| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by McDonald's | Happy Monday, Illinois. The Tracy Chapman-Luke Combs duet on the Grammys kicked the week off right. A snippet Overnight: Senators unveiled a border deal. But ... “It faces an uncertain vote in the Senate this week and even longer odds in the House,” via POLITICO.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Gov. JB Pritzker arrives on Air Force One with President Joe Biden at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Nov. 9, 2023. | Evan Vucci/AP | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. JB Pritzker will keynote Democrats’ pre-Super Tuesday event in Arlington, Va., one of the15 states with primaries that day. It’s the latest example of the governor establishing himself as a voice for Democrats and the Democratic agenda. He was invited by the Virginia Democratic Party, which is organizing the event to rev up excitement for President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris’ reelection campaign. He’s got a connection: Pritzker’s visit comes after his recently founded organization, Think Big America, invested $250,000 in Virginia to help Virginia state Democrats establish a pro-choice majority. His March 2 appearance is also in addition to being a surrogate for Biden’s campaign. That job has him hitting the TV circuit, answering reporters’ questions and making the pitch for Biden. And though the surrogate role is new, Pritzker is a veteran at punching back at Donald Trump, the likely GOP nominee for president. Pritzker spent much of his first term butting heads with the former president over how to handle the pandemic. The governor has also been a go-to speaker for other state Democratic Party events, including in New Hampshire and Florida. All that national attention has led many to believe Pritzker is considering a run for the White House himself, maybe in 2028. For now, he’s focused on November. Over the weekend, Biden sailed through South Carolina, carrying all 46 of the state’s counties and capturing 61 percent of the state’s Black vote, which is critical for his momentum leading into the March 5 Super Tuesday contests. Along with Virginia, states in the critical March 5 Super Tuesday contests are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and American Samoa.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | THE BACKLASH: Jewish leaders are condemning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handling of the City Council ceasefire resolution, ultimately casting the tie vote to see it pass. A full page ad Sunday: “We are appalled,” the ad reads. “Not only does the resolution do nothing to substantively affect the outcomes in the Middle East, but the proceedings around this resolution have fanned the flames of antisemitism at a time when Jews in Chicago are already facing unprecedented levels of hate.” The ad also criticizes the mayor for supporting Chicago Public Schools students walking out of calls last week and marching on the issue, even chanting “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” phrase that Jews worldwide say is antisemitic. Organizers of the walkout defended the phrase. In a statement, Chicago Youth for Justice said they see it as referring "to securing the freedom and safety of all peoples in the region." The mayor’s office didn't return a request for comment. A Tribune editorial also took a hard line, too, calling the City Council vote “a hateful travesty.” And then there was SNL: Weekend Update’s Michael Che said, ”Chicago became the U.S.' largest city to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. And in return, Gaza called for a ceasefire in Chicago.” If you are Michael Che, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $3.2 billion to Illinois’s economy, supporting over 50,000 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Illinois generated nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | No official public events.
| | | Where's Toni | | At the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at 5:30 p.m. to give remarks at a theater-week kick-off event. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — Can Nikki Haley win Illinois’ suburban vote over Donald Trump? Kerry Lester Kasper looks at the possibility for the Center for Illinois Politics — Illinois congressional incumbents Davis, Casten, Garcia, Foster, Bost have fundraising advantage over rivals heading into March primary, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — It’s Thomas Clatterbuck v. Joshua Loyd in GOP primary for IL-13 seat now held by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, by the State Journal Register’s Patrick M. Keck — State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, a Republican from Beecher City, and Darren Bailey, an IL-12 congressional candidate, is scheduled to be in Texas at the southern border today to discuss immigration. — Rick Ryan, who’s in a House primary for the 36th District that includes the Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos Hills areas, got a boost in donations. The Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC and the IBEW Illinois PAC each donated $68,500, and state Rep. Jay Hoffman donated $5,000. The seat is currently held by state Rep. Kelly Burke, also a Democrat, who isn't seeking reelection. — The Sierra Club Illinois is out with its endorsements ahead of the March 19 primary. Here’s the list — New Trier Democrats have their endorsement list, too. List here — COLUMN: Dems on the left plan to crash Dem party in Chicago this summer to accuse fellow Dems of not being Dem enough, by the Sun-Times’ Neil Steinberg
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — IN SPRINGFIELD: Chicago’s mayor tells state lawmakers he wants 10 school board members elected this year — not all 21: “Some of the most critical details of the city’s first-ever school board elections are still up in the air just nine months out from Election Day,” reports the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. — Illinois' partially-open primaries help political parties, discourage some from participating: “Your vote is private, but your ballot is not,” by Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore. — The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has taken out a full page ad directed at Gov. JB Pritzker and urging the state to settle contract negotiations that would increase their pay to $25 an hour and boost retirement.
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Ald. Greg Mitchell accused of threatening building owner who housed migrants: “Building owner Christopher Amatore said he was summoned to a meeting where a “screaming” Mitchell asked him “how dare I place migrants in his ward without his permission,” according to a complaint filed with the inspector general,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Financial crisis at Heartland Alliance leads to furloughs, program cuts and an attempt to sell hundreds of affordable housing units, by the Tribune’s Brian Rogal — Belt Junction is a notorious bottleneck. Fixing it could increase rail capacity, but benefits to South Side residents could be mixed, by the Tribune’s John Lippert and Sarah Freishtat — Shootings, homicides in Chicago both down at least 25 percent to start 2024, according to police, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson — Michael Jordan’s championship sneakers set record with $8M sale at auction, by The Associated Press
| | TAKING NAMES | | — State Sen. Lakesia Collins was recognized for her work on the FREE Act over the weekend at the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments Sneaker Ball. Constituent Leticia Jackson, who will benefit from the new legislation, accepted the award on Collins’ behalf. — Michael Murphy has been appointed to the Illinois State Museum Board. In his day job, he's president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He previously served in the General Assembly.
| | | SPOTTED | | | — In Chicago: Congresswoman Robin Kelly hosted a fundraiser Thursday night for Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District at Pizzeria Portofino. Sewell counts Michelle Obama as a mentor and President Barack Obama as a former law school classmate. Attendees included: Ariel Investments’ John Rogers Jr. and John Oxtoby, former State Rep. Tom Cross, McGuireWoods’ Greg Bales, attorney Darren Collier, District 168 Superintendent Donna Leak, Northern Trust's Jackie Robinson Ivy and Charise Williams of the Circle of Service Foundation.
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked when you took part in a protest march Sergio E. Acosta: “In 1985, my wife and I marched outside the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C., calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and an end to apartheid.” Clem Balanoff: “I was 10 when my father took me to Washington, D.C., to march with Dr. Martin Luther King.” Laurel Carlson: “In 1982 in Springfield, I marched for the Equal Rights Amendment. In 2017 and 2018 in Chicago, I joined the women’s marches.” Graham Grady: “The Laquan McDonald protest on North Michigan Avenue in 2014.” Mark Michaels: “My first protest march was to ban the bomb. It was around the Philadelphia City Hall when I was 11.” Marilynn Miller: “On April 29, 1978, my daughter and I marched in Chicago for the passage of the ERA.” Claude Walker: “I marched down Dearborn in the "Days of Rage" in 1969. I was an angry young man.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Jan. 16, 1981, in Washington, D.C., to push for Dr. Martin Luther King Day. It was a rare bitter cold day in D.C.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s your favorite soup?
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Tammy Duckworth calls for 'strong response' to Iran: “We need to have a very strong response, we need to go after the groups. If we can identify which ones in particular were responsible for these attacks, we need to retaliate. But I also caution, that in our retaliation, we don't bring ourselves to the cause of spiraling into another war in the Middle East,” she told MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) have sent a letter to leadership at American Airlines, outlining concerns with the quality of routes offered to and from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. Read it here
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Forget No Labels. Biden’s Third-Party Peril is on the Left, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin — How AI is quietly changing everyday life, via POLITICO — The Squad at a crossroads: “Without a doubt, it’s a different terrain at least for some of them than the last go-round,” said Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu reports.
| | | | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Illinois, contributing over $3.2 billion to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 38,900 Illinoisans and supporting an additional 12,800 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Illinois began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to call Chicago and Illinois our home, supporting public schools, parks and more through the nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $2.3 million raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 23,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Illinois. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il. | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Jesse Rojo is now chair of the Illinois Veterans for Change, a political action committee advocating for Democratic candidates who have served in the U.S. military. He assumes the role previously held by Thomas Day, who has pivoted to be treasurer of the group. — Malcolm Rich is retiring March 1 from the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers after 27 years. Stephanie Agnew, the current comms director, and Naomi Johnson, who heads research and program management, will become co-executive directors
| | | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that the Wrigley Building has 25,000 pieces of terracotta tiles. TODAY's QUESTION: What prevented Anna R. Langford, the first woman (and first Black woman) sworn into the City Council, from opening her own law practice? Email skapos@politico.com
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