donor Bill Kunkler is so supportive of No Labels that he’ll be a delegate at the group's national convention next year. Like many supporters of No Labels, Kunkler is a longtime Republican donor who backed Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush for president. Kunkler says he's “absolutely a never-Trumper” who voted for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. This time around, he’s inspired by No Labels’ altruistic desire to find middle ground on issues. He says the Republican presidential candidates so far aren’t exciting him. And that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose political views on some issues, such as immigration, lean too far right for Kunkler. “I won’t help him [DeSantis]. But I won’t vote for Biden again,” Kunkler said. “He’s been yanked hard left.” Who ends up on top of the GOP ticket could influence how No Labels proceeds in the presidential race. In an interview with your Playbook host, Jacobson and No Labels chief strategist Ryan Clancy said if Trump is out of the race, No Labels could drop out, too, because many "never-Trumpers" would likely return to the GOP ticket. Full story: No Labels may pass on a presidential bid — but only if Trump isn’t the GOP nominee Now, about Trump …
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The legal cases against former President Donald Trump. | POLITICO |
Tracking the investigations: POLITICO has pulled together the definitive guide to the key players and legal risks in the four criminal probes of the former president. Trump heads to Miami for his arraignment. What kind of circus will follow? POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw reports Trump drew one of his favorite judges. Here’s how she could help his case, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein
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| THE BUZZ | |
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Actor Steve Carell and Gov. JB Pritzker greet each other at Northwestern University's commencement ceremony Monday, June 12, 2023. | Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office |
Illinois governors took center stage Monday, showing that a little humor goes a long way. Gov. JB Pritzker quoted lines from “The Office” during his commencement address to the Northwestern University Class of 2023. Channeling Michael Scott: “I knew exactly what to do, but in a much more real sense. I had no idea what to do,” Pritzker told graduates. It was a quote from “The Office” that also described how he was faced with the pandemic early in his first term. In his own words, Pritzker said, “The real wisdom that comes with age is that you gain a greater appreciation for just how much you don't know.” The governor went on to pull lines from other characters in the show, too, including Dwight Kurt and Andy Bernard. The big surprise: Pritzker, who wrote the speech along with Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, learned Sunday evening that Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott on the show, would be in the crowd for the commencement ceremony. Turns out Carell’s daughter was among the graduates. The actor sat by first lady MK Pritzker for the governor’s address. Watch Pritzker’s speech here. It starts at about 1:36. Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles has more. MEANWHILE IN SPRINGFIELD, former Gov. Bruce Rauner held court at the state Capitol for the unveiling of his official portrait. Rauner poked fun at the portrait wall, saying it might be compared to a “most wanted” list at the Post Office. “Most gentlemen hanging here did not go to prison. A few did. A few did. But most did not.” He was referring to former Govs. George Ryan, Otto Kerner and Dan Walker who did time for one reason or another. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was imprisoned for corruption charges, was barred by state lawmakers from having a portrait on the wall. Rauner offered good-natured remarks about loving Illinois, though he twice mentioned he’s now a resident of Florida. The former governor was self-deprecating, too, mentioning that the portrait by Richard Halstead showed him with more hair than he has now. Rauner chose Halstead because he also did the portrait of former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, whom Rauner admires. Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner has more. If you are Richard Halstead, Playbook would like to know what it’s like to paint political figures. Email skapos@politico.com.
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| WHERE'S JB | |
At the Chouteau Island Fishing Area in Granite City at 10 a.m. to mark improvements on I-270 River Bridge — At MidAmerica St. Louis Airport at 12:30 p.m. to cut the ribbon on a terminal expansion — At Maplewood Elementary School in Cahokia at 2:30 p.m. to talk about budget investments.
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| WHERE's BRANDON | |
No official public events.
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| Where's Toni | |
At the Chicago Botanic Garden at 9:30 a.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the garden’s new welcome plaza. Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: skapos@politico.com
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| 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. |
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| SPOTLIGHT | |
— POLITICS IN THE COURTS: Former state Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback has filed a lawsuit against G-PAC and state Rep. Kevin Olickal (16th), the Democrat who defeated her in last year’s primary. Stoneback’s complaint claims “defamation and false light” during their bitter primary race. Stoneback is a noted advocate against gun violence and says Olickal’s campaign literature painted her as “an enemy to gun violence prevention.” Olickal’s team did not return a request for comment. GPAC, which had endorsed Stoneback in 2020, pivoted to Olickal in 2022 after the PAC and Stoneback disagreed on the strength of a “Fix the FOID” finger-printing bill. Here’s Stoneback's complaint. Defamation is difficult to prove, according to the election attorneys. “Political speech is the heart of the First Amendment, especially candidate vs. candidate,” Michael Dorf told Playbook. “It’s one thing to sue a newspaper or for Dominion to sue [for showing] real damages. The courts have usually said that the answer to political speech from a candidate is a rebuttal political speech from the other candidate.”
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| THE STATEWIDES | |
— Sangamo Club to close doors Friday after 133 years: “The club’s management cited a changing social environment and declining membership. In a letter sent Saturday to club members, president James Ackerman said that the club had been losing money for some time,” by State Journal-Register’s Zach Roth. — Health care workers who cover up patient abuse face stiffer penalties under new law, by Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer — We’re No. 1! Illinois has more units of government than any state, reports WTTW’s Nick Blumberg. VIDEO — Golden Nugget could be savior of Danville pensions, by Casino.org’s Todd Shriber — Socially disadvantaged farmers await grant money going on 3 years, by ABC 20’s Marlena Lang — Planned Parenthood of Illinois reports spike in abortion patients since Roe v. Wade overturned, by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn — Quick trip: Following the implementation of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail project, Amtrak’s Lincoln Service trains will reach speeds of 110 mph. The new trains start June 26. “The changes will eliminate approximately 15 minutes from existing 90 mph runtimes and 30 minutes from the initial 79 mph schedule,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
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| CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | |
— ‘What’s in it for me, though?’ Ex-state Sen. Terry Link testifies about secret recordings in bribery trial of Chicago businessman, by Tribune’s Jason Meisner — ‘This looks like a bribe.’ FBI agent testifies about confronting businessman James Weiss near Maywood park, by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
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| CHICAGO | |
— FOP demands same 12 weeks of paid parental leave Johnson gave teachers: “The teachers were granted parental leave — without bargaining. We certainly expect the same considerations for our membership,” John Catanzara, Fraternal Order of Police president, told members in a video posted last week. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reports. — LGBTQ workers are at the forefront of Chicago’s labor resurgence: “Many of the new faces on picket lines and sitting across bargaining tables are relatively young, and many of them are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” reports Tribune’s Talia Soglin. — Violence interruption programs are receiving millions in funding. A new initiative wants to make sure they’re prepared, by The Trace’s Chip Brownlee — Chicago Urban League report shows persistent problems plaguing Black Chicagoans, by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Erica Gunderson — Chicago experiencing moderate drought, by Tribune’s Vivian La
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| 2024 WATCH | |
— Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) has announced his reelection bid over the weekend in White County. See Twitter — Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart is set to announce his re-election bid today.
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| COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | |
— Northwestern drives toward goal line on $800M Ryan Field project: “Facing opposition in Evanston, university officials want to see action soon on the plans to make the stadium suitable for concerts and other events,” by Sun-Times’ David Roeder. — Were HIV/AIDS clinical trials paused over patient safety or is it a Cook County money grab? “Cook County Health is spending millions creating its own medical research department while it continues a yearlong investigation into the nonprofit managing its clinical trials — a move [that's] drawing criticism,” by Illinois Answers Project’s Manny Ramos.
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| GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. |
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| We asked what sets your block party apart. Robert Christie: “A new group of families have enlivened our block party with an unreal fireworks display to cap off the evening.” Ed Mazur: “A senior citizen egg toss with wearable bibs.” What memorable event did you attend at the Sangamo Club? Email skapos@politico.com
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| TAKING NAMES | |
— Nancy Pelosi was in Chicago on Monday headlining a luncheon fundraiser for JACPAC, the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs, which supports a strong US-Israel relationship. Congressman Brad Schneider also spoke. Spotted: state Sen. Julie Morrison, enviro activist Wendy Abrams, Democratic committeewoman Lucy Moog, state rep candidate Tracy Katz Muhl and political consultant Nancy Kohn. — Arthur J. Williams spent 12 years in prison, where he learned to paint, “and now he’s a successful artist in Chicago whose work on canvas features all things currency,” by Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito. — Frank A. Sommario, a senior partner at Romanucci & Blandin LLC personal injury firm was sworn in as president of the National Italian American Bar Association over the weekend. — Linda Moen, president of EFK Moen civil engineering design company, was elected board chair of American Council of Engineering Companies.
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| | TRANSITIONS | |
| — Donyelle Gray is now director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. For the past five years, Gray has been the office's Equal Employment Opportunity officer. — Frances Orenic has been promoted to legislative director at the Illinois AFL-CIO. She was the organization’s coalitions director.
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| | EVENTS | |
| — Thursday: Timuel Black scholarship luncheon. RSVP today — July 6: State Rep. Lakesia Collins (9th), the head of the Illinois House Black Caucus, is hosting a summer rooftop reception featuring women of the Black Caucus. Details here
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| TRIVIA | |
MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bridget Hatch for correctly answering that in 1993, the Illinois General Assembly proclaimed Springfield to be the “chili capital of the world.” TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois university’s mascot is named after an explosion? Email skapos@politico.com
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY | |
State Rep. Dave Severin, Cook County Judge Patricia Spratt, lieutenant governor’s speech writer Tyra Bosnic, former lieutenant governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen, comms pro Chris “CJ” Gallo, securities trader Lee Blackwell, Democratic fundraiser Dylan Lopez, Cook County Assistant Special Legal Counsel Antonio Favela, Horizon government affairs exec Matt McMurray and former state Rep. Luis Arroyo Sr. -30- |
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