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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | With help from Olivia Olander Happy Thursday, Illinois. Temps in the 70s today. The world is upside down.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin says he's stepping down from leading the caucus. | File photo | Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said he won’t seek another term as chair of his caucus. Swan song: "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as leader of the House Republican caucus, but it’s time for the Illinois Republican Party to rebuild with new leaders who can bring independents back to the party that are needed to bring change to the state,” he said in a statement Wednesday after his party saw dismal success in state legislative races. Sun-Times headline: Only ‘wave’ Illinois Republicans see in Legislature is the farewell one from Durkin as House leader, by Tina Sfondeles Like sharks in the water, Republican representatives already started jockeying for the leadership role. So far, no one has enough votes to win. And while their names are drawing attention, they’re also attracting scrutiny. State Rep. Tim Ozinga, who was elected in 2020 and has been angling for the position for months, has already caused concern among some Republicans. Ozinga committed to helping the House Republican Majority)this cycle as finance chair and said he would personally give $2 million to the fund, according to a person familiar with the arrangement. But Ozinga didn't end up committing anything after all. He gave more to the Senate Republicans than he did to the House Republicans. Ozinga, whose family runs a well-known concrete company, sat on the sidelines at a time when Republican candidates could have used the financial help. But he did create something he calls the “Big Tent Coalition,” which provides candidates with services on the campaign trail. Ozinga charged a 15 percent fee for the work. The day before the election, Ozinga also deposited $1 million into his political account, maybe in an effort to show members he has money to share. But some saw it as an insult because it wasn’t used to help any candidates win office. Another potential candidate for GOP House leader is state Rep. Martin McLaughin. He’s also been in the House since 2020 and before that was a Barrington Village president. Away from his public job, he runs a pension firm, a position that could put him under some scrutiny. He has opposed pension consolidation legislation and has employed a lobbyist in Springfield for his business in order to influence legislation for his firm’s benefit. — Illinois GOP licking its wounds: “It takes time to turn around a situation like this, where you have entrenched incumbents who are funded by very powerful special interests,” said GOP Chair Don Tracy, via WTAX’s Dave Dahl.
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
Eleven candidates for mayor met at Temple Sholom in Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos | Mayor Lori Lightfoot didn’t attend a mayoral forum Wednesday night at Temple Sholom of Chicago, but 11 of her competitors did, giving some insight into how the mayor’s campaign is going to operate in the coming weeks. It’s going to be crowded. The nearly two-hour forum saw four questions answered by all the candidates. Along with Lightfoot, candidate Willie Wilson did not attend and neither did Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who is set to announce his candidacy today. Playbook hears Ald. Tom Tunney could also join the race. That would make 15 candidates, a group even larger than during the historically competitive 2019 election for mayor (when there were 14 candidates). Lightfoot’s absence made it easy for opponents to take swipes at her, blaming her for the city’s crime problem, homeless problem and public school students’ learning problems. The elected officials running for mayor did the best job talking about manageable solutions. Rep. Kam Buckner, Chicago Alds. Sophia King, Raymond Lopez and Roderick Sawyer, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson showed their expertise at understanding how programming and budgeting works. We’ll put Paul Vallas , the former CPS CEO, in that group, too. The other cast of characters offered their own brand of expertise. There’s the cop, Frederick Collins; the FOIA expert, Robert Earnshaw; the activist, Ja’Mal Green; and two business executives, Dennis “DJ” Doran and John Thomas, who’s also done some prison time. In an awkward moment, Buckner spoke about his support for criminal justice reform and the SAFE-T Act, and then was immediately followed by Collins, who complained about the law, citing misinformation about what the measure will do. — With ‘Chuy’ García’s entry into Chicago mayor’s race expected, progressive challenger Brandon Johnson lands another big union endorsement, by Tribune’s Alice Yin and Gregory Pratt If you are Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Playbook would like to know what makes you a better mayoral candidate this time than in 2015. Email skapos@politico.com . Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I’d like to hear from you: skapos@politico.com
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| | ELECTION ROUNDUP | | — Pritzker downplays presidential buzz after soaring speech — but won’t commit to serving full term as gov: “The governor insisted Wednesday he is “not focused” on presidential politics ‘at all,’” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — IT’S A FIRST: In the IL-17 congressional race, Republican Esther Joy King conceded to Democrat Eric Sorensen on Wednesday morning, a spokeswoman for King told Playbook. The race for the seat currently held by Rep. Cheri Bustos has not yet been called by The Associated Press. But with 99 percent of returns in, Sorensen had 51.7 percent of the vote to King’s 48.3 percent, via POLITICO’s tally . Sorensen becomes the first openly gay member of the Illinois congressional delegation. And his victory gives Illinois Democrats 14 seats in Congress, one more than before the remap. — Democratic congressional candidates won big in the suburbs, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — CHANGES IN STORE: Watch for Illinois Secretary of State-elect Alexi Giannoulias to announce leaders of his transition team and to launch a new website encouraging Illinoisans to submit their ideas for the office. Giannoulias takes over the job in January. The position has been held for nearly 25 years by Jesse White. — Last Republican standing ends night still on his feet despite Democratic fight to kick him off Cook County Board: “With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison was ahead with 52 percent of the vote to Democrat Daniel Calandriello’s 48 percent,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. — Looking ahead: Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey lost the election, but he may run again for Congress in two years against state Rep. Mike Bost. KSDK political reporter Mark Maxwell tweeted a comparison of returns for Bailey and Bost based on Tuesday’s returns. “Out of 26 southern Illinois counties where both Mike Bost and Darren Bailey were on the ballot, the current vote totals show Bost beat Bailey in 16 counties, they tied in one, and Bost won the region by 2,487 votes.” — Here we go again | 3 downstate counties vote to explore seceding from Illinois, forming a new state, via NBC 5 — Democrats expand majority on Illinois Supreme Court with wins by Rochford and O’Brien, by Tribune’s John Keilman — Illinois Democrats set to reach a record number of seats in the Illinois House, by Tribune’s Ray Long — ‘New chapter’ for DuPage: Democrat Conroy set to be first woman to chair County Board, by Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos and Bob Goldsborough — Also in DuPage: Michael L. Childress became the first African American elected to the DuPage County Board. — And the General Assembly will see its Asian American numbers jump from four members to nine, according to state Rep. Theresa Mah. — Collective bargaining amendment outcome still unknown, but supporters express confidence, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Jake Sheridan — State Sen. Michael Hastings in close race; Republican challenger Patrick Sheehan ‘confident,’ by Tribune’s Alexandra Kukulka — State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi leads in Illinois House District 45 race, by Pioneer Press’ Graydon Megan — Syed’s defeat of Bos in 51st House District bucked trend of incumbent victories, by Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — After victory, Underwood campaign spokesman blasts Republicans, pundits in profane tweets: “He later apologized,” reports Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Better Government Association is launching a new website that will promote investigative journalism that also offers solutions. The effort is called the Illinois Answers Project and is funded in part by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “Investigative journalism remains vitally important. We also believe our problems can be fixed, and journalism can jolt society into action,” David Greising, a former Chicago Tribune business columnist who leads Illinois Answers and the BGA, said in a statement. The project is being launched with an exclusive investigation revealing how Illinois’ top Medicaid contractor has “repeatedly failed to deliver basic medical services to thousands of foster children” while also being paid millions by the state, according to the BGA. Stories about domestic violence courts and police salaries are also examined. Along with the website, the BGA will launch three newsletters focused on solutions journalism, government accountability and BGA Policy.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Immigration advocates celebrate election firsts, plan next steps for reform, by Sun-Times’ Michael Loria — Caterpillar fined by OSHA over worker’s incineration death in Mapleton, by Tribune’s Talia Soglin
| | CHICAGO | | — Push to force Chicago Public Schools CEO to testify at City Council committee hearing fails, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone — Mothers demand Chicago police do more to investigate sons’ unsolved murders, by ABC 7’s Ravi Baichwal — NASCAR Chicago launches ticket sales for summer street race, including $3,000 temporary suites overlooking Grant Park course, by Tribune’s Robert Channick — Bally’s to close Freedom Center site purchase for $200M, with plans for a land sale-leaseback to raise cash for Chicago casino, by Tribune’s Robert Channick
| | DAY IN COURT | | — NYC subway shooting: Accused shooter wants trial moved to Chicago, via ABC 7
| | HIGHER-ED | | — Amid a national teacher shortage, UChicago appears to be dissolving its teacher training program: “The university says it’s “pausing” admissions to its well-regarded grad program that trains teachers to work in urban districts like Chicago’s,” by WBEZ’s Nereida Moreno.
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, “At a Crossroads: America’s Defense Strategy” on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America’s national security. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what “Back to the Future” got right and wrong: Phil Crivellone: “They got right the Cubs finally winning the World Series and video calls, and got wrong the hydrating pizzas and hoverboards.” David Melton: “It underestimated the strength of ignorance and prejudice.” What’s your big takeaway from the midterms? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The 5 things Trump’s potential 2024 rivals are thinking about right now, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt — Biden declares election a 'good day' for democracy and the nation, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago and Myah Ward — McCarthy walks a fine line with the Freedom Caucus, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Marie Trzupek Lynch, CEO of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, leaving for human resources job at Morningstar: “Lynch founded the job placement organization in 2012 and now has it on a national expansion campaign,” by Tribune’s David Roeder. | | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Chirayu Patel for correctly answering that Macy's (formerly Marshall Field’s on State Street) has a fountain and eleven-story atrium in its building. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Illinois member of Congress who began his career as a sportswriter? Email skapos@politico.com
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