| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by McDonald's | Happy Thursday, Illinois. Springfield was hopping last night for the scene-and-be-seen Legislative Black Caucus Foundation gala at the Lincoln Library.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his state of the state and budget address before the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool | SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Political theater took center stage at the state Capitol on Wednesday as Gov. JB Pritzker presented “a tight budget” to lawmakers in a speech that drew applause at least 52 times, including 13 standing ovations — and a few jeers from Republicans. In his annual State of the State and budget address, Pritzker, a Democrat from Chicago, also talked about the national issues that his party faces ahead of the November election. First the budget: Pritzker’s proposal would create a child tax credit, fund education at all levels, eliminate the state’s grocery tax, continue the Smart Start program, address birth equity and put money aside to care for asylum seekers. It’s a $52.7 billion budget that relies on some tax hikes, mainly to large companies and casino sportsbooks. About politics: Pritzker surprised the packed House chamber when he quoted 1920s Georgia Gov. Clifford Walker, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, saying, “I would build a wall of steel, a wall as high as Heaven, against the admission of a single one of those Southern Europeans who never thought the thoughts or spoke the language of a democracy in their lives.” Sounds familiar: Pritzker said the words echo the rhetoric of former President Donald Trump, a line that drew boos from Republicans in the chamber. The line was a lead-in to Pritzker talking about his own family’s refugee history and the current immigration situation. He also urged President Joe Biden, whom he's campaigning for, to "step up" on the migrant issue. Poking at opponents: “I will not join the chorus of people in this country or in this chamber who eagerly look to slam shut an immigration door that was once open to our ancestors,” the governor said, adding that’s why he supports aiding the 35,000 asylum seekers that have arrived in Illinois. Pritzker made a dig at Texas, blaming Gov. Greg Abbott for fueling the migrant crisis. And he took a swipe at California, saying Illinois’ budget “is tight this year [but] our fiscal house is in order. ... We are not facing the budgetary challenges that other big states are facing. California, for example, has a $38 billion deficit to contend with.” Best line: “Do not let the doom grifters steal your optimism about what’s ahead for Illinois. Our future is bright, and opportunity lies ahead.” From the Tribune: Pritzker’s budget includes almost $900M in tax hikes — but a break on groceries, by Dan Petrella, Jeremy Gorner and Olivia Olander Bloomberg: Governor proposes fully funding state pensions by 2048, by Shruti Singh WTTW: Republicans are fired up about migrant funding, reports Amanda Vinicky WITH VIDEO Lee Enterprises: Pritzker calls for a more robust paydown of the state's massive pension debt, by Brenden Moore The Sun-Times: There will undoubtedly be sticking points for some of the governor’s priorities, by Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout
| | THE BUZZ | | TRIBUNE ENDORSES LOPEZ: The Democratic primary for the 4th Congressional District just got interesting. The Tribune has endorsed Ald. Raymond Lopez over incumbent Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Its reasoning: “Lopez has carved out a different position on immigration reform than García, claiming that the incumbent’s support for ‘open borders’ hurts those Mexican Americans already here and awaiting adjudication on legal residency or citizenship. In general, Lopez supports more centrist positions than García (who has been strikingly non-supportive of Israel) with values in line with [the Tribune’s]. To wit, Lopez is in favor of U.S. aid to Ukraine and Israel; has stood strongly against Hamas and the aggression of Vladimir Putin; believes in bipartisan immigration reform with particular attention to DACA kids.” Congressmen Sean Casten (6th) and Danny Davis (7th) also received Tribune endorsements. If you are Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, 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 | | | At Malcolm X College at 9:15 a.m. for a construction summit — At the Aon Center at 10 a.m. for a youth employment corporate engagement event.
| | | Where's Toni | | | At the Union League Club at 9 a.m. to address the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Eileen O’Neill Burke is being endorsed by state Comptroller Susana Mendoza for Cook County state’s attorney. The Democratic contest is being viewed closely. — WBEZ featured the candidates: O’Neill Burke here and Clayton Harris here. — Justice Joy Cunningham’s campaign has released its first TV ad in the Supreme Court contest. — Iris Martinez, the incumbent Circuit Court clerk, is out with her first TV ad for the Democratic primary. — In IL-07, Congressman Danny Davis has been endorsed by a bloc of City Council members, including Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd). Full list here — Chicago referendum: Now, the Illinois Policy Institute is getting involved in the opposing the Bring Chicago Home referendum. Illinois Policy’s top leaders have started the Vote No on Chicago Real Estate Tax ballot initiative committee, according to a State Board of Elections filing. — State Rep. Adam Niemerg, a Republican from Dieterich, has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police in the 102nd District. — Injustice Watch is out with its Judicial Candidate Guide.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Democratic PAC loses appeal of massive fines for not timely reporting campaign spending: The State Board of Elections has rejected a request to reconsider or lower more than $100,000 in fines levied against a political action committee backed by Senate President Don Harmon — the PAC “helped expand the Democratic Party’s majority on the Illinois Supreme Court,” reports the Tribune’s Rick Pearson
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — TACKLING RACISM: Watch for the Legislative Black Caucus to release a new document entitled “Leveling the Playing Field: Using the General Fund Budget to Invest in Building an Equitable State and Eliminating Structural Racism. “It will be the first of its kind,” according to state Rep. Carol Ammons, who led a discussion with caucus members about the governor’s budget proposal. — Illinois comptroller provides portal to track migrant-related spending, by NPR Illinois’ Sean Crawford. Check out the portal here.
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Chicago’s Dollar Store crackdown passes as council members reject ‘bulls–t’ from companies: “The companies behind the stores have threatened to pursue legal action over the ordinance — but Ald. Matt O’Shea told them to ‘bring it on,’” by the Block Club’s Melody Mercado. — Johnson cracks door open to subsidizing White Sox stadium at The 78: The mayor was “receptive to the concept of using city tax revenue for new stadiums — either for the Sox or the Bears,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — CORRUPTION CHRONICLES: Ed Burke’s lawyers say he deserves acquittal or a new trial, and they call last year’s verdict ‘inexplicable,’ by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Arlington Heights mayor denies taking sides in Bears vs. schools tax battle, by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Highland Park shooting suspect’s trial date set for 2025, by the Daily Herald’s Rosie Newmark — Proposed state budget includes $1M for Route 53 corridor greenway master plan in Lake County, by the Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Chicago Judge Nancy Maldonado is nominated by President Biden to be first Hispanic judge on 7th Circuit, by Reuters’ Nate Raymond — Eric Sedler, co-founder and managing director of Avoq communications agency, has been appointed by the mayor to the board of World Business Chicago, with an additional role as interim executive. He joins Mellody Hobson and Michael Fassnacht, who stepped down from leadership roles but continue to serve on the WBC board. — Robert Montgomery named executive director of the Historic Pullman Foundation: “I’m coming back to a community that I truly love,” he said, via the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez. — Michael Jordan expected to make rare appearance at United Center for Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement, by the Tribune’s Julia Poe
| | | | Don’t sleep on it. Get breaking New York policy from POLITICO Pro—the platform that never sleeps—and use our Legislative Tracker to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked for thoughts on the governor’s budget proposal — and pulled these from statements sent to Playbook. State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, the lead budget negotiator for the House Democratic Caucus: “It’s the first step … toward crafting a final document.” Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, who was in Springfield for the address, liked that it “ensures that all children have equitable opportunities for education.” State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, a Democrat, called it “encouraging.” Mark Denzler, head of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, applauded the “focus on workforce development.” Josh Evans of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities is concerned that the budget does not include wage increases for direct service professionals. State Sen. Ann Gillespie, a Democrat, said the proposal “prioritizes crucial areas that strengthen our communities.” Rob Karr, head of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, criticized that “retailers of all sizes” could be hit by higher taxes. State Rep. Jeff Keicher, a Republican, worries “tax increases and cost shifts will fall on the backs of Illinois families and job creators.” State Rep. Brad Stephens, a Republican, worries “the tax burden is too high.” State Rep. Blain Wilhour, a Republican said “Everyone wants to be humane, but the notion that we are obligated to take everyone who wants to come into our country is absurd.” NEXT QUESTION: What political skill can be carried through life?
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Partial FAFSA fix lets students from immigrant families apply for financial aid: The move follows Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) and others sending a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing concerns about the “flawed rollout” of the FAFSA, by Chalkbeat’s Kalyn Belsha and Erica Meltzer. — Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07) is introducing legislation to designate the home of African American scientist Percy L. Julian and his wife, Anna L. Julian, as a national historic site. Here’s their back story — Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) met with USDA Regional Administrator Dr. Vista Fletcher in the Will County Health Department’s Women, Infant and Children clinic. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of WIC. Pic! — Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) has been appointed to the bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The presidential money machine is stalling out, and there are warning signs for both Biden and Trump, by POLITICO’s Steven Shepard — In South Carolina, Haley is running hard on Russia, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky — Biden paves way for Mark Rutte to lead NATO — and confront Putin, by POLITICO’s Alexander Ward, Paul McLeary and Stuart Lau
| | | | 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. | | | | | EVENTS | | — Today at 8:30 a.m. ET: POLITICO’s Governors Summit convenes in D.C. with Govs. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.), Brian Kemp (R-Ga.), Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), Kevin Stitt (R-Okla.), Jared Polis (R-Colo.), and Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) headlining discussions about border security and asylum seekers, energy and climate policy, health care and abortion, education and religion, and how NATO and the cease-fire movement are impacting state politics and policy. Register to join or watch live here. — Feb. 27: Ald. Pat Dowell is holding her winter fundraiser. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Christopher Kaergard for correctly answering that Leslie Arends, a Republican lawmaker from Melvin, served more than 20 years as both majority and minority whip of the U.S. House TODAY's QUESTION: Who’s the first congresswoman to attend a House session while wearing pants? Email skapos@politico.com
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