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Presented by Protect West Chicago: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by Protect West Chicago | With help from Olivia Olander Happy Wednesday, Illinois. The midterms delivered one last Trump loss: 3 takeaways from Georgia's Senate runoff, via POLITICO’s David Siders. Breaking: Time is out with its Person of the Year cover.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Along with the fight to stay on the ballot, Chicago mayoral candidates are battling for union support in the race to run City Hall. The juice: Mayor Lori Lightfoot just reported a $150,000 boost from the carpenters’ PAC and $25,000 from the LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ PAC. Spreading the wealth: That follows Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson’s support from the Chicago Teachers Union and Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia securing a $1 million commitment from Operating Engineers Local 150 — which didn’t get directly involved in the mayor’s race four years ago but did run ads against Bill Daley . This time, Local 150 sees crime as “problematic” and affecting how developers invest, which “impacts construction companies,” Local 150 spokesman Ed Maher told Playbook. It’s only coincidence, he said, that the construction union is also battling Lightfoot’s City Hall over an ordinance on crane-operating rules. The union says its pledge to Garcia isn’t predicated on him supporting the crane ordinance, and a campaign adviser “also denied any quid pro quo,” reports Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. Local 150 wants to lower the threshold to get a crane license. Instead of requiring a license for equipment that can lift 2,000 pounds, the union is pushing for the threshold to be lowered to 1,000 pounds. It's mater of safety, says Maher. But nearly a dozen other labor unions are crying foul. The ordinance also would require anyone who wants to operate a crane to get their license at the crane licensing school in Countryside, run by Local 150. The “requirement allows Local 150 to maintain monopoly control over who gets a crane operator’s license in the City of Chicago,” the opposing unions said in a letter to Lightfoot and the City Council. Begs to disagree: Local 150 President Jim Sweeney countered in his own letter that the unions are pushing a “false narrative.” The ordinance remains stuck in the City Council’s Workforce Committee, and Lightfoot is staying out of the fray. Labor the point: The mayor has built other labor support by advocating for a $15 minimum wage and better schedules for hourly workers. She’s also worked with unions to increase funding for mental health clinics and amend the O’Hare Labor Peace Agreement that allows workers to organize without union interference. That’s paid off: Lightfoot’s been endorsed by half a dozen unions, including American Postal Workers Local 1 and unions representing bricklayers, plumbers and ironworkers.
| | | | 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. | | | | | THE BUZZ | | BOARDROOM STUNNER: Will County Democrats lost their power on the board when one of their members left before a crucial vote. It all unraveled Monday during what should have been a perfunctory meeting to determine who would lead the board for the next two years. Last month, Will county voters elected 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans to the Will County Board, which meant board executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, a Democrat, would have broken a tie vote. On the fly: But when it came time to vote on who should lead the board again, Democratic board member Denise Winfrey had left the meeting. That meant the vote for the new board leader broke on party lines, 11 to 10. There wasn’t a tie, so Republicans took control and voted Judy Ogalla as the new board chair. Ogalla was as surprised as anyone, telling Playbook, “It was totally unexpected and unplanned.” Winfrey said she skipped out early to make a flight for a meeting in Minnesota for her other job as president of the National Association of Counties. “Usually those [county] board meetings are short. But instead, we were going line by line over the rules because so many people are new on the board. I stayed as long as I could,” Winfrey told Playbook in an interview. “I had to leave. I had booked the flight earlier and already moved it back.” Dems in the dumps: Fellow Democratic board member Jacqueline Traynere, said, “To say that the Democratic caucus is disappointed is an understatement.” Some introspection: Sherry Newquist, another Democrat on the board, said, “If there’s a lesson, it’s that communication is really important.” Looking ahead: Ogalla is offering Democrats an olive branch in the brouhaha. She made Democrat Traynere the vice chair of the executive committee Are you Quentin Fulks, the former Illinois political consultant turned campaign manager for Raphael Warnock? Playbook would like to hear your take on Tuesday’s election. Email skapos@politico.com .
| | | | POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP . | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Ivy Hall in Chicago at 9:10 a.m. for the opening of the social equity licensee dispensary. — At Wintrust Arena at 11:30 a.m. to give remarks at a naturalization ceremony.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | In Seattle through Friday to attend the National Association of Counties' (NACo) County Executives Roundtable. 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
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Gov. JB Pritzker signed amendments to the SAFE-T Act, which ends Illinois’ cash bail system, on Tuesday. The Democratic majority in the Illinois General Assembly passed a series of clarifications to the bill last week, following political pressure in the midterm election cycle. The signing was low-key, notes Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles — Doris Pryor becomes first Black judge from Indiana on Chicago-based federal appeals court: Confirmed 60-31, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — Decades after Navy solved identification mysteries, Illinois veterans’ remains come home from Pearl Harbor, by Tribune’s Robert McCoppin — Nearly 4 in 10 ballots were cast in Illinois before Election Day, notes Tribune’s Rick Pearson — Holiday displays — including the Satanic Temple’s — return to Illinois Capitol, by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki
| | TAKING NAMES | | — State Rep. La Shawn Ford was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday speaking at the White House summit with 10 legislators discussing policing and public safety issues. The Associated Press has a story . — THE JUICE: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch donated $50,000 to the campaign fund of his wife, newly sworn-in Judge ShawnTe Raines-Welch.
| | | | A message from Protect West Chicago:   | | | | | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — Drum roll, please: Mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green won the lottery Tuesday to be first on the ballot for Chicago mayor’s race in February. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia was placed last, and incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot is nearly smack-dab in the middle, in slot seven — at least for now. Green and four others face challenges to stay in the race. Here’s the ballot order from the Chicago Board of Elections. — Ald. Jim Gardiner threatened team collecting signatures for opposing campaign, volunteer says, by Block Club’s Ariel Parrella-Aureli — Sam Royko, who’s running for alderman in Chicago’s 1st Ward, has been endorsed by David Orr, the former Cook County Clerk and good government advocate. Royko also is facing a petition challenge. — Bill Conway, candidate for alderman of the new 34th Ward, has been endorsed by state Rep. Lakesia Collins (newly appointed chair of the powerful Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus) and Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, who both represent areas of the new 34th ward. Conway faces Jim Ascot, a commercial real estate broker.
| | CHICAGO | | — Single-family lending drives neighborhood disparities, new report finds: “A report from the Urban Institute finds that the more Black residents who live in a Chicago neighborhood, the less investment the area saw compared with predominantly white neighborhoods,” by Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón. — City invites ideas for West Garfield Park, Roseland properties, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Online petition calls for School of the Art Institute to rescind Ye’s honorary degree, by Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek — Ald. Monique Scott may help resident’s effort to bring holiday lights to Lawndale trees, by CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov — A fact check we hope you didn’t need: Photo of the Chicago skyline from Indiana proves the Earth is a sphere, confirms USA Today’s Isabella Fertel. Phew!
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Park Ridge’s vintage Pickwick Theatre plans to close in January, by Pioneer Press’ Caroline Kubzansky — Hoffman Estates approves $167.8M budget, keeps tax levy flat, via Daily Herald — With tax cash late from county, Des Plaines OK's $1M loan to library, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Appellate court silences Drew Peterson’s former attorney: “The ruling follows a WGN report in which Brodsky said he may reveal killer cop's secrets,” by WGN’s Ben Bradley. — South Side woman bilked out of $400,000 by financial adviser who used money to fund her film production company, lawsuit claims, by Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek — CPS officials defend firing of Lincoln Park High ex-principal in federal trial stemming from ousted official’s lawsuit, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Jason Meisner
| | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | — CTA works to tackle staffing shortfall, improve service and draw back riders before stimulus funding runs out, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg — CTA bus schedule disruptions are more common on South Side routes, data shows, by ABC 7’s Will Jones
| | | | POLITICO AT CES 2023 : We are bringing a special edition of our Digital Future Daily newsletter to Las Vegas to cover CES 2023. The newsletter will take you inside the largest and most influential technology event on the planet, featuring every major and emerging industry in the technology ecosystem gathered in one place. The newsletter runs from Jan. 5-7 and will focus on the public policy related aspects of the event. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of CES 2023. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what political book you value most: Nick Boyle: “Fahrenheit 451,” by Ray Bradbury. “It details the danger political and social apathy poses to society.” Phillip Crivellone: “Huey Long,” by T. Harry Williams. Michael Dittmar: “April 1865,” by Jay Winik. Dave Dahl and Chirayu Patel: “Boss,” by Mike Royko. Tim Drea: “American Pharaoh: Richard J. Daley,” by Adam Cohen and Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Grisanzio: “Campaign! The 1983 Election that Rocked Chicago,” by Peter Nolan. Carlos Jaramillo: “Hardball,” by Chris Matthews. Jim Kirkland: “What It Takes: The Way to the White House,” by Richard Ben Cramer. John McCabe: “Team of Rivals,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. “It showed how Abraham Lincoln thoroughly outmaneuvered his fellow Republicans, who all thought they should have been president instead of him. He placed them in his Cabinet, fully utilized their skills, and one by one, showed them who was the rightful president.” Mark Michaels: “The Making of a President,” by Theodore White. Kathy Posner: “My FBI,” by Louis Freeh. “While an assistant legislative inspector general for the City of Chicago investigating public corruption, I had the opportunity to meet the former FBI director at a charity event. We talked about political corruption, and he autographed the book, writing, ‘Hope to see you in Federal Court as a witness. Best wishes, Louis Freeh.’” Elliot Regenstein: “The Power Broker,” by Robert Caro. “Before I read it (in the final weeks of college), I was planning to be a sports journalist. After reading it, I switched gears to work in public policy.” Have you ever had anything stolen? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump Org. guilty on all counts in New York criminal tax fraud trial, by POLITICO’s Erin Durkin — It wasn't just Walker who was a flawed candidate, his campaign had problems, too, reports POLITICO’s Natalie Allison — Senate conservatives plot their second act after taking on McConnell, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — News obituary: Gary LaPaille was an extrovert who excelled in networking: During his tenure as state Democratic Party chairman, Gary LaPaille “played a major role in diversifying party leadership. Also a vice chair in the Democratic National Committee, LaPaille was influential in bringing the 1996 Democratic National Convention to Chicago for the renomination of President Bill Clinton,” writes Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson. Details on funeral services
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Jim Nowlan for correctly answering that the Long Nine was a group of legislators responsible for getting the capital moved from Vandalia to Springfield. They were named such because each legislator, including Abraham Lincoln, was at least 6 feet tall. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who built "The Loop" elevated tracks around downtown Chicago in 1895, and what happened to him? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | 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. -30-
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |  |
