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| By Shia Kapos |
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Happy Thursday, Illinois. Wild weather always stops the conversation. Twisters tear through Chicago and the burbs, via Sun-Times and video from The Associated Press
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 A storm passes over downtown Chicago on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. | AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast |
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 | TOP TALKER | |
Republican megadonors Dick and Liz Uihlein have lost some big battles over the years, but the latest one hits close to home — literally. The rule really blows: The Uihleins asked the Village of Lake Bluff, where they live on a huge estate, to exempt them from a new regulation that bans smelly, noisy gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 to Sept. 30. Who’s exempt: Only public properties such as golf courses, village athletic fields and schools are allowed the exemption — and that’s just for two years while they get battery-powered equipment in hand. The Uihleins made their request in a June 2 letter to Village Administrator Drew Irvin. “Given the size of our 22-acre property in Lake Bluff, we would like to request a similar two-year exemption,” they wrote, adding that battery-powered blowers “simply cannot get the job done as well and are basically just as noisy as gas-powered ones.”
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 Liz and Dick Uihlein, speaking in a corporate video for their Uline packaging company, lost a bid to keep using gas leaf blowers at their home. | Screenshot |
Village President Regis Charlot referred the Uihleins’ request to the village’s Sustainability and Community Enhancement Committee, which discussed the issue but rejected the request, Irvin told Playbook. Village trustees unanimously agreed, and officially snuffed the Uihleins’ request at their June 27 board meeting, according to Pioneer Press’ Daniel I. Dorfman, who first wrote about the issue. From the board: “There are tools out there that can be used,” Trustee Marietta Hance said in Dorfman’s story. “This is a private family asking the community to make an exemption for them. It doesn’t fit with what we have decided.” Not their first loss: The Uihleins, who didn't return requests for comment, are among the largest Republican donors in the country. And as POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt recently wrote, the Uihleins have been criticized “for squandering millions of dollars on failed longshot candidates, including several in 2022, like Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and Arkansas Senate hopeful Jake Bequette.” The couple’s combined political giving to federal candidates and causes over the last decade exceeds $230 million, according to campaign finance records.
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| | THE BUZZ | |
| An Italian American organization that wants Chicago Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) censured over her twitter feed is now being accused of violating its nonprofit status for criticizing an elected official. It’s not amore: The complaint against the Italian American Human Relations Foundation is being hurled by another ethnic Italian organization called the Italian American Heritage Society of Chicago, a small group of two board members that advocated for removing Columbus statues. “Anyone can criticize or defend a politician — that’s as American as apple pie,” said Gabriel Piemonte, who is criticizing the first Italian group. “But when you actively campaign to remove a sitting elected official, you have gone way over the line as a 501c3.” At issue: The Italian American Human Relations Foundation wants the City Council to censure Rodriguez-Sanchez for a social media post that referenced Italian culture, including an Al Capone stereotype. The organization called the post “intentionally degrading” and wants Rodriguez-Sanchez removed from her committee appointments. Sword-rattling: Piemonte has yet to file a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service but says he will if the Italian American Human Relations Foundation goes forward with trying to censure and demote the alderwoman. Their response: Louis Rago, the head of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation, told Playbook as far as he’s concerned “we’re not doing anything wrong. Last I checked, freedom of speech is still our First Amendment right, and we’re exercising that right calling for the alderperson’s resignation.” If you are Dick Uihlein, Playbook would like to talk about, um, gardening. Email skapos@politico.com.
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| WHERE'S JB | |
In London to speak at the Goodwood Festival about manufacturing and technology advances in Illinois.
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| WHERE's BRANDON | |
At the Hilton Chicago at 6:30 p.m. to give the opening keynote at the Netroots Nation conference.
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| Where's Toni | |
No official public events. Time to leave your tornado bunker and send me a line: skapos@politico.com
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| A message from Uber: What the City of Chicago uncovered about Uber. An independent study by the City of Chicago found that most Uber and Lyft drivers make $21-$30 per hour and earn over $1,000 a week* on average. Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study. *Full-time TNP driver avg hourly and weekly earnings, PPV Study April,'23 |
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| EVENT HORIZON | |
— Gov. JB Pritzker will headline two big events later this month. On July 26, the governor will talk about Innovate Illinois, a coordinated effort to get federal funding for science, technology and climate initiatives. The event is sponsored by Lincoln Forum and will be moderated by P33 CEO Brad Henderson. Details here. On July 27, Pritzker is set to speak about gun violence prevention at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield. Rabbi Paul F. Cohen will moderate, and state Sen. Laura Fine, a congregation member, will introduce the program, which is open to the public. The event starts at 6 p.m.
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| | 2024 WATCH | |
| — VP COMING TO CHICAGO JULY 24: A fundraiser is being pulled together by Chicago businesswoman Desiree Rogers, and VP Kamala Harris “will likely be adding other Chicago events to her schedule during her visit,” Reports Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — In IL-12, a too-early-to-read-into-it-poll has Congressman Mike Bost leading fellow Republican Darren Bailey 43 to 37, with 21 percent undecided, according to Cor Strategies, which conducted the poll right after Bailey announced his candidacy. Results presented via video — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democratic State Rep. Theresa Mah is running for 12th Ward committeeperson, a post now held by George Cardenas, who’s with the Cook County Board of Review. Cardenas, who previously was the 12th Ward alderman, is expected to run for reelection for the committeeperson job. Expect a fierce inter-party battle.
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| THE STATEWIDES | |
— Springfield’s current and former mayor snipe about how the city responded to storm, by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie — Illinois State Museum’s return of sacred statues to Kenya part of ongoing reexamination of cultural artifacts, by Tribune’s Hank Sanders — Peoria unveils multi-million dollar plan to overhaul its riverfront, by Journal Star’s JJ Bullock — Illinois gets some good marks in CNBC’s annual best states for business survey.
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| CHICAGO | |
— Johnson to get names of 3 finalists for top cop Thursday, will have 30 days to make pivotal appointment: “Larry Snelling, Chicago police counterterrorism chief, and Angel Novalez, chief of constitutional policing and reform, are seen as favorites to make the top three,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Asylum-seekers denounce treatment at Pilsen shelter and deliver letter to mayor: “The Pilsen shelter is overseen by Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, who said the complaints are misleading and that the migrants choosing to vocalize their concerns have been galvanized by politically motivated individuals who are using the migrants’ vulnerability for self-gain,” by Tribune’s Laura Rodríguez Presa. — With art colleges closing, MCA Chicago has an alternative: “The cost of studying fine art is another fact that inspired a short-term intensive program led by artists of color that is an apprenticeship of sorts,” by New York Times’ Zachary Small. — OPINION: Ald. Matt Martin’s proposal to speed up the appointment process for inspector general gets a nod from BGA: “More open and accountable rules will strengthen government oversight,” says the Better Government Association in a policy statement.
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| A message from Uber:   |
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| COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | |
— Wilmette officials hear Ryan Field opposition ‘loud and clear,’ reports Martin Carlin for The Record North Shore — New Rosemont tax rebate program could mean $225,000 for hotel, by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Aurora mayor starts search for new City Council member in wake of death of Ald. Scheketa Hart-Burns, by Aurora Beacon-News’ Steve Lord
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| SPOTTED | |
— MAKING A SPLASH: Some of the big names in Democratic politics came out for the swearing in of Precious Brady Davis as the newly appointed commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. She’s the first Black trans woman to hold an elected seat in the county. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton administered the oath of office to Brady Davis, who was joined on stage at the Center on Halsted by her husband, Myles Brady Davis, and their two children with some 200 guests looking on. Speakers included former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and former House Leader Greg Harris. Other VIPs: House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, City of Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia, Chicago Ald. Bennett Lawson, Cook County commissioners Josina Morita and Donna Miller, MWRD commissioners Kari Steele, Mariyana Spyropoulos, Marcelino Garcia and Dan Pogorzelski, and Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele. Also spotted: political consultant Becky Carroll, Equality Illinois President Brian Johnson and Glenhouse Strategies President Markus Pitchford.
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| DAY IN COURT | |
— Jan. 6 defendant who approached Obama’s D.C. neighborhood with guns is ordered detained before trial: “Taylor Taranto presents too great a danger to be released, a magistrate judge ruled,” by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney.
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| Reader Digest | |
We asked what overseas trip you want to make. James Castro: “Returning to Monaco.” Lucas Hawley: “Büdingen, Germany. It is the Sister City of my hometown of Tinley Park and we haven't been back since 2019.” Jim LaCognata: “The Baltic Sea or Adriatic Sea cruise and, eventually, the Taj Mahal.” Ashvin Lad: “Antarctica. It's the only continent I have yet to visit.” Patricia Ann Watson: “The region where my gal pal’s ancestors fled: the Alsace region of France and Germany.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “Israel – for the birth of a grandchild!” Myk Snider: “Beirut and Afghanistan, two places where I grew up.” Phil Zeni: “Australia, the largest English-speaking country where I’ve never been.” What weather phenomenon shook you to your core? Email skapos@politico.com
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| THE NATIONAL TAKE | |
— Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of government, by The Associated Press — DeSantis is hoping Iowa evangelicals can make his campaign born again, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg — McCarthy confronts bleak reality as conservatives undercut GOP agenda, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers
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| IN MEMORIAM | |
— Former Des Plaines Mayor John E. Seitz dies at 92: “He joined the city council in 1967 as the alderman for the 7th Ward. He subsequently was twice elected mayor, holding the big chair from 1981 to 1989,” by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau.
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| A message from Uber: Going where taxis won’t go
The City of Chicago’s own study found that nearly 30% of Uber & Lyft rides start in underserved neighborhoods like Avalon Park and Pullman.*
Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study.
*PPV Study April,'23 |
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| TRANSITIONS | |
— Robye Scott is now chief people officer for Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila. Scott most recently was City of Chicago’s assistant treasurer and before that was manager of workforce strategic initiatives for World Business Chicago. — Michael Grieco and Bryce Hensley have been named partners at Romanucci & Blandin, a national personal injury firm in Chicago. Both are attorneys there.
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| | TRIVIA | |
| WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Michael Penicnak for correctly answering that Robert Sanderson McCormick served as U.S. ambassador to Austria-Hungary (1902), Russia (1902-1905) and France (1905-1907). TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the first American to discover a planet, and where were they born? Email skapos@politico.com
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY | |
Former state Sen. Suzi Schmidt, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia, Farm Credit Administration’s Michael Stokke and Brimm Communications president David Brimm. -30- |
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