| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday Morning, Illinois. Be sure to check out Reader Digest for all the hometown bragging rights.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Former Joint Chiefs Chair Mike Mullen, left, and Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown, headline a Navy Seals fundraiser in Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO | ON THE SCENE: Politics shouldn’t be part of the military, Mike Mullen, a chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said during Wednesday’s Navy Seal Foundation tribute and fundraiser at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue. He must have missed the cocktail hour, where many of the 800-plus guests had a lot to say about Tuesday's presidential debate. Democrats saw Kamala Harris as the winner, and Republicans said “Trump wasn’t that bad” or “that guy needs to listen to his advisers.” Illinois GOP Co-Chair Aaron Del Mar said the former president missed an opportunity “to drive a truck” through Harris’ talking points. And consultant and former state Republican Chair Pat Brady said he’s already looking ahead to 2028 when Republicans can make a come-back. The event raised $5 million, and the program was otherwise politically straight down the middle. Obama spoke via video to introduce headliner Jessica Buchanan, a teacher who was kidnapped while working in Somalia and eventually rescued by Navy Seals. Businessman Pat Ryan, who did fundraising for Bush and co-chaired an Obama inaugural committee, also took the stage. Political pickle: Mullen, who sat down with Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown for a Q&A, said he’s “very, very committed to trying to keep the military out of politics.” But, “like everything these days, that's more and more difficult.” Mullen said he wanted to make the point because a certain political candidate used the “sacred ground” of Arlington Cemetery for a political photo shoot. Also in the ballroom: Former Bush appointee Cam Findley and his wife, Amy Findley; Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren, businessman Eli Boufis and Nicole Liadis; businessman William Kunkler, lawyer Richard Porter, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services General Counsel Katie Hill, LaSalle County Republican Chair Larry Smith, businesswoman and Democratic fundraiser Trisha Rooney, Cold Bore Capital Management’s Genine Fallon, education and public finance expert Paul Vallas (joined by his son, a veteran), management consultant Greg Hart, businessman Perry Mandera, cyber exec Brett Goldstein, University of Chicago Crime Lab Executive Director Roseanna Ander, auto man Bob Loquercio and Nevada Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown. The event was organized by fundraiser Lisa Wagner.
| | THE BUZZ | | MAKING HEADLINES: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul would prefer to make news about his work, which we’ll mention in a moment. Instead, he’s responding to comments made by Donald Trump during Tuesday’s presidential debate. Raoul, who is Haitian American, was stunned (like most of us were) by Trump’s debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating people’s pets. His response: “As a Haitian-American, I would take offense to a former president amplifying absurd rumors of Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets in Ohio, but I know that Trump is just unstable. The fact that a man in serious contention to occupy the White House would repeat such a ludicrous story just unnecessarily inflames hate,” Raoul said in a statement. Now about his work: Raoul is part of a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general calling on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. The Sun-Times’ Mary Norkol has more. If you are Pat Ryan, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion at 11:30 a.m. for Senior Fest 2024.
| | 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 | | — Pritzker on 'Morning Joe': Gov. JB Pritzker said before Tuesday's debate, he thought Donald Trump “ had a real chance at winning ... because he’s great at, you know, misdirection. He can somehow change the subject and people follow him to the craziness.” The Democratic governor added, “The reality is that Kamala Harris managed to stay on message. She pointed out the lies … She exceeded expectations.” — Many county clerks in Illinois have left amid mistrust, threats associated with 2024 election, by CBS 2’s Dave Savini — Teen voter registration surges after Illinois’ pre-registration law took effect, by The Times’ Weekly’s Angela Hunter — Contributions start flowing into Chicago’s school board race, by Chalkbeat’s Mila Koumpilova
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — University of Illinois enrolls a record number of students, by the Tribune’s Ikram Mohamed — Illinois DMVs now accepting contactless payment — with digital IDs coming down the road: “Drivers can now use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay at all 150 driver services facilities statewide,” by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — EXPLAINER: How the Illinois assault weapons ban works, a video via WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky
| | CHICAGO | | — Mayor exempts police, fire from citywide hiring freeze after backlash: “Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team spokesperson, LaKesha Gage Woodard, told the Tribune in a phone call that public safety positions are in fact exempt from the hiring freeze enacted Monday but maintained that was always the plan. ‘No, it wasn’t a reversal. Absolutely not,’ Gage Woodard said ... despite officials not answering repeated questions about that Monday,” by the Tribune’s Alice Yin. — Last-ditch effort seeks to let Chicago’s top cop extend ShotSpotter deal: “Ald. David Moore plans to force a vote on an ordinance that would give Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling the power to extend the city’s deal for ShotSpotter, but at least 2 Council members cast doubt on Moore’s maneuver,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and Tom Schuba. — Chicago Park District board welcomes back Riot Fest, despite heavy community criticism, by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos — Theaster Gates honors ‘Ebony,’ ‘Jet’ and Chicago’s historic Johnson Publishing Co. with new exhibit, by WBEZ’s Erin Allen — Column: Jerry Reinsdorf concedes the obvious — it’s a ‘very painful’ season for Chicago White Sox fans, by the Tribune’s Paul Sullivan
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Opening statements kick off trial of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan: “While former House Speaker Michael Madigan was not physically in court Wednesday, prosecutors wasted no time putting his smiling driver’s license photo on display as [attorneys] walked the jury through the vast influence the Democratic leader wielded for decades in the state legislature,” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner. — Trump Tower ruled 'public nuisance' over fish kills: “A Cook County Circuit Court judge agreed with Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois Sierra Club and Friends of the Chicago River that Trump Tower violated state environmental laws protecting the Chicago River,” by the Sun-Times’ Brett Chase. — Mom of slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French confronts killer as he gets life in prison: 'With our choices come consequences': “Emonte Morgan was found guilty in March after jurors watched harrowing footage of the traffic stop that went from routine to deadly in seconds, claiming French’s life and seriously wounding her partner, Officer Carlos Yanez,” by the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson. Related: The Chicago Police Foundation is hosting its CPF Scholarship Honoring Ella French program Sunday at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. The organization will hand out 28 awards totaling $56,000. To attend the luncheon event email: amy@teamstrategia.com.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Elk Grove reverses rule aimed at deterring migrants from local motels, by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Aurora backs $13.8 million in bonds to support downtown theaters, by the Daily Herald’s Alicia Fabbre
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Chelsie Leffelman has been honored with the Freedom Award at the Lincoln Day Dinner held by the McLean County Republicans. The award recognizes a Republican who has worked to preserve the party’s ideals. Leffelman is campaign manager for state Rep. candidates Regan Deering and Brandun Schweitzer.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what you brag about in your town. Marshall Douglas, treasurer of IUOE Local 150: “Jim's Rib Haven in Rock Island, and Whitey's Ice Cream in the Quad Cities.” Cynthia Given: “It's not just me. My entire town of Olney, Ill., loves to brag about our white squirrels!” Pic! Chynna S. Hampton: “That Chicago has the best food scene in the nation, from Harold’s on the South Side for wings with mild sauce or Mimas Taste of Cuba on the North Side for chicken empanadas!” Chris Kolker: “Fairview Heights’ parks and trails.” Ashvin Lad: “My hometown of Springfield's open face Horseshoe sandwich.” Ed Mazur: “That Chicagoans will stop and help strangers find what they are looking for in our neighborhoods.” Mike Matejka: “The McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington, which is unafraid to tackle controversial topics. The newest exhibit is on an asbestos plant that fled Cicero for Bloomington in 1951.” Michelle Melin-Rogovin: “That Forest Park holds casket races. Residents race home-made caskets down Beloit Avenue.” This year’s event is Oct. 19. Joe Moore: “The Architecture Center Cruise on Chicago's First Lady. I take all of my out- of-town guests on this tour to show off our city's architectural marvels.” Kathy Posner: “That in Chicago, we can experience all four seasons in a single day.” Omari Prince: “Chicago’s skyline. No other U.S. city skyline compares.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “That my Skokie neighbors are kind, friendly and welcoming. We really look out for each other!” Dennis Rendleman, a lawyer in Springfield: “Abraham Lincoln, obviously.” Barry Tusin: “That Wheaton kept Hale Street closed and canopied after Covid to allow eating establishments to stay open.” Next question: What's your game-day meal? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — It’s official: Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) has been appointed to the House Judiciary Committee.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump sells himself as a ‘leader’ on IVF, angering some Republicans, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Megan Messerly — Harris forges her own way — but won’t stray too far from Biden, by POLITICO’s Eli Stokols — Johnson faces GOP ire after conservative spending plan blows up, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney, Olivia Beavers and Sarah Ferris
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Sondra Katzen, director of public relations at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, is retiring today after 37 and a half years at the zoo, she said in an email to colleagues and friends.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Monday: Indivisible Chicago hold a get-out-the-vote event, with music and entertainment. Headliners include Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Michigan Dems Chair Lavora Barnes and musicians Dave Specter, Sheryl Youngblood and Corky Siegel. Details here — Tuesday: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick headline a fundraiser for Dems 45, which is the new political organization for Chicago 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Ring Lardner was a Tribune sports reporter who also wrote about the 1920 Democratic Convention , which resulted in him receiving 0.5 votes on the 23rd ballot of the convention. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where did George Halas play before the Decatur Staleys? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Cook County Judge Gloria Chevere, singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, Forbes senior contributor on health care Bruce Japsen, University of Chicago economist Richard Thaler and J.D. candidate Bobby Mannis. -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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