| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. And happy retirement, Derrick Rose.
|  | TOP TALKER | | THERE WERE A FEW FIREWORKS, but they didn’t burn down the house at the Chicago Board of Education meeting Thursday. There was no showdown between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. The board didn’t discuss Martinez's employment contract, and it didn't take up the mayor's idea of taking out a loan to cover budget holes, either. Both issues have been hot topics in City Hall this week. And though the school board didn’t tackle them, they are issues still causing tension just as the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS are negotiating a labor contract. What the board did do: It unanimously approved a moratorium on school closings in an effort to tamp down "misinformation" out there that it was planning to. The ban lasts until 2027. It's just for now: “The ban on closing schools is essentially symbolic since it’s not legally binding and can be reversed at any time,” report the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa and Sarah Karp. By 2027, the newly elected school board will be in place and the subject will likely pop up again if low enrollment becomes a concern. Aldermen had their say at the board meeting, further distinguishing who supports the mayor’s loan idea and who doesn't. Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th) spoke out during the public comment period, criticizing Martinez for not agreeing to taking out a loan to help CPS grapple with its budget woes. Sigcho Lopez said Martinez took out loans while he was CFO for CPS, so “What is different now?” Lining up to support Martinez were Alds. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas (36th) and Nick Sposato (38th), who wore a “Vote for Pedro” shirt, according to the Sun-Times. What’s next: Tensions are likely to continue because the budget issues with CPS are affecting the city budget that Johnson is also trying to corral. Johnson wants CPS to pay for a big portion of pension payments for non-teaching staff, which is currently the responsibility of the city. Here’s the Tribune’s take, by Ikram Mohamed and Sylvan Lebrun RELATED CPS enrollment increases a bit for second year in a row; also a bump in English language learners, by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa Johnson takes, then refunds campaign cash from janitorial businesses that shared in fat CPS contracts, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth
| | THE BUZZ | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is headed to North Carolina on Sunday as a Harris campaign surrogate for the AAPI get-out-the-vote effort. He’s busy: A Democrat who represents the suburban 8th District, Krishnamoorthi has also organized and participated in canvass and phone-banking events in Nevada, Wisconsin and Michigan. Center stage: Krishnamoorthi is also a key fundraiser for the campaign and spoke during prime-time at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month.
| | 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
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — ON THE BALLOT: Illinois voters will consider whether millionaires should be taxed more to fund property tax relief: “The advisory referendum is not binding. But if passed later, Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration estimates the tax could generate $4.5 billion annually,” by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney. — COLUMN: Why voters — even women, like, past 50 — care about abortion rights, by the Tribune’s Heidi Stevens
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | TOOTING ITS HORN: The Illinois Democratic Party is holding a fundraising gala tonight at the Field Museum. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will headline, and state Rep. Maurice West of Rockford will be on his saxophone playing the Star-Spangled Banner. There will be shout-outs for Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) — the two biggest reelection campaigns that Democrats are focused on. And there will be recognition of the Illinois Democratic Party building its infrastructure. Earlier this year, for example, Democrats hired a constituency outreach director to work on building relationships with communities of color, including Latino voters in Chicago, according to the party. Democrats also continue to focus on mail voting, which has been a priority since Gov. JB Pritzker took office. “The investments made to strengthen our party’s infrastructure in 2024 will ensure that Democrats are ready to deliver for Illinoisans across the state for years to come,” the governor said in a statement to Playbook. Of course the real celebration won’t come until Nov. 5, when Democrats will see whether their efforts worked.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | — BUILDING TRUST: Illinois county clerks invite public to watch voting process, by CIProud’s Sara Allen — Law aims to protect tenants with complaints from landlord retaliation, by NPR Illinois’ Maureen Foertsch McKinney — Pekin’s highest paid city employees, by the Peoria Journal-Star’s Mike Kramer
| | CHICAGO | | — Ald. Walter Burnett says to count him out of ShotSpotter veto override: “The Zoning Committee chair said the City Council gains nothing by further ‘antagonizing’ the mayor. So while he voted to keep ShotSpotter, if the Council tries to override a threatened Johnson veto, he won’t back that effort,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. Also… Aldermen weigh a lawsuit and push for a replacement after ShotSpotter: ‘It’s life or death,’ by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan — Council, community divided on future of Pilsen taxing district: Progressives have in the past railed against TIFs, but this proposal expands on it, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — SPOTLIGHT: Many Chicago leaders are under heavy fire — but not the city’s top cop, by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba — BIG GIFT: Donor gives $100M to University of Chicago's Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, by CBS 2’s y Adam Harrington and Matthew Cramer
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Evanston releases three proposals to develop the city-owned Harley Clarke mansion, by Evanston Now’s Bill Smith — The American Toby Jug Museum in Evanston is closing. What does one do with 8,500 Toby jugs? By the Tribune’s Christopher Borrelli — Prairie Crossing is among the best places to live, according to Money. It might surprise you, by the Peoria Journal-Star’s Mike Kramer — Wheaton City Manager Mike Dzugan reflects on his career, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith
| | TAKING NAMES | | — A trip to Croatia: Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, City Clerk Anna Valencia, Rodriguez Media Communications’ Eve Rodriguez Montoya and Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres/POD Strategies’ Lisa Duarte were invited to Croatia by U.S. Ambassador Natalie Rayes, co-founder of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Binational Fellows program. The group met with Croatian women leaders to talk about “women's rights, leadership and collaboration opportunities,” according to a statement. — State Sen. Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for his work “advocating for the furtherance of economic opportunities for all Illinoisans,” the chamber announced.
| | | Reader Digest | | | We asked about state capitols you’ve toured. Joe Moore, the former alderman: “I've visited 37 state capitols. I like the small town feel of many of them. Montpelier, Vermont, and Pierre, South Dakota, are my favorites.” Mathias Delort, retired Illinois Appellate Court justice: “I’ve been to all 50 state capitols. I met many tour guides who clearly love their capital cities and their state.” Alex Arroyo: “I've toured nine so far, I love their distinctiveness, yet each feels so familiar.” Scott Burgh: “New Hampshire’s capitol in Concord, where Daniel Webster argued the Dartmouth case in the state Supreme Court. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1819 and addressed public v. private charters, impacting corporate law for the future.” Ted Cox: “I've only seen the neighboring states and would argue that what's impressive is that none of them stand out. They all look the same, modeled after the U.S. Capitol dome. But they also all look especially impressive at night.” Donna Gutman: “The capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, holds lots of memories protesting the war in Vietnam.” Laura Kotelman: “The Minnesota Governmental Relations Council has a members' room at the Capitol with lockers for lobbyists.” Mike Ragen: “I’ve been to two — Utah and Wyoming, which reminded me of the Illinois Capitol.” Elliot Regenstein: “I’ve been to about half of the state capitols, and I love that the grounds of California's capitol, which features plants native to the state.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Wisconsin's Capitol in Madison and its HUGE dome and views of the lakes were always impressive.” Next question: What’s a college experience you’ll never forget? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — There’s a growing number of legal threats to DOJ’s Jan. 6 cases, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — Trump makes a surprising overture to Iran at NYC press conference, by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier — Massive civil fraud verdict against Trump gets frosty reception at New York appeals court, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Ishan Bhabha has been named co-managing partner of the Jenner & Block law firm. He’s currently a partner at the firm in D.C. and will start his new position in January.
| | | TRIVIA | | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Utter and Kimberly Bares for correctly answering that Ald. Scott Waguespack voted against the controversial parking meter deal. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where were Chicago Public School headquarters when Mayor Richard M. Daley was given control of CPS? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, Republican campaign consultant Joe DeBose, JLL International Director Meredith Sweeney O’Connor, businessman and former political fundraiser Lou Weisbach and nutritional entrepreneur Madeline Lauf. Saturday: Former state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, Chicago Housing Authority Government Affairs Manager Nate Tortora, Kolbe House Executive Director Mark McCombs, Bright Pink breast-cancer nonprofit founder Lindsay Avner Kaplan, IDHS Legislative Affairs Director Andre Jordan and former City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty. Sunday: Kirkland & Ellis partner and former Illinois U.S. Attorney John Lausch, MWRD Commissioner Marcelino García, businessman and former state lawmaker Bill Marovitz, Hire360 executive director and former Rahm Emanuel campaign manager Jay Rowell, broadcaster Diann Burns and Apple News’ Marissa Martinez and POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins. -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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