| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Watch for news about Donald Trump's visit to the White House. You can keep up with his Cabinet picks here.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Security has been increased around the Illinois State Capitol. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO | SPRINGFIELD, Illinois : Security has been beefed up here at the state Capitol. The Secretary of State's Office has added more police officers to statehouse grounds, and visitors who aren’t government employees will need to go through a metal-detection screening. The office said it just wants to make sure visitors know that “safety and security are a priority.” The changes were in the works before last week’s election. Around the Capitol … Safety didn’t dampen the swagger. Republicans, feeling emboldened by Donald Trump’s victory, came out swinging against Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic legislators. Big thoughts: “It is time for Gov. Pritzker to take a break from the national campaigns and to start to think Illinois,” said Senate Republican Leader John Curran , taking a swipe at the name of Pritzker’s Think Big America nonprofit. The Tribune has more here. Pritzker forges ahead: The governor held a news conference Tuesday promoting a new national campaign to fend off efforts to dismantle or undermine state government agencies, elections and state courts. It’s called Governors Safeguarding Democracy. We've got the full story here. “What we're doing is pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy and fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend upon,” Pritzker said of the effort. Democratic legislators spent their first day back after the election meeting briefly in House and Senate chambers. The big legislative move: state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit filed a bill addressing pensions, HB5909. And state Sen. Robert Martwick filed an identical one in the Senate, SB3988 . The bills are a product of the We Are One Coalition, which is a group of unions formed after the Tier 2 pension system law was passed and focuses on making sure public sector workers' retirements are secure. Lobbyists milled around the brass rail lamenting that the so-called veto session that runs this week and next was pretty slow. One thing noted: The hemp bill hasn’t been snuffed out yet. Former Gov. Pat Quinn held a presser in the Blue Room to promote a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would add a tax hike to millionaires and bring some property-tax relief to the rest of homeowners. Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski has more here. And there’s bipartisan buzz about a new caucus that’s being created. “Wally’s Caucus” is for anyone who likes the super-sized convenience store in Pontiac — about halfway between Chicago and Springfield. It’s become a meeting spot for lawmakers, lobbyists and reporters. The gas is cheap, the bathrooms are grand and the beef jerky is made on site. That’s bipartisan indeed. Lobbyist Rahul Kalsi is organizing, rahulkalsi@gmail.com. RELATED Some irony: The same day Gov. JB Pritzker introduced a new organization that will focus on helping governors fend off threats to government institutions, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will run the federal ‘Department of Government Efficiency.’
| | | THE BUZZ | | | BUDGET BROUHAHA: Mayor Brandon Johnson is backing away from his plan for a $300 million property tax hike after aldermen, including some of his allies, squawked. “Behind-the-scenes budget negotiations could result in the property tax hike being reduced to $135 million, or maybe even $100 million,” according to aldermanic sources who spoke to ABC 7’s Craig Wall. Among the alternative plans for raising funds: “Increasing the $9.50-a-month garbage collection fee by varying levels; raising taxes on items including cigarettes, parking, bottled water, gasoline and liquor; and raising the amusement tax from 9 percent to 14 percent — but only on streaming services. One of the biggest-ticket items — bringing in nearly $100 million — involves raising the personal property lease tax on cloud computing from 9 percent to 10.25 percent,” according to the Sun-Times Fran Spielman. In the meantime, Johnson is starting at Square One to talk to aldermen about getting a budget over the finish line before the end of the year — discussions that usually happen long before a budget is presented by the Fifth Floor. City Hall watchers are shaking their heads, saying Johnson looks like he surrendered to the council, and “diminished mayoral power for years to come,” according to one person granted anonymity to speak freely. Johnson disagrees, saying he’s just sticking by his word to collaborate, telling reporters to refer to him as “collaborator in chief.” RELATED Chicago mayor's planned police budget cuts would deal 'devastating blow' to reform push, federal monitor says, by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba
| | WHERE'S JB | | At Willard Ice Building in Springfield at 11 a.m. to give remarks on its 40th anniversary celebration
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At 558 West De Koven Street at 8 a.m. to attend the Badge Ceremony for Fallen Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Andrew B. Price
| | Where's Toni | | At Posen Village Hall at 9:30 a.m. to announce the Cook County Municipal Recycling Grant Program Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | The lame duck session could reshape major policies before year's end. Get Inside Congress delivered daily to follow the final sprint of dealmaking on defense funding, AI regulation and disaster aid. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | TRANSITION TIME | | — Q&A with Samuel Skinner: The Chicago corporate attorney served as chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush and earlier was Transportation secretary also in the Bush administration. He talked about what it’s like to be tapped for a Cabinet job. — How will Donald Trump’s plans for education affect Chicago Public Schools? “Trump has repeatedly said he wants to shut down the Department of Education and give more responsibilities to states, but it’s unclear how exactly he will chip away at the federal governing body. To do so would require an act of Congress,” by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman. — Clarifying McLean County. Democrats didn’t just take over the county board, they edged out Republicans, too, voting for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump. McLean also went blue for Joe Biden in 2020 after being red in 2016. Our piece Tuesday fumbled the results. Here are the numbers. — OPINION: What Marj Halperin will (and won’t) do as an activist in the wake of Trump's election win, in the Sun-Times
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — Senate confirms April Perry as judge after JD Vance blocked her U.S. attorney nomination: “It’s unlikely anyone will be nominated to be Chicago’s top federal prosecutor until after Donald Trump takes office in January,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles. — Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul launches unit to investigate innocence claims: “The attorney general’s unit is partially funded by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant has already been received, Raoul said, addressing concerns that President-elect Donald Trump could pull federal support from some state programs,” by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander. — Amid flurry of gun ban challenges, federal appeals court considers Cook County assault weapon law, by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams and Medill News Service’s Amalia Hout-Marchand — INVESTIGATION: 88 Illinois hospitals failed to properly treat victims of sexual assault, by NBC 5’s Bennett Haeberle, Lisa Capitanini and Katy Smyser — MADIGAN TRIAL: Defense in Madigan corruption trial confronts star government witness over jobs, favors, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Embattled CPS CEO criticized in meeting with mayor as Johnson administration continues moving to fire him: “The Monday meeting, which the mayor attended, featured a presentation by Martinez over the looming closures of seven Acero charter schools, according to attendees. It took a hostile turn when several progressive aldermen began grilling Martinez on the slideshow,” by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan. — Chicago Mayor Johnson calls for CPS to craft ‘contingency plan’ for planned Acero closures, by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin — How another Trump presidency could affect gun violence prevention in Chicago, by The Trace’s Rita Oceguera — Family of Officer Enrique Martinez doesn't want Mayor Johnson, Gov. Pritzker at funeral, FOP head says, by the Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo — Vote often: Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon has been nominated as the nation’s best ice skating rink in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, according to the Chicago Park District — which says folks can cast a vote for the Ice Skating Ribbon once every 12 hours until voting closes Dec. 9. Vote here.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Oak Park Democrats commiserate in wake of Trump victory, by Bob Skolnik for the Pioneer Press — Evanston/Skokie School District 65 was asked to consider pausing construction of a school it’s building historically Black ward, by the Pioneer Press’ Richard Requena — Lake County sees a mix of incumbent leaders seeking reelection and those voluntarily ending their runs, by the Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — SPOTTED at the Human Rights Campaign Chicago dinner gala over the weekend: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, water board Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis , Police District Council member Jamie Brown and Equality Illinois Director of Civic Engagement José Wilson. We hear Chicago native and CEO of the Human Rights Campaign Kelley Robinson gave a stirring speech, and Kathryn Hahn from Disney’s “Agatha All Along” was honored with the HRC Ally for Equality Award. — Jeff Blumberg and Katie Cronin have been named to the board of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. In their day jobs, Blumberg is a partner at the Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath law firm in Chicago, and Cronin is assistant general counsel at W.W. Grainger. — Eric Lefkofsky, the tech billionaire and Groupon co-founder, has been named board chair of the Art Institute, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick — The Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard recreated an iconic scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” via Chicago magazine
| | | | Policy change is coming—be the pro who saw it first. Access POLITICO Pro’s Issue Analysis series on what the transition means for agriculture, defense, health care, tech, and more. Strengthen your strategy. | | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | | We asked what your first executive order would be if you were president. Nick Daggers: “Mandate redistricting reform. Too many legislative districts aren't competitive. If swing districts were created, we'd see more moderates on both sides of the aisle.” Donna Gutman : “Strengthen gun laws and background checks.” Lucas Hawley: “Ending the U.S. embargo with Cuba. The Castros are dead and over — and with our first ever Latino/Cuban Secretary of State, maybe we will.” Charles Keller: “Make Daylight Saving Time permanent so my weekend golf rounds didn't have to deal with darkness at 4:30 p.m.” Ed Mazur: “Build a toy train layout in the White House.” Brian Munoz: “Designate the Collinsville-based Cahokia Mounds as a National Park. The designation would increase funding for conservation, research, educational programming and further public access to its important history.” Jeff Nathan: “Overturn the Citizen United decision.” Jane Ruby: “Publish the ERA!” Scott Simon: “Juan Soto to the Cubs.” Next question : When did you write your state legislator? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — ‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick, via POLITICO — Durbin: Replacing Sotomayor before new Congress not ‘realistic, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna — Dems torn over transgender issue: Centrists worry that party is ‘reading the public wrong,’ by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu, Daniella Diaz and Kelly Garrity
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to John Fritchey for correctly answering that Joe Girardi was the Peoria native who played major league baseball, managed and went on to be a sportscaster. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Chicago alderman who took an Irish nickname when he had earlier been a boxer? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | | U.S. Attorney General and Illinois native Merrick Garland, Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sanchez, University of Chicago Crime Lab Public Affairs Director Sarah Rand, Ipsos Head of Trends Matt Carmichael, public affairs consultant Marion Steinfels and CNN political reporter (and POLITICO alum) Eric Bradner. -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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