| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. The 2024 presidential campaign just got a new talking point.
|  | TOP TALKER | | PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE: Illinois Republicans and a certain former governor rallied behind Donald Trump after a Manhattan jury found him guilty Thursday on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a hush money criminal trial. A sentencing hearing is set for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Some of the reax: The Illinois GOP issued a statement comparing the legal proceedings to “banana republics.” Darren Bailey, who got Trump’s support when he ran for governor, called it “a dark day for America.” And Ogle County GOP Chair Mike Koolidge predicts the verdicts will “energize voters like nothing else has before — and in Trump's favor.” Deja vu for you know who: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose prison term on corruption charges was commuted by Trump, said: “When you’ve lived through it yourself you recognize when they do it to someone else … the political fix was in.” The Democrat turned Trump-ocrat, as Blagojevich likes to describe himself, said the verdict was made by “a handpicked politicized Dem judge who denied a former President a chance to put on a defense and allowed ridiculously unlawful jury instructions,” via X. Illinois Democrats had another take, of course. Gov. JB Pritzker, who is a surrogate on the campaign trail for President Joe Biden, issued a statement saying: “Justice has been served. ... Donald Trump is a racist, a homophobe, a grifter, and a threat to this country. He can now add one more title to his list — a felon. But let me be clear, Donald Trump will never be 47.” Mayor Brandon Johnson called Trump “a con artist, a bigot, and an embarrassment of a former president. And now, he’s a convicted felon,” on his social media account. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) called Trump “a loser in court and now we must beat him at the ballot box.” And Sen. Dick Durbin, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, offered this: “As I’ve said all along: no one is above the law — not even a former president.” Republicans and Democrats agree on one point made by Trump outside the courtroom: “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people." From POLITICO: Guilt complex: Trump’s felony convictions are a big political problem, by POLITICO’s John Harris About the verdict: Trump found guilty in New York hush money trial, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden Now that Trump’s a convicted felon, here’s what happens next, by POLITICO’s Ben Feuerherd Trump tries to spin guilty into gold, by POLITCO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Jessica Piper
| | THE BUZZ | | IT GOT UNCOMFORTABLE Thursday during a City Council committee hearing addressing concerns about the Chicago Transit Authority. CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. used some of his speaking time to push back at aldermen who have signed a non-binding resolution calling for his ouster. He said it’s about race: “As an African American man, this city has a history of attacking and trying to bring down their African-American leaders,” Carter told the committee. “What I would hope is that we would try to support them. What I would hope is that we would work together to find a way to support our agency and make our agency better. What I would hope is that we would work in a collaborative way to address the real problems that you hear the customers talk about.” You can watch the hearing here. Aldermen were taken by surprise. Ald. Scott Waguespack denied that race was an issue and said the complaints are focused on being “accountable” for running the city agency. The chatter: Critics believe Carter hasn’t moved quickly enough to improve on safety and other issues since the pandemic. Supporters say data shows the agency is improving, and they credit Carter with bringing in federal dollars to boost service in struggling communities. Carter went on to talk about improvements at the agency, saying he understands “the buck stops with me.” But he added work has been difficult, given so much “negativity” has been directed at him and the agency since the “devastating” effects of the pandemic. “I have been turned into a caricature,” he said. “I have been turned into something that is less than a human being.” This isn’t the first time race has been a talking point in the City Council, which governs one of the most segregated cities in the country. Most recently race has divided aldermen on how to care for migrants. From the Sun-Times: CTA president angry, defiant at City Council efforts to push him out, by Fran Spielman From the Tribune: Carter: ‘I have been turned into a caricature,’ by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat and Jake Sheridan If you are Stormy Daniels, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Executive Mansion in Springfield at 2 p.m. to give remarks at the Special Olympics Illinois Rally.
| | 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
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Russian propaganda push expected in Chicago for Democratic National Convention, experts say: “The convention in August will offer fertile ground for Russian and other foreign efforts to meddle in U.S. politics. “This is just a target-rich stew for the Russians to try lots of things and see what works,” says Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic International Studies,” by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba and Frank Main. — Chicago watchdog warns Police Department that crowd management training is ‘insufficient’ ahead of convention, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Sam Charles — In Milwaukee: Guns will be allowed while hard water bottles, tennis balls are banned in area outside of the security perimeter: "I find that totally absurd," said Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district includes downtown, where the convention will take place. "Literally, you can't have tennis balls, but you can have an AR-15 assault rifle," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Alison Dirr reports.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Pritzker to address Wisconsin Democrats at state convention: “Pritzker has made a concerted effort to keep the battleground state blue. In 2023, he contributed $1.1 million to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and $20,000 to support Janet Protasiewicz, who was elected a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice last year. He has also personally contributed to Gov. Tony Evers’ gubernatorial campaign,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — Mayor Brandon Johnson is headlining a Gospel brunch political fundraiser Saturday at Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern on Wabash Avenue. The event is pegged to the beginning of Gospel Fest, which also starts Saturday. Watch for the mayor to make the fundraiser an annual event. Details here
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois set to adopt ‘nation-leading’ carbon pipeline, storage rules: “The SAFE CCS Act is meant to create standards for the burgeoning carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry. The legislation includes a pause on carbon pipelines until July 2026 or until the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration updates its safety rules,” by POLITICO E&E News' Jeffrey Tomich. — Getting behind the wheel: The Secretary of State’s Office launches its Teen Summer DMV initiative Saturday. The program allows teens to try for their drivers licenses at 12 locations on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Aug. 31. Details and locations here
| | CHICAGO | | — SCHEDULE CHANGE: Chicago Air and Water Show dates shift to Aug. 10 and 11 due to Democratic National Convention, via NBC 5. — Despite lackluster response to his Springfield agenda, Mayor Brandon Johnson vows: “We’re gonna continue to organize and make sure that we have what the people of Chicago deserve,” Johnson said at a Thursday news conference. “There are a lot of things that we were able to walk away with. We’re gonna continue to fight for more,” by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Jeremy Gorner. — Mayor unveils plans to reopen mental health clinic in Roseland: “The move follows through on a campaign promise Johnson made to reopen clinics that were shuttered under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch and Tessa Weinberg. — With shortage of mental health workers, Chicago trains the public to try to prevent suicide, by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch — Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth defends decision to stop sending automatic crime alerts to residents of her North Side ward, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — City’s public health department declares measles outbreak over, according to report, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman — Bears will be featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks,’ by ESPN’s Courtney Cronin
| | | | 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 what summer party you are looking forward to: Clem Balanoff: “Brian Shanahan's Illinois Transportation Labor Barbeque in July. Labor, political and advocacy leaders will be there. It's a must attend for anyone in the transportation space.” Lissa Druss: “My daughter’s high school graduation party that we just wrapped up.” Carlton Hull: “The Democratic National Convention.” Sharon Harris-Johnson: “The Barb Brown Memorial Garden Party.” Lucas Hawley: “The Women's Property Tax Association's Summer cocktail reception at the Godfrey Hotel.” Jan Kostner: “A friend’s graduation party from law school on the Long Island Sound, where long time college friends will be in attendance, too.” James Straus: “A July wedding in Tuscany. My best friend is the father of the bride.” Corrine Williams: “Independence Day celebrations.” Amy Zimmerman: “My youngest child’s college graduation party from Northwestern in a couple of weeks. It will be a multi-generation celebration to mark this important milestone.” NEXT QUESTION: Aside from necessities, what’s one thing you can’t go a day without?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The Alito scandal is worse than it seems, by POLITICO’s Ankush Khardori — GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson to fund colossal super PAC for Trump, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt — Embattled Boeing offers plan to fix its safety problems. Will it work? by POLITICO’s Oriana Pawlyk
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Jessica Lee is now comms director for Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02). Lee was the media relations manager at GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Monday at 9:30 a.m.: Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and others will gather at Daley Plaza to raise the Progress Pride Flag and the Chicago Pride Flag to celebrate Pride Month.
| | | TRIVIA | | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that former Ald. Joe Moore introduced an ordinance to ban foie gras in Chicago. And Moore reminded us: “The ordinance passed and was part of the Municipal Code for a few months until then-Ald. Tom Tunney introduced an ordinance to repeal the ban. That measure was approved by the City Council.” So, enjoy your foie gras. TODAY’s QUESTION: Keeping on the foodie theme, who testified in favor of former Ald. Joe Moore’s foie gras ban?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: 40th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe, 46th Ward President Demerike Palecek, Equality Illinois Public Policy Director Mike Ziri, Pillars Fund co-founder Kashif Shaikh, Relm Insurance Development VP Sophia Zaller and Chicago Council on Global Affairs Editor Julie Moos. Saturday: State Sen. Mattie Hunter, state Rep. Carol Ammons, RTA Chair Kirk Dillard, Culloton + Bauer Luce CEO Dennis Culloton, Chicago Housing Authority Chief of Staff Daniel Cruz, Cedar Pine COO Jenny Cizner, comms consultant Diane Zeleny and the Chicago mayor’s photographer and Creative Director Vashon Jordan Jr. Sunday: Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, business consultant Sonya Jackson, attorney Pejman Yousefzadeh, Kieloch Consulting Congressional Services Director Hannah Botelho, Tribune columnist Clarence Page and Lambert’s Lauren Pulte. -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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