TGIF, Illinois. The winter weather outlook calls for boots and shovels, via NBC 5.
TOP TALKER
Balloons drop at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. | Francis Chung/POLITICO
HEY BIG SPENDER: More than a year ago, Gov. JB Pritzker and his wealthy supporters vowed to produce a debt-free Democratic National Convention.
Pinky promise: Now, we know they kept their promise.
A just-released report shows the host committee for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago raised $97 million and spent more than $83 million, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Some in the bank: The committee even wrapped up with an extra $14 million cash-on-hand. Committee spokesperson Natalie Edelstein told the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet that any money remaining after all the bills and payroll costs are paid will be donated to still undetermined “charitable organizations.”
Pritzker was a donor to the effort, along with his sister and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, businessman Michael Sacks and Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts. The AFL-CIO backed the effort, too.
By the numbers : Pritzker contributed $2.6 million individually, and MK Pritzker put in $3 million. Pritzker’s JB For Governor candidate committee gave another $126,543, via Crain’s Justin Laurence.
Why it matters: Looming over the planning of the convention was knowledge that not all conventions have been so successful. The 2012 convention in Charlotte, N.C., ended with an $8 million tab.
Even better: The Chicago host committee says the economic impact in Illinois was $371.4 million, according to the report. Previous conventions have brought in $150 million to $200 million.
Diversity matters : The convention spent nearly half (47 percent) of its discretionary spending on goods and services provided by diverse vendors, including minority- and women-owned businesses.
GOP convention numbers : “The host committee for July’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where former President Donald Trump accepted the GOP nomination for the third straight election, reported raising $92 million while spending $88 million, according to its federal filing,” by the Tribune’s Dan Petrella and A.D. Quig.
THE BUZZ
— SCOOP: State Rep. La Shawn Ford is filing legislation that calls for selling the current White Sox property, “allowing Illinois to pay off debt associated with the White Sox's occupancy, relieving a significant financial burden on the state,” according to a letter he wrote to Gov. JB Pritzker. “By prioritizing a comprehensive assessment of this land and exploring its potential uses, we can unlock value by revitalizing the surrounding area, enhancing educational institutions, and strengthening Illinois' economy,” Ford wrote.
Ford’s letter comes on the heels of a report that Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is open to selling the team. Reinsdorf is separately also looking at building a new stadium in Chicago. Ford’s full letter is here.
f you are Laura Ricketts, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
No official public events
WHERE's BRANDON
At Garfield Park Conservatory at 12:45 p.m. for a press conference highlighting Chicago Department of Transportation, One Summer Chicago and investments in the 28th Ward
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
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Mayor Brandon Johnson will campaign in Detroit this weekend to support the Harris-Walz campaign. He'll speak at several Black churches in an effort to engage Black men. One of the churches on his calendar is the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, which is led by Bishop John Drew Sheard, who heads the national Church of God in Christ.
— Bar groups reconsider ratings of powerful Cook County judge, citing Injustice Watch report: “Running for retention Nov. 5, Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. faces criticism from two prominent bar groups after disclosures of inappropriate tax exemptions he took on a house in Will County. Since the Injustice Watch report earlier this month, the veteran judge moved to rescind the tax breaks,” by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia.
— Republican state Rep. Nicole La Ha (82nd) has been endorsed by nine local mayors and village presidents. List here
— CPS School Board: The race in the West Side’s District 5: “A prominent activist who went on a hunger strike to keep a school open competes against two write-in candidates, including a West Loop lawyer who wants to retain the CPS CEO,” by WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko.
— SPOTTED: State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, state Rep. Ann Williams, Cook County Commissioners Donna Miller, Bridget Degnen and Samantha Steele, and Trade to Trade CEO Deborah Cosey-Lane joined a group of Swifties for Kamala on the North Avenue Bridge on Thursday. Pic!And pic!
— Mayor must break two campaign promises to get budget passed, City Council critic warns: “To solve the budget crisis, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) said Mayor Brandon Johnson needs to break two campaign promises — raise property taxes he promised to freeze and then renew the ShotSpotter contract to win the votes he needs to get the tax hike through the City Council,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.
— CPS announces record-breaking graduation rate: The district saw 84.1 percent of students graduating in four years and 86.5 percent graduating in five. “This comes in addition to the district’s second-lowest dropout rates in years,” by the Tribune’s Ikram Mohamed
— OPINION: Why the often-overlooked Southeast Side matters to Chicago: “A Chicagoan reflects on his Mexican American family’s journey on the Southeast Side as National Hispanic American Heritage Month comes to a close,” writes comms strategist Jon Paul “JP” Valadez in the Sun-Times.
— Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who also serves as the state librarian, received the Illinois Library Association’s Robert R. McClarren Legislative Development Award at the association’s recent awards program. Giannoulias was recognized for championing the legislation designed to support public libraries by withholding state grants to libraries that remove books due to doctrinal or partisan disapproval.
— State Representative Jeff Keicher , a Republican from Sycamore, was honored this week by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce with the Bridge Builder Award for bipartisan leadership and the Champion of Free Enterprise Award.
Reader Digest
We asked for the one most important skill a lawmaker should have.
For David Ormsby, Kevin Lampe, Barry McAnarney, John Straus and Emily Spangler, it’s empathy. “Humans become hardened by stress and the perception of what others think of us — we can forget to love others, even when it's hard,” wrote Spangler.
Matthew Beaudet: “Empathy for those who didn’t support you.”
Bill Cameron: “The ability to tell the truth conversationally instead of trying to fake sincerity.”
Christopher Deutsch : “The ability to make hard decisions that are not necessarily going to be popular in the near-term but have the long-term view in mind.”
Elena Maria Gottreich: “Humility.”
Kent Gray: “Remember names. It’s always impressive.”
Lucas Hawley: “Humility.”
Patrick Keane: “Listening instead of talking.”
Chris Kolker: “Having a thick skin.”
Jim Lyons: “Composure during difficult moments.”
Ed Mazur: “A warm and welcoming handshake.”
Pat McCann: “Listening!”
Marilynn Miller : “To be able to talk to people without talking down to them.”
Patricia Ann Watson: “Innate courage.”
David Ruskin: “Absolutely must be a good listener!”
Next question: Who’s the most notable campaigner to knock on your door? Email skapos@politico.com
— Remembering Ty Fahner: A celebration of life will be held Nov. 1 for Ty Fahner , the former federal prosecutor, Illinois attorney general and law firm leader who died last month. The gathering will be at the Shedd Aquarium, where Fahner served as the former chair of the board of trustees. Details here
TRIVIA
THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Josh Mogerman for correctly answering that Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, Jell-O, Baker’s Chocolate, Maxwell House and Birdseye, creating General Foods Corp.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Whose leg sits behind glass in Springfield? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Today: Former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, State Budget Director Alexis Sturm, Village of Lincolnwood Trustee Atour Sargon, Northwest side Democratic organizer J.C. Strzalka-Steil, attorney J.C. Strzalka-Steil, political fundraising consultant Erica Kelly, MxD’s Senior Comms Director Alyssa Anna Sullivan, University of Chicago professor emeritus Victor A. Friedman, policy and comms consultant Jim Bray and Playbooker Steve Whitmer.
Saturday: NRDC Senior Policy Advocate Chakena Perry, business leader Joseph Neubauer, Hispanic Federation Midwest Policy Director Roberto Valdez, Amazon Public Policy Senior Manager Brandon Webb, Hyde Park Day School Development Director Maureen McCarthy and comms strategist Elizabeth Austin.
Sunday: Veep Kamala Harris, former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald , former state Rep. Carolyn Krause, former state Rep. Bob Biggins, Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications co-founder Rick Jasculca, political consultant Rebecca Williams, Artisan Partners Regional Director Bart Marchant, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton partner David Ruskin, political historian and author Taylor Pensoneau and Sun-Times editorial board member Lee Bey.
