| |
| |
 |
| By Shia Kapos |
| Presented by |  | | |
Good Thursday morning, Illinois. A year ago today, Chicago was named host of the Democratic National Convention — and now the big event is 130 days away.
|
 | TOP TALKER | |
|
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, right, and wife Amy Rule arrive at the White House for a state dinner on April 10, 2024. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images |
SO SNAZZY: Big names and billionaires from Chicago attended Wednesday night’s White House state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and Jill Biden in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Yuko Kishida. On the scene: Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, were there along with two of their children, Ilana Emanuel and Zach Emanuel — now all grown up since we last saw them in Chicago when their dad was mayor. Other big Chicago names at the dinner: Grosvenor Capital Management CEO Michael Sacks and Cari Sacks; Newsweb Corp. Chair Fred Eychaner and Danny Leung; billionaire Mark Walter and Kimbra Walter; and billionaire casino owner Neil Bluhm and his daughter, nonprofit leader Leslie Bluhm. Pic! They meet again: On Monday, the Sackses hosted Biden for a multi-million dollar campaign fundraiser in Chicago that Eychaner also attended. Keeping mum on politics: Other guests at the White House dinner demurred about the presidential campaign, according to the press pool report. Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook wouldn’t say whether they were donating to Biden’s campaign. And actor Robert De Niro wouldn’t answer reporters who asked if he planned to campaign for Biden. Folks were in good spirits: Emanuel said he even helped tutor Paul Simon, the night’s musical guest, in how to greet Kishida in Japanese, The New York Times wrote.On the menu: Dry-aged rib eye steak with blistered shishito pepper butter, fava beans, morels and cipollini for the main course. For dessert: Salted caramel pistachio cake, matcha ganache and cherry ice cream with raspberry drizzle. On the menu: Dry-aged rib eye steak with blistered shishito pepper butter, fava beans, morels and cipollini for the main course. For dessert: Salted caramel pistachio cake, matcha ganache and cherry ice cream with raspberry drizzle.
|
| | THE BUZZ | |
| Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces another City Council battle next week. He wants the council to approve $70 million toward helping fund the migrant crisis through the end of the year. The reason there’s tension: Some Black Caucus members have expressed frustration that the city has put millions of dollars into helping care for asylum seekers while not caring for existing homeless issues in their neighborhoods. “There’s going to be pushback. No one’s jumping up and down to do this,” one alderman told Playbook. The mayor is button-holing council members to explain why the funding is necessary. Is there horse-trading? No one’s saying quite yet. There is another briefing on the issue before the council looks at the numbers. This is another pivot for the mayor. During a meeting a few months ago, Gov. JB Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Johson agreed that it would take $321 million to fund programs for asylum seekers through the year. The state would pick up half of the cost and Preckwinkle and Johnson agreed their jurisdictions would each pitch in $71 million. But after the meeting, Johnson did a seeming about-face, saying he didn’t commit to the funding. There was a lot of head-scratching from the Pritzker and Preckwinkle. The Tribune has more on the back and forth over that agreement. Johnson may have hoped to find funding in other ways but that hasn’t materialized so he’s now turning to the council. If you are Neil Bluhm, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
|
| |
| A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association: Retail provides critical services we all rely on. Who is retail? Del-Kar Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, is retail. As one of the state’s only Black-owned pharmacies, owner Edwin Muldrow knows his story is worth sharing. In an area lacking services, Edwin is there to meet the community’s needs. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association supports retailers like Edwin. Watch the full story of Del Kar Pharmacy and other Illinois retailers here. |
| |
|
| WHERE'S JB | |
No official public events.
|
| | WHERE's BRANDON | |
| No official public events.
|
| | Where's Toni | |
At NRG Park in Houston at 11:30 a.m. to participate in a panel discussion at the Maternal and Child Health Conference. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
|
| |
| Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. |
| |
| |
|
| THE STATEWIDES | |
— Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility: “While Chicago considers passing an ordinance to ban natural gas in some new building construction — following the lead of places like New York City and Seattle — state officials are moving more slowly in an attempt to ensure Illinois meets its goal of having 100 percent renewable energy by 2050,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams. — It was Lee Milner Day in Springfield on Wednesday. The noted photographer of state government — and beyond — was honored on the House floor and Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton stopped by the press room for a celebration, too. Pic, Pic and Pic! — Madison County Board will consider putting secession question to voters in November, by the Belleville News-Democrat’s Will Bauer — The most infamous serial killers all seem to have something in common — they’re from around here, by the Tribune’s Christopher Borrelli — Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois,’ by Capitol News’ Cole Longcor
|
| CHICAGO | |
— Johnson renews call for Gaza cease-fire at Eid celebration: “Thousands gathered Wednesday morning for prayers at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, where Mayor Brandon Johnson briefly gave a renewed call for peace in Gaza,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Chicago Pride Parade will be smaller this year due to ‘safety and logistical concerns’: “The parade will start an hour earlier and be capped at 125 entries. Concerns include “the city’s capacity to manage a range of large events throughout the summer,” organizers said,” by the Block Club’s Leen Yasine. — Cops who shot at Dexter Reed 96 times were being investigated for another traffic stop, according to watchdog, by the Block Club’s Joe Ward — CTA says Red Line extension a ‘top priority’ for Biden administration and is on track to begin construction next year, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg
|
| |
| A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association:   |
| |
|
| 2024 WATCH | |
— Audrey Cosgrove edges out Kim Przekota in race for judge: “Powered by strong showing in Oak Park, the former public defender overcomes Senate President Don Harmon’s endorsed candidate,” by Wednesday Journal’s Bob Skolnik. — Chicago Alds. Scott Waguespack (32nd) and Anthony Beale (9th) both won their respective ward committeeman seats. Waguespack had initially planned to relinquish the party job but then ran as a write-in when his handpicked successor didn’t make it on the ballot and another candidate withdrew after controversy protesting over the Israel-Hamas war. … Beale also initially wasn’t going to run and then changed his mind and ran as a write-in, too. Their victories were both certified by the election board this week. |
| COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | |
— South Barrington Park District officials say they didn’t know religious group was behind land buy until after it was completed: “Fourth Avenue Gospel, which is owned and operated by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and was behind a failed effort to acquire the property in 2023, publicly admitted it invented Area N Development to buy the land,” by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. — Northwestern to play most home football games in temporary on-campus stadium the next 2 years, by the Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley
|
| TAKING NAMES | |
— Eileen O’Neill Burke will be a “juror” in the Trial of Pericles fundraising performance for the National Hellenic Museum. (Your Playbook host is, too!) Details here — The Chicago Bears have named Chicago attorney Andrea Zopp as a senior adviser and Krista Whitaker, a former executive for the NBA’s Miami Heat, as the team’s chief legal officer, by the Daily Herald’s Charles Keeshan — Media pioneer Hermene Hartman keeps moving the needle on education and the N’DIGO brand, writes the Tribune’s Darcel Rockett
|
| |
| 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. |
| |
| |
|
| Reader Digest | |
We asked what you’re so well-versed in that you could teach a class on it: Matthew Beaudet: “My ability to understand human behavior, including identifying subconscious bias.” Bridget Hatch: “I can make travel logistics and arrangements, hollandaise and souffle in my sleep.” Ed Mazur: “Operating, repairing and collecting toy electric trains.” Andrew Paisley: “Genealogy. It has been a hobby of mine that has turned into a passion for helping others discover their roots.” David Schwartz: “How to fill out the online witness slips to weigh in on bills in committee in Springfield.” Scott Simon: “I can toss a grape or a malted milk ball up in the air and catch it in my mouth. Unfortunately, there is no professional ‘grape toss’ league to offer me a multi-million dollar contract.” Whitley Tee: "The Beatles, David Bowie and the Grateful Dead."
Jeff Nathan: “Procrastination!”
NEXT QUESTION: What issue do you think will drive the presidential race over the next seven months?
|
| THE NATIONAL TAKE | |
— How Biden’s campaign plans to pummel Trump on abortion, by POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn, Elena Schneider and Jennifer Haberkorn — Israel and Ukraine dominate Biden’s life. China gets its moment this week, by POLITICO’s Alexander Ward and Jonathan Lemire — 'Rosie the Riveters' awarded Congressional Gold Medal years after World War II, by ABC News’ Katie Kindelan
|
| |
| A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association: Illinois retailers anchor their communities, providing important services that their neighbors rely on. Who is retail? Del-Kar Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, is retail. Second-generation pharmacist Edwin Muldrow knows his business is special and his story is worth sharing. This historic business is one of Illinois’ only Black-owned pharmacies and was once frequented by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Founded by Edwin’s father in 1960, the pharmacy stands out as a beacon of hope and a hub of commerce in an area lacking many basic services. Despite the increasing difficulties of running a business, Edwin feels a duty to provide healthcare for his community and to encourage the young people in his neighborhood to never be afraid to chase their dreams.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association is here to support retailers like Edwin. Watch the full story of Del-Kar Pharmacy and other Illinois retailers here. |
| |
|
| EVENTS | |
— Thursday: Ariel Investments founder and co-CEO John Rogers Jr. headlines a conversation at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute with Institute Director John Shaw. The event is free. Register here — April 27: The Daily Illini and WPGU-FM, the independent student media outlets at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, are having a Wrigleyville Reunion and fundraiser at Sluggers Bar & Grill in Chicago. Tickets here — May 10: Actor Kirk Cameron headlines the Illinois Right to Life fundraiser in Oakbrook Terrace. Details here
|
| TRIVIA | |
WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Clem Balanoff for correctly answering that on April 10, 1982, more than 20,000 people marched in Chicago "Peace Walk" to protest the proliferation of nuclear weapons. This short documentary features a few familiar names. TODAY’s QUESTION: What did Mayor Richard M. Daley insist businesses do leading up to the 1996 Democratic National Convention?
|
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY | |
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corp. CEO Carlos Nelson, Illinois Policy government affairs VP Jim Long, YPO Sports & Entertainment Industry Network’s Jacob Marcos Peterson, AJ Capital Partners government affairs VP Pablo David, nonprofit exec and Gapers Block founder Andrew Huff, Vote Mama PAC Illinois State Chair Alexandra Eidenberg and Legal Action Chicago supervisory attorney Dan Schneider. -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 |
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment