Pritzker slays the gun lobby

By Shia Kapos

With help from Olivia Olander

Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Sound the alarm. Today marks the beginning of the 103rd Illinois General Assembly.

Gov. JB Pritzker hugs gun control advocate Maria Pike after he signed comprehensive legislation to ban military-style firearms on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol. Pike lost her son, Ricky, to gun violence. Advocate Delphine Cherry, wiping away tears, lost her children Tyesa and Tyler to gun violence, too. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP

SPRINGFIELD — With state lawmakers at his side Tuesday night, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law an assault weapons ban that he says will help put an end to senseless killings.

The governor hopes it sends a message to the gun lobby, too. “There is a very powerful lobby in the state of Illinois that has prevented passage of a bill like this,” Pritzker said after signing the bill into law in the Capitol Rotunda. “It took a lot of strength and gumption, and understanding and willingness to stand up to very powerful forces.”

They shall overcome: Pritzker said passage by both chambers, which are controlled by Democrats, shows “that you can overcome the gun lobby. We've shown that here in Illinois, we can do that nationally.”

Going national: With the new law Illinois becomes the ninth state to ban military-style firearms. Pritzker said he plans to talk to governors around the country to get more states to take similar action — and he says he'll take to folks in Washington, D.C., to push for a national assault-weapons ban, too.

With Pritzker’s signature, the state immediately banned the sale of military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Earlier this week, lawmakers weren’t so sure the measure would pass Senate muster. After some behind-the-scenes negotiating, a new bill emerged that wasn't so different from the one the House passed. Negotiations worked.

The bill was initiated by state Rep. Bob Morgan after the horrific mass shooting in Highland Park last year.

The signing was emotional for Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. By his side was his mom, Willie Mae Welch, who knows violence first-hand. When her sister was gunned down in front of their church, she and her husband took in her three nieces and raised them alongside their sons. “When we organize, we win,” said the speaker, who championed the bill after it seemed stalled.

State Senate President Don Harmon acknowledged that gun violence touches every corner of the state on a daily basis. “I spent my entire career working to protect people from it. And sometimes it feels like we haven't even made a dent. But today with this new law, we begin to push back against weapons whose only intent is to obliterate other human beings.”

Opponents say they’ll take the state to court. And skeptics wonder if obliterating high-powered weapons is even possible. Will gun owners who already have assault weapons register them as the new law demands? Will law enforcement really be able to crack down on those who don’t? And most importantly, will the law put a dent in the violence?

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton hopes so. “We need those communities to be safe to be our best selves both physically and mentally,” she said.

It’s an ‘important step’ but the federal government must follow suit, says Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, via Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles

RELATED

A sharp wrap-up of the legislative day, by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney

ABORTION RESHAPING THE BORDERS: Illinois senator approved a House bill Tuesday that protects abortion providers and clients from out-of-state legal action for crossing over state lines for reproductive care. The measure also protects gender-affirming health care patients and providers. And it allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide procedural abortion care.

By the thousands: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy , who championed Tuesday’s bill and previous abortion legislation, says some 30,000 people a year will cross into Illinois for abortion care in wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision that left abortion laws up to states.

Many will go to clinics right over the state line. “Border towns are going to experience an increase in visitors seeking abortion access,” Cassidy told Playbook. “That's what happens when states pretend they can legislate away abortion. Those in need travel to where they can get safe access to care.”

Your Playbook host talked to border towns across the country about how they’re handling the influx. Carbondale in southern Illinois has seen more hotel visitors, and more people stopping for a bite to eat. And it seems there’s always a car filling up at the gas station for the ride home.

Growth creates worries, too, about having the infrastructure to handle the influx.

And there are abortion opponents who question whether border clinics will be abused by traffickers or underaged patients trying to avoid parental approval in their home state.

Check out our full story in this week's The Fifty.

RELATED

The conservative plan to target pharmacies that dispense abortion pills, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Lauren Gardner

If you own Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in Carbondale, Playbook would like to know if business has picked up lately? Email skapos@politico.com.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

At the Old State Capitol at noon to attend the inauguration of the Illinois Senate.

At McCormick Place at 2 p.m. to kick off the 2023 Chicago Boat Show.

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

— Bittersweet farewells as state Sen. Jacqui Collins and outgoing GOP Leader Jim Durkin exit Springfield: After decades of service they leave frustrated with their politics, reports NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern.

— $400M EV deal-closing fund clears major hurdle in Springfield, by Crain’s Greg Hinz

— Paid leave bill: A bill that will create paid leave laws in Illinois passed the Senate on Tuesday and will be taken up by the House this morning before representatives head to the UIS Auditorium to be sworn in. Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to sign it.

— New website tracks and shares Covid-19 levels in Illinois wastewater to help residents ‘make informed decisions,’ by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout

— As bombshell trial nears, new details emerge in alleged plot by ComEd to influence Michael Madigan: Former lobbyist Michael McClain was nicknamed “double agent.” Former McPier boss Juan Ochoa “is expected to testify how he enlisted the help of a member of Congress” to help secure a lucrative position on ComEd’s board of directors. And former political science professor Dick Simpson will be enlisted as an expert witness who will describe for jurors “the structure, method, and operation of the Chicago political machine,” reports the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long.

— Lightfoot’s ‘No. 1 cheerleader’ in City Council rethinking support over mayor’s failure to call after he accidentally shot himself, by Sun-Times Fran Spielman

— Race for 9th Ward shrinks as Ald. Anthony Beale challenger drops out, by Block Club’s Maia McDonald

— Just before retiring as secretary of state, Jesse White endorsed Bill Conway for alderman in Chicago's 34th Ward.

— Five candidates are challenging Ald. Jim Gardiner to represent Far Northwest Side’s 45th Ward, by Block Club’s Ariel Parrella-Aureli

— State Rep. Ann Williams has endorsed Kim Walz for alderman in the 46th Ward.

— Head of City Council’s public safety committee renews call to fire Chicago cop with ties to far-right Proud Boys, by Sun-Times’ David Struett

— As family loses 3rd relative to gun violence, city pilot program offers financial support to victims of shootings, by Tribune’s Jordan Anderson and Deanese Williams-Harris

— CPS inspector general’s annual report details fraud, sexual misconduct and spending waste, by WGN’s Ben Bradley, Adrienne Balow and Alonzo Small

— It's triplets! Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes three lion cubs, by WTTW’s Patty Wetli. With a baby lion video 

— Resistance to state money for Bears' redevelopment of Arlington Park added to legislation: “Inserted into a bill creating a $400 million large business attraction fund was language barring ‘economic incentives to a professional sports organization that moves its operations from one location in the state to another location in the state,’” reports Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek.

— Probe of nonprofit halts millions in HIV, Covid research funds at Cook County Health: “Research staff of CORE Center in Chicago may lose their jobs as Cook County investigates a nonprofit that handles grants that have funded landmark medical research,” by Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm.

— While Norfolk Southern touts benefits expansion will bring to Englewood, residents and contractors reject railroad promises, by Tribune’s John Lippert

— Metra rolls out new tracking system for commuters, CTA makes changes to improve service, by Tribune’s Deanese Williams-Harris

— After investigating Ed Burke and Michael Madigan, John Lausch’s next job focuses on Biden, by Crain’s Greg Hinz.

— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi entered a statement into the congressional record honoring David Axelrod’s service leading the Chicago Institute of Politics.

JOIN NEXT TUESDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS AROUND AMERICA: 2022 brought in a new class of mayors leading “majority minority” cities, reshaping who is at the nation’s power tables and what their priorities are. Join POLITICO to hear from local leaders on how they’re responding to being tested by unequal Covid-19 outcomes, upticks in hate crimes, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, inflation and a potential recession. REGISTER HERE.

We asked what would the title be for the book about your career:

Kay Hatcher, a retired state rep: “Unintended Consequences.”

Jim Montgomery: “Leadership by Walking Around — with Donuts” because “folks may pause to talk over coffee, but they always will with donuts.”  

Kathy Posner: “Being a Member of Mensa Doesn't Make You a Genius” because “as a political consultant I learned that the candidate was always right even when they were wrong."

David Prosperi: “So You Want to Work in Public Relations?”

Justin Sawyer, an aldermanic candidate who was just pushed off the ballot: “Chicago don’t care.”

Andy Shaw: “3-2-1,” the standard broadcast countdown to the recording of a news story.

John Straus : “The Great Imposter or on The Non-traditional Career Path.”

Franklin Ramirez, associate director of Southern Kane and Kendall counties: “Standing Behind the President (An autobiographical entry into politics).”

What’s your got-to method to destress? Email skapos@politico.com

— Classified documents, Brazilian protests overshadow Mexico summit, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward and Jonathan Lemire

— Curious about George: House Republicans debate Santos’ fate, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Sarah Ferris

— Emmett Till murder case: Author of 1963 thesis investigation shares new trial revelations, by NBC 5’s Marion Brooks, DS Shin and Tom Jones

— POLITICO mourns a beloved editor:“Blake Hounshell, a witty and astute political observer who possessed a special knack for understanding the dynamics of internet journalism and became one of the driving forces behind POLITICO’s success over nearly a decade.” He died suddenly Tuesday at age 44.

— WTTW’s Heather Cherone has been named a winter and spring fellow with the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, which was founded by former political consultant David Axelrod. Don’t worry, Playbookers, she’ll still be on the air and writing for WTTW.

Also among the latest fellows are former Congressman Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), former Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), former Shreveport, La., Mayor Adrian Perkins, former Evanston Ald. Robin Rue Simmons, former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and political analyst Matthew Yglesias. 

— Thomas Falcigno is now comms director for Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.). He previously was press secretary and digital director for Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.).

— Gillian Rosenberg Armour has been promoted to partner at Wildfire Mail. She was the firm’s managing director and has been a lead direct mail strategist for congressional elections including Reps. Lauren Underwood and Delia Ramirez.

TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Turns out different sources list different cities as having been home to the Grand Army of the Republic. Dale Sachtleben was first to name Springfield, and Robert Christie picked Decatur.

h/t to Illinois Railroad Association President Tim Butler for sharing this link showing it’s Springfield. While an old Herald & Review story shows it’s Decatur.

As Christie says, “It’s probably not the only issue that Springfield and Decatur have fought over.”

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Republican representative and future Illinois House speaker who once crossed party lines to help elect a Democratic speaker?Email skapos@politico.com

State Rep. Andrew Chesney and Chicago attorney Rebecca Ford.

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