A convention with a pound of salt

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Aug 13, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Political days at the State Fair are this week, though the buzz is subdued. CONVENTION ZONE A view from inside the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention will be held. | Francis Chung/POLITICO SALT OF THE EARTH: The Salt Shed — the site of the old Morton Salt factory on Goose Island in Chicago — will be leading the party scene next week for the Democratic National Convention. It’s “sceney,” says POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, referring to all the notable names who will be there angling for face-time with politicos and other important folks. The invites have gone out for Gov. JB Pritzker’s exclusive party at the Salt Shed on Tuesday of convention week. John Legend is performing. The next day, Invernerygy, the clean energy company founded by billionaire Michael Polsky, is holding an event at the same venue. And “Pod Save America,” the podcast founded by former Barack Obama staffers, will take over the Salt Shed on the last day of the convention. Not to be outdone: Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley will host a brunch at Wrigley Field on Tuesday of the convention. Here’s a lengthy list of events. SPOTTED: Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Democratic National Convention headquarters in the West Loop on Monday. He met with Convention Chair Minyon Moore and Convention Host Committee Executive Director Christy George, and he gave a pep talk to convention staffers. His best line: “The Republican Party is about as useless as a hotel room key on check-out day,” the mayor said. Gifts were exchanged: Johnson brought treats from Old Fashioned Donuts, a longtime shop in the Roseland neighborhood. And the convention planners gave him a commemorative Chicago DNC 2024 street sign. Pic! MORE CONVENTION HEADLINES SAFETY: Top Chicago cop warns protesters: 'We’re not going to allow you to riot’: “Supt. Larry Snelling’s tough talk comes amid concerns over how officers will manage protests and potentially respond to the type of chaos that marred the 1968 Democratic convention and swept through Chicago in the summer of 2020,” by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba and Kaitlin Washburn. TRANSPORTATION: Stakes are high for the CTA and its embattled leader to handle the throngs of visitors for the convention, by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat NEIGHBORHOODS: The Democratic National Convention has announced that it’s connected with all 77 neighborhoods in Chicago either by contracting with local vendors or hospitality events, participating in civic engagement events or conducting beautification projects. Convention organizers held 81 “unique events” across 31 Chicago neighborhoods –– and have utilized more than 200 local vendors to date, according to spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein Jarvis.  ART: New public art rides the rails in Chicago, timed to the convention, by The New York Times’ Laura van Straaten PROTESTS: Judge expected to rule today on dispute over convention  protest route permits, by CBS 2’s Mugo Odigwe DNC volunteers getting front-row seat to history, by the Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke 'Misunderstood' Gen Z voters fight cynicism, gear up for convention VoteFest, by the Sun-Times’ Mariah Rush WHERE'S JB No official public events. WHERE's BRANDON At Daley Plaza for the Pakistani Independence Day flag raising ceremony. Where's Toni No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com   DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE.     THE STATEWIDES — Some Illinois schools will likely experience major shifts this school year as federal Covid relief funds end: That’s according to State Superintendent Tony Sanders, who oversees education policies that will impact almost two million students across the state, via Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie. — With sheriff’s retirement, Sangamon County Board chair is responsible for naming the new sheriff, by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick M. Keck — A new state law mandates new homes be equipped with EV-capable parking, but for many buyers, home chargers aren’t yet an essential amenity, by the Tribune’s Jenny Hellwig — Judge orders prison officials to relocate Stateville population by Sept. 30, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel — Pritzker signs law allowing digital driver’s licenses among hundreds of other bills, by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams — SHROOMS: Gov. JB Pritzker has signed SB3514, designating the Calvatia gigantea, commonly known as the “giant puffball,” as the official mushroom of the State of Illinois, according to his office. Republican state Sen. Seth Lewis carried the bill on behalf of students from the Prairie School of DuPage in Wheaton. CHICAGO — Feds want more prison time for former Ald. Ricardo Munoz after DUI arrest, by the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson — University of Chicago students receive their withheld diplomas months after pro-Palestine protests, by the Block Club’s Maxwell Evans COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Disaster declared in Cook County over July storms that spawned more than 40 tornadoes in 36 hours: “Storms on July 14-15 represented the most prolific tornado event to hit the Chicago area in recorded history. Thus far, municipalities have filed more than $5 million in damage claims for infrastructure and response costs,” via the Sun-Times Wire. — Dolton deputy police Chief Lewis Lacey, an ally of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, indicted on federal bankruptcy fraud charges, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner — Northwestern University enters naming agreement with Northwestern Medicine for temporary football field, by the Tribune’s Alex Hulvalchick TAKING NAMES — Jeremy O’Brien, the CEO of PsiQuantum, has been appointed to Intersect Illinois’ Board of Directors. PsiQuantum is a quantum computing company that recently announced plans to build a utility-scale quantum computer at the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at the former U.S. Steel South Works property in Chicago. — Rod Blagojevich joined bands at two street festivals over the weekend, by the Block Club’s Alex V. Hernandez   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     Reader Digest We asked when your competitive streak comes out. Cliff Dolbeare: “During any board game or card game. Regardless if I’m playing against my daughters or 92-year old grandmother. I want to win!” Charles Keller: “Whenever I'm involved in a competition where the rules are understandable and I have a chance to evolve by participating. So yes, golf.” Michael Lieber: “When I am in court, arguing on behalf of my clients and when I am at Indianapolis Colts games, cheering on behalf of my team.” Jim Lyons: “Golfing.” Aubrie Mozingo: “Family game night brings out my most competitive side — I blame my father and his constant need to win.” Mark Rosenberg: “Playing Wordle!” Sharon Silberg: “Any time I’m awake.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “When my abilities are underestimated, whether it is in athletic competition or in the business/professional realm.” NEXT QUESTION: What vegetable can you not live without? Email skapos@politico.com KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and more than 120 House Democrats penned a letter urging health care company Maximus not to interfere with workers’ union organizing activities and adopt a neutrality agreement, according to POLITICO’s The Shift newsletter. Context: Call center employees at Maximus seeking to gain representation from the Communication Workers of America filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging the company retaliated against unionization efforts by discharging employees. Maximus call centers are operated under contract with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and field calls about patients’ health care coverage. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump’s interview with Musk devolves into yet another X catastrophe, by POLITICO’s Brittany Gibson — What Musk revealed about Trump, by POLITICO's National Playbook — Progressives face an existential threat from AIPAC. And there’s nothing to stop it, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick and Sarah Ferris — Break-in reported at Trump campaign office in Virginia, by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier IN MEMORIAM — Former Illinois Auditor General William Holland has died: “Holland spent 41 years in public service. He was director of the Illinois House Majority Appropriations Committee Staff and the first director of the Illinois General Assembly’s Washington, D.C. ,Office. In 1983, he was appointed chief of staff for Illinois Senate President, Phillip J. Rock, a position he held for nearly 10 years,” by NPR Illinois’ Sean Crawford. TRANSITIONS — Morgan Tadish is now regional political director at the Illinois Democratic Party. She was director of research and communications at New Chicago Consulting. — Julie Sampson is now state affiliate political organizer at the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She was executive director of Citizen Action/Illinois. TRIVIA MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ashley Urisman for correctly answering that the last public hanging in Illinois occurred April 19, 1928, to punish Charlie Birger for ordering the contract killing of West City Mayor Joseph Adams. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the WGN-TV host popularly known as the "Lottery Lady" in the 1990s for her role in drawing and announcing the Illinois Lottery results live on air? HAPPY BIRTHDAY Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie, former state Sen. Carole Pankau, SEIU Local 1 President Emeritus Tom Balanoff, LBH Chicago political fundraiser Liz Houlihan, attorney Tom Skallas, APS & Associates' EVP Rachel Hoge, America’s Voice comms director Doug Rivlin and journalist Michael Miner. -30-   Follow us on Twitter Shia Kapos @shiakapos   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

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://login.politico.com/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service