| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Mexican Independence Day is Monday, but the celebrations start now. Enjoy.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Mayor Brandon Johnson talks to a reporter last month in Chicago. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP | STORMY IN CITY HALL: Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Washington today for the White House Black Excellence Brunch hosted by President Joe Biden. It gives Johnson a break from the drama in City Hall, where one of his top deputies is under scrutiny for her past controversial comments and social media posts. The mayor is also escaping questions about a new poll showing his popularity waning. One veteran alderman says Johnson could be a “one-termer.” Putting it all in context: At the center of the storm is Kennedy Bartley, who was just tapped as deputy chief of staff over intergovernmental affairs. Post-appointment vetting: Before Bartley could get started, reports revealed she posted inflammatory remarks after the Hamas attack on Israel, writing, “From the river to the sea. Palestine will be free. Amen!” Pro-Palestinian activists say it’s a phrase about equality, but many Jews see it as an antisemitic call to eliminate Israel. A few days earlier, Bartley drew criticism for past remarks referring to police as “f-cking pigs,” via Fox 32. Enter Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th), the council’s only Jewish member. She said Bartley heckled her during the council debate over a ceasefire resolution, according to a statement. Bartley is “not fit” for the job of serving as the liaison between the mayor’s office and City Council, added Silverstein. “She has shown a clear pattern of disrespect to City Council members, to law enforcement and to the Jewish community.” No comment: Neither Bartley, nor the mayor’s spokesman returned our requests for comment. But a person close to the mayor’s office acknowledged, “It’s not helpful and never good when you become the story.” Why it all matters: Bartley’s job is to work with council members to win their support for legislation the mayor wants passed, including a budget. Accomplishing that becomes more difficult when aldermen don’t trust your decision-making. It’s not just the budget: The mayor is moving ahead with trying to appoint Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) as chair of the Zoning Committee even as some aldermen have opposed such a move, reports Crain’s Justin Laurence. About that polling: The internal drama comes as a new poll shows support for Johnson is down. “The mayor has a 25 percent favorable rating, 60 percent unfavorable,” according to NBC 5’s Rose Schmidt and Mary Ann Ahern, who were first out with the poll. Here’s the full poll report. It’s worth noting, the survey was commissioned by Urban Center Action, an independent expenditure political action committee chaired by Juan Rangel. The group has raised $680k for the upcoming Chicago school board races. Its poll was conducted by M3 Strategies, which is led by Matt Podgorski, a former Republican candidate for Cook County Board. MORE TAKEAWAYS Veteran Ald. Brendan Reilly says Johnson is 'woefully unprepared' to be mayor and could be a ‘one-termer,’ by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman Simply put: “Nearly a year and a half into his term, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson resembles a teacher who has lost control of the classroom,” Tribune reporter Gregory Royal Pratt posted on X.
| | THE BUZZ | | | | 
Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., left, walks with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, as they arrive for an event marking the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) | Scott Applewhite/AP | TAKING POSSESSION: Congressman Jonathan Jackson is picking up the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, which had been reintroduced earlier this year by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. who died in July. Jackson was impassioned about the bill in part after seeing footage of the recent traffic stop that had police handcuffing Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pinning him on the ground over a traffic stop near the stadium. “I just couldn't let this go unanswered after what happened to Tyreek Hill,” Jackson told Playbook, referring to the legislation. “The number one receiver in the league was the victim of excessive force and we have a solution on the table.” Crickets at the debate: Jackson is also “disappointed” that the issue wasn’t brought up at the presidential debate earlier this week. “Former President Trump is a Florida resident and should have been asked to speak out on this issue. This is about racial injustice,” Jackson said. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate with Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth among the co-sponsors, who have also said such legislation would address deaths like that of Sonya Massey, who was shot and killed in her home just outside of Springfield by a white deputy sheriff. The House version never saw passage. It's named after the man murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis during an arrest on suspicion he used a counterfeit $20 bill. Lee reintroduced it in the spring, but died in July of pancreatic cancer. “I’ve been approaching my colleagues, including my Republican colleagues about it. I want to fix the problem,” Jackson said. “We need to get to the root of this." If you are Kennedy Bartley, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At the White House at noon for brunch — At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 2 p.m. for "The Big Picture: Barriers to Successful Re-entry" program hosted by Congressman Danny Davis as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 53rd Annual Legislative Conference. Details here
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Hot race: Chicago Alds. Mike Rodriguez and Gil Villegas, state Sen. Cristina Castro, and former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos are among the notable names hosting a Sept. 20 fundraiser for Congressman Ruben Gallego, a Chicago native who’s running against Republican Kari Lake in the highly contested Arizona Senate race. Details here — ENDORSEMENT: The Humane Society Legislative Fund is endorsing Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) for reelection.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — State has started a two-and-a-half-year pilot program to help unhoused people find jobs, by News 25’s Taylor Fleming — Kim Foxx reflects on year without cash bail in Illinois, says critics’ attacks were ‘racist propaganda,’ by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky — State treasurer announces Illinois college savings program will see lower fees, other changes, by WGN 9’s Jewell Hillery, BJ Lutz
| | DAY IN COURT | | — No job at AT&T for 'loose-lipped' Madigan ally — until exec 'got a call,' jurors hear: “Former longtime AT&T Illinois lobbyist Stephen Selcke took the stand Thursday as the star witness in the trial of ex-utility President Paul La Schiazza,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. — Fired vet files lawsuit alleging Hawthorne Race Course allowed horses deemed ineligible to race: “A former veterinarian at Hawthorne filed the federal lawsuit, alleging she was fired for speaking up about sick horses,” by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — City to announce phase one of plan to combine homeless and migrant shelter systems: “Homeless advocates have long championed the move, saying it will better serve unhoused Chicagoans and recently arrived asylum seekers with wrap-around services: employment, food, and health care,” by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman. — Columbia College Chicago to cut 18 'underperforming' majors from curriculum amid budget issues, by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez — At Refracted Theatre Company, no topic is off-limits — especially this election season, by WBEZ’s Mike Davis — Watch for Ald. Raymond Lopez to talk about a resolution asking that the City of Chicago “stand with the people of Africa who are victims or terrorism and modern-day slavery.”
| | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | | — Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard skips meeting, trustees take action on spending, by ABC 7’s Eric Horng — What could be Lake County’s single largest road project advances, by the Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak — Cook County leaders ponder future of programs begun with ARPA funds, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky
| | TAKING NAMES | | — State Rep. Dan Ugaste has been honored with the 2024 Guardian of Small Business Award by the National Federation of Independent Business. The award recognizes leaders “who stand up for and advocate on behalf of small businesses.” — Bob Yadgir has been honored with the 2024 Alumni Achievement in Public Service Award by the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association. He worked 32 years with then-Secretary of State Jesse White and is now with the Druker, Yadgir & Haupt media relations and consulting firm.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what you’re having for game day. Fred Lebed: “Homemade asparagus soup.” Jim Lyons: “Chicken wings at home or a burger at a sports bar.” Allison Schraub: “A twist cone with crunch coat from Dairy Queen.” Scott Simon: “Pizza with red pepper slices and artichokes.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Chicken wings from Harold's on 87th Street and the Dan Ryan and pizza from Italian Fiesta on 81st and Halsted.” Next question: What advice were you given that you think is complete bunk? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin met with former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson-Bush to discuss her nomination to serve as chair of the Railroad Retirement Board.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Putin threatens war as Western allies near deal on missile strikes in Russia, by POLITICO’s Dan Bloom, Esther Webber and Jamie Dettmer — Trump says he will not debate Harris again, by POLITICO’s Irie Sentner and Meridith McGraw — Judge in Georgia election case knocks out 2 charges against Trump, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Boeing factory workers go on strike after rejecting contract offer, by The Associated Press’
| | TRANSITION TIME | | — Lisa Gilbert, the fifth president of the 23-year-old Schaumburg Business Association, has left the organization for a membership position with the Chicago-based Illinois Restaurant Association, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson. — Saturday: The Fall Nature Fest is hosted by Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen along with Congressman Mike Quigley, state Sens Ram Villivalam and Robert Martwick, state Reps. Ann Willams and Mike Kelly, Commissioners Bridget Gainer, Patricia Theresa Flynn and Samantha Steele, and Alds. Andre Vasquez and Samantha Nugent. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that George Halas played for the Hammond All Stars (or Hammond Pros) before he went to the Decatur Staleys, the future Chicago Bears. And h/t to those of you who shared that he played 12 games for the Yankees, too. Sounds like a future trivia question. TODAY’s QUESTION: What was Mickey Finn, a bartender in the Levee district of Chicago’s South Loop, known for? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Judge Viviana Martinez, Baker Hostetler partner and former Congressman Peter Roskam, former state Rep. David Olsen, director of scheduling and advance for the VP (and a Rep. Phil Hare alum) Kelsey Smith, attorney Elias Matsakis and Sports Index President Terry Poulos. Saturday: Former Ald. Sandi Jackson, former Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, City Clerk Digital Comms Director Gillian Peña, Regiment Securities investment banker Andrew Ross, graphics designer Karen Zane and Workers Center for Racial Justice Comms Director Ayana Clark, who turns the big 3-0. Sunday: State Rep. Kim Du Buclet, former Sen. Mark Kirk, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Brandie Knazze, Illinois Soybean Association Biofuels & Trade Policy Manager David Kubik, teacher and event organizer Shayla Rosen and NBC Deputy Political Editor Ben Kamisar. -30- Correction: In Thursday's Illinois Playbook, the last names of Cam and Amy Findlay were misspelled. | | | | 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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