Mayor makes a power play for CPS

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

Sep 23, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Happy Monday, Illinois. Temps are dropping. We get the message, Mother Nature. TOP TALKER WHO’s THE BOSS: In a stunning move, Mayor Brandon Johnson has asked Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to step down and is angling to push out Chicago School Board members who disagree with him, too, according to a person familiar with City Hall. All this is happening amid the CPS-CTU contract negotiations. At issue: The mayor wants CPS to take out a $300 million loan to pay for salary increases and pension costs. Insiders say CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, who has voiced her opposition to Martinez, supports the mayor’s loan proposal — though she said she hasn’t taken a stand on the idea. CTU’s take: It wants a CPS CEO who will focus on raising funds to fully fund schools the way the union wants. CTU’s elected governing body last week issued “a resounding, unanimous vote of no confidence” in Martinez, according to a statement from the union. Defying the mayor: Martinez, a former chief financial officer for CPS, has refused the loan idea, seeing a short-term loan as fiscally irresponsible because it would come with a high interest rate and puts the city at risk of further debt. Up until now: The School Board, which has a fiduciary responsibility to do what’s best for taxpayers, has agreed with Martinez. But we hear Johnson has worked behind the scenes to change board members’ minds — and is angling to push out any board member who is resolute in opposing his loan proposal. “We are confident that a majority of the CPS board agrees with the mayor and supports his vision for public education that includes fully funded schools, access to the arts, athletics and special education resources, and a nurse and social worker in every building,” a senior aide to the mayor told Playbook. It could all come to a head Thursday when the school board is set to meet and vote on the pay-day loan. It wouldn’t be a quick fix: Approving the loan would trigger a budget amendment that will take time to approve — and will likely draw community pushback. In the meantime, CTU is sewing controversy by sharing misinformation that Martinez wants to close schools. He doesn’t. It’s the school board that asked for information about potential school closures as part of its due diligence in understanding the CPS’ financial situation, according to the person familiar with the situation. Martinez is “taking it hard because he loves this job,” a source familiar with internal discussions told Chalkbeat. “Smear campaign,” is how Ald. Gil Villegas described it on social media, adding, “it’s ludicrous.” As for trying to oust Martinez: His contract requires six months’ notice of termination without cause. By that time, the current board would be out and the new board will be in — consisting of 10 members elected in November and 11 more appointed by the mayor. A shakeup before that could have a ripple effect, report the Sun-Times Nader Issa and Fran Spielman and WBEZ’s Sarah Karp. RELATED Who's behind this PAC?: Rise Chicago is a new political action committee that appears to be organizing against City Hall. Do you know who’s behind it? We’d like to know: skapos@politico.com THE BUZZ FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is turning to a familiar and trusted ally from Illinois to help the get-out-the-vote effort in swing states. Valerie Alexander, the 2019 lead for Kamala Harris for President effort, has been tapped to run point on Illinois' efforts for the campaign. She will also help direct volunteers to states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. She’s served as an adviser to former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Sen. Dick Durbin, among others. Delaware doings: Alexander has been working with the Harris’ team in Delaware on campaign operations to mobilize voters in Illinois as well as neighboring swing states. It’s a juggling act. Along with her campaign work, she’s wrapping up her third year in law school and preparing for the bar exam next year. During the roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention, Alexander zoomed into class from the convention floor. In addition to her campaign work and law school, she works on cases involving wrongful convictions. If you are Pedro Martinez, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com WHERE'S JB At the Swissotel Chicago at 8:45 a.m. with state Treasurer Michael Frerichs for the National Association of State Treasurers annual conference. WHERE's BRANDON In New York for the United Nations General Assembly as part of the Mayors Migration Council. Where's Toni No official public event. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com CAMPAIGN TRAIL — Could voters abroad hold all the cards? Bruce Heyman, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada, and Vicki Heyman, are leading an effort to get Americans working or going to school overseas to send in their ballots, by your Playbook host. — FALLOUT: North Carolina GOP gov candidate Mark Robinson drops Chicago-area fundraiser after vile posts surface, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — And Robinson's top staffers resign from his campaign, too, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison SPOTLIGHT — The political campaign that killed Emmett Till: “The true history of the lynching that begat the Civil Rights Movement began with the Mississippi gubernatorial election that was all about preserving segregation,” by Wright Thompson in POLITICO Magazine. THE STATEWIDES — Lawmakers weigh use of solitary confinement in Illinois prison. Here's what to know: “Supporters say the use of solitary confinement has drastic negative impact on inmates' mental health, often lasting beyond their prison sentence,” by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick M. Keck. — Water levels on the Mississippi River are low. That’s raising concerns for Illinois farmers during the harvest, by the Tribune’s Adriana Pérez — REAL ID deadline looms in May but TSA may allow a softer landing for air travelers, by the Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke — UPDATE: A historic but dilapidated Illinois prison will close while replacement is built, despite objections, by The Associated Press’ John O’Connor — Nick Sauer out of jail and heading up a children's baseball charity, by The Illinois Record’s Max Rice CHICAGO — City starts dismantling ShotSpotter today, as the mayor calls for information on other technologies. He’s still getting pushback. Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) issued a statement Sunday, saying, “Starting tonight, every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda. Every single one,” by ABC 7’s Maher Kawash. — Abuse allegations went unchecked for years at state-funded South Side center for troubled foster kids: “A politically connected Chicago center for troubled youths was quietly shut down by state officials in June after allegations of sexual assault by staffers, sex trafficking of young girls, thousands of reports of violence, and years of failed oversight,” by Injustice Watch’s David Jackson. — Chicago organizers work to ease Black-brown tension over the influx of migrants, by WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona-Maguigad — In Chicago, a resilient and strong Haitian community celebrates its contributions to the city, by the Tribune’s By Nell Salzman and Laura Rodríguez Presa — White Sox lose 120th game to tie post-1900 record by the 1962 expansion New York Mets, by The Associated Press’ Bernie Wilson — A milestone: Hinshaw & Culbertson is marking its 90oth anniversary. Some history here COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — IDOT receives $305M for South Side rail, west suburban expressway improvements: “Officials announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation grant will be used for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program and also to improve the I-290-1st Avenue interchange,” by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez. — 2 veteran prosecutors quit Cook County state's attorney's office, by the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm — Evanston-based Meals on Wheels faces financial turmoil as executive director departs, by the Evanston RoundTable’s Les Jacobson Reader Digest We asked what the quickest way is to lose your trust. Alex Arroyo, an East Aurora Board of Education member: “When big talkers say they are gonna send you 50 guys, and only three show up.” Charles Keller: “Telling me your 'pronouns' when we meet.” Jim Lyons: “To tell me one thing and then do something totally the opposite.” Marilynn Miller: “Anyone who makes misogynistic remarks loses my trust instantly and permanently. At 90, I have no patience with it any more.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “Dishonesty.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Displaying cowardice and being a transactional being.” Next question: The political move you love to watch? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — House GOP announces plan to avert looming shutdown, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney and Jennifer Scholtes — How the debate didn’t boost Harris, according to our polling expert, by POLITICO’s Steven Shepard — Lobbyists exploit massive loophole to wine and dine lawmakers, aides at fancy getaways, via POLITICO IN MEMORIAM — Mourners gather in Skokie to honor Hersh Goldberg-Polin, by the Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo. — Cushman “Cush” Bissell Jr., 92, has died. He was a partner at Lord, Bissell & Brook and would serve as director of several charitable and business organizations, including The Joyce Foundation. Obit here TRIVIA FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Peter Cetera of Chicago wrote "If You Leave Me Now," which in 1976 hit No. 1 in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, Netherlands and South Africa. TODAY’s QUESTION: What did Gen. William Sherman give to President Abraham Lincoln as a Christmas gift in 1864? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts, Corn Growers Association Public Policy Director Brad Stotler, U.S. Treasury’s Office of Legislative Affairs exec Corey Tellez, National Urban League Economic Policy Director Julius Niyonsaba, lieutenant governor’s Chief Fiscal Officer Jessica Allen and Rotary International comms specialist Dan Conley. -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

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