| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Get ready for fall. It starts Sunday.
|  | Top Talkers | | MISTRIAL: The federal government suffered a setback Thursday in its efforts to curb corruption, and everyone wonders what it means for the upcoming bribery case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. A judge declared a mistrial in the case of former AT&T Illinois CEO Paul La Schiazza, accused of bribing the former Democratic leader. The jury deadlocked 11-1. What’s next: Prosecutors must now decide whether to re-try the case, and the defense will likely ask that they not. The case is small potatoes in the wide world of corruption. La Schiazza was accused of paying Madigan ally and former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo a total of $22,500 for doing little or no work for AT&T. At the heart of the issue: Was the hiring of Acevedo at the urging of Madigan aide Michael McClain a case of a lobbyist currying favor with the House leader (the way lobbyists do), or was he actually engaging in bribery to advance AT&T's legislative agenda? The jury couldn’t come to a unanimous decision, maybe in part because they had to rely on only a few emails and circumstantial evidence to understand the story. There were no juicy tape-recordings or insiders connecting La Schiazza to Madigan. As an example, when former Gov. George Ryan was on trial, his chief of staff flipped and told the story that connected the dots for the jury. And when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich went to trial, it wasn’t a flipper who brought him down, but explicit “f-ing golden” tape-recordings. Missing from the prosecution’s case against La Schiazza was a person in the room who might have been able to link the businessman’s actions to the speaker. Also at issue is a question raised by the recent Supreme Court decision in Snyder v. United States that criminalizes bribes received in exchange for official acts but says it’s OK to accept “gratuities” or gifts as long as there’s no quid pro quo. It sounds like lobbying. Those issues will be key to Madigan's bribery trial, scheduled to start next month, said Patrick Collins, who prosecuted Ryan and now works in the private sector. “The government has two challenges [in the Madigan case] to prove intent, which is always the central issue in a criminal case," Collins said. "One is the legal bar created by Snyder. And the second is evidentiary. Jurors like to have tapes, and they like to have insiders telling the stories to demonstrate intent.” As far as we know, the Madigan case doesn’t have an insider dishing the details. And though there are tapes, we wonder if they’re “golden” in terms of connecting dots directly to Madigan. MORE ON THE MISTRIAL From the Tribune: “The panel was overwhelmingly leaning toward a conviction, one juror told the Tribune. But the mistrial still leaves a significant unknown about the strength of some of the prosecution’s evidence as Madigan heads to trial in less than three weeks." From the Sun-Times: “Jurors in the La Schiazza trial seemed initially to focus on whether any evidence proved that La Schiazza intended to exchange Acevedo’s money for passage of a key bill affecting AT&T."
| | | THE BUZZ | | | 
Christy George has been named CEO of Intersect Illinois, which works to bring business to the state. | Intersect Illinois | ON THE MOVE: Christy George, most recently the executive director of the host committee for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, will become CEO of Intersect Illinois, the nonprofit that works with the governor’s office to attract companies and business to Illinois. Playing to her strengths: Before she was corralling donors for the DNC, George was first assistant deputy governor for budget and economic issues in Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration. She’s been credited with helping draft Pritzker’s strategy to increase manufacturing for electric vehicles. In her new position, George will work with Intersect Board Chair John Atkinson, whose day job is serving as chair of Marsh Chicago. Playbookers are familiar with Atkinson as a Democratic political donor over the years. Under his direction, Intersect Illinois has seen its board grow with numerous high-profile business and civic names, many of whom attended a reception Thursday where George’s appointment was announced. In the room: Magnify Strategies’ Kaitlin Fahey, ComEd’s Gil Quiniones, SPAAN Tech’s Smita Shah, Nicor Gas’ Wendell Dallas, Illinois Manufacturers Association’s Mark Denzler, Nielsen IQ’s Liz Buchanan, Chicago State University’s Z Scott, 8 Hospitality’s Carmen Rossi and the Chicagoland Chamber’s Jack Lavin. Intersect Illinois’ focus is on building up life sciences, quantum computing, clean energy production, next generation agriculture and transportation and logistics, among other industries. RELATED Cook County creates tax incentive that helped land quantum campus in Chicago, by Crain’s Justin Laurence If you are Paul La Schiazza, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public event.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Harold Washington Library at 10:30 a.m. for the UFC Belt Raising Ceremony for Belal Muhammad — At 2236-8 South Canal Street at noon for the small business storefront activation pop pp for CanalPOP!
| | Where's Toni | | At Stroger Hospital at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the importance of getting updated flu and Covid vaccines. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Foster cites lying politicians as top issue; challenger Evans says it’s immigration: “ by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — Is this still on? North Carolina GOP nominee for governor Mark Robinson is scheduled to campaign in Illinois next week. Headlines like this might keep him from attending: An email address of his was found on Ashley Madison, via POLITICO's Natalie Allison. — Are ballot selfies legal? By Fox 2 in St. Louis
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — High court: Smell of burnt cannabis is not cause for warrantless vehicle search: “The laws on cannabis have changed in such a drastic way as to render the smell of burnt cannabis, standing alone, insufficient to provide probable cause for a police officer to search a vehicle without a warrant,” Justice P. Scott Neville wrote in a 20-page opinion, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel. — State wraps up case in challenge to assault weapons ban, by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock — Chief judge in St. Clair County says Illinois is safer after a year without cash bail, by St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer
| | CHICAGO | | — Johnson accused of picking another police-related fight with City Council: “Gov. JB Pritzker has authorized selling a former Illinois National Guard armory to the city for $1 for the “express purpose” of creating a new police district. But Mayor Brandon Johnson now wants to use the building for “storage, maintenance and operation of police vehicles, equipment and aircraft,’” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Merging CTA, Metra and Pace won’t fix transit system’s problems, CTA president says — But more funding can, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg — Terminal dogfight? Greyhound running illegal bus service outside Union Station, Amtrak alleges, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett — Maintain shelter beds, create new hub among recommendations for unified shelter system in Chicago, by the Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón — An owner who ‘thinks he knows everything’ led the White Sox to historic disaster, by The Athletics’ Brittany Ghiroli and Ken Rosenthal — Trying to build a more climate-resilient Chicago, one balloon at a time, by WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — ‘A matter of our survival’: Naperville restaurant owners ask city to reconsider gambling ban, by the Daily Herald’s Alicia Fabbre — Hanover Park parks president speaking out on citation for verbal assault of teen referee, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson
| | HIGHER-ED | | — SIU Carbondale faces budget cuts as leaders tout rising enrollment, fundraising, by St. Louis Public Radio’s Brian Munoz — COMMENTARY: College of DuPage sees enrollment increase for third consecutive year, by Christine M. Hammond, College of DuPage interim president
| | Reader Digest | | We asked about the song that gets you moving. Matthew Beaudet: Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin III. Brian Bernardoni: Shakedown Street by the Grateful Dead. Mimi Cowan: Sempre libera from La traviata. Charles Keller: "Facts" by Tom MacDonald and featuring Ben Shapiro. Kevin Lampe: Let the Day Begin by The Call. Jim Lyons: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Ed Mazur: Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On by Jerry Lee Lewis Joe Moore: Badlands by Bruce Springsteen. “It’s a song of faith, hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.” Elliot Regenstein: Ante Up by M.O.P. and featuring Busta Rhymes. “When I was screwing up my courage to propose to my now-wife 24 years ago I spent the whole day listening to it, and it’s been my go-to ever since.” Steve Smith: I Feel Love by Donna Summer. Tim Steil: Yes We Can Can by The Pointer Sisters. “Just drums/bass/clavinet. I'm still waiting to hear this at a Harris/Walz event.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: Taxman by the Beatles. “It motivates me to keep elected officials accountable.” Angela Waller: Blow the Whistle by Too Short. Patricia Ann Watson: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ from Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. Next question: What’s the quickest way to lose your trust? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Dick Durbin has introduced the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act to establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in Chicago and Maryland. Rosenwald helped put Sears, Roebuck and Co. on the map.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — Oprah Winfrey joins Kamala Harris on the campaign trail for star-studded Michigan event, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward and Brakkton Booker — Law enforcement informed Biden campaign about hacked Trump material, official says, by POLITICO's Lauren Egan and Josh Gerstein — Trump’s legal bulldog — and possible attorney general — says he’s just trolling all of us, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: The late Paul Green was the Illinois political pundit (and Playbook reader!) who explained government policy and budgeting as "Who pays? Who gets.” TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the first Illinois born songwriter to have a song hit #1 in multiple countries? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Sen. Terri Bryant, state Rep. Joyce Mason, former state Rep. Lisa Dugan, GAO Health Care Team Assistant Director Raymond Sendejas, American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois CEO Kevin Artl, Strategia Consulting Chief Public Affairs Officer Tom Cullerton, attorney Louis Cairo and former Cook County comms chief Frank Shuftan. Saturday: State Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., state Sen. Elgie Sims Jr., state Rep. Norine Hammond, political consultant Don Rose, Biden administration Presidential Management Fellow Monica Carmean, Jewish Education Board Director Alissa Zuchman, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman, broadcaster Bill Kurtis and former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza (who will be savoring the day). Sunday: Former Congressman Bill Enyart, former state Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback, Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman Joe Folisi, attorney Steve Kim, APS & Associates Comms VP Mary Datcher, Criminal Justice Research Manager Golnar Teimouri, Instituto del Progreso Latino CEO Karina Ayala-Bermejo, PENN Entertainment Government Affairs Manager Martin McAlpin, Loud Interactive CEO Brent Payne, Albany Theater Project Associate Director Devika Ranjan, retired Eastern Illinois University exec John Schmitt, Insurance Careers Movement Executive Director Marguerite Murer Tortorello, Ascent Media Agency partner James Slepian, legal publicist Christine Saba and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Federal Affairs Manager Rebecca Lauer. -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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