| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Monday, Illinois. With a Bears win, the week looks bright.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off Tuesday night at a debate in Philadelphia. | AP photos | BIG WEEK: The much-anticipated presidential debate Tuesday night between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could have a trickle-down effect in Illinois campaigns. Content coming out of the debates will be used by candidates down ballot ahead of the November election, whether it’s abortion, immigration or the economy. “In Illinois, we don’t have a big Senate race. We don’t have a constitutional amendment. There are less consequential races on the ballot than we’ve had in the past. The smart campaigns are cognizant of that and are syncing up their messages to the national campaigns right now,” Democratic political consultant Tom Bowen told Playbook. “People are going to tune in to the content of the debate and decide how it will impact them over the next four years.” What they’re hoping for: Democrats are looking for Harris to make points that can resonate in swing districts in the suburbs and Rockford/Rock Island areas. And Republicans want Trump to stay on message and not spend too much time lashing out on personal issues that could hurt him with swing voters. If either loses momentum after the debate, it could impact voter turnout, Bowen said. One race to watch: The IL-17 congressional race between Democratic incumbent Congressman Eric Sorensen and Republican opponent Joe McGraw, a former judge. “The debate makes a huge difference in Illinois down-ballot races as many competitive races were swinging our way when [Joe] Biden was on the ticket, and then the pendulum swung back when Kamala became the nominee,” said Illinois Republican Party Co-Chair Aaron Del Mar. “Harris’ performance will be an indicator of how voter intensity will be in November. If she performs like she did in 2020, that would dampen [Democratic] excitement and give us an edge.” Generating excitement: Even though Illinois isn’t at play in the presidential race, “the debate can motivate and inspire voters to engage in voter mobilization efforts in swing states and get out to the polls here at home to impact down ballot races,” said veteran political adviser Becky Carroll. RELATED Trump’s debate playbook: Call the rules ‘rigged’ and undermine the moderators, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt and Meridith McGraw Harris trolls Trump on debate day with criticism from inside his administration, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw Trump’s allies fear he’ll blow the debate — his best chance to regain ground against Harris, via POLITICO
| | THE BUZZ | | CAMPAIGN STOP: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff headlined a campaign fundraiser at the Chicago Cultural Center on Friday with a group of Illinois lawyers and Democratic supporters. Nearly $1.5 million was raised. “Treat this like the trial of your life,” Emhoff told the crowd of notables, including former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, Sen. Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Democracy literally is the client here,” Emhoff said. Debate prep: Emhoff said Kamala Harris was “preparing for the debate” with Trump while also working with President Joe Biden and Durbin on trying to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Also in the room: Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan’s Jonathan Bunge, political consultant Alan Solow and former U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council member Andrea Lavin Solow, tech guru Tamar Newberger and former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Andy Schapiro, SPAAN Tech CEO Smita Shah and businessman Maarten de Jeu, Obama Foundation Executive VP Tina Tchen, attorney Bill Quinlan, former Durbin chief of staff and Harris campaigner Valerie Alexander, EHI Corp. General Partner Mike Purnell, boutique owner Maria Pinto and Greenspoon Marder Partner Irina Dashevsky. Attorneys from DLA Piper, where Emhoff previously worked (in California), were also in attendance. If you are Sally Yates, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | 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
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Code of silence and aldermanic prerogative fuel dozens of corruption convictions in Chicago: “In Chicago, it comes down to two main factors: a deeply ingrained culture where the ruling attitude toward corrupt actions is “you didn’t see nothin’,” and an unwritten power-sharing agreement between the city’s mayor and the council that has neutered the usual checks and balances on government actions at City Hall. … ‘Once people get power, they don’t want to ever give it up — no matter what,’ said former Mayor Lori Lightfoot,” by the Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt, Ray Long and Rick Pearson. — Ex-AT&T Illinois president in big trouble over 'small contract' for Madigan ally — trial starts Tuesday, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Films about Adam Kinzinger and James Carville might shake up the 2024 campaign — and the awards race: “Adam Kinzinger had turned down more than a dozen requests to make a documentary. Then the director of ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ walked in. ‘Everyone else was interested in re-election,” Kinzinger said as the Toronto International Film Festival was set to start Thursday. ‘But when I talked to Steve and the team their interest was in the human element — what’s the cost to you and your future kid?’” by The Hollywood Reporter’s Steven Zeitchik. — Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein are the top federal campaign donors from Illinois, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — Kate Doyle has been endorsed by Iron Workers Local 63 and Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11 in her bid for the Chicago School Board District 2 seat. — Jennifer Custer has a full list of endorsements on her web site in her bid for the Chicago School Board District 1 seat.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Q&A: Raja Krishnamoorthi on China policy — and why it matters to the Midwest: “I’m concerned about companies like Custom Aluminum Products, a family-owned extruder of aluminum with plants in South Elgin and Genoa. This is complicated manufacturing and design that results in products used in defense systems in submarines, aircraft and communications. … Custom is now under attack from predatory Chinese competitors who dump extruded aluminum in the U.S. at unfairly low prices,” the Illinois congressman told Crain’s H. Lee Murphy. — Illinois school district with highest student arrest rate in the nation agrees to reform how it disciplines disabled students, by ProPublica’s Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen — U. of I. campus welcomes new policies to combat antisemitism in wake of federal civil rights complaint, by the Tribune’s Sylvan Lebrun
| | CHICAGO | | | | 
Workers have installed “Uprising of the Sun,“ which consists of 35 abstract, painted glass panels, at the Obama Presidential Center. | Obama Foundation photo | — NEW at the Obama center: the Obama Foundation announced this morning the installation of an 83 ft. x 25 ft. commissioned work of art by renowned Ethiopian-American artist Julie Mehretu. The piece, titled “Uprising of the Sun,” is now featured on the north facade of the future Obama Presidential Center’s Museum Building. — Ahead of the DNC, City Hall spent $814,000 on a fence to lock out homeless people: “Two months before the convention, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration OK’d ‘emergency’ spending for the massive barrier at what had been one of Chicago’s most visible homeless encampments,” by the Sun-Times’ Lauren FitzPatrick, Brett Chase and Elvia Malagón. — Q&A: Ald. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas is proposing measure that would beef up the number of data centers in Chicago: Data centers could generate as much as $13 million each year in property tax revenue in Chicago, according to the alderman. There are 21 centers in the burbs outside of Chicago — and only four in the city. Gillegas wants to offer incentives to companies to build facilities, especially in “blighted areas.” The plus: putting them on the tax rolls, Villegas said. The ordinance is supported by Chicago Urban League CEO Karen Freeman Wilson, Black Men United President Rev. John Harrell, Boston Consulting Group’s James Lowry and developer Quentin Primo. WBBM’s Craig Dellimore reports. — POT POURRI: Cannabis Research Institute opens in Chicago, looking to dig deep into marijuana and how it might treat cancer, by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin — Chicago Council on American-Islamic Relations calls for probe into damage at Muslim center, by the Tribune’s Sylvan Lebrun — Review: ‘Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago’ at Chopin Theatre lets the man and his words take center stage, by the Tribune’s Chris Jones
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Search is on for election workers across six-county suburban region, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — Bears president keeps open door to stadium, but complains about taxes, by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy outlines solutions at inaugural DuPage County Mental Health Summit, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson
| | TAKING NAMES | | — SAY CHEESE-CAKE: Maureen Schulman and Marc Schulman celebrated the 44th birthday of Eli’s Cheesecake with a 1,000 lb. 6 ft. high Eli’s original plain and chocolate chip cheesecake Saturday at Taste of Chicago. Also spotted: Chris Witaske, Corey Hendrix, Richard Esteras and Jose Cervantes, who all star in “The Bear;” Jason Weaver of “The Chi,” John Hartman of “Ghosts” and Elena Schulman, director of special events for Eli’s. Pic! — Applause, applause: Nancy Alcantara is being honored as a Federal Employee of the Year for being part of an investigation of child labor law violations, according to the Partnership for Public Service, which announced the 2024 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal winners (also known as the Sammies).
| | Reader Digest | | We asked how you juggle caring for your dog and going out of town. Bridget Hatch: “We always have a dog and house sitter for our pup” Jim Lyons: “We have two couples that watch our Tillie.” AmySue Mertens: “I adopted a puppy mill survivor-in the beginning I thought I’d never even leave the house again! Luckily he steals hearts not souls, so even the neighbors have offered to dog sit.” Marilynn Miller: “I just visited Wisconsin (for my 72nd high school reunion) and left two huge bowls of dry cat food and a huge bowl of water for my two cats. And I added an extra litter box. They were fine when I got home.” Michael Stokke: “We had four rescues at one point and took them to the vet when we were gone, which they did not appreciate. Once we got back down to two, they came with us.” Matt Sullard of the Champaign County Democratic Central Committee: “We take our Bernadoodle Bark Wahlberg (“Wally”) to play with his friends at a local boarding and grooming facility. They post the best pics of their tenants on their Facebook story.” Next question: How are you watching Tuesday’s debate? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — How the spending fight could decide Speaker Johnson’s future, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney — 5 numbers from our polling expert that explain the stakes of Tuesday’s debate, by POLITICO’s Steven Shepard — Venezuela’s opposition and the U.S. are at a perilous point, by POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 6 pm: Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie visits the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a discussion with Institute Director John Shaw about the House GOP policy agenda and Republican prospects in November. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Frank Calabrese and Ashvin Lad for correctly answering that quarterback Sid Luckman played on the championship 1943 Bears team and also served in the Battle of Normandy. TODAY’s QUESTION: What 1840 charter granted an Illinois city the power to raise a militia? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Latino Policy Forum CEO Sylvia Puente, EXPO Chicago President Tony Karman, Illinois Education Association VP Tom Tully, CME Group market regulation investigator Trenton Crawford and Washington Post reporter Kara Voght. And belated greetings to Illinois Republican Party Co-Chair Aaron Del Mar, who celebrated Sunday. -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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