| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Happy Monday, Illinois. Here’s hoping the luck of the Irish carries through the week.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, left, Cook County state's attorney candidate Eileen O'Neill Burke, center, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie, at Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024 | ABC 7'S live broadcast | IRISH INTRIGUE: Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson get along just fine, and any talk otherwise is just blarney, according to a political insider who says the two talked at Old St. Pat’s Church over the weekend and on the boat that dyed the Chicago River green. Still, Jim Coyne wasn’t taking chances. The business manager for the plumbers’ union and chair of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade had politics in mind when he set the line-up for Saturday’s parade. To his right were Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who are on the same page about funding asylum seekers who are being sent to Chicago. To Coyne’s left was Illinois Senate President Don Harmon and Johnson. Coyne is an ally of Harmon’s and Johnson knows Harmon from working in the senator’s office way back when. “We’re very conscious and want to make sure people have a good time. We try not to make it political. It’s a festive event. We don’t want to put people at odds with anyone,” Coyne told Playbook, adding the union’s political director and former state Rep. John “Johnny” D'Amico helps out with the line-up. The real buffer: The booming sound of the Shannon Rovers pipe band made it next to impossible to talk with folks anyway. The best spot in the parade line: at the end where Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas got to talk to parade-goers. Political opponents Iris Martinez, the Cook County Circuit Court clerk, and Mariyana Spyropoulos, who’s challenging Martinez for her job, were part of the parade, too. Also spotted: Sen. Dick Durbin, former Congressman and mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., who marched between the mayor and Eileen O’Neill Burke — who’s running for Cook County state’s attorney. She hoped to capitalize on her Irish name at Saturday’s downtown parade and Sunday’s North Side parade. Her opponent, Clayton Harris Jr., skipped the Irish hoopla, focusing instead on campaigning on the city’s North and West sides. Putting politics aside: At Friday’s Irish Fellowship Club Dinner, Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug and Chicago attorney Michael Kasper were caught yucking it up. Why that’s interesting: Ishaug supports the Bring Chicago Home ballot measure that would create a one-time tax on high-end property sales to fund programs that benefit the unhoused population. His organization is focused on homelessness. Kasper, meanwhile, represented the business interests that tried to get the referendum off the ballot. Pals for years: “Sometimes we're on the same side of a good fight, and sometimes we’re not. In an era of ever increasing polarization, it’s important to be able to sit down for dinner together and celebrate what we have in common,” Ishaug said. He and Kasper both went to University of Notre Dame. The South Side Irish parade also drew a political crowd, including: Durbin, Congressman Sean Casten, state Treasurer Mike Frerichs, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, state Sen. Cristina Castro, state Rep. Sephanie Kifowit, Ald. Bill Conway, Ald. Matt O’Shea, Ald. Pete Chico and judges Celia Gamrath and Jesse Reyes, who’s running for state Supreme Court. IRISH STYLE: The Daley family came together again Saturday for their annual St. Patrick’s Day party after memorializing former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s sister, Pat. Spotted at the party at Hugo’s Frog Bar: the governor, the mayor and some of the same folks who marched in the parade were on hand, including O’Neill Burke. ... On Friday, the governor and the Shannon Rovers pipe band popped by for a party hosted by business folks Neal Zucker and Marko Iglendza and Pam Netzky and Ashley Hemphill at Gibson’s Bar. RELATED An Irish name isn't the instant clout-getter that it used to be for Chicago pols, by Crain’s Leigh Giangreco
| | THE BUZZ | | ‘PREPOSTEROUS,’ SAYS PRITZKER: Gov. JB Pritzker takes local governments to task for not supporting his plan to eliminate the grocery tax. Sounds familiar: His message echoes last month’s budget address. “We ought to eliminate the regressive sales tax on groceries and put money back into the pockets of the working families of Illinois,” he wrote in an op-ed in the Tribune. Pritzker’s op-ed is headlined: Get rid of the grocery tax. Period. Why he's writing: Some municipalities have criticized the proposal, which actually has some Republican support, saying that they’ll lose out because the monies currently collected from grocery receipts go back to local governments. Pritzker's response: "What grocery tax cut opponents aren’t telling you is that local governments in Illinois have seen a dramatic increase in funding from state government, and they can afford to lower your local tax burden." Simply put, he says: “The idea that state government is somehow starving township, city and county governments, as some mayors and county board members now claim, is preposterous.” Fun fact: Illinois is one of only 13 states with a grocery tax, according to Kiplinger. If you are Richard M. Daley, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Capture Jobs Now: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) will create thousands of new jobs in Illinois while simultaneously decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. CCS is a key tool for rapid decarbonization. Legislation being considered by the General Assembly (HB569 and SB3311) builds on existing stringent requirements mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and includes landowner protections and environmental considerations. Illinois must act now to capture these new jobs and advance our clean energy goals! | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At La Rabida Children’s Hospital at 11 a.m. to sign an executive order to promote equity in sickle cell disease treatment.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | Easily connect with the right N.Y. State influencers and foster the right relationships to champion your policy priorities. POLITICO Pro. Inside New York. Learn more. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — Kim Foxx lets it be known: The outgoing Cook County state’s attorney has been quiet during the Democratic primary. She hasn’t officially endorsed. But over the weekend she revealed she’s backing Clayton Harris III. Foxx posted a photo on Instagram with her two daughters at the polls and saying, “We are Team Clayton Harris!” Foxx told Playbook she hasn’t done a formal endorsement, “But for my friends and family who’ve been asking where I stand in this race, I thought it important to let it be known.” — The race card: In the Cook County state’s attorney contest, Clayton Harris III’s campaign is out with a last-minute digital attack ad accusing Eileen O’Neill Burke of not caring about “Black boys.” It’s in connection with a case 31 years ago in which she prosecuted an 11-year-old in the brutal murder of an elderly woman. The conviction was thrown out eight years later when it came to light that a police officer involved was found to be engaging in misconduct in another case. O’Neill Burke’s campaign responded to the attack ad, saying, “Clayton Harris has repeatedly lied about a 30-year-old case for political gain and attempted to smear a well-qualified woman’s record. It’s shameful, wrong, and not what we need in our next state’s attorney.” — FINAL STRETCH: Tribune recap by Olivia Olander and Olivia Stevens. … Sun-Times recap, by Mitchell Armentrout, Violet Miller and Kaitlin. … Washburn…. NBC 5 recap, by Mary Ann Ahern. — Everything you need to know about the Bring Chicago Home referendum on the ballot, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin — Activists urge voters to protest Biden by writing in ‘Gaza’ on primary ballot: But the only votes counted are certified candidates or those who filed as write-ins. "So there would be no record of things that are written in, messages and those sorts of things," according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Sun-Times’ Nader Issa reports — Who’s giving the big money in Illinois to Biden and Trump? The Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet and WBEZ’s Matt Kiefe report — Has Illinois gotten bluer? Really, not so much – A look back at what primary election data shows, by Kerry Lester Kasper in the Center for Illinois Politics — CTU shows its influence in get-out-the-vote effort for young people, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall
| | | | A message from Capture Jobs Now:   | | | | | SPOTLIGHT | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Warring TikTok videos are at the center of a lawsuit filed over the weekend by owners of Hubbard Inn, a River North neighborhood bar and favorite haunt of Chicago politicos. The brouhaha started when TikToker Julia Reel posted a video in which she claimed she was “grabbed” and “pushed” down a hallway and stairs by security at Hubbard Inn. The video got a lot of traffic, and Hubbard Inn says clients canceled events as a result. Her video has since been taken down. Hubbard Inn responded with its own TikTok video after inviting Reel to watch security footage showing that there was no pushing or grabbing, according to the lawsuit. Read the lawsuit here
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters: “Dozens of adults were expected to be evicted Sunday, amid an outbreak of measles, but just three were,” by the Sun-Times’ Michael Loria. — SCOOP: The Union League of Chicago is selling its prized Monet painting, according to a letter sent to members and obtained by Playbook. Funds from the sale will go toward renovating rooms, the dining space, the athletic and spa spaces, and general infrastructure. The club had explored the idea of selling the painting back in 2020. — “I'm Not A Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce,” a play at Biograph Theater, which has opened again, is a one-man-show written and performed by Ronnie Marmo. The story of Bruce’s life touches on the time he was arrested in Chicago on outdated obscenity laws. Chicago native Joe Mantegna directs. Details here
| | | | JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what ethnic holiday you’ve adopted: Michael Gascoigne: “El Día de los Muertos. I like that it is a special day to remember the dead.” Lucas Hawley: “German Reunification Day! I can be thankful that my west and east German friends are countrymen and not enemies.” Chris Kolker: “St. Patrick's Day.” Ashvin Lad: “St. Patrick’s Day. I am a Lad after all.” Ed Mazur: “Greek Independence Day (on March 25) because it awakens the true meanings of democracy.” John Fritchey and Kathy Posner celebrate “Festivus,” which was depicted on Seinfeld. Timothy Thomas Jr.: “St. Patrick's Day after having my DNA/genealogy tested by Northwestern Medical Center and learning of my partial Irish heritage.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s your Election Day tradition?
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — In response to Sen. Tammy Duckworth: Boeing officials say 737 Max engine issue will take up to a year to fix, via CBS News’ Kris Van Cleave — Quigley’s top-shelf shot helps lawmakers ice lobbyists in sixth consecutive hockey challenge win, by The Hill’s Clayton Vickers — Illinois Congresswomen Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Mary Miller (IL-15) sent a letter to Postmaster Louis DeJoy raising “serious concerns” about the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — New poll suggests Trump’s Manhattan trial could shape the 2024 election, by POLITICO’s Ankush Khardori — Trump often uses ‘jokes’ and laughter to normalize his behavior — a trick used by autocrats in the past, writes POLITICO’s Michael Kruse — Putin may be the biggest dupe of his fake election landslide, by POLITICO’s Eva Hartog
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Benjamin K. Miller, the retired Illinois Supreme Court justice has died. He was 87. Obit here
| | | | A message from Capture Jobs Now: Illinois has a unique opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating thousands of new jobs by passing legislation to bolster carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) across the state. CCS will grow jobs while protecting our environment. In fact, CCS is key for rapid decarbonization. Legislation being considered by the General Assembly (HB569 and SB3311) builds on the existing stringent requirements mandated by the EPA and includes additional protections for landowners and environmental justice considerations. This legislation is the result of collaboration among labor, business, and the agriculture community, recognizing the important role CCS can play in growing the state’s economy. According to a study from the University of Illinois, CCS development and expansion has an employment demand of 14,400 jobs, generating over $3 billion more for the state’s economy. We cannot delay. Illinois must act now to capture these new jobs and advance our clean energy goals! | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | Isaac Troncoso is now director of policy and public safety for Ald. Bennett Lawson. He has been a partner at Blue Raven Campaigns.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Thursday: The story of the 1990 state House race between Rosemary Mulligan and Penny Pullen will be discussed by “Down Ballot” author and Park Ridge native Patrick Wohl and former political reporter Madeleine Doubek, who covered the race that drew national attention. Details here — April 1: Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer headlines a Humanities Festival event. Tickets here.
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Robert Christie and Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that Evelyn Beatrice Longman sculpted the eagle atop Chicago's Illinois Centennial Monument. TODAY's QUESTION: What Chicago neighborhood is named after a pickle producer? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Congressman Eric Sorensen, former state Sen. Melinda Bush, Illinois Education Association President Al Llorens, Illinois Institute of Technology International Admissions Adviser Genie Melamed, political campaigner Allison Schraub, comms exec Ofelia Casillas, Finn Partners VP Ameet Sachdev and Myrna Mazur, the retired associate dean of health sciences at the University of Illinois. -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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