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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 and Olivia Olander | Presented by Protect West Chicago | TGIF, Illinois. It's the last Playbook of the year. We'll be back Tuesday, Jan. 3. It’s been great fun being part of your morning, and we look forward to more shenanigans in 2023.
|  | TOP TALKER | | It’s that time of year, when we recognize the Illinois public officials and notable names who stood out for all their good — and gaffes. Gov. JB Pritzker: A Not-for-Tourists Guide to Washington, D.C. (the 2024 edition). Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot: An Uber Eats gift certificate to, um, Wiener’s Circle. Even though we already know she has the biggest one in Chicago. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch: Playing cards featuring House Democratic members to help keep track of his growing caucus. Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin: A Winslow leather recliner so he can relax after years of bending over backwards to humor his increasingly right-leaning caucus. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon: A tea set to keep things civil in his caucus. Sen. Dick Durbin: A Supreme Court decanter to memorialize his stewardship of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination as the first Black woman to serve on the high court. Sen. Tammy Duckworth: A personalized National Park welcome sign for her work to establish the Prairie du Rocher French Colonial National Historical Park in Illinois. Will County Democrats: A buzzer to tap when leaving commission meetings so they don’t lose track of when members walk out before a big vote. See THE BUZZ here for details. Darren Bailey: The cell phone number of Pritzker’s tailor. Chicago mayoral candidate Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia: A fancy crypto wallet to keep track of political donations. Retiring Congressman Bobby Rush: A plaque outside the Washington office he’s vacating that reads, “Here worked the only man to defeat Barack Obama.” Dan Proft: A subscription to a good old-fashioned newspaper, like the Tribune and Sun-Times, to see what it looks like to print actual journalism. Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson: A Shinola leather men’s bag to hold all the cash he carries around for giveaways. Ken Griffin: A personalized cherry wood pen to sign checks for his new best friend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. OR … A copy of “Brewster’s Millions,” a story of wasting millions on a political campaign. OR … A pet alligator, so he can really embrace being a Florida Man again. Richard Irvin: Round-trip tickets to Miami, where he can visit Griffin. Illinois GOP: The game of “Clue,” because that seems to be what the party needs to bring back Republican voters. RELATED: POLITICO has its own holiday gift guide, by POLITICO Magazine’s Jesús A. Rodríguez
| | | | 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 | | | 
In his farewell speech to Congress, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, photographed in 2021, acknowledged the toll he suffered in speaking out against Donald Trump. | AP file photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades | OUT WITH A BANG: In his farewell speech on the House floor, Congressman Adam Kinzinger lashed out at Republicans and Democrats alike for failing to “have the spines to stand up and put country over party.” Poking the GOP: Kinzinger criticized Republican colleagues for moving from a party that “used to believe in a big tent” to one that “shelter[s] the ignorant, the racists who only stoke anger and hatred to those that are different than us.” Dems not much better: “Over the past two years, Democratic leadership had the opportunity to stand above the fray," Kinzinger said. "Instead, they poured millions of dollars into the campaigns of MAGA Republicans, the same candidates President Biden called a national security threat, to ensure these good Republicans do not make it out of their respective primaries.” Why he’s out: Kinzinger is leaving office because he was mapped out by Illinois Democrats, but he also lost Republican supporters when he spoke out against Donald Trump and election deniers. No regrets: On Thursday, Kinzinger acknowledged “standing up for truth cost me my job, friendships and personal security.” And, he said, he’d do it all over again “without hesitation.” — From Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet: In farewell speech, Rep. Adam Kinzinger warns GOP ‘has embraced lies and deceit’ — C-SPAN carried the speech If you’re Adam Kinzinger, Playbook and all our readers want to know what’s next. 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 the Bilandic Building at 10 a.m. to light the Hanukkah Menorah.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. 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 | | — Illinois among 8 states doing the worst job of treating hepatitis C in prisons, by STAT’s Nicholas Florko. ... More about hepatitis C and the impact its having on prisons across the country. Stories here — Group pushing secession from Illinois says Madison County is a key target, by St Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer — Lawmakers hear more pleas for assault weapon ban, by Capitol News Illinois’ Peter Hancock — Illinois education budget might boost career, early childhood programs — but recession worries loom, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie — Truck-makers Rivian, Lion urge Pritzker to speed phaseout of gas and diesel-fuel engines, by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase — Pritzker, unions herald adoption of Workers’ Rights Amendment, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Farmers say Deere’s repair restrictions violate Clean Air Act, by Crain’s Judith Crown — Some numbers: The upcoming Illinois General Assembly has more women and more minorities, according to political consultant John Amdor, who tracks that stuff. Percentages of the upcoming 103rd GA here. And compare it to the current, 102nd here.
| | MAYOR'S RACE 2023 | | — This poll has Lightfoot trailing Garcia and Vallas: “Given the survey’s margin of accuracy, the results indicate Paul Vallas, Lori Lightfoot and Willie Wilson are locked in a three-way battle for second place,” according to the poll conducted earlier this week by M3’s pollster Matt Podgorski, a former Republican Cook County Commission candidate. Fox 32’s Mike Flannery reports. — Brandon Johnson received $50,000 from the Cook County College Teachers Fund in his bid for mayor of Chicago.
| | MIGRANTS IN ILLINOIS | | — ARRIVED: Chicago welcomed 17 new migrants Thursday, according to the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. The city has now welcomed 3,800 asylum-seekers bused from the Texas border since Aug. 31.
| | | | A message from Protect West Chicago:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Chicago taps brakes on gentrification with a tax on teardowns: “With multi-unit dwellings giving way to single-unit homes, Logan Square leaders pushed for measures to keep the neighborhood’s Latino population in place,” by Bloomberg’s Mackenzie Hawkins. — Chicago Police Board fires cop tied to Special Operations Section scandal nearly two decades ago, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo — Is this Christmas the last for the Little Village Discount Mall? “After 31 years, the lease for the 100 or so tenants of the busy shopping center on 26th Street expires next month, and the owner has not announced what will happen to the property,” by Sun-Times’ Michael Loria and Jackie Serrato. — Chicago’s NASCAR deal: Fast, furious and full of unanswered questions, by WBEZ’s Mack Guarino — Medical care and politics go hand in hand at Roseland Community Hospital, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg and ProPublica’s Vernal Coleman — Video shows mayor’s security detail shoot out robbers’ SUV window during exchange of gunfire in Logan Square, by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba — Chicago police officer faces dismissal for allegedly beating and wrongfully arresting woman at George Floyd protest, by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba — Do sex toys belong in ‘comprehensive sex education’ for high school students? “Parents at Francis Parker School have clashing views about the frank content of the sex-ed curriculum discussed in a covertly recorded viral video,” writes WBEZ’s Char Daston. — Lakeview Lutheran Church to be demolished and replaced by 37 affordable apartments, new church, by Block Club’s Jake Wittich — It’s a no from us: Malort-eggnog soft serve creates lines and grimaced faces at Chicago area deli, by ABC 7’s Jordan Arseneau — The city is holding a snowplow-naming contest, via Tribune’s Kori Rumore
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Exiled Dolton board seeks answers about Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s spending, by Daily Southtown’s Ted Slowik — Cook County sued over property tax sales system that ‘widens the racial wealth gap,’ plaintiff’s lawyer says, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig
| | POT-POURRI | | — Chicago-based pot studies center aims to lead on research and policy, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo — Schumer makes last-ditch push for cannabis banking bill, by POLITICO’s Natalie Fertig
| | HIGHER-ED | | — Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Keon apologizes for ‘offensive and insensitive’ remark during commencement: “... Keon came back to the podium and said, ‘Well, all I can say is,’ and proceeded to speak in a made-up language that sounded as if he were trying to speak Chinese. He then said, ‘That’s sort of my Asian version of his … ,’ trailing off before going back on-script,” writes Post-Tribune’s Michelle L. Quinn.
| | | | A NEW POLITICO PODCAST: POLITICO Tech is an authoritative insider briefing on the politics and policy of technology. From crypto and the metaverse to cybersecurity and AI, we explore the who, what and how of policy shaping future industries. We’re kicking off with a series exploring darknet marketplaces, the virtual platforms that enable actors from all corners of the online world to traffic illicit goods. As malware and cybercrime attacks become increasingly frequent, regulators and law enforcement agencies work different angles to shut these platforms down, but new, often more unassailable marketplaces pop up. SUBSCRIBE AND START LISTENING TODAY. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what you’re serving for the holidays: Fritz Kaegi, Cook County assessor: “Roast goose and, for dessert, persimmon pudding — a dish from Southern Indiana, where the Kaegis settled when they came over from Switzerland.” Recipe here Randy J. Bukas, Freeport city manager: “Kugelis at Christmas. It’s a potato/bacon Lithuanian dish. My mother taught my wife how to make it, and we still have it every Christmas.” Daniel Goldwin: “Made-from-scratch latkes.” Elizabeth Grisanzio: “Cannelloni with a ricotta cheese filling and covered with red marinara or bolognese sauce.” Walter Lindwall: “Fruitcake has a certain reputation, but my dad always makes one that is absolutely to die for!” Eamon McMahon: “My wife’s pineapple bread pudding is fantastic with Christmas ham.” Brian Munoz: “Tamales are one of my family's main dishes during the holidays — especially savory salsa verde and chicken.” Rey Nonato: “Spiral honey ham and carrot cake.” Sharon Rosenblum: “Turducken loaf.” John Straus: “Standing rib roast with Yorkshire pudding.” Eugene Daly: “Family.” (Thanks for the humor, Eugene!) What’s your New Year’s wish for state government? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Senate passes $847B defense bill, forcing Biden’s hand on vaccine mandate, by POLITICO’s Connor O’Brien — D.C. bar panel finds Giuliani violated attorney rules in bid to overturn 2020 election, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — Trump sells $99 trading cards of himself as a superhero — and the sales will go directly to him, not his 2024 campaign, via New York Times
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Jonah Zeiger has been named deputy commissioner for the Chicago Film Office. Zeiger has worked in film and theater, including as an educator, producer and programmer. He replaces Kwame Amoaku, who had held the post since 2019. — Katelyn Beaudet is joining the D.C. public affairs and strategic communication agency ROKK Solutions as an associate account executive. Beaudet graduates Sunday from University of Wisconsin-Madison with bachelor degrees in journalism and political science. She’s also the daughter of proud dad Matthew Beaudet, Chicago Building commissioner and Playbook Trivia competitor.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Isaac Sandroff "Sandy" Goldman, 90. He was commissioner of the Chicago Housing Authority, a member of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board, a commissioner of the Illinois Medical District Commission and a trustee of City Colleges of Chicago.
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Richard Greenfield for correctly answering that Ashland Avenue was named for the estate of Henry Clay, the Kentucky statesman who also owned a plantation near Lexington. When a number of transplanted Kentuckians moved to Chicago along Ashland, it became known as “Kentucky Colony.” Among those who lived there: Carter Harrison Sr., a Chicago mayor. TODAY’s QUESTION: What Chicago hotel did Mary Todd Lincoln stay at after the assassination of her husband?? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Former Gov. Pat Quinn, state Sen. Dave Koehler, Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, former Cicero President Betty Loren-Maltese , University of Chicago social scientist Jacy Reese Anthis, Baker Botts attorney Elisa Beneze, PR pro Margaret O'Connor and Hyde Park Herald reporter Aaron Gettinger. Saturday: State Sen. Julie Morrison, state Sen. Chapin Rose, former state Rep. Dan Burke, University of Notre Dame visiting journalist Don Wycliff and Wall Street Journal reporter Bob Tita. Sunday: New Trier Township supervisor Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg and Playbooker Sarah Willson. Monday: State Sen. Ram Villivalam, state Rep. Anna Moeller, Cook County Circuit Judge Beatriz Santiago, attorney and Metra Citizens Advisory Board member Larry Falbe, lobbyist John Borovicka and Origin Investments content strategist Barbara Bohn. Tuesday: State Appellate Judge Bertina Lampkin and Cook County Circuit Judge Andrea Webber. Wednesday: White House small business adviser Michael Negron, Democratic insider Ken Lowe, Cozen O’Connor lobbyist Patrick Carey, Illinois Human Rights Commissioner Barbara Barreno-Paschall and restaurateur Kevin Boehm. Thursday: Former Rep. Bill Lipinski, U.S. House chief receptionist Shonna Smith Jackson, Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund Executive Director Carlton W. Lenoir Sr., political consultant Kitty Kruth, Zapwater Communications CEO David Zapata, fashion exec Ikram Goldman, restaurateur Nick Kokonas , former Chicago Woman Publisher Sherren Leigh, Illinois State Society of D.C. board member Joseph (J.T.) Varallo, Ipsos Associate Director Kate MacArthur and former comms director for Rep. Marie Newman and current Oxford University master’s candidate in American political history Mara Kelly. Dec. 23: State Sen. Steven Landek, state Rep. Randy Frese and White House Correspondents' Association Executive Director Steve Thomma. Dec. 24: Chicago Board of Education member and former Ald. Michael Scott Jr. and Rep. Darin LaHood legislative director Mary Ellen Richardson. Dec. 25: State Rep. Natalie Manley, state Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, AFSCME Council 31 lobbyist Adrienne Alexander and former Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker. Dec. 26: Ald. Brendan Reilly, former Congresswoman Lynn Morley Martin , attorney and podcaster Exavier Pope, sports broadcaster Jarrett Payton and e-commerce specialist Katie Benshoof. Dec. 27: State Sen. Chapin Rose, radio talk show host and former Congressman Joe Walsh and public policy expert Andy Knapp.
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Dec. 28: Appellate Court Judge Margaret Stanton McBride, former state Rep. Nathan Reitz, former aldermanic candidate Leslie Fox, Jenner & Block Co-managing Partner Randy Mehrberg, SEIU Higher Education Director Melinda Bunnage, Hagerty Consulting exec Kate Lewis-Lakin, TV host Brandon Pope, Tribune reporter Stacy St. Clair, education consultant Elaine Drikakis and former Ald. Ed Vrdolyak. Dec. 29: State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, Ald. Ed Burke, former Illinois Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne Jr., former state Rep. Sandy Cole, former state Sen. Dave Sullivan and William Blair's Jim O'Connor. Dec. 30: Rep. Michael Bost, CPA and former state Sen. Chris Lauzen, GSV Ventures’ Deborah Quazzo , Illinois Policy Institute VP of comms Hilary Gowins and Microsoft exec Marlee McConnell. Dec. 31: Cook County State’s Attorney policy chief Alyson Miller, Hartwick College President Darren Reisberg, Peoria comms manager Stacy Peterson, photojournalist Pete Souza and CBS2’s Vince Gerasole. -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 | | | | |  |
