| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Enjoy the weekend.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Former President Barack Obama speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. | Erin Hooley/AP | ZEROING IN ON DEMOCRACY: Former President Barack Obama called out divisiveness and polarization as “one of the greatest challenges of our time,” during a speech Thursday at his foundation’s Democracy Forum in Chicago. For the ‘woke’ and ‘waking’: “It’s about recognizing that in a democracy, power comes from forging alliances and building coalitions … not only for the woke, but also for the waking,” Obama told the crowd of about 650 participants at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum event on Chicago’s South Side, just a few miles from where Obama’s presidential center is under construction. His message: Obama urged his audience to embrace pluralism and celebrate people’s differences — the closest he came to a political message in his remarks. And he didn’t utter the names of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, either. Obama’s underlying message was about pluralism and building bridges across divides, which have obvious relevance to the political moment in a divided country.“ "Building bridges is not contrary to equality and social justice. In fact, it is our best tool for delivering lasting change,” Obama told the crowd that included his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng; Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, who worked in his administration; and Penny Pritzker, the Commerce secretary during his administration. Tough love: A few folks in the predominantly Democratic crowd of political and policy wonks nodded at Obama’s remarks of extending a hand across the aisle, though most sat stoically as he spoke. The former president said he understands the “skepticism… But to produce free and fair and more just societies, I cannot think of a better time to talk about it,” he said of the post-election malaise. Obama said there are still lines that can’t be crossed — such as when the other side uses “the judiciary or criminal justice system to go after opponents,” he said, hinting at Trump’s threats to go after his enemies. “In those circumstances, we have to stand firm and speak out and organize and mobilize as forcefully as we can.” Video of Obama’s speech is here Also attending the conference: Obama Foundation Chief Strategy Officer Tina Tchen, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Ald. Desmon Yancy, Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood, Chicago Commissioner Rachel Arfa, Chicago Commissioner Chris Brown, RTA Board Chair Kirk Dillard, Sen. Dick Durbin’s State Director Clarisol Duque, Choose Chicago Chair Glenn Eden, Metropolitan Family Services CEO Ric Estrada, Joyce Foundation CEO Julie Morita, Polk Bros. Foundation’s Channing Lenert, La Casa Norte Executive Director Jose M. Muñoz, business consultant Reyahd Kazmi and former Bulls star Joakim Noah. The hype man: Obama was introduced by up-and-coming Chicago activist Berto Aguayo, an attorney and co-founder of Increase the Peace nonprofit.
| | THE BUZZ | | Federal appeals court ruling allows Illinois gun ban to remain in place: “It’s the second time the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that the state’s ban on so-called assault weapons can remain on the books as lawyers for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and several gun rights groups battle over the legality of the weapons prohibition, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law nearly two years ago,” by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner. If you are Maya Soetoro-Ng, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Gary Comer College Prep charter school at 2:30 p.m. for the Hands on Chicago training event — At 5701 West Madison Street at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Austin Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
| | Where's Toni | | At the Chicago Hilton at noon for the Irish Fellowship Club luncheon Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | | | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) has been named whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes 97 members of Congress. In a statement, Garcia made it clear that progressive lawmakers aren’t feeling deflated by the outcome of last month’s election. “As we confront MAGA’s empty promises to working people and its threats to immigrants and other vulnerable communities, the CPC has to take the opportunity to fight fake populism with real, popular and people-centered platforms our caucus supports,” Garcia said. Here’s a video on the leadership changes. — Durbin and Ramaswamy trade barbs over federal loan to Rivian: “Vivek Ramaswamy, who co-chairs a cost-cutting effort for the new administration alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has said he wants to undo the Department of Energy’s proposed $6.6 billion loan to Rivian. … ‘Isn’t this rich?’ Sen Dick Durbin said in a statement. ‘In 2009, when his Tesla operation was hanging by a thread, Elon Musk borrowed nearly $500 million from the Department of Energy,'” by Crain’s John Pletz. — House rebuffs Democratic Congressman Sean Casten’s efforts to force release of Gaetz ethics report, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Nicholas Wu
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — POT POURI |Smell of raw cannabis is enough for police to search a vehicle, Illinois Supreme Court rules. Smell of burnt cannabis is not: “The 4-2 majority opinion, written by Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., hones in on the “odor-proof” container requirement,” by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky. — Illinois American Water will increase water rates: “Acquisition costs, affordability major themes surrounding case,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams. — Health care workers charged with sexual abuse keep working unrestricted as state action lags, by the Tribune’s Emily Hoerner and Lisa Schencker — Finance reports: The Civic Federation has released reports on finances for the state of Illinois, Cook County and City of Chicago. Find them here.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Aaron del Mar is stepping down as co-chair of the Illinois Republican Party after the New Year. It’s not a surprise. After last month’s election, del Mar, who also is the Palatine Township Republican committeeman, told Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi in a letter that he’d be stepping back in 2025 in order “to explore other opportunities.” Might he make a run for governor in 2026? He wouldn’t tell us. — Greg Martucci, an attorney, has been picked as the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization candidate to run for Bloomingdale Township trustee. The party hopes to break the longstanding Republican hold on the township board.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — More tax fights loom as Johnson and City Council near budget deal: “The goal has been to hold the line on a property tax increase at $68 million to keep pace with inflation and avoid having to continue to stitch together new revenue streams and spending cuts to prevent a property tax hike entirely,” by Crain’s Justin Laurence and John Pletz. Aldermen weigh in: More than half of of the council calls on the mayor to find more ways to cut costs as budget deadline looms, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall Commentary: Brandon Johnson’s ‘unprecedented spending’ means City Council is right to put away its rubber stamp, by the Better Government Association’s David Greising — Mayor says texts with CTU chief don’t mean he was aware of allegations against staffer, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin. — What did the mayor know and when did he know it? via Fox 32’s Paris Schutz on his Paris on Politics program — Re-upping Re-entry program: Mayor Brandon Johnson named Joseph “JoJo” Map to head the mayor’s Office of Re-entry. Mapp served 26 years before becoming an advocate for helping people re-enter society. The Office of Re-entry was created under Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration and the director position has been unfilled until now. — In new film, artist Tonika Johnson tells the story of unfair housing practices on the South Side, by the Block Club’s Atavia Reed — Greater Chicago Food Depository expands with commercial kitchen as part of $75M campaign, by Crain’s Brandon Dupré
| | COOK COUNTY | | — Bears would pay $3.6M a year, under proposed Arlington Park property tax settlement: “The 12-page memorandum of understanding — brokered by village officials over the last year and a half of negotiations — aims to resolve a protracted tax dispute between the NFL franchise and three Arlington Heights-area school districts whose boundaries cover the 326-acre site purchased by the team in 2023,” by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins is in Cape Town, South Africa, representing his town at the Strong Cities Network Fifth Global Summit. About 70 mayors from Europe, North America, Middle East, Southern and East Africa and Central Europe are attending to learn more about how to better engage marginalized communities, maintain social cohesion and counter hate and extremism. Pic of Hoskins, right, with Mayor Jans Van Zanen of The Hague, Netherlands — Liz Dozier, founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, will be a featured speaker at the Clinton Presidential Center’s 20th anniversary on Saturday. The event is taking place in Arkansas and will be live-streamed. Details here — SPOTTED: Ignite Blue Partners hosted their first annual holiday party earlier this week at Hubbard Inn. Founding Partners Kaitlin Delaney and Kelsey Nulph welcomed a packed room of political insiders and elected officials and civic, business and labor leaders. In the room: former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, businessman Chris Kennedy (The two hosts worked on his gubernatorial campaign.), World Business Chicago Vice Chair Charles Smith, Res Publica’s Guy Chipparoni, AL Media’s Eric Adelstein, Illinois Restaurant Association’s Sam Toia, Chicago Federation of Labor’s Don Villar, Intersect Illinois’ Christy George, Lilette Advisors’ Leah Israel, Chicago Sister Cities Chair Tamar Newberger and City Club Executive Director Dan Gibbons. Pic of Lightfoot wearing a CTA sweater that lit up.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what clothing you go to during sub-zero temps. Stella Black: “My son's scarf. It also warms my heart.” Phil Crivellone: “A pair of my woolen socks.” Dave Dahl: “Winter hat, for obvious reasons.” John Fritchey: “I feel confident in speaking on behalf of Donovan Pepper, Ashvin Lad and myself that one piece of winter clothing we never forget is a warm hat.” G.A. Finch: “Long underwear.” Matt Frederick: “An orange wool scarf that my mom knitted and gave me for Christmas several years ago. Thanks, Mom!” Donna Gutman: “Faux beaver hat.” Lucas Hawley: “My earmuffs.” Carlton Hull: “Long underwear, long johns.” Michael Kleine: “I'm on year two of e-biking to work during the winter. I need my balaclava and fuzzy hat to make the temps bearable.” Jim Lyons: “My woolen socks.” Penny Mautino: “Furry ear warmers and soft gloves.” Pat McCann: “Long johns!” Rebecca Williams: “My gorgeous reindeer fur earmuffs! They save me every winter.” Next question: Who do you get up to speed on what young people think? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Elon Musk was behind mysterious pro-Trump super PAC that invoked Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper — The post-WWII world order of American dominance is over. Donald Trump proves it, writes POLITICO’s Joshua Zeitz — GOP lawmakers try to draft DOGE leaders to their side of the spending war, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes and Katherine Tully-McManus
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Howard Krane, a retired partner of Kirkland & Ellis, has died. Obit here
| | EVENTS | | — Dec. 13-14: The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is holding its “Infinite Hope” policy summit and brunch. The event offers insight on policy issues focused on Chicago and Illinois and is geared for all audiences: business and community leaders, subject matter experts and the general public. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ashvin Lad for correctly answering that Colp is the southern Illinois town that saw its 2017 village president’s race decided by a coin flip when each candidate captured 11 votes. Tammy O'Daniell-Howell won the coin toss by choosing heads. Bryan Riekena chose tails. TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois bridge did The New York Times once call "The World's 8th Wonder?” Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Former Transportation Secretary and Congressman Ray LaHood, McGuireWoods consultant Greg Bales, United Airlines Senior VP Robert Rivkin, U.S. Department of State Senior Adviser Brian Mosteller, Illinois Senate Democrats’ Comms Director Brandy Renfro, Susan G. Komen founder Nancy Brinker, foundation leader Alicia Nayak, University of Chicago economist Michael Greenstone, PR pro Noreen Heron, Air Current Editor-in-Chief Jon Ostrower, real estate pro Beth Argaman and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Saturday: State Sen. Dan McConchie, Chicago Ald. Marty Quinn, Chicago Cubs President of Operations Jed Hoyer, Morgan Stanley wealth adviser Joe Silich and Northern Trust data guru Neil Devitt. Sunday: Political consultant and former state Sen. Rickey Hendon, Illinois Liquor Control commission legislative liaison Curtis Franklin, Publicis Groupe Chief Inclusion Experience Officer Renetta McCann, Elevation Consulting lobbyist Tom Cullen and attorney Nick Colvin. -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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