| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. It’s Friday the 13th, so keep your good-luck charms close.
|  | TOP TALKER | | DOUBLE-TAKE: Former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell stole $53 million from the little town, a crime so notorious that a documentary was made -- highlighting that she perpetrated the largest case of municipal fraud in American history. President Joe Biden apparently didn’t watch it. He commuted Crundwell’s 19-year (and seven month) sentence, the last of which she’s been serving at home. Here’s the story: Former Dixon comptroller — who stole $54M — on Biden’s clemency list, by WGN 9’s Ben Bradley Biden also commuted the sentence of Eric Bloom, the former CEO of Northbrook-based Sentinel Management Group, who’s been serving a 14-year sentence since 2015 for defrauding hundreds of customers of more than $665 million. Patch’s Eric DeGrechie has more The big picture: Their commutations were among 1,500 people who were released from prison (or from their home confinement that happened during Covid) and 39 pardons for nonviolent crimes. A LaGrange woman is among those 39 Americans pardoned. Diana Bazan Villanueva was convicted of a nonviolent drug offense in her 20s, via The Associated Press and Tribune Some say it’s about time and that more people should get clemency. But there was outcry among Illinois Republicans: “Reckless,” is what Congressman Darin LaHood called Crundwell’s commutation, adding that it shows Biden has a “disregard for our justice system and rule of law.” “A slap in the face to the people of Dixon and the surrounding areas,” is how state Sen. Andrew Chesney put it. And “outraged,” is how state Rep. Bradley Fritts, a Republican from Dixon, feels. “After pardoning his own convicted felon son for crimes dating back more than ten years, President Biden doubled down on the corruption of his presidency and lifted Crundwell’s house arrest,” Fritts said in a statement. “The people of Dixon were victimized by this woman, and she still owes money that she stole.” Big question: Will Republicans speak out against Trump if he pardons Jan. 6 Capitol rioters like he said he would? RELATED Jesse Jackson Jr. isn’t on the pardon list. He talks about pardons, public life and what’s next, via WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Shelby Hawkins Biden’s record-setting clemency act leaves allies only wanting more, by POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Myah Ward
| | THE BUZZ | | BREAKING THIS MORNING: Mayor Brandon Johnson calls off vote on 2025 city budget: “Even some members of the mayor’s Progressive Caucus, including Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd), Jessie Fuentes (26th) and Ald. Nancy Clay (46th) were refusing to play along by passing a budget balanced with the help of a $68.5 million property tax and a slew of other taxes,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. Johnson’s budget promise risks securing one vote at the expense of another: One supporter of the mayor’s budget said he would vote yes if the Plow the Sidewalks pilot program was funded, but another potential supporter said including the pilot mean’s they’d vote no, by Crain’s Justin Laurence. As Johnson struggles to balance Chicago’s budget, he’s reserving millions for cops who’ll never be hired: “He’s the latest in a line of mayors who budgeted annually for hundreds of ghost cops. And it’s not the only fictional part of his CPD budget,” by WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell. 3 government watchdog groups say they like the original Budget Transparency Ordinance put forth by Ald. Andre Vasquez, not the watered down version. Their statement is here. Will Chicago’s guaranteed income program survive the budget vote? by the Triibe’s Tonia Hill If you are Jessie Fuentes, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the CSX Forest Hill rail flyover at 10 a.m. with other local and state officials to announce federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program — At 555 West Monroe Street at 2:30 p.m. to announce support for hemp regulation legislation
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | In City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over the City Council
| | Where's Toni | | At the CSX Forest Hill rail flyover at 10 a.m. to announce federal grants. We jumped the gun Thursday on schedules: Mayor Johnson will attend the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives graduation on Dec. 19 at the South Shore Cultural Center, and President Preckwinkle will attend the Kwanzaa and Hanukkah celebrations also on Dec. 19. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | — THE REHABILITATION MAN: Rodney Davis, the former Illinois Republican congressman who was edged out (post-redistricting) in a primary, is now the go-to government relations man with the U.S. Chamber. He sat down with POLITICO's national Playbook to talk about the Chambers top priorities — from tax reform and deregulation to permitting and immigration — and how the group is trying to regain its swagger with Republicans, via Playbook. “I watched President Trump and his team at the New York Stock Exchange today … and he’s talking about pro-growth, pro-business opportunities and policies,” Davis said. “These are the things [where] I think the Chamber could be a valuable asset to the Trump administration — regardless of maybe a one-off frustration from some individual that you may have spoken with.”
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — MADIGAN TRIAL | Judge won’t acquit former AT&T Illinois boss in Madigan bribery case after hung jury: “Paul La Schiazza ruling filed as Madigan trial winds down around same episode,” by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel. — The impact of an Illinois law barring police from working with immigration agents: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed it into law “and supporters say it allows people in this country illegally to feel safe reporting when they’ve been a victim of crime and cooperate with police investigating crime,” by WGN 9’s Ben Bradley. — Pritzker to take aim at hemp-derived delta-8: “Gov. JB Pritzker plans to make the case for the Illinois House of Representatives to pass a law to crack down on intoxicating hemp during the lame-duck session next month,” by Crain’s John Pletz. — Illinois historian says Midwest played a crucial role in Black freedom movements worldwide, by Illinois News Bureau’s Jodi Heckel
| | CHICAGO | | — IBM will join Illinois' sprawling quantum park on South Side, state aims to be 'the global quantum capital': “IBM’s decision is a huge win for Gov. JB Pritzker, who has for years sought to make Illinois a global leader in quantum computing and innovation. The announcement comes a day after the City Council gave the multibillion-dollar quantum computing campus final zoning approval,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson appoints a seventh school board member: “Sean Harden will be the seventh board member and will fill a spot left vacant by Rev. Mitchell Johnson, who served as board president for a week before resigning amid social media posts criticized as antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiracy-laden. City officials did not immediately say whether Harden will serve as president of the board,” by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin and Mila Koumpilova. — NEW: Ald. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas has written to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, asking for an investigation into a meeting with the Chicago School Board and Chicago Teachers Union that was held without CPS Board Chair Pedro Martinez in attendance. Villegas says it breaches fiduciary duty and unfair labor practice. His letter is here. — Chicago firefighters' union casts "no confidence" vote against CFD leadership, by CBS 2’s Todd Feurer — Dispute between a landlord and city of Markham has young family paying the price, by the Sun-Times’ Stephanie Zimmermann — Documentary explores what happens to neighborhoods when schools close, by the Block Club’s Michael Liptrot and Jamie Nesbitt Golden — Why does the city’s border extend north of Howard Street in Rogers Park? by Edward McClelland
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — School districts approve Arlington Park tax deal with Bears: “The agreement will lower the Bears’ annual property tax bill at Arlington Park at least through 2027. … But what becomes of the sprawling former racetrack property remains uncertain, as Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren says he’s still focused on building a new stadium on Chicago’s lakefront,” by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek. — Property records raise new questions about influential Cook County judge, by Injustice Watch’s David Jackson
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked for your take on presidential pardons. Matthew Beaudet: “While acknowledging that the power is within the sole discretion of the President, George Washington stated that he would exercise it where it was consistent with the public good. It shouldn't be a personal Friends and Family Plan.” Stella Black: “As I’ve told my children, there are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned. More thought should be given to the process of who gets pardoned.” Mike Gascoigne: “Justice should be pursued by any means necessary. If that includes a presidential pardon, OK.” Jim LaCognata: “They are political plums that need to be eliminated.” Next question: What's your holiday party attire? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Sens. Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse, both Democrats, are demanding that any correspondence between Trump's prospective nominees and longtime adviser Boris Epshteyn be disclosed after it was recently revealed Epshteyn was requesting money from outsiders in exchange for potential administration appointments, CBS News’ Daniel Klaidman reports. — Congressman Mike Bost eyes modernizing Veterans Affairs as chair of House committee, by St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Hegseth walks back controversial comments on women and gays in the military, by POLITICO’s Joe Gould and Connor O’Brien — No Labels looks to the ‘reset button’ after Trump’s victory, by POLITICO’s Irie Sentner — Some Arizona Republicans relieved Kari Lake is heading to Washington, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly
| | TRANSITIONS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sarah Saheb has been named director of Economic Security Illinois, which advocates for working families and campaigned for the Illinois Earned Income Credit. Saheb was senior leader with the Service Employees International Union. She replaces Harish Patel, who is now VP of partnerships for the Economic Security Project Action team.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Marc Schulman (of Eli’s Cheesecake!) for correctly answering that holiday lights first appeared on Michigan Avenue in 1959, when a string of lights was put up in front of six barren elm trees in front of Saks Fifth Avenue by designers George Silvestri and Joe Kreis, according to a Tribune story. TODAY’s QUESTION: What royal black-tie gala hosted by then-Mayor Jane Byrne was held at Navy Pier? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Friday/Today: Ald. Michelle Harris, Democratic Committeeman Sean Tenner, World Business Chicago CEO Phil Clement, Sen. Tammy Duckworth Chicago Office Director Stacey Berdejo. former Park District Commissioner Mona Castillo, Indivisible Chicago’s Marj Halperin, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Mae Hong, women’s advocate Donna Gutman, TV producer Donna LaPietra and Sun-Times reporter Brett Chase. Saturday: Polk Bros. Foundation Program Officer Orlando Mayorga, Resolute public affairs COO David Smolensky, UCAN CEO Tom Vanden Berk, former mayoral candidate John Kozlar, film director Matthew Cherry, Playbooker Fernando Elizondo Junco and WGN anchor and investigative reporter Lourdes Duarte. Sunday: Cook County Judge Perla Tirado, Aileron public affairs President Dave Lundy, Strategia Consulting CEO Lissa Druss, Cameo CEO Steven Galanis, Norwood Park’s Frank Avino, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Comms Director Suzanne Wrasse, Peoria Director of Strategic Communications Gretchen Pearsall, law professor Richard Kling, policy adviser Patrobas Wafula, PR pro Ron Culp, branding adviser Ben Counts and comedian Joel Chasnoff. -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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