| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Happy Monday, Illinois. With Lollapalooza wrapped up, the Democratic National Convention is Hot to Go.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton take part in the Illinois Paid Leave bill signing ceremony in 2023. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP | VEEPSTAKES: Illinois politicos are keeping a close eye on who Vice President Kamala Harris will pick as her running mate. The announcement is expected to come Tuesday with a likely video, reports POLITICO’s Eugene Daniels If Gov. JB Pritzker is tapped and a Harris-Pritzker ticket were to win in November, the Illinois political scene would be upended. It would bring out in the open a discussion that’s been whispered for months about who wants to run for governor should Pritzker be out of the equation. What would happen first: If Pritzker were on a winning Democratic ticket, it means Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton would become governor and finish the rest of Pritzker’s term. And she would make history as the nation’s first Black woman governor. It would also open up the Illinois governor’s race for 2026 among Democrats — and Republicans. Statewide office watch: Along with Stratton, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul, Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Comptroller Susana Mendoza could all be likely Democratic candidates for governor. It’s worth noting those same folks could run for Senate if Sen. Dick Durbin decides not to seek reelection. He has said he will announce in January whether he'll run again. Money would become a huge factor: With a billionaire out of the governor’s race, fundraising and support would be key. A quick look at campaign coffers today shows Giannoulias with $2.1 million cash on hand, followed by Raoul with $1.1 million, Frerichs with $1 million, Mendoza with nearly $800,000 and Stratton with $406.000. All the what-ifs depend on who Harris picks for her VP. And while Pritzker is in the mix — having been vetted for the job — he’s not a name political analysts are putting at the top of the list. If Pritzker isn’t chosen, the question then becomes whether he could be appointed to a Cabinet post should Harris win. And if not, would he run for governor for a third term? Depending on what he and Durbin decide, watch for a huge domino effect hitting Illinois politics.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | ONLY IN PLAYBOOK: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot reflected on her post-City Hall life during a birthday party in her honor Sunday at Roots Handmade Pizza in the South Loop. Pic! “It’s been a tough calendar year for us,” she said, referring to the deaths of her oldest brother and mom just two months later. “To lose both of them in such quick succession, really just changed the trajectory of what my life was going to be this year.” She credited her faith, her wife Amy Eshleman and daughter Vivian, and her friendships for getting her through the grief. What she learned: “You know you come to realize as you get older how important these authentic friendships are,” she told the crowd. “And I want to emphasize the word authentic. I’ve learned a lot about transactional relationships since May of 2023. The folks who faded away, they were never really friends at all,” she said of her exit from City Hall. Lightfoot continues to support community programs that she advocated for while mayor. Instead of birthday gifts, she asked guests to donate to Phalanx Family Services, an organization that helps underserved children and families in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. Tina Sanders, the organization’s CEO, took the mic to thank Lightfoot for her support. Also spotted: Alds. Michelle Harris (8th), Nicole Lee (11th), Chris Taliaferro (29th) and Nick Sposato (38th), Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and former state Rep. David Miller, civic leader Nora Daley and businessman Sean Conroy, SPAAN Tech CEO Smita Shah and businessman Maarten de Jeu, DePaul College Prep President Mary Dempsey, YMCA CEO Dorri McWhorter, Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia, and Michael Fassnacht, the former head of World Business Chicago. If you are Sen. Dick Durbin, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: STOP CREDIT CARD CHAOS IN ILLINOIS! A new Illinois law will disrupt credit card processing for millions across the Prairie State, impacting consumers, small businesses, and tipped workers. It creates costly challenges for small businesses and reduces convenience and privacy for consumers. Repeal the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act now to protect Illinois small business owners, consumers, and workers. For more information, visit guardyourcard.com/Illinois. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 9 a.m. to give remarks at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At the Damen Green Line Station at 9 a.m. for the station’s ribbon cutting.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more. | | | | | | | CONVENTION ZONE | | — For Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Democratic convention is a big test on the world stage: “The rookie mayor may have inherited the event, which Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and Johnson’s predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, had worked to get. But Johnson’s the one who stands to lose the most if Chicago is not up to the challenge,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. — Brace yourselves Kennedy drivers — the convention will funnel thousands more onto gridlocked corridor, by the Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke — Julia Louis-Dreyfus will be “extra-involved” in Harris’ campaign, including a convention appearance, she told the Times of London — At the 1944 Democratic convention in Chicago, an ailing FDR faced a difficult choice: Who should be his running mate? By the Tribune’s Ron Grossman — On this day in 1956, then-Mayor Richard J. Daley appeared on “What's My Line?” ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Chicago that year at the International Amphitheatre on the city’s South Side. The clip is here. — During the convention: Join POLITICO for live, in-person conversations with the Democratic Party’s biggest newsmakers.Sign up to get notified when registration opens
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Republicans for Harris: Kamala Harris’ campaign launched “Republicans for Harris,” a group with some familiar Illinois names, including former Gov. Jim Edgar, former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and former Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Joe Walsh. Harris’ team calls it a “campaign within a campaign.” Edgar told Playbook last week he sees “a lot of negative ramifications” if Trump were elected again. And Kinzinger said, “As a proud conservative, I never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for president. But, I know Vice President Harris will defend our democracy and ensure Donald Trump never returns to the White House,” according to his statement from the Harris campaign. The Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet has more here. — Harris hires Obama campaign veterans to join 2024 effort, replacing Biden loyalists: “David Plouffe, Stephanie Cutter and Mitch Stewart are joining the effort. ... Quentin Fulks, the principal deputy campaign manager for Harris (and former Pritzker aide), is taking over leadership of the campaign’s advertising program with the current paid media team,” by The Washington Post’s Michael Scherer and Tyler Pager. — Illinois Democrats pumping 'seven figure investments' into 2 key congressional races: “Through Organize Illinois 2024, Democrats will be looking to shore up efforts to keep U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski of Springfield and Eric Sorensen of Moline in office by pouring "seven figure investments" into down-ballot campaigns,” by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick M. Keck. — Regan Deering, candidate for state representative in the 88th District, has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business Illinois PAC. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Kelli Wegener has been endorsed by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Treasurer Mike Frerichs in her campaign for McHenry County Board chair. The full list is here. — Eileen O'Neill Burke is getting money from Cook County and appellate judges in her race for state's attorney, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Changing population is changing the political landscape in Illinois, by WGLT’s Charlie Schlenker — Kamala Harris and Sonya Massey — Two Black women in two American realities, by the Washington Post’s Holly Bailey — Illinois trees and plants suffering widespread damage from renewed use of decades-old weedkillers on farms, studies show, by the Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Controversial staffing firm to remain in Chicago migrant shelters: “The vendor Favorite Healthcare Staffing has billed over a quarter-billion dollars for running operations at the shelters, and is likely here to stay,” by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Joe Mahr. — Feds pledge to advance nearly $400M more to Red Line extension, by Block Club’s Maxwell Evans — Century-old Loop skyscrapers to be preserved, federal agency decides, by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather — A funk for the ages: White Sox lose 20th straight to go 60 games under .500, by the Tribune’s LaMond Pope
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Despite lakefront focus, Bears president leaves the door open to Arlington Heights stadium ‘opportunity,’ by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Islamic school proposed for shuttered Elgin Academy, by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Steve McMichael’s Hall of Fame enshrinement brings joy, relief and hope that ‘he can have some peace now,’ by the Tribune’s Colleen Kane — Rahm Emanuel to represent the U.S. at Hiroshima Peace Memorial ceremony, via the U.S. Embassy in Japan — Ken Griffin gives millions to stop recreational weed in Florida, by Bloomberg’s Felipe Marques and Michael Smith
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | — Chicago Tribune reporters push back against ownership group’s AI demands, by WGN’s Julian Crews
| | | | 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 how you use AI. Dennis Johnson: “We’ve probably been using AI, or AI has been using us, before we even knew it.” Jan Kostner: “I use it for emails, talking points and pitches. It helps me get started. However, you have to edit, revise and refine, because it’s not always accurate and not in your voice.” Edwin Reyes: “When searching for recommendations on high priced items.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s your relationship with neighbors on your block? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — What’s shaping up as tension points between Harris and the left, via POLITICO — RFK Jr. says he dumped dead bear in Central Park a decade ago, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper — Ukraine might breathe a sigh of relief — whether Trump or Harris wins, by POLITICO’s Matthew Kaminski
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Former Edgewater Ald. Mary Ann Smith, dies at 77: “The former alderwoman, who served from 1989 to 2011, championed historical preservation, beautification and the protection of park spaces, friends, family and colleagues said,” by the Block Club’s Madison Savedra.
| | | TRANSITIONS | | | — Olivia Goethals has been promoted to senior media manager at Stomping Ground Strategies. She was a senior communications manager. Ariana Diaz has joined the firm as senior creative manager after more than five years at Accenture. And Ben Grafe is communications assistant after interning for the firm. — Greg Trotter is now the director of editorial operations for Advantage Solutions. He was director of marketing and communications for Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry. — Patrick Keane is now project manager in the Kane County Collaborative Diversion Program in the Kane County State's Attorney Office. He was operations major at the Joliet Inpatient Treatment Center.
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: STOP CREDIT CARD CHAOS IN ILLINOIS!
In less than one year, a new law will create credit card chaos for millions of Illinois consumers, small business owners and workers who rely on tips. The law changes how your credit card is processed and has never been done anywhere in the world. The end result is windfall for corporate mega-stores paid for through costly operational hurdles for small businesses and a loss of convenience and privacy for consumers who could have to pay tax and gratuity with cash.
There’s still time to protect Illinois small business owners, consumers and workers by repealing the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act now! For more information, visit guardyourcard.com/Illinois. | | | | | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that the Illinois State Fair featured a hog-calling contest for the first time in 1926. What is the hog-calling contest, you ask? Take a look. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was tapped to transform Chicago’s West Side ahead of the 1996 Democratic National Convention?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jeanne Wrenn, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride (now with Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres), Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres associate and former mayoral aide Maria Virginia Martinez, state Rep. Matt Hanson Chief of Staff Mario Keane, YMCA Donor Relations Manager Mariam Pera, Tipsy Cake founder Naomi Levine, journalist Jim O’Shea, comms consultant Stephan Benzkofer and Kinship marketing firm founder Chip Bouchard Vassil. -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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