| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Tell me when the summer days really do get lazy.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Former Ald. Ed Burke exits the Dirksen federal courthouse in Chicago after being sentenced Monday, June 24, 2024, to two years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in fines. | Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP | SENTENCING DRAMA: Ed Burke, the 80-year-old former Chicago alderman who once wielded extraordinary power in city politics, kept a stoic face Monday when federal Judge Virginia Kendall handed down a mere two-year prison sentence and a stiff $2 million fine for his conviction on corruption charges. But as the courtroom cleared, Burke cracked a smile and hugged his wife, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, who had quietly wept during moments of Monday’s five-hour sentencing hearing. Burke is to report to prison Sept. 23 and with time off for good behavior, could be released in 20 months — far less than the 10 years that prosecutors had requested for his racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion. What swayed the judge: In the lead-up to the sentencing, Kendall zeroed in on two things — the nearly 200 letters from people vouching for Burke’s character, and the fact that former Ald. Danny Solis, who wore a wire against Burke, isn’t going to prison for his part in Burke’s crimes. It was a first: “I have never in all my career seen the letters I have received for Mr. Burke,” Kendall said of the letters that went into great detail explaining how Burke had helped them overcome their troubles. Burke’s attorney, Charles Sklarsky, put it this way during the hearing: “Ed is a priest without a collar because he has done some many good deeds that are priestly in nature.” About Solis: The judge also saw a disconnect in the government’s demand to send a message that the government doesn't tolerate corruption when Solis was allowed to go free for his crimes. Burke was contrite. In brief remarks before the judge, he said, “The blame for this is mine and mine alone. I regret the pain and the sorrow that I have caused my family and my dear friends, and I would ask your honor to have compassion and mercy.” Hitting his wallet: Ultimately, Kendall gave Burke an unusually high fine, knowing the wealthy politico could pay for it. And she acknowledged that a prison sentence was important in the goal of keeping the rule of law intact. What the means: Kendall said corruption in government leads to an “erosion” of trust among constituents that is “chipping away at our democracy, really whittling away at our rule of law.” Among those attending the hearing on the 25th floor of the Dirksen federal courthouse were Burke’s four children and brother, former state Rep. Dan Burke; Ald. Nick Sposato; former Burke aide Pete Andrews, who was acquitted in connection to the schemes; and the Revs. Clete Kiley, John Sullivan and James Hurley. THE RESPONSE Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team referred us to his statement after Burke was found guilty last year. It's here. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Burke “should be grateful that his sentence wasn't longer — it certainly could have been justifiably so,” according to her statement. “As residents and taxpayers of Chicago, let us hope that this sentence sends a strong message to other elected officials that corruption and graft on the backs of Chicagoans comes with consequences — even for those who may seem omnipotent.” Better Government Association President David Greising called the sentence “light” and criticized “the powerful and connected” who wrote in on Burke’s behalf. “To those who believe in accountable government, it was a disappointing spectacle, putting personal allegiance ahead of the public interest, and should have had little weight on imposing a just sentence,” Greising said. Former City Council colleagues credit judge with striking right balance for Burke, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman City Council members react to sentencing: ‘You gotta pay the price,’ by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan The $2M fine is a lot, but … Burke can pay it from his political fund without penalty, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner, Ray Long and Megan Crepeau More stories from the hearing: The Sun-Times/WBEZ, Block Club, ABC 7, CBS 2, NBC 5, WGN and WTTW. And sketch artist Cheryl Cook’s work is here.
| | THE BUZZ | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Leaders for Tomorrow (L4T) PAC is relaunching after some restructuring and strategic planning. The Chicago-based political action committee, founded in 2019, is ramping up to get involved in races on the local, state and federal levels, according to the nonpartisan group. It’s goal: Endorse candidates that prioritize equity, economic development and strengthening neighborhoods. "When we elect leaders who are dedicated in both word and action to advancing equity and opportunity — we level the playing field and create lasting change,” L4T founder and President Cornelius Griggs said in a statement. Event tonight: L4T is marking the relaunch party tonight in the West Loop. Details here If you are Pete Andrews, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: Lawmakers in Springfield are giving away millions to corporate megastores—and Illinoisans will pay the price. This back-room deal will radically change how we use credit and debit cards; consumers may have information on their private purchases exposed, and local
businesses could face costly operational challenges, even requiring separate cash payments for tips and sales tax. Prevent credit card chaos. Learn more at GuardYourCard.com/Illinois. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Eyes On The Future Child Development Center at 1:30 p.m. to sign a bill to create a new state Department of Early Childhood.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At 1 North LaSalle Street at 4 p.m. for a paid time-off panel discussion.
| | Where's Toni | | | At Access Health and Housing in Maywood at 11 a.m. with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and other officials for ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the center’s opening. 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. | | | | | | | IN MEMORIAM | | — CHICAGO MEMORIAL: Former President Barack Obama delivered a eulogy for Marian Robinson, mother to former first lady Michelle Obama, on Monday, at the South Shore Cultural Center. Also in town: First lady Jill Biden attended the private memorial service. Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, delivered a welcome message, according to a spokesperson for the family. — Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer was known for his advocacy of improving mental health care, by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch — Ann Lurie, who came to Chicago a nurse and became one of city’s best-known philanthropists, dies at 79, by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn.
| | 2024 WATCH | | — RFK Jr. and Jill Stein file for spot on Illinois presidential ballot: “Barring any potential objection to their candidacy papers, candidates who filed Monday would join Democratic President Joseph Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump on the Illinois fall ballot following the major party candidates’ anticipated formal nominations later this summer,” by the Tribune’s Rick Pearson. Illinois would become the ninth confirmed state that RFK has made it on the ballot, by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck — The Chicago Board of Elections is out with a candidate list for the Nov. 5 election, including the offices and the names of candidates whose districts include all or part of the City of Chicago. Here’s the full list. — Thomas Day has been endorsed by Ald. Bill Conway in his bid for the Chicago School Board in the 4th District. — Jitu Brown is running for the Chicago School Board 5th District on the city’s West Side. Brown is national director for the Journey for Justice Alliance, which advocates for “community driven school improvement.”
| | | CONVENTION ZONE | | | — Democratic National Convention staff, volunteers start moving into United Center: “Beginning Aug. 19, Chicago will host more than 50,000 visitors, including 5,000 delegates, 12,000 volunteers and 15,000 members of the media” inside the United Center, by ABC 7’s Barb Markoff and Ravi Baichwal. — After Buckingham Fountain incident, CPD warns vandalism ‘will not be tolerated' during DNC, by NBC 5 — The Craziest Convention in American History: “One hundred years ago, Democrats took 103 ballots — and more than two weeks — to choose a candidate,” by Walter Shapiro for The New Republic.
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition:   | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — MOTION TO DISMISS: Attorneys for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch have filed a motion to dismiss in a lawsuit that was filed against him by legislative staffers claiming he deprived them of their right to unionize. The filing is here. And the Tribune has background here. — Illinois’ landmark credit card fee law prompting strong opposition, by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander
| | CHICAGO | | — It’s not your imagination. Chicago traffic has gotten worse since the pandemic, report finds, by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat — Looking for Al Capone, by Robert Loerzel in Chicago magazine — Showing their “Pride”: Some Chicago-area LGBTQ+ elected officials, including state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, are featured in a new pride video.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County tax bills going out on time in July, officials say: “After two years of significant delays, the second installment of Cook County property tax bills will go out on time next month, officials announced Monday,” via the Daily Herald. — State’s Attorney Kim Foxx allegedly assaulted, hit in face with ‘brown liquid’, by WGN 9’s BJ Lutz and Courtney Spinelli
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked when you had to juggle two events at the same time: Kevin Lampe: “When Matt Delort was to be sworn in as Cook County Judge, he asked me to MC the ceremony. At the same time, Erik Estrada (yes, Ponch from “CHiPs”) asked to be a part of the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Matt said go to LA and Kitty Kurth stood in for me. I sat with the Pointer Sisters at lunch after the ceremony.” Christopher Lynch: “I was invited to two wedding receptions that occurred on the same date and same time. I went to one in River North, and after the dinner course I pulled an Irish Goodbye and hopped on a Divvy Bike, and rode to the second one at The Cliff Dwellers. I don’t think anyone noticed!” NEXT QUESTION: What Chicago theater production has wowed you? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Where third-party candidates could spoil 2024, by POLITICO’s Brittany Gibson, Steven Shepard, Isabella Ramirez and Jared Mitovich — First came Dobbs. GOP chaos followed, by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton — U.S. to Hezbollah: Don’t count on us to stop an Israeli attack, by POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi, Erin Banco and Lara Seligman
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: Imagine paying at the pump with your credit card, and then having to go inside to pay the taxes. That’s just one possible outcome of a new law that will radically change how consumers and small businesses use credit cards.
This multi-million dollar giveaway to corporate megastores could
● Force separate cash payments on sales tax and tips
● Reduce consumer privacy by exposing information about private purchases
● Create costly operational nightmares and paperwork burdens for small businesses
This first-of-its-kind, untested mandate will lead to chaos, removing credit cards as the safe, secure and hassle-free way to pay in Illinois—all so giant, out-of-state corporations can pad their profits. Prevent credit card chaos. Learn more at GuardYourCard.com/Illinois. | | | | | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Randy Bukas for correctly answering that Alderman Yablonowitz, played by Val Avery, was the crooked city councilman investigated by Chicago reporter Ernie Souchak, played by John Belushi, in the movie “Continental Divide.” TODAY’s QUESTION: What was the name of the first baseball team that played in Rockford?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Sen. Mike Jacobs, The Strategy Group partner Aviva Bowen, philanthropy pro Francee Harrington, Fisher Broyle Deputy General Counsel Jayne Reardon, columnist John Kass and Tribune political reporter and POLITICO alum Olivia Olander. -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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