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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 TGIF, Illinois. Have a safe and happy Super Bowl weekend, whether you’re serving up barbecue or cheesesteaks.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker participates in a one-on-one with Shia Kapos at POLITICO’s “The Fifty: America’s Governors" event in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Feb. 9,, 2023. | POLITICO | WASHINGTON — Gov. JB Pritzker made some national news Thursday addressing abortion rights, saying, “If it were me, I would write it into the U.S. Constitution.” Story here One on one: The governor sat down with your Playbook host for POLITICO’s “The Fifty: America’s Governors.” Along with abortion, Pritzker addressed the culture wars, electric vehicles, cannabis and, even, his negotiating tactics. On Florida’s move to change AP curriculum on Black history: Pritzker has denounced it. “This is not a culture war. … For me, it’s about right and wrong. And it’s about, you know, the future of democracy for the United States,” he said. Early childhood education will be part of his budget plan: It’s something Pritzker advocated for before he became governor. But he couldn’t tackle it in his first term because of Covid and the election year when it’s’ “hard to get things done. So here we are, he says. “It's my first year of my second term. I think it's hugely important that we now make the significant investments that are required for Illinois to be number one in the country,” he explained. How he’d lobby old-guard congressmen to vote for the SAFE Banking Act: He’d say, “Economic development depends upon it. Industry Growth depends upon it.” How can Illinois reach the goal of 1 million EVs by 2030? “We’ve got to see significantly more charging stations across Illinois and across the nation,” he said. About Pritzker’s negotiating tactics: Dinner and drinks are a good start. “You have to have some kind of a cordial level of discussion that can take place where people can put their ideas on the table," he explained. "I may disagree with them. They may disagree with me. But at least you can get it all out on the table without getting, you know, cut off at the knees.” “And then, as you know, negotiating is an art. There’s a little bit of science and an awful lot of art involved," Pritzker said. "I was a businessman before I was governor, so I can say you know what your own power dynamic is walking into a negotiation. You have an idea what the others think theirs are, and you try to figure out where you’ve got things that you can trade with one another.” And we’re POLITICO, so of course we asked about his political ambitions. Pritzker demurred, saying he’s “pleased” to support President Joe Biden’s yet-to-be-announced reelection bid. “President Biden has done a superior job. So much progress has been made in a partisan environment,” Pritzker said. — Sununu swipes at DeSantis, Dems rally to Biden: 5 takeaways from The Fifty: America’s Governors, by POLITICO’s Ryan Heath and Lisa Kashinsky — Also at the NGA: Pritzker says he’ll pitch Biden — again — about Chicago being best place for ‘24 Dem convention, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — Here’s the full interview.
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas participates in a recent mayoral forum. | AP Photo/Erin Hooley | DOES VALLAS EVEN LIVE IN CHICAGO? The Cook County Assessor’s Office is investigating whether Paul Vallas resides in Chicago or the burbs, and the outcome of that probe could upend the mayoral election that’s just 18 days away, according to a huge scoop by WTTW News. Vallas “has claimed a home in south suburban Palos Heights as his legal permanent residence since 2009,” according to documents obtained by WTTW News. New neighbor: “Vallas, who has been registered to vote in Chicago at an apartment in Bridgeport for less than a year, declined to answer questions about his residency directly from WTTW News. Instead, a spokesperson for his campaign issued a statement saying he lives in Chicago while his wife, Sharon, lives in Palos Heights to care for her elderly parents and 93-year-old mother-in-law,” according to WTTW. Familiar territory: In 2011, Rahm Emanuel faced a residency challenge because he lived in Washington, before he ran for mayor. His case occurred during the petition stage to get him on the ballot. The Illinois Supreme Court ultimately decided in his favor. Vallas’ situation is different because the petition stage has already passed. So, as they say, stay tuned. If you are Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, we’d like to hear from you. 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. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | In Washington, for the National Governors Association 2023 Winter Meeting.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At Chicago Market at 9:30 a.m. to announce community development grant awards.
| | Where's Toni | | In Washington for the National Association of Counties' 2023 Legislative Conference. 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 | | — Internet casino gaming bill filed again: State Sen. Christina Castro’s bill proposes "a 15 percent state tax on adjusted gross revenue that would be directed to the State Gaming Fund,” by USBets’ Chris Altruda. — Lawmakers look to pass bill for a diaper allowance, by ABC 20’s Julia Rosier — State Sen. Doris Turner files legislation that would require EMS workers to wear body cameras, by State Journal-Register's Patrick Keck
| | SPOTLIGHT | | Walking the walk: Republicans will co-chair two Illinois Senate committees, “in a move that harkens back decades to a time when Republicans and Democrats more often worked together to recognize shared goals and achieve them,” the Democrat and Republican senators said in a joint statement Thursday. Republican leader John Curran came up with the idea, and Democratic Senate President Don Harmon liked it. “At one point in our not-so-distant history this was a common practice in the Senate. I think we both hope that it will foster bipartisan cooperation on how we can best meet the needs of people all across our great state,” Harmon said in the announcement. Sen. Dale Fowler, a Republican from Harrisburg, co-chair the Senate Higher Education Committee. Sen. Michael Halpin, a Rock Island Dem is committee chair, and Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Dem, is vice chair. Sen. Sally Turner, a Republican from Beason, will co-chair the Senate State Government Committee. Sen. Patrick Joyce, a Dem from the Kankakee area, is chair, and Sen. Willie Preston, a Dem from Chicago, is vice chair.
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — FIREWORKS: Mayor Lori Lightfoot defends CPS students during mayoral forum, criticizes moderator: ‘You’re describing them as if they’re dumb’: Fox 32 moderator Mike Flannery responded, “That is absolutely false.” The mayor continued: “Here’s what I know, Mike. The reality is, and I invite you to come with me to an elementary school or high school … we have put in a ton of resources to make sure that those kids that are struggling, that they have a place in school, that they are learning and that they are thriving. That is the reality. Do we have challenges? Absolutely.” Tribune’s Alice Yin, Gregory Pratt and A.D. Quig. Here’s Fox 32’s report. And here are some clips from the candidates: Lightfoot, Vallas, Johnson, Sawyer, King and Buckner. — Chicago’s population shift puts Latinos at the heart of the mayoral race: “Chicago’s Latino population increased 5.2 percent in the 10 years leading up to 2020, while the number of Black residents declined and the city recorded a 1.9 percent growth in the total number of residents, according to Census data. Latinos first overtook Chicago’s Black community in size in 2020,” by Bloomberg’s Jose Orozco and Isis Almeida. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is out with a new ad in which he invokes Harold Washington and says he’s fighting the machine. — Ex-Gov. Pat Quinn endorses García for mayor, while Black faith leaders line up behind Lightfoot, by Tribune’s Gregory Pratt. — Sluggish pace of police reform effort complicates public safety debate in mayor’s race, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone — After Ald. Derrick Curtis complained the mayor didn’t call when he shot himself, she texted, ‘I seriously do not understand you’: Now he says he’s “neutral on the race.” Tribune’s Gregory Pratt reports — 1st Ward: Challenger Sam Royko is endorsed by Congressman Mike Quigley. — 25th Ward: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, challenger Aida Flores talk gentrification, public safety, by Block Club’s Madison Savedra — IF YOU HAVE TIME: These mayoral candidate videos are worth watching. Along with policy, they talk about their families, what they do in their downtime and whether they put ketchup on their hot dogs, via WBEZ
| | CHICAGO | | — Illinois Gaming Board approves initial steps for temporary casino at Medinah Temple: “Whether Bally’s ambitious timeline can be met remains uncertain, as the Illinois Gaming Board still is required to investigate and approve everyone involved in the project, from top investors to subcontractors working on the construction,” by Tribune’s Dan Petrella. — City expands mental health services through private providers: “A previously announced plan to partner with more community clinics and nonprofits is complete. Mental health services will be offered at some libraries and O’Hare,” by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase. — Polluters like Southeast Side plant often get a pass on air-quality violations in Chicago, by Sun-Times Brett Chase — CPD non-pursuit policy blamed for ‘ambush’ shooting attack of former culinary student in Lincoln Park, victim’s lawsuit says, by Tribune’s Rosemary Sobol and Paige Fry
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked when you fell asleep in public. Brandon Born: “During freshman year of college. The classroom was also the school movie theater, so the seats were irresistibly comfortable.” Donovan Pepper: “I once fell asleep when I was an altar boy at Holy Family Church when Cardinal John Cody was officiating. I momentarily fell asleep and the large crosier I was holding hit the marble floor and the echo reverberated throughout the large sanctuary! My mother was so horrified and embarrassed, and my twin brother — also an altar boy — took over those responsibilities for the rest of the mass.” Who’s a politico you spotted at a restaurant? Email skapos@politico.com
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Katherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative, is visiting Chicago today to highlight the local impacts of the Biden-Harris administration’s economic agenda, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Pence is subpoenaed in special counsel probe of Jan. 6, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — What climate law? Voters clueless about Biden's top achievement, by POLITICO’s Zack Colman — Covid exodus: Where did 1M public school students go? New data sheds some light, by Chalkbeat’s Patrick Wall — Doug Emhoff Gets to Sit at D.C.’s Cool Kids’ Table, by POLITICO’s Michael Schaffer
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Steven Pfrang is joining BGR Group as a vice president, where he’ll represent clients in financial services and commerce. Pfrang has spent the past seven years as chief of staff to Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.). Prior to joining LaHood’s office, Pfrang was deputy chief of staff to former Reps. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) and did a stint as a lobbyist for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.
| | EVENTS | | Feb. 12: The Arab American Democratic Club hosts a brunch and forum for Chicago mayoral and suburban candidates at Niko's Banquets. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet, Mark McCombs and Robert Christie for correctly answering that John T. Scopes was a graduate student in geology and paleontology at the University of Chicago. He didn't finish his Ph.D. but had a long career as a geologist in the petroleum industry. TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois professional sports facility was named after a notable four-legged athlete? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: ComEd comms manager Lauren Huffman, Arctaris Impact Investors Managing Director Ben Bornstein, PBS Newshour’s John Yang and Playbooker Matthew Feldman. Saturday: Center for Illinois Politics cofounder Susan Garrett, Bank of America VP David Stern, D.C. insider Mark Palmer, Small Business Advocacy Council Executive Director Elliot Richardson, public-relations pro Kim Shepherd and London School of Economics grad student Federica Ferrari. Sunday: former state Rep. Ken Dunkin, former Ald. Michele Smith, GOP insider Barb Frobish, corporate investment pro Matthew Nadherny, public-relations pro Beth Silverman, former Crain's exec Gloria Scoby, POLITICO Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, POLITICO production editor and former Illinois Playbook contributor Kristen East and Illinois’ own Abraham Lincoln. -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 | | | | |  |
