Ed Burke on his Irish exit

By Shia Kapos

Presented by Protect West Chicago

With help from Olivia Olander

Happy Monday, Illinois. Former President Donald Trump suggested the Constitution be “terminated,” which Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger called “insane.”

All eyes were on Chicago Ald. Edward Burke on Friday Dec. 2, 2022, at the Irish Fellowship Club's Christmas luncheon in Chicago. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos

Ald. Ed Burke made an Irish exit from the City Council last week. He didn’t make a comment or release a statement about not seeking reelection.

But Burke’s not hiding out. He attended the swearing in of Joy Cunningham to the state Supreme Court. And on Friday, a line of supporters greeted him at the Irish Fellowship Club’s annual Christmas luncheon (More on that below, under “Spotted.”)

We caught up with him there. Burke smiled and offered some of the philosophical witticisms that he came to be known for over the years in City Hall. Asked why he’s retiring, he said, “The Bible says there’s a time for everything.”

“I have a lot of good memories,” Burke added before pivoting to a familiar quote: “For over a half century now, I’ve tried to follow the advice of that great Anglo-Irish philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke, who said ‘In politics, there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests.’”

Speaking of enemies: Burke sat just a few feet away from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was seated at the head table at the crowded Hilton ballroom on Michigan Avenue. Since her first campaign, she has needled Burke for staying on the City Council while also facing federal corruption charges.

Another question for Burke: We asked for his thoughts on how the next council might operate given there will be at least 20 new members. Burke punted, saying, “Time will tell. It’s up to the voters.” Once a politician, always a politician.

A message from Protect West Chicago:

Join the fight to Protect West Chicago. Lakeshore Recycling Systems has announced its plans to build another garbage waste transfer station in West Chicago. If approved, about four million pounds of garbage carried by nearly 400 garbage trucks will be moved and dumped near West Chicago homes daily. This will mean more traffic, lower property values, road deterioration, more litter, environmental impacts, and increased odors. Stop West Chicago from becoming a dumping ground.

Outgoing DuPage Board Chair Dan Cronin, speaking at a City Club event, has started a PAC. | City Club photo

DAN CRONIN’s NEXT MOVE: It’s DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin’s last day in office, but he’s not leaving politics quite yet.

Cronin, a Republican who previously served in the Illinois General Assembly, has formed the DuPage Leadership PAC — a political action committee to promote Republicans and Democrats running for local office.

“I’ve been in politics for 32 years. It’s in my DNA, and I will always be in a position to support virtuous people who are interested and willing to serve,” Cronin, who decided not to seek re-election, told Playbook in an interview. “It’s hard work. It’s not easy to serve in public office, so we need good people.”

On leaving county office: Cronin leaves newly elected DuPage Board Chair Deb Conroy, a Democrat, with a balanced budget, a triple-A bond rating and $40 million in reserves. “The County of DuPage is healthy. I’m proud of our record of accomplishment. So, I’m not in a hurry to get involved in anything going forward,” Cronin said, adding he’ll also be focused on his law practice.

Finding the good: Cronin hopes his new PAC will help “good candidates” find a place in government. It’s not that good Republican candidates didn’t exist in November, Cronin says. They were just weighed down by the candidate at the top of the ticket, added Cronin, referring to far-right GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey.

It’s about branding: “There were good people on the ballot that didn’t even get a look from a lot of voters because our nominee for governor had an offensive brand,” said Cronin. It was the same around the country, adds Cronin. “Candidates around the country lost because they looked like our candidate. We have to get away from that.”

If you’re received an uber-exclusive holiday party invite, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com .

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At the Michael A Bilandic Building at 1 p.m. for the Gold Star Family Christmas Tree lighting. — At Navy Pier at 7 p.m. to give remarks at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism.

No official public events.

At the Cook County Building at 9 a.m. to give the inaugural address at the swearing in of Board of Commission members.

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

— Illinois’ gun debate: Legislation, litigation and emotion fuel one of the state’s most polarizing conflicts, by Tribune’s Annie Sweeney

— These bills also passed during the General Assembly veto session, recaps State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck

— Illinois Covid-19 hospitalizations near 10-month high, by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout

— The Emmy goes to … The Illinois Department of Public Health won an award at the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards Ceremony on Saturday for its “On the Fence” campaign to get under-vaccinated communities vaccinated for Covid-19. Backstage interview

— In Carbondale, 3 candidates file petitions to run for mayor: City council member Carolin Harvey, who has been acting as interim mayor, Nathan Colombo and Harold J. Visser are all in, reports The Southern’s Marilyn Halstead.

— March it out: It looks like South Carolina could be chosen as the first state to have a Democratic primary in 2024. That leaves Illinois, which had sought an early primary, to stay put in March — specifically March 19, 2024. The General Assembly had changed the 2022 primary date to June 28 to allow time for new redistricting lines to be determined. Lawmakers would have to take up the matter in legislation again to change the date.

A message from Protect West Chicago:

— ARRIVED: Chicago welcomed 20 new migrants Dec. 1, according to the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. The city has now welcomed 3,740 asylum-seekers bused from the Texas border since Aug. 31.

— Despite ban on lobbyists’ campaign money, Lightfoot took $68K from lobbyist’s companies. Now, she’s giving much of it back : “This year, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has accepted more than $53,000 in 39 campaign contributions from 14 companies affiliated with Carmen A. Rossi, a registered city lobbyist,” write Sun-Times’ Tim Novak and Frank Main.

— Deadline day: We’ll find out later today who’s challenging whom in the Chicago mayor and aldermanic races. One battle you won’t see: Ald. Brian Hopkins isn’t challenging Mayor Lori Lightfoot . Though he believes some of her signatures are flawed, he told Playbook he expects she has the 12,500 needed to get on the ballot.

— How the Chicago City Council election is shaping up: Who’s facing steep competition, and who’s getting a free pass, by Tribune’s Alice Yin and A.D. Quig

— Candidates for Chicago’s new police district councils split between staunch defenders of police and those who favor defunding: “There are many factors driving the 122 candidates’ desire to become part of the grand experiment of civilian oversight at the grassroots level. Two major camps have emerged: Police supporters determined to take the shackles off officers and those who believe CPD has victimized communities of color and don’t trust police,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

—  What new district police councils are supposed to do, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman

— Willie Wilson, who’s running for mayor of Chicago, has been endorsed by Filipino American Leaders of Greater Chicago, including media publisher Veronica Leighton and Chicago Philippine Lions Club President Dely Villalon. Full list here

— Can tiny homes combat homelessness in Chicago? Lightfoot’s new budget follows lead of other cities: “Under Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2023 budget that passed last month, the city will direct $3 million in federal Covid-19 stimulus funds toward a tiny homes project that she said will be the ‘first of its kind,’” by Tribune’s Alice Yin.

— Lightfoot’s plan to replace Chicago’s lead water pipes has switched out 280 of an estimated 390,000 service lines, by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase

— Is the Chicago Police gang database tactic an end run around the new accountability board? “Members of a new civilian police commission fear CPD’s rollout of the database was intended to circumvent their oversight authority,” writes WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko

— ‘We deserve beautiful spaces’: Abandoned railway in Englewood to be transformed into nature trail, by WGN’s Gaynor Hall

— Some CPS parents are just getting summer 2022 pandemic food benefits cards now, with no explanation, by CBS 2’s Megan Hickey

— City orders West Town bar to put away inflatables; owner thinks it's political, by CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar

— 50 years ago, a plane crashed into homes outside Midway, killing 45 people. The neighborhood hasn’t forgotten, by Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat

— U. of Chicago’s Julianne Sitch becomes first woman to coach an NCAA men’s soccer team to a championship, via CNN

— Battle over Ryan Field in Evanston could be a seminar for the Bears: “Northwestern University is trying to win over neighbors with plans to bring concerts to the home of the Wildcats,” by Sun-Times’ David Roeder.

— Reparations Town Hall focuses on the work in Evanston, by Evanston RoundTable’s Richard Cahan

— RELATED: Reparations leaders demand Biden act, by RoundTable’s Gina Castro

— Husband found dead with family in Buffalo Grove home had been barred from house, allowed back Nov. 1, by Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm.

— CTA employee charged with stealing over $350,000 from the agency’s pension fund, by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn

Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris, who didn’t seek reelection, is being feted for his work in the General Assembly. On Friday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky joined supporters at The Baton lounge to honor Harris. The event was organized by the 46th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Sean Tenner, a friend in Harris’ “home ward.” Also in the room: state Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, Rep.-elect Hoan Huynh, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, Chicago Alds. James Cappleman and Tom Tunney, Democratic Committee member Maggie O’Keefe, DuPage Democratic Chair Ken Mejia-Beal, Governor’s Office execs Emily Miller and Nancy Hunyh, Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove and American Medical Association’s Justin DeJong.

— Lightfoot credited Harris, the first is the first openly gay person to become a member of the General Assembly’s leadership, with breaking glass ceilings. "Greg is honest and truthful and candid. It inspires every single one of us," she said.

— More kudos: In Washington, D.C., Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia gave Harris a shout-out on the House floor . And today, the Community Behavioral Health Association of Illinois will name Harris the “2022 Legislator of the Year.”

JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A POLITICO DISCUSSION ON THE NEW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE : Americans are now traveling in record numbers — but the travel experience has changed drastically in recent years, not always for the better. What lessons can we learn from the pandemic and different responses around the globe? And in the face of a possible recession, what will help the travel industry remain vibrant and deliver jobs? Join POLITICO on Dec. 7 for “The Travel Experience Redefined” to discuss these questions and more. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. REGISTER HERE .

We asked what trait you have now that you also had as a kid:

Robert Christie and Ed Mazur: They had early-morning paper routes as kids and still wake up early today.

Yanzi Mendez: “I’ve never stopped loving German Shepherds. I was about 5 when I had my first one, and my current one, Roxy, just turned 2.”

Andy Shaw: “A love of words, instilled early by family members.”

Phil Zeni: “Still in the smart aleck, wise-guy category.”

What’s your most treasured photograph? Email skapos@politico.com

There was a lot of hot air at the Irish Fellowship Club’s Christmas luncheon Friday. And we’re not talking about politicians. The bagpipers were in full force.

Along with Ald. Ed Burke and Mayor Lori Lightfoot (see above), we saw former Gov. Pat Quinn, DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin, mayoral candidate Paul Vallas, Ald. Tom Tunney , Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Ald. Nicole Lee, Secretary of State-elect Alexi Giannoulias, Local 130 Plumbers Union leader Jim Coyne, aldermanic candidate Bill Conway, attorney Tim Cavanagh, SDI Presence’s Jack Hartman, nonprofit consultant Kevin Conlon, former City Club leader Jay Doherty, Fraternal Order of Police’s Michael Cosentino and Notre Dame College Prep President Shay Boyle.

And how nice to meet Matthew Beaudet, the Chicago Buildings manager, in person. He’s a regular contributor to Playbook Trivia.

— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was in Atlanta over the weekend helping organize the Asian American Pacific Islander community in support of Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock’s re-election runoff Tuesday.

— Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) is partnering with former Republican Sen. Mark Kirk to relaunch the Abuelitas (grandmothers) program. Kirk started the program in 2005 when he was a congressman. The program helps families navigate the visa process so elderly relatives in Mexico can obtain short-term tourism visas to reunite with family in the 10th District.

— Warnock heads into Georgia runoff with head of steam, by POLITICO’s Brittany Gibson and Natalie Allison

— Paul Pelosi attends Kennedy Center event, by POLITICO’s David Cohen

— The shadow race is on to succeed Feinstein, by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White

— Longtime Arizona GOP Rep. Jim Kolbe dies at 80. He studied at Northwestern and had a stint in the Illinois governor’s office, via The Associated Press

— Bob McGrath, an original resident of ‘Sesame Street’ and Illinois native, dies at 90, via Hollywood Reporter

— Maudlyne Ihejirika, the award-winning urban affairs reporter and columnist at the Sun-Times, has retired — but not from writing. She's working on another book (or two).

— Brady Chalmers is chief of staff to newly elected Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon. Chalmers previously worked as a county board analyst.

FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Thomas D. Garry, Mayor Edward Kelly’s sanitation superintendent, was “The Voice from the Sewers.” He started a chant of “We want Roosevelt” from the basement of Chicago Stadium during the 1940 Democratic Convention, which rallied attendees and helped nominate the president for an unprecedented third term.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What former Chicago funeral home doubled as a Civil War site, featuring a glass case displaying documents and memorabilia? Email skapos@politico.com  

Cook County Board Commissioner John Daley, state Rep. Nick Smith, Illinois Insurance Department Director Dana Popish, University of Chicago Crime Lab executive director Roseanna Ander, Chicago Federation of Labor Government Affairs Deputy Director Isabel Dobbel, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois VP Chris Coleman, political consultant Porter McNeil, University of Chicago law professor Eric Posner, hospitality exec Brad Young, PR pro Dionne Williams and Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s Amy Shivvers.

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A message from Protect West Chicago:

Join the fight to Protect West Chicago. Lakeshore Recycling Systems has announced its plans to build another garbage waste transfer station in West Chicago. If approved, about four million pounds of garbage carried by nearly 400 garbage trucks will be moved and dumped near West Chicago homes daily. This will mean more traffic, lower property values, road deterioration, more litter, environmental impacts, and increased odors.

Today, West Chicago is the only community in DuPage County with a garbage waste transfer station within its borders. This additional dump would make West Chicago the only community in the entire state of Illinois, other than the much larger city of Chicago, to have two garbage waste transfer stations in its community. Join us in asking the West Chicago City Council to vote NO on making our community a dumping ground.

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Shia Kapos @shiakapos

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