| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Monday, Illinois. Cold weather is coming for the Big Gobble Gobble, via WGN.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Christy George has pivoted from the Democratic National Convention Host Committee to head Intersect Illinois. | Provided photo | PLAYBOOK PROFILE: Christy George is back to calling CEOs, but this time, rather than asking them to support the Democratic National Convention, she’s focusing on shaping the narrative around Illinois. It’s all about selling the state in her position as CEO of Intersect Illinois, the state's economic development program. “I like working on a team … working collaboratively with a bunch of different partners to achieve a goal. We did that for the DNC. We worked across so many different entities — federal, state, local to achieve that goal, and it was incredible what we were able to accomplish,” said George. Economic development requires the same skills, George said, pivoting into cheerleader mode for Illinois. “It's about finding a shovel-ready site and making sure that that will work for whatever their business plan is,” George said, noting Intersect Illinois documented 40 vetted sites in 2024. “I want to double that. When a company knocks on the door, you want to be able to say ‘I have the perfect site [for you].’” George said it’s easy to sell Illinois given its central location, workforce, infrastructure and “the only state where all six Class 1 railroads meet” — in the broader Chicago and Metro East areas. Success stories: “It’s exciting to work on some of the more nascent industries,” she said in an interview, ticking off the gigantic quantum computing project planned in Chicago. She also cited growth in more established industries throughout the state like clean energy manufacturing and agtech, noting Voortman Steel’s $51 million expansion in Monee, Crysalis Biosciences $240 million investment to develop a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Metro East and Primient’s $400 million investment in Decatur for sustainable food and industrial ingredient production. The quantum development, which passed the Chicago Plan Commission last week, has drawn the interest of tech companies, George said. “There are really only a handful of places in the nation” focused on quantum. The job is a natural fit for George, who worked as first assistant deputy governor for Budget and Economy before she was tapped to lead the DNC Host Committee. Prior to working in the governor’s office, George worked in the city as assistant commissioner in the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. But it’s her personal experience that adds authenticity to her economic development pitch. She grew up with parents who saw their family insurance business rocked by the recession in the 1990s. “They pared it down and worked [the business out of] their shed,” she said. “It was successful, and it paid the rent and put food on our table.” But it was also hard work that saw school-age George helping out by doing administrative work like filing papers for her parents. George sees it as an example of why community support is important to business. “If we don't have a healthy business community, a thriving business community and an effective economic development plan, then we collectively as a community will fail, and that's just not something that I'm willing to allow. And it's certainly not something that the governor's willing to allow,” she said.
| | THE BUZZ | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State agencies have been asked to identify budget cuts after receiving a double-whammy of news that the state faces a $3.2 billion budget deficit for the next fiscal year on top of uncertainty about federal funding coming from the new Trump administration. “We need to take steps to ensure that the state is in position to address any economic disruptions that may arise,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar wrote in a memo obtained by Playbook. His full memo is here. Among recommended cuts: Programs that have seen increases in recent years, operational efficiencies and program consolidations that can reduce costs and potential vacancies that can be eliminated.
| | | WHERE'S JB | | | No official public events
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | Want to know what's really happening with Congress's make-or-break spending fights? Get daily insider analysis of Hill negotiations, funding deadlines, and breaking developments—free in your inbox with Inside Congress. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — From despair to action: Democrats plot their comeback: "The Democratic Party, which lost the presidential popular vote for the first time in 20 years, desperately needs an overhaul. And while party elders in the nation’s capital begin to debate their path as Republicans prepare to control every branch of government, state leaders are drafting their own autopsies,” via POLITICO. From Gov. JB Pritzker: “We need to do a lot of building across the nation — not just the battleground states, but states where we need to lift up the Democratic Party that has been less competitive than it should be,” Pritzker said. Like Indiana. — How Democrats will try to block Trump’s promise of mass deportations, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Myah Ward — From Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul: “This isn’t our first rodeo with President-elect Trump,” he told your Playbook host. The Democratic AG said he’s “stepping away” from “campaign rhetoric” and “shifting to a position where there’s going to be some level of collaboration on issues.” Raoul said his office will work with Pritzker and the General Assembly to make sure laws are enforced throughout Illinois. — Chicago voter turnout was second-lowest rate in 80 years for a presidential election, by the Tribune’s Claire Malon — What's next for Rahm Emanuel? “He’s in the mix for Democratic National Committee chair — and if there are vacancies — governor and senator,” by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — An election post-mortem with D.C. political scientist Norm Ornstein, via Lynn Sweet. Video here
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Same-sex couples brace for Trump's second term: 'The stakes are a lot higher now': “Illinois is a haven for LGBTQ+ people, but some worry about a potential rollback in protections,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett and Cindy Hernandez. — ComEd electric bills to go up more than $10 a month: “Energy-hungry data centers will dramatically increase demand for power as the U.S. races to be a world leader in artificial intelligence. ComEd and other utilities pay up front to make sure the electric grids won’t see blackouts because of these electricity hogs. When their costs go up, so do our bills,” by the Sun-Times’ Brett Chase and Inside Climate News’ Dan Gearino — Madigan trial | It’s been a re-run of last year’s ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial, but now it’s The Danny Solis Show: “The former 25th Ward alderman-turned FBI mole’s testimony — which could stretch well into December — will include clandestine video recordings Solis made in face-to-face meetings with Madigan,” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau. — Illinois diocese halts St. Jude relic tour amid ‘incident’ involving priest, students, by Catholic News Service’s Daniel Payne
| | CHICAGO | | — Man googled synagogues and Jewish community centers prior to West Rogers Park attack, prosecutors say, by the Tribune’s Madeline Buckley — Chicago food pantries respond to ‘extraordinary demand’ during Thanksgiving holiday season, by the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson — Weather worries: Advocates and aldermen are urging the city to take action to get homeless people to safety as temperatures move toward freezing. Their memo is here. — Bears are writing ‘Wild Ways to Lose in the Final Second’ — and the Vikings are the latest chapter, by the Tribune’s Colleen Kane — Blue Man Group ending Chicago run after nearly 30 years, by the Block Club’s Leen Yassine — How a trove of rare books were found on a sidewalk — and reunited with their owner, by the Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — In Samantha Steele's DUI arrest, Cook County politician told Chicago cops, ‘I’m an elected official:’ “She repeatedly refused to cooperate with officers who responded, including requests from cops to get out of the smashed car she was driving,” by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos and the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba. — Lake County judge throws out charges against Waukegan clerk, but appeals coming, by the Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke — Crystal Lake man pleads guilty for part in Jan. 6 assault, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky
| | SPOTTED | | — Ron Grossman, the longtime Chicago Tribune reporter, celebrated his 90th birthday at a party Saturday with 130 friends and family. His daughter, Jen Levine, hosted the event at Manny’s. Name tags featured the Tribune logo, placemats were replicas of his various articles over the years and Manny’s staffers wore shirts featuring a picture Grossman. Retired Tribune photographer Chuck Osgood was on hand conducting a Q&A about the guest of honor. Among those in the room: political consultant Don Rose, retired Sun-Times political reporter Basil Talbott and past and present Tribune colleagues: Stephan Benzkopfer, Jodi Cohen, Jackie Combs, Mary Dedinsky, Jan Grayson, Jeremy Gorner, David Greising, Christy Gutowski, James Janega, Trevor Jensen, Rick Kogan, Todd Lighty, Dick Longworth, Marianne Mather, Bill Mullen, Chuck Osgood, Rick Pearson, Kori Rumore, Stacy St. Clair, Annie Sweeney and Laura Washington. Pic (of Ron with his children and grandchildren)
| | | | Don't just read headlines—guide your organization's next move. POLITICO Pro's comprehensive Data Analysis tracks power shifts in Congress, ballot measures, and committee turnovers, giving you the deep context behind every policy decision. Learn more about what POLITICO Pro can do for you. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked how you juggle political talk at Thanksgiving. Nicole Berry: “Agree to disagree.” Mimi Cowan: “Ask questions instead of making proclamations. Find out what's important to people and - more importantly - why.” Henry Haupt: “If that beloved family member you see only on major holidays brings up politics, change the topic — gesture toward the big screen mounted on the wall, ‘I can't believe the ref didn't throw a flag on that play! Is he blind?’ The Bears play on Thanksgiving, so this diversionary tactic may be even more successful this year!” Steve Hild: “We don't have to worry too much about arguments. It's a house full of liberals. I'm more concerned how my Thanksgiving dinner is going to go down with the Bears playing ... it's been a rough autumn.” Charles Keller: “Between the food, football, board games, and in general catching up, there is no time for politics.” Kitty Kurth: “Lean in to the typical debate pivot. ‘Wow, can you believe how early everyone has been putting up Christmas decorations this year? Can you please pass the cranberry sauce? And how about those Cubs?’” Ed Mazur: “Political talk can only be done before food is served and can be resumed after dishes are done.” James Straus: “Pass the salt.” Matt Sullard: “Facts, spiked eggnog and a long fuse.” Next question: If you were on the state’s economic development board, what would you pitch to a company? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Duckworth rips into Hegseth: ‘He is unqualified for the position’: “Our military could not go to war without its 223,000 women who serve in uniform,” Duckworth said about his comments that women should not serve in combat, by POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy. The full CNN interview is here. — Congresswoman Mary Miller leverages incoming Trump administration to push against transgender policies, by WGLT’s Lauren Warnecke
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Harris keeping her political options open: She could run again for president — or California governor, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago and Eugene Daniels — Trump team barred from agencies amid legal standoff, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Adam Cancryn — U.S. allies try to convince each other that everything will be OK under Trump, by POLITICO’s Paul McLeary, Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer
| | TRANSITIONS | | — NEW TODAY: The Obama Foundation has tapped Emily Bittner and Rahshiene Taha as VP of communications and chief marketing officer, respectively. Bittner has held several senior roles in state, federal and local government, most recently as senior adviser to the governor. Taha was VP and head of marketing partnerships at Live Nation. — Alec Lopata is now senior policy associate for the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance and is relocating to D.C. to focus on federal policy. He's been policy and government affairs coordinator at Chicago-based Forefront. — Chris White has been named lead organizer for People's Lobby. He was a lead organizer for the Alliance of the Southeast.
| | | TRIVIA | | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bridget Hatch for correctly answering that NASA astronauts Mae Jemison and Joan Higginbotham went to Chicago’s Morgan Park and Whitney Young high schools, respectively. TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois public university has a mascot that commemorates a historic 1871 event? Email skapos@politico.com
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