| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | TGIF, Illinois. We’ve got a packed newsletter today to help carry you through the long weekend. A programming note: We’re off Monday for the Memorial Day holiday but will be back in your inbox Tuesday.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Minyon Moore, chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, said Chicago can handle the event. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO | PLAYBOOK Q&A: The chair of this summer’s Democratic convention has a message for protesters: You can have your say — but it's still going to be Joe Biden. The mission is clear: "We want people to be able to say what they have to say," Minyon Moore, the chair of the Democratic National Convention, said in an interview at convention headquarters in Chicago this week. "And then we continue to move on because we have people that are coming to renominate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.” Protesters’ new frontier? Democrats are preparing for protests not only outside, but inside their convention hall this August. Some states have awarded “uncommitted” delegates who object to Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. And Moore said they will be allowed in. Confident in the numbers: The vast majority of delegates are coming to “renominate Joe Biden,” Moore said, estimating the uncommitted delegate count at about 30. And as for them? “We’re not turning away anyone just because they weren’t committed,” she said. It hits home: Moore is a Chicago native keenly aware of the chaos of the 1968 Democratic convention when anti-Vietnam War protesters and police clashed on Chicago’s streets. But she’s confident the city can pull off another orderly convention, as it did in 1996 when Bill Clinton was renominated for a second term. “The city of Chicago has been quite capable,” she said. Here are some excerpts of our interview, edited for length and clarity. Are you doing any hand holding, telling delegates that protests will be under control? Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has been quite capable at telegraphing what will transpire in terms of the police and their involvement in this. … They are taking care of going to neighborhoods in the city to make sure, especially in the surrounding perimeters, to make sure that folks know what's going on, what to expect and what not to expect. The city of Chicago has been quite capable. You've expressed confidence about law enforcement handling protesters outside of the United Center. What about disruptions inside the arena? The majority of the delegates that are coming — over 5,000 — will be coming to re-nominate Joe Biden. We’re a big tent party. We believe in diversity. And obviously there might be people that decide they want to show their level of support in some other kind of way, or whatever their passion might be. And we respect that. But we also respect the right of the other 5,000 people that will be there. Are you talking with members of the Squad about how to conduct themselves? I would never do that. I try to be a voice of reason for myself first, and then I try to listen to people because we don't always have to sing from the same hymnbook but, you know, we all should know where we're trying to go. I would say all of us believe … that President Biden is far better for this country than the alternative. As a Chicagoan, do you feel sentimental about the convention being here? Even though I live in D.C., I have always considered Chicago my home. My family's here. I go to church when I can when I’m here. The thing that I love about Chicago is that it is a family. People think it's like this big, massive third big city but it really is a community of communities. And so I like being home. People care. They’ve welcomed me back to see me succeed. RELATED Reform monitor warns police must 'not lose focus' on reform as Democratic Convention nears: “The police department’s troubled response to the protests and unrest in the summer of 2020 looms over preparations for the convention in August,” by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | GOP UNITY: The Illinois Republican Party is holding its state convention today and Saturday in the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. After eight years of divisiveness among the rank and file, party leaders hope to emerge united as they head into election season. No matter where they stand on Donald Trump, they agree on wanting to make Joe Biden a one-term president. “We’re at a pivotal point where you’re seeing Republicans starting to get back together,” Illinois GOP Executive Director Matthew Janes told Playbook. “You’re seeing a lot more unity recently.” The Illinois GOP has evolved much the way the national Republican party has, with right-leaning Republicans veering more right and centrists somehow being seen as being left on party issues. In Illinois, the shift has been geographic. In 2014, the Republican base was strong in Chicago’s suburbs and exurbs, while southern Illinois still saw Democrats have an influence in party politics. That’s all shifted: When Trump came on the scene, rural voters were drawn to his blue collar message and there was a shift in the state party’s cultural and economic bases. Chicago-area Republicans weren’t always in line with Trump. And many still aren’t. Embracing Trump: Illinois GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter was among those hoping to see a new Republican generation in the White House. He backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. Now, he says he’s most concerned about taking back the White House from Democrats. “I am for winning. Trump is our nominee and the Democrats have behaved appallingly in regard to Trump so it’s not hard to support him,” Porter told Playbook, referring to the former president’s recent court fight in New York. That attitude is expected to prevail in Collinsville this weekend, where the biggest task is to line up behind a party platform and elect a new Republican committee man and committee woman to represent the state within the national Republican Convention (The party elects one man and one woman to those seats.). Why the change: Term limits are keeping Porter and Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte from running again. They have each served two terms. In the running for their seats: GOP state central committee members Mark Shaw and Dean White and Illinois Republican Finance Committee Chair Vince Kolber. Shaw is also an Illinois adviser to Trump’s campaign. Women candidates are State Central Committee members Joan Lasonde and Rhonda Belford, and former Republican legislative candidate Julie Cho. All of the candidates are right-leaning, Trump-supporting Republicans. If you are Demetra DeMonte, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Archer Daniels Midland: Growing demand for low-carbon fuels can create thousands of jobs in downstate communities, helping to strengthen small towns and rural areas while creating corridors of opportunity throughout the state. Carbon capture technologies can provide Illinois a path to decarbonize without deindustrializing, meeting our climate goals while also drawing new investments to our state. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At Mahalia Jackson Court at 1:30 p.m. to address summer safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend. — At Cole Park at 6 p.m. for the Memorial Day Activation event.
| | | Where's Toni | | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | | | SPOTTED | | |  Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie Johnson, arrive at the White House for the State Dinner honoring Kenya's president and first lady. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP | — AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie Johnson, attended the White House state dinner Thursday for Kenya President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto. A reporter asked Johnson about the Democratic National Convention and he responded: "The whole world is excited. The greatest city in the world," per the pool report. Other notable Chicagoans at the dinner: former President Barack Obama, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and Souad Boudairi Dalil; political donor and Clayco CEO Bob Clark and his wife, Dr. Jane Clark; political donor and Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky and Emily Fleming; and former Chicagoans Helene Gayle, who headed the Chicago Community Trust before becoming president of Spelman College, and her husband, Stephen Keith. Clark and Polsky are big Democratic donors. Clark recently held a fundraiser for President Joe Biden in Chicago. The Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet has more details from the dinner.
| | HIGHER-ED | | — College presidents defend their student protest deals: “House Education and the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) slammed Northwestern University President Michael Schill and Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway for making deals with their students that included providing amnesty for protesters, discussing school investments and supporting scholarships for Palestinian students. Foxx called the deals ‘disgraceful’ and ‘egregious,’” by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan and Rebecca Carballo.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois Democrats still at odds over tax hike proposals as budget talks again head into overtime: “With the state facing a tighter financial outlook than in recent years, when revenues have routinely outperformed projections, a budget agreement had yet to surface as of Thursday evening. That doesn’t leave enough time for the House and Senate both to approve a spending plan before Friday, when the spring session was scheduled to end,” via the Chicago Tribune. — Heading to the governor’s desk: The Healthcare Protection Act (HB5395) and the Birth Equity Initiative (HB5142), both initiatives supported by the governor. — Illinois legislature passes bill to limit cost of inhalers to $25 a month, by the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker — Ahead of Memorial Day, Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs seeks to return a dozen unclaimed Purple Heart medals, by the Tribune’s Kate Armanini
| | | | A message from Archer Daniels Midland:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Mayoral allies in hot water over social media posts: “Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Communications Director Ronnie Reese is under fire for a 2010 tweet that said, ‘I brake for gay pride, reluctantly,’ and Ald. Debra Silverstein called a recent Facebook post by Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchz ‘an antisemitic dog whistle,’” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Police district plans: Legislation passed both chambers and is headed to the governor’s desk to acquire a new police district facility representing state Sen. Mike Porfirio and state Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar’s districts on the Southwest Side of Chicago. — NASCAR Chicago Street Race is the focus of Chicago History Museum pop-up exhibit, by the Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo — Crowds to head to Chicago's Grant Park as Sueños Music Festival kicks off summertime, by CBS 2’s Tara Molina — Brandon Johnson’s City Hall gives $38.5 million in deals to businesses tied to North Side bar owner, lawyer cited for improper lobbying, by the Sun-Times’ Tim Novak — As CPS begins finalizing a new policy prohibiting cops in schools, a state bill could upend the district’s plans, by the Tribune’s Sarah Macaraeg
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | BALLOT MOVES: Former Gov. Pat Quinn has enlisted the support of former Chicago Ald. Jim Balcer, a Marine veteran, in his campaign to keep the Bears from tearing down Soldier Field for a new stadium. Along with being a football field, Soldier Field features a memorial to those who served in the armed services. It should be noted: The Bears’ have put forth a plan that would preserve the building's historic colonnades to pay tribute to the country’s veterans. These rows of columns would become part of the site's green and open space, according to the team. Quinn has submitted an ordinance to the City Council calling for a Nov. 5 referendum asking Chicago voters whether the Bears should receive any state or local taxpayer subsidies to build a new stadium. The referendum ordinance is pending.
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about your holiday weekend menu plans: Peter Creticos: “Baby back ribs seasoned with my own concoction of Middle Eastern ingredients including Aleppo and Urfa biber chile peppers, olive oil, and verjus (Persian) instead of vinegar.” Charles Keller: “Ribeye from Paulina Market, asparagus, and green peppers.” Ed Mazur: “Ribs, homemade BBQ sauce, veal brats from Gene's Market and veggies.” John Straus: “Chicken and ribs, salads and sides, and chocolate chip cookie bars with chocolate salt!” NEXT QUESTION: What should a political yard sign say to make its point?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — ‘Biden didn’t come to the Bronx’: Trump makes a foray into Democratic turf, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Jeff Coltin — The White House to the left: We told you so on crime, by POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn, Adam Wren and Jonathan Lemire — Supreme Court rejects claim that South Carolina’s congressional map was racially gerrymandered, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Zach Montellaro
| | | | A message from Archer Daniels Midland: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can play a critical role in decarbonizing Illinois industries, including aviation, manufacturing, and agriculture. CCS can strengthen downstate communities, creating thousands of new jobs and providing more revenue for towns and counties across the region. Read more. | | | | | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Lamm for correctly answering that former Ald. Ed Burke filed suit against then-Mayor Harold Washington, claiming the mayor should be kicked out of office for failing to timely file his economic disclosure statement. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where was the 1864 gunfight between the Copperheads (Southern sympathizers) and Union soldiers?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization Chair Terrell Barnes, restaurateur Jimmy Bannos and political insider and lobbyist Shaw Decremer. Saturday: Illinois first lady MK Pritzker, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, governor’s Senior Adviser Emily Bittner, Chicago Housing Authority Senior Government Affairs Director Rachel Moguel, Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Chicago Casework Director Kirsten Heindl, attorney Joel Hurwitz and writer and editor Greg Burns. Sunday: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ald. Raymond Lopez, former state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, lieutenant governor’s Legal Projects Coordinator Eryn Jones, Sheridan Strategies founder Devon Spurgeon, Lake Forest College public policy studies coordinator Christine Walker and Peninsula Hotel PR director Susan Ellefson. Monday: State Rep. Bob Morgan, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Peter Michael Gonzalez, Lake County Zoning Board Chair Gregory Koeppen, political strategist David Plouffe, marketing professor Philip Kotler, governor’s office Senior Adviser of External Affairs Sean Rapelyea and former statehouse aide Kevin Quinn. -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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