| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Happy Thursday, Illinois. Welcome to the longest day of the year.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Don Tracy, speaking at the State Fair in 2022, announced Wednesday, June 19, 2024, that he's stepping down at Illinois State Party chair. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO | GOP CHAIR RESIGNS: Don Tracy, the chair of the Illinois Republican Party, sent out a resignation letter Wednesday criticizing how party leaders handled a complaint that resulted in a veteran party leader being ousted by the State Central Committee. His full letter is here. Split priorities: “We have Republicans who would rather fight other Republicans than engage in the harder work of defeating incumbent Democrats,” Tracy wrote, referring to last week’s State Central Committee meeting that led to Mark Shaw’s ouster. The Tribune followed up with a scathing story of unnamed sources saying efforts to replace Tracy were brewing. A year ago, for example, Tracy survived a “no confidence vote” among party officials. The bigger issue: The Illinois GOP is shifting. The base supporting Donald Trump is no longer a wing of the party. It is the party. During his three years leading the state GOP, Tracy tried to hold both establishment and right-leaning segments together but faced headwinds at every turn. The other challenge: The party is struggling for relevance in a state where the state-wide holders are all Democrats. What’s next: Tracy says he’d like his successor named “no later than” July 19, right after the National Democratic Convention in Milwaukee. Names in the hopper: State Sen. Jason Plummer, who represents the Edwardsville area near St. Louis, and Aaron Del Mar, a former Cook County GOP chair. Del Mar told us he’s “very interested.” Democrats are gleeful: In a statement after Tracy’s announcement, the Illinois Democratic Party said “best of luck to the inevitable MAGA extremist who will succeed Don Tracy as chair.”
| | | THE BUZZ | | | 
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and her husband, Boris Hernández, attended President Joe Biden's executive order announcement at the White House on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. | Photo provided | DREAM COME TRUE: Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, who has been critical of President Joe Biden’s efforts to address immigration, was at the White House Tuesday when he announced an executive order creating a path to legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the United States. It’s a big step: “Providing relief for long-term immigrants who have contributed to our country is one critical aspect of our policy” on immigration, Ramirez said in an interview. The other policy piece is the southern border, which Biden also recently addressed by clamping down on the number of people who can seek asylum. Ramirez holds an important title in Washington: She is the only member of Congress in a mixed-status marriage, meaning her husband is a “Dreamer” who does not yet have legal status. Presidential one-on-one: Biden’s announcement came about a month after Ramirez joined other members of Congress in a meeting with the president to discuss immigration. Ramirez spoke directly to Biden. “I told him that four years ago when he was running, my husband and I were getting married. And he was going through the process [of gaining legal status]. It’s a long process. It’s painful,” she said, relaying her conversation with the president. Like so many immigrants: Ramirez’s husband, Boris Hernández, an entrepreneur, was 14 when he came to the United States without authorization for a green card and has been mired in a long process trying to gain legal status. A misconception: “Many people think when you marry a U.S. citizen you automatically become one, too. But that's not the case. It's a process, and in many cases you cannot get your U.S residency until you return to your home country. In some cases, for as long as 10 years,” Ramirez explained. That prospect of being separated from spouses and families for such a long period of time has kept many from moving forward with the process. Biden’s executive order changes that, she said. Spouses of U.S. citizens who have been in the country for 10 years can pursue legal status without leaving the country. Ramirez’s message to Biden: Such a move could activate a new kind of “surrogate” supporting him in November: “They would be families who can tell their children: We aren’t going to be separated.” If you are Jason Plummer, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Synchrony: For Illinois small businesses, longevity requires exceeding customers’ changing needs and building loyalty. In this economy, providing flexible financing to consumers is critical to maintaining long-term loyalty so they can purchase products and services that matter to them. Financial services company Synchrony supports tens of thousands of small- and mid-sized businesses and health providers in Illinois and hundreds of thousands in the U.S. through consumer financing. Learn how Synchrony is helping businesses thrive in Illinois. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At IUOE Local 399 at 7 a.m. for a press conference with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on the president's “action to keep immigrant families together” — At UCAN at 9 a.m. for an announcement to expand the Emergency Supplemental Victims Fund.
| | Where's Toni | | At Operating Engineers Local 399 Hall at 8 a.m. for the Arise Chicago Faith-Labor-Action Breakfast. 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 | | — HOTEL HOTSEAT: Donald Trump will be laying his head at a hotel in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention next month. Reports popped up Tuesday from ABC 7 and The New York Times saying the former president would stay at his Chicago Trump Tower during the convention — an eye-popper after reportedly calling the convention host city of Milwaukee “horrible.” Setting the record straight: “There was never any plan to stay in Chicago. The plan has always been to stay in Milwaukee and that has never been in doubt,” Trump campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung told Playbook. “President Trump never called the city ‘horrible.’ Multiple congressional members in the room have gone on the record to dispute the fake news.” The local take: “We don’t know how many nights he previously planned to stay at Trump Tower,” Ald. Brian Hopkins, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, told Playbook. “We know he intended to be there at some point during the RNC. His campaign pivoted after criticism over his insulting remarks directed at Milwaukee.” Making nice with Milwaukee: During a rally Tuesday afternoon in Racine, Wisconsin, rump opened his speech, saying, “I love Milwaukee. I was the one who picked Milwaukee” for the convention. More from the rally with POLITICO’s Isabella Ramirez. — In Chicago: Exclusive details about City Hall's Democratic convention obligations: “The city is required to provide ‘special’ security for ‘delegates and other dignitaries,’” by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — Chicago Secret Service discusses Democratic Convention preparations amid resident concerns, by Fox 32’s Paris Schutz
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois bills could charge, fine elected leaders for flying American flag upside down at offices, by WAND TV’s Mike Miletich — JUDGMENT DAYS: The U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to announce the final opinions of its term. A case to watch is the appeal by former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder. It addresses whether a federal bribery statute should criminalize gratuities without any quid pro quo agreement. It’s at the heart of the case involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. — The fight over credit card swipe fees hits the road: Earlier this month, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a state budget that eliminated interchange fees on the sales tax and tipped portions of transactions. A Pennsylvania House Finance Committee has fast-tracked legislation that would nix interchange fees on sales and use taxes. And similar legislation has been introduced in more than a dozen other states, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton in Morning Money. — Coming back: The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office says it plans to reinstall the Springfield statue of Martin Luther King Jr., which was being restored after it was vandalized in 2022. The statue is expected to return to “Freedom Corner” at the intersection of 2nd Street and Capitol Avenue next month.
| | | | A message from Synchrony:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — City orders audit after pay mix-up for hundreds of laborers: “The issue sprang up in January when workers represented by LiUNA Local 1001 discovered miscalculations in paychecks for back pay. Since then, the city and the union had been in a back-and-forth over how to address discrepancies resulting in over-and-underpay for retroactive checks and problems issuing separate payments to “hundreds of others” who work alone as drivers on city garbage trucks. In all, the union represents about 1,900 city workers,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Chicago Public Schools plans to adopt new names for three elementary schools, including one named after Christopher Columbus, by the Tribune’s Molly Morrow — INVESTIGATION: A year-long exploration of homelessness in Chicago, via WTTW — At the Newberry Library and on stage, the return of Mike Royko, by the Tribune’s Rick Kogan
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County is expecting a $218M budget gap, but won’t plug it with layoffs or tax hikes: “County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is also trying to figure out which pandemic-funded programs to keep as the county spends down federal dollars,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. — JUDICIAL WATCH: In Lake County, finalists are being considered to fill the 19th Judicial Circuit seats opening up with the retirements next month of Judge Raymond Collins and Judge Charles Johnson. Finalists are Gabriel Conroe of Highland Park, Matthew DeMartini of Antioch, Roderick Drobinski of Wauconda and Sari Montgomery of Riverwoods. Here’s some background. Drobinski’s name is drawing criticism from abortion-rights supporters who say he’s too conservative for the court. “Lake County residents rejected Drobinski’s bids for state representative [2016] and judge of the Circuit Court [2022). His anti-abortion views are too extreme for the district,” Personal PAC's Sarah Garza Resnick said in a statement. Drobinski declined to comment. — Lake Bluff, Park District at odds over the future of pickleball in the village, by the Pioneer Press’ Daniel Dorfman
| | SPOTTED | | — State Rep. Kam Buckner hosted a fundraiser for Jackson, Mississippi, Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, who is seeking a third term. At the Firehouse Restaurant: Congressman Danny Davis, state Reps. Nick Smith and Kim Du Bluclet, Ald. Lamont Robinson, Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin, former Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and former Gary Mayor and Chicago Urban League CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson. Before the Tuesday evening event, Lumumba and Buckner met with Mayor Brandon Johnson at City Hall and with anti-violence leader Arne Duncan.
| | | | JOIN US ON 6/26 FOR A TALK ON AMERICA’S SUPPLY CHAIN: From the energy grid to defense factories, America’s critical sites and services are a national priority. Keeping them up and running means staying ahead of the threat and protecting the supply chains that feed into them. POLITICO will convene U.S. leaders from agencies, Congress and the industry on June 26 to discuss the latest challenges and solutions for protecting the supply lines into America’s critical infrastructure. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked whether you take polling phone calls: Matthew Beaudet: “I stopped when they started selling the data and slammed me with robocalls-robotexts.” Eli Brottman: “Yes. I want to know the scoop and being a pollster I'm especially curious.” Dave Lundy: “I rarely answer calls from numbers I don’t know (a pollster’s nightmare). I have answered via text when a real pollster identifies themselves. Recently weighed in on Trump’s VP for Emerson. That was fun.” Ed Mazur: “Never. They usually call at inopportune times like dinner.” Joe Moore: “Yes. I’m a polling geek.” Kathy Posner: “Yes. If I have a horse in that race, the knowledge about the oppo is invaluable. If I have no connection, I purposely lie to skew the poll.” Dale Sachtleben: “Never. After giving up my landline, I don’t answer cell calls marked ‘possible spam.’” Patricia Ann Watson: “Yes!” Brent Zhorne: “Yes, but if it becomes obvious that they are biased then I politely end the call.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s an executive order you’d like to see signed? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Scorched-earth summer: Biden, Sunak and Macron go negative, via POLITICO — Biden is stubbornly underperforming other Democrats, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky, Madison Fernandez and Mia McCarthy — Amy Coney Barrett may be poised to split conservatives on the Supreme Court, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein
| | | | A message from Synchrony: For Illinois small businesses, longevity hinges on adapting to customers’ changing needs and building long-term loyalty. Small businesses are the economy’s backbone. In this economy, it’s critical that small businesses offer affordable financing options to their consumers so they can purchase products and services that matter to them. It encourages long-term customer loyalty and contributes to a sustainable business. Financial services company Synchrony plays a critical role in the growth, stability and operations of tens of thousands of small- and mid-sized businesses and health providers in Illinois and hundreds of thousands in the U.S. For nearly 100 years, Synchrony has helped connect people in the community to get what they need through flexible financing options with merchant partners. Learn what it takes for small businesses to succeed and thrive in Illinois. | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — Michelle Mbekeani leaving Cook County state's attorney's office: The head of the wrongful conviction unit “is planning to step down in July in anticipation of the birth of her child and because Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s term will end later this year, according to a person with knowledge of Mbekeani’s thinking,” by the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm and Matthew Hendrickson. — Audrey Carroll has joined the C-Strategies team as a communications manager. She was an associate at West End Strategy Team in its Washington, D.C., and Chicago offices. Carroll is no relation to C-Strategies President Becky Carroll. — Casey Cesnovar is now VP of U.S. government affairs at Walgreens in Deerfield, and Joel Baise succeeds Cesnovar as VP of state and local government affairs. Cesnovar is also an alum of Illinois Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood’s office. Baise previously led legislative efforts for the company in Springfield.
| | | TRIVIA | | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Utter and Leo Driscoll for correctly answering that Slats Grobnik was Mike Royko’s fictional alter ego. TODAY’s QUESTION: What was the first railroad in Illinois?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Sonya Harper, state Rep. Maurice West, Cook County Circuit Court Judge James Shapiro, KemperLesnik Executive VP David Prosperi, former U.S. Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy and Benjamin Marshall Society’s Jane Lepauw. -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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