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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 Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. It’s hard to imagine a wilder day in Congress, but the day is young.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Mayor Lori Lightfoot's ad features caricatures of Jesus "Chuy" Garcia with Sam Bankman-Fried, left, and Michael Madigan. | Lightfoot campaign ad | ROUGH AND TUMBLE: The Chicago mayor’s race heats up on the airwaves this week with Mayor Lori Lightfoot out with the first negative TV ad of the campaign, casting Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia as someone who pals around with “crypto crooks” and “indicted pols.” Challengers Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are also out today with TV ads. Lightfoot’s 30-second spot titled “More” connects Garcia to FTX founder and political megadonor Sam Bankman-Fried, who’s accused of stealing billions of dollars in customer and investor assets. Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges, donated to Garcia’s congressional campaign last year, which is drawing scrutiny from Lightfoot. Madigan matters: The mayor’s ad also attacks Garcia for his close dealings with indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan. And her ad reminds viewers that Garcia voted in favor of the controversial red-light cameras while he was a Cook County commissioner. “The more you know, the worse it gets,” the ad concludes. Garcia’s response: His campaign hadn’t yet seen the ad but called the criticisms in it a “desperate” move to “distract Chicagoans from her failed leadership.” Crypto conundrum: Garcia’s voting record and relationship to Madigan aren’t new. But his campaign’s dealings with Bankman-Fried have dogged his mayoral campaign for weeks. He wasn’t the only politician to accept cash from Bankman-Fried, but Garcia’s role on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the crypto market, is likely to continue to be campaign fodder. Vallas’ campaign features two ads, “Out of Control” and “Lifelong Democrats.” Both zero in on the theme that he would put “crime and safety first,” and one takes a swipe at Lightfoot for “combative leadership.” Johnson’s first ad buy is called “Better” with the kicker, “For mayor, Brandon Johnson is better for Chicago.” The election is 55 days away.
| | THE BUZZ | | 'FOR SHAME': Mayor Lori Lightfoot chastised Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, for his plans to send migrants to Chicago and other Democratic-led cities. “It is simply inhumane for any governor, whether Republican or Democrat, to address this challenge by giving these poor, traumatized migrants a one-way ticket out of town and washing their hands of the matter at our literal and figurative expense,” Lightfoot said in a statement to POLITICO. “For shame.” New York Mayor Eric Adams first called attention to Polis’ efforts to transfer migrants out of Colorado, saying his team was notified Monday “that the governor of Colorado is now stating that they are going to be sending migrants to places like New York and Chicago,” Adams said during a radio appearance. “This is just unfair for local governments to have to take on this national obligation.” Polis separately told POLITICO that Colorado is just trying to help asylum seekers reach their final destinations. It’s an effort that’s been hampered by the recent winter storm and air travel crisis, which led to a backlog of migrants wanting to leave Denver. But Lightfoot says shipping migrants to other big cities only exacerbates the nation’s immigration problems. “Receiving asylum-seekers without a long-term, national solution is simply not sustainable, nor will it allow us to receive people and provide the proper resources to ensure their care,” she said in her statement. Cities like Chicago, New York and D.C. are already “at maximum capacity.” Still opening arms: Lightfoot said her administration requested $53.5 million from the Illinois General Assembly to address the influx of migrants to the state’s largest city. The mayor added that Chicago will continue to “embrace the responsibility to welcome these new arrivals,” but urged the federal government to assume some of the “burden and fallout from outdated immigration laws.” In a separate interview on WTTW, Lightfoot said, “If we’re proud of our immigrant history, this is the time to step up.” If you’re Michael Madigan, Playbook would like to stop by to hear your thoughts on the mayor’s race and upcoming legislative session. I’ll bring lunch. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago at 9:15 “to give remarks.”
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Chicago History Museum at 9 a.m. to announce formation of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. — At Crowley’s Boat Yard at 12:30 p.m. with Vice President Kamala Harris to announce $144 million to improve four bridges over the Calumet River on Chicago’s South Side.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Chicago History Museum at 9 a.m. for the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership announcement. — At Crowley’s Boat Yard at 12:30 p.m. for the VP’s visit. 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 | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Physicians and faith leaders are calling on Illinois legislators to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which would ban assault weapons. “We have witnessed firsthand the trauma that gun violence inflicts on communities and families across our state,” some 350 doctors said in a signed letter to lawmakers who are meeting this week in Springfield for a lame duck session addressing the assault weapons legislation. “We do not have to live like this,” the letter continues. Faith leaders will gather this morning at Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Chicago to show their support for an assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban. Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church is located in East Garfield Park, blocks from where 14 people were wounded and one died in a mass shooting in October. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Secretary of State-Elect Alexi Giannoulias is out with another round of new hires that includes an all-female executive team. Kathleen Nelson will be chief of staff. She has spent her career in law and finance, including most recently at Cushman & Wakefield. She had worked in Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development. Chief deputies in Giannoulias' office will be Sheleda Doss, overseeing downstate operations; Aileen Kim, public programs; Aimee Pine, administrative operations; Lashaunna Sims-Davis, external affairs; and Vanessa Uribe, driver-vehicles services. Full list of bios here — CDC: Life expectancy rate in Illinois ranks in middle among other states, via WCIA’s Noah Nelson — Multiple tornadoes cause damage across central Illinois, via WAND TV
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia has been endorsed by the Latino Victory Fund. Garcia has “consistently prioritized the issues that matter to Latinos,” Nathalie Rayes, president of the organization, said in a statement. — JUICE: Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign logged some $300,000 in donations Tuesday, including from philanthropist Cari Sacks, who gave $20,000. Donating $10,000 each were philanthropist Jennifer Pritzker (the governor’s cousin) and Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. Ald. Scott Waguespack donated $9,000. And giving $5,000 each were Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky, Cleveland Avenue managing partner Andrea Zopp, Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon and Mayer Brown’s Paul Theiss. — Mayoral challenger Ja’Mal Green unveils $5B public safety plan, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Ald. Brendan Reilly running unopposed for 5th term after sole challenger drops out, by Block Club’s Melody Mercado — Chicago City Council incumbents survive petition challenges, via NBC 5
| | CHICAGO | | — Longtime residents in gentrifying areas battle huge property tax increases: “Homeowners in Pilsen, Avondale and Rogers Park were hit the hardest — with one man's bill up 145 percent,” write Block Club’s Mina Bloom, Madison Savedra and Joe Ward. — Exelon to stay based in Chicago: “Calvin Butler, the company's new CEO, will return to Chicago from Baltimore and become the second Black CEO of a major publicly traded company here,” by Crain’s Steve Daniels. — How many Chicago Public Schools students have gotten Covid boosters? It’s not being tracked, reports Chalkbeat’s Mauricio Peña — LaSalle Street could see a housing boom under new city program. Here’s a look at the projects pitched, by Block Club’s Melody Mercado — Landlord says McDonald’s is blocking a landmark renovation: “The owner of the Delaware Building said the fast-food chain is using a lease to block work that could bring an improvement to Randolph Street,” writes Sun-Times’ David Roeder. — Hundreds of Howard Brown Health workers strike amid layoffs, by Tribune’s Lisa Schenker — History: Why America is the only country that embraced the lie detector — and Chicago’s role in its rise, by WTTW’s Daniel Hautzinger
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — 6 months later, Highland Park shooting victims continue to deal with grief, anger and pain, by Daily Herald’s Kevin Schmit — Cook County poised to set new record for opioid deaths, even as researchers warn hundreds of cases are going uncounted, by Sun-Times’ Sophie Sherry and Tom Schuba — A waiting area at Cook County Jail now an educational nook for children who visit the incarcerated, by Tribune’s Laura Rodríguez Presa — Longtime couple weds in Cook County’s first ceremony of the year, by Sun-Times’ David Struett — HIGHER-ED: Oakton Community College to drop ‘community’ from its name, by Pioneer Press’ Caroline Kubzansky
| | DAY IN COURT | | — On morning of trial, man pleads guilty to possessing two dozen illegal guns sold out of his popular Chicago food truck, by Tribune’s Jason Meisner — Man charged with hate crime in connection with swastikas painted on Pathway Community Church in Elmhurst, via The Associated Press
| | TAKING NAMES | | — State Rep. Margaret Croke is among 12 state lawmakers nationwide to watch in 2023, via this week’s feature in POLITICO’s The Fifty — State Senator Elgie Sims Jr. has been elected national vice chair of the Council of State Governments. “I have derived much of my knowledge and skills from people I have met through the Council of State Governments, and I am proud to help shape future generations of leaders,” Sims said in a statement. — Citadel’s Ken Griffin donated over $135M to the GOP from 2020 to 2022, according to The Deep Dive — Patrick Martin, managing director of Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, has been elected to the board of managers for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. — Mike Noonan, a former Illinois Democratic insider, has a mellow new job as a Michigan weed ‘ganjier,’ by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos
| | Reader Digest | | We asked for your favorite state, outside of Illinois: Clay Johnson: “Wyoming is the coolest state because of its breathtaking landscape, national parks, unique population size, low cost of living and culture of self-reliance.” Rey Nonato likes Washington. Kathy Posner: “My favorite state outside of Illinois is a positive state of mind.” (Good one.) James Scalzitti , information coordinator with the Chicago Department of Public Health, likes Tennessee for it being a “music mecca,” a home to important Civil Rights historical sites and a place where “winters aren't as cold as Chicago, and people tend to be open and friendly.” Phil Zeni: Arizona. And Bob Kieckhefer , the former UPI Springfield bureau chief, says, “We thought about moving a few years ago because of all the usual angst about Illinois' future. But when we got serious about it, we couldn't come up with anyplace we'd rather be. So we redid the kitchen and stayed in Batavia.” What was your most adventurous moment? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Congressman Sean Casten on GOP leadership and working across the aisle: The Illinois Democrat "remains optimistic about legislation to ‘mitigate the effects of climate change.’ Less likely is across-the-aisle support for legislation that would spur shifts away from coal and other industries that cause lots of carbon emissions that leads to global warming,” via Tribune’s John Byrne. — A who’s who among Chicago progressives traveled to D.C. for Delia Ramirez’s swearing-in, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — Outgoing-Congressman Adam Kinzinger “bashed conservative activist Charlie Kirk for his comments seemingly fueling anti-vaccine conspiracy theories after football star Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the first quarter of a match against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night,” via Newsweek.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — 'Circular firing squad' derails GOP in new Congress, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett — GOP Congresswoman Mary Miller is among conservatives voting against McCarthy for speaker, via POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Nancy Vu — House GOP back in familiar pattern — fury at the Freedom Caucus, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers, Jordain Carney and Sarah Ferris
| | Transitions | | — FBI director picks new leader for Chicago field office: Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler Jr. will replace the former FBI head in Chicago, Emmerson Buie Jr., who retired in August, reports Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel — Frances Orenic has joined the Illinois AFL-CIO as Coalitions Director, working primarily on political and legislative initiatives as well as special projects. Orenic previously was coalition director for the Vote Yes for Workers’ Rights campaign.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Frank Galati, Tony Award-winning Chicago director, writer, actor, dies at 79, by Sun-Times’ Miriam Di Nunzio
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ted McClelland for correctly answering that The Mexican-American War (or La Intervención estadounidense en México) inspired the street names of Palo Alto Place, Monterey Place and Buena Vista Place in Chicago. They were battles won by General Zachary Taylor during the invasion of Mexico. TODAY’s QUESTION: What’s the name of the speech given by Sen. Stephen Douglas asking Illinois legislators to put aside partisanship and support President Abraham Lincoln’s war effort? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Tiana McCall, Global Strategy Group’s Melissa Bell, business consultant Jeff Angevine, Bloomberg sales VP Rob Recklaus , Jewish United Fund of Chicago endowment administrator Judah Gavant, NewsGuard Technologies Executive Editor James Warren and journalist and Northwestern alum Gabby Birenbaum. -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 | | | | |  |
