Happy Monday, Illinois. The week is starting off right as I'm visiting family and getting served coffee this morning.
TOP TALKER
JAM SESSION: President Barack Obama is in Chicago today for a fundraiser with musical guest Tweedy as part of a campaign blitz he and former first lady Michelle Obama have embarked on for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris wont’ be here but she is joining the Obamas on various stops on the campaign trail — a key move to gain support as she and Donald Trump are virtually tied in polling.
Teaming up with Obama: Harris will campaign with the former president in Georgia on Thursday, the first time the pair has campaigned side by side, a senior campaign official said, according to NBC.
In recent days, Barack Obama has campaigned in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada. And later this week, he’s set to visit Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin, where he’ll be joined by VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz. Harris will also campaign alongside Michelle Obama in Michigan this weekend.
Obama’s campaign strategy — a mix of fundraising and campaign appearances — is focused on moving the needle with Democrats and persuadable voters, especially in states with key races.
And though Illinois isn't a critical state for Harris, it sits in the middle of the Blue Wall, making it a nice stop for Obama to make in between swing-state campaign events.
IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS since a Chicago police officer fired 16 shots at Laquan McDonald. The shocking, violent act on Oct. 20, 2014, killed the 17-year-old and reverberated for years through Chicago’s City Hall.
The dominos: The city’s police superintendent at the time, Garry McCarthy , was fired. It would be a year before the Cook County State’s Attorney Office charged the officer, Jason Van Dyke, which led to State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez losing in the Democratic primary to Kim Foxx.
And Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection, which led to reformer Lori Lightfoot ascending to the mayor’s office.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, sent a statement on the anniversary, saying, “The death of Laquan McDonald was one of the darkest moments in our city’s history, but out of that tragedy came transformation that is moving us forward.” His full statement is here.
Counterpoint from Congressman Mike Quigley, whose district is in Chicago: “After 10 years, it is simply unacceptable that the Chicago Police Department has achieved only 7 percent compliance with the Justice Department’s consent decree. The residents of Chicago have demanded — and deserve — better,” Quigley said in a statement. "Most police officers seek to do right by their communities, but too many bad apples continue to color communities’ relationships with law enforcement. When bad officers erode public trust, they harm the reputation of their fellow good officers.”
If you are Barack Obama, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
At the University of Chicago David Rubenstein Forum at 10:15 a.m. to give remarks at the Chicago Quantum Exchange Summit
WHERE's BRANDON
At 121 North LaSalle Street at 10:30 a.m. to announce updates to the New Arrivals Mission
Where's Toni
No official public events
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
A message from Capital One:
At Capital One, our affordable housing initiatives support inclusive, thriving, resident-centered communities right here in Illinois. We strive to promote individual well-being by financing both the development and preservation of affordable housing, along with services that directly respond to resident needs. From 2020-2023, we provided nearly $378 million in capital for community development across the state – primarily for safe, equitable, and quality housing to help transform resident lives. Learn more here.
— OPERATION SWING STATE: Illinois volunteers head to Wisconsin with abortion top of mind: “Democrats are knocking on doors to encourage votes for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and many say restrictions on reproductive rights are driving their effort,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch.
— Big Pharma gives big to campaigns of several Illinois members of Congress: “Among the drug companies to contribute campaign money to U.S. Reps. Brad Schneider, Robin Kelly and Darin LaHood are several firms accused of helping to fuel the opioid crisis that’s claimed more than 500,000 lives in the U.S. from overdoses,” by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth.
— IN PEORIA: Congressman Eric Sorensen and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, a ranking Democrat in the U.S. House, joined volunteers in Peoria Heights to knock on doors for Sorensen’s reelection campaign.
— 200 years later, still trying to define the Midwest: “From the geographic boundaries to the values and friendliness, people have debated what defines the region essentially since it was labeled the Midwest. It has taken on a renewed urgency this election year,” by The New York Times’ Emily Schmall and Sara Ruberg.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is launching a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving — especially texting while driving, which Giannoulias describes as the “drinking while driving of our time.” The campaign includes requiring teens to watch a video that details the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors prior to obtaining a learner’s permit.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson faces political headwinds from his progressive base: “I think every mayor after (Richard M.) Daley has thought they were also being elected Mayor Daley, and was shocked to find out that they were just mayor,” said neighborhood activist Anthony Moser, via the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan.
— Judge dismisses Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez’s defamation lawsuit against opponent: “The alderman sued 2023 City Council candidate Aida Flores over her claim that he regularly failed to recommend projects in the ward for the $1.5 million given to aldermen to spend on capital improvements. Judge Jerry A. Esrig ruled that Flores’ comments were not defamatory. Esrig also denied a motion from Flores to label Sigcho-Lopez’s lawsuit as a strategic effort to silence criticism,” by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson endorses Ald. Daniel La Spata ’s ordinance to lower Chicago’s speed limit to 25 mph, via the Tribune’s Alice Yin
— SPOTTED: Chicagoans were in D.C. the other day to join first lady (and Italian American) Jill Biden and President Joe Biden to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. At the event were HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi , Teamsters Joint Council 25 Director of Government Affairs Pasquale Gianni, GCM Grosvenor executive Michael Rendina, Nixon Peabody partner Charles Bernardini and National Italian American Foundation President Robert Allegrini . The White House also hosted a briefing featuring Italian American leaders in the administration, including Cabonargi and Chicago native and presidential adviser John Podesta.
— Christie Hefner, the former Playboy CEO and daughter of Hugh Hefner, shares her view of her father’s philosophy, examines their relationship and addresses feminist critiques of the magazine, via WTTW’s Chicago Stories
We asked about notable campaigners who have knocked on your door.
Matthew Beaudet: “Danny Rostenkowski always remained a neighborhood guy.”
Commissioner Kresse: “Barack Obama, when he was running for Congress against Bobby Rush.”
Jim Lyons : “My alderman, Matt O'Shea. He came by to get his petition for reelection signed.”
Edwin Reyes: “State Sen. Miguel del Valle by himself while campaigning for reelection in the 1990s.”
James Straus: “Roger Taylor, former president of Knox College, popped into my office one day, unannounced to promote a new school endowment campaign.”
Timothy Thomas: “The then-state Rep. Tim Johnson knocked on my dorm room door during my freshman year at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.”
Jesse Weinberg: “Jan Schakowsky’s mom knocked on our door when she first ran for Congress! My mom and I still talk about it.”
Next question: Who’s the pro athlete you’d like to see run for office? Email skapos@politico.com
At Capital One, we are committed to changing banking for good here in Illinois. We proudly employ more than 1,700 Chicagoans – who support this city from our offices and Cafés each day.
In the last 10+ years, we’ve provided over 500 grants to nonprofit organizations in Illinois, including programs that focus on community service, education, and workforce development. Our efforts are informed by a long-standing belief that our partners—who are closest to the needs of the community—are best positioned to develop effective and sustainable solutions. Deep community relationships with affordable housing developers, nonprofit organizations, local government, and civic leaders are at the heart of our community programs.
We are committed to continuing to spend with diverse suppliers operating in the state of Illinois, with over $8M in one year period spent with businesses owned by people of color, veterans, and women. Learn more here.
TRANSITIONS
— BIG MOVE: : Katie Hill is now executive director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. She comes to the role after serving as general counsel for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services as well as working in senior public safety roles for then=Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. Roseanna Ander , founding director of both Crime Lab and its sister lab, the Education Lab, has moved into a new leadership role focused on helping scale the Crime Lab and Education Lab’s impact nationally. The full announcement is here.
— Leslie Dimas has been named Illinois Latino engagement director for the Harris campaign. She has been CEO of Vida Strategies and was part of the White House advance team in 2023. Dimas will work with Valerie Alexander and Charles Kyle, who are leading the Illinois Harris-Walz campaign.
— Dawn Raftery is now chief comms and marketing officer at Public Rights Project. She was VP of comms at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law.
WEEKEND WEDDING
— ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Political consultants Katelynd Duncan and Mitch Schaben tied the knot in the mountains of Colorado on Saturday with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar officiating. Friends from Illinois attending included: Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia, Village of Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter, and political consultants, lobbyists, friends and insiders Becky Carroll, Kate LeFurgy, Ellie Bahrmasel, Ron Holmes, Allison Osborne, Michael Ruemmler and Jessica Streit Ruemmler, Nolan Drea, Katy Langenfeld, Stacey Smith and Eric Madiar. Theme of the wedding party: cowboy disco. Pic! And pic!
TRIVIA
FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Velazquez for correctly answering that the leg of former Mexican president and commander in the battle of the Alamo General Santa Anna sits in glass in at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Who’s the veteran Illinois lawmaker who helped turn a former schoolhouse into a popular bar in Springfield? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, former Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., former DeKalb Ald. Bill Finucane, Goliath Slayer Communications’ Jon Zahm, Dunloe Group’s political fundraising consultant Maureen O’Sullivan Artl, attorney Coco Soodek, Marquardt and Co.’s Carrie VanTilburg, U. of C. Crime Lab Senior Comms Manager Maggi Ibis, congressional staffer Matt Ide and Wilson Baldwin, comms director for the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.
