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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos and Olivia Olander | TGIF, Illinois. Snow has arrived for the weekend. Great. PROGRAMMING NOTE: We'll be off Monday for Presidents Day but back in your inboxes Tuesday.
|  | TOP TALKER | | The nasty campaign ads are reaching a fever pitch in the Chicago mayor’s race, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and chameleon Congressman George Santos have emerged as foils to attack Paul Vallas. DeSantis is coming to suburban Elmhurst on Monday to talk to members of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police in a hush-hush meeting. And Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is using the visit to attack Paul Vallas, who’s been endorsed by the FOP. “Paul Vallas must condemn the FOP for inviting Ron DeSantis, a dangerous and xenophobic authoritarian to our state,” Garcia said in a statement. The Tribune has more on DeSantis’ visit here. Garcia attacked Vallas on another front, too. Garcia is being endorsed by Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan Boyle, who took a swipe at Vallas for his work as head of the Philadelphia School District. Boyle says Vallas caused “destruction, damage and incompetence” by closing schools in Philly. “Seeing Paul Vallas re-write history as he campaigns for mayor makes me believe Chicago has its own George Santos to deal with,” Garcia said in a statement. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is out with a new ad showing Brandon Johnson saying in his own words that he supports the “defund the police” movement. The ad spotlights Johnson previously saying “defund” is the "actual, real political goal." The strategy: The ad is an effort by Lightfoot’s campaign to peel off Black voters from the six other African American candidates in the race. Related: Brandon Johnson won't commit to filling CPD's vacant officer jobs, reports Fox 32’s Mike Flannery. An endorsement: Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been endorsed by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, the union that represents folks who maintain facilities across Chicago, including the Chicago Public Schools, the Park District and the Aviation and Water Management departments. The union worked closely with Lightfoot during the pandemic to set up vaccination sites. The Vallas campaign is out with a 2-minute video for social media featuring Ald. Tom Tunney. The ad hits back at criticisms lobbed at Vallas in recent weeks. Tunney says Vallas supports LGBTQ rights, abortion rights and that he’s a Chicago resident. Spotted: Paul Vallas at Citadel, headed by billionaire Ken Griffin, for a 200-person town hall. Brandon Johnson, who’s currently a Cook County commissioner, is being endorsed by fellow Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon, in his run for mayor. Sophia King at the City Club says Chicago needs a mayor who can represent the ‘entire city — not just segregated parts’ of it, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. Dark money: A group called “Americans for a Better and Safer Tomorrow” is putting out a text-messaged ad that plays off fears about crime. It’s not clear which mayoral candidate the ad supports but seems to be saying anybody but the mayor. NEW POLL: We’re taking all polls with a grain of salt, but Victory Research is independent of candidates and the interviews were done by live callers on landlines and mobile phones. The survey shows Paul Vallas has widened his lead over Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Vallas has 22.8 percent to Lightfoot’s 17.1 percent, according to the poll. Brandon Johnson at 16.1 percent and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia at 13.8 percent are within the margin of error. And Willie Wilson is the only other candidate in double digits at 11.8 percent.
| | THE BUZZ | | CHAOS LOOMS: No matter who wins the mayor’s race, Chicago’s City Hall will be transformed with new City Council members, leaving the door open to changes in how business is done in the city. “More than half of the City Council could change. It’s going to be chaotic. It’s going to be exciting. And it’s going to be stomach-churning for anyone who has a stake in the city,” predicted George Cardenas, who stepped away from the council after serving 20 years. He’s now a Cook County Board of Review commissioner. “Someone with a strong will will need to rein in these strong personalities,” said Cardenas, who hasn’t endorsed for mayor. William Howell, a University of Chicago political science professor who moderated a discussion series this week about the City Council, says council members will likely be younger, more “open to persuasion” and less ingrained in existing power structures. “A city council that is so institutionally oriented towards hyper local concerns would benefit from some disruption.” The imminent change: “It either results in a structural, relational shift the likes that we’ve never seen before, or it results in comparative chaos,” said Joe Ferguson, the former city inspector general. Point of concern: Ferguson, who heads the government structuring initiative Re-Imagine Chicago, said Chicagoans should be concerned about the amount of knowledge leaving with outgoing aldermen, since there aren’t enough existing structures in place for committees. Making their exits: Alds. Roderick Sawyer (6th) and Sophia King (4th), who are both running for mayor, as well as Alds. Leslie Hairston (5th), Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th), Edward Burke (14th), Howard Brookins (21st), Roberto Maldonado (26th), Ariel Reboyras (39th), Carrie Austin (34th), Tom Tunney (44th), James Cappleman (46th) and Harry Osterman (48th). If you are Edward Burke, Playbook would really like an exit interview. 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 | | At Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago at 9 a.m. to promote his “Smart Start Illinois” early childhood education proposal — And at McDonald's Headquarters at 12:30 pm to do the same thing.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | On Roosevelt Road and Kostner Avenue at 9:30 a.m. for a community groundbreaking.
| | 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 | | — Pritzker's pre-K plan raises hopes in Springfield: “District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, and local Democratic legislators state Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield and state Rep. Sue Scherer of Decatur, joined the governor at the ELC library, his first stop on a state tour Thursday promoting the budget proposal that will need General Assembly approval,” by State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck.
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — Mundelein candidate's comment about Asian people being smarter is called racist, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — 4th and 11th Wards: South Side candidates vie to succeed departing King in 4th and oust appointed Lee in 11th, by Sun-Times’ Mary Norkol — 5th Ward: 11 candidates in all and they differ on most everything but the need to be accessible and transparent, by Sun-Times’ Mohammad Samra — And the Tribune looks at changes that will come from exits of aldermen in the 4th, 5th and 10th wards, by William Lee
| | CHICAGO | | — Mayor vows to remove unhoused people from O’Hare as more seek shelter at airport: “Lightfoot said Thursday that it’s a security risk to allow homeless people to stay at O’Hare. But a law enforcement source said that starting this week, additional police have been dedicated to offering services to homeless people — and removing those who don’t accept the help,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman, Tom Schuba, Neil Steinberg and Emmanuel Camarillo. — Lori Lightfoot could be the last mayor to control Chicago Public Schools. How has she done? “Lightfoot harnessed city funding for school projects, but focused spending on fixing up existing facilities, repairing aging roofs, and boilers. ... And her clashes with the Chicago Teachers Union are no secret,” report Chalkbeat’s Mauricio Peña and Becky Vevea. — Mayor says Bears will end up where they started: at renovated Soldier Field: “Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has been barred until now from talking with the Chicago Bears about staying at Soldier Field, sees an avenue to communicate with the team,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — 20 years later: Remembering the E2 disaster, by WGN 9’s Patrick Elwood and Sam Charles
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Arlington Heights police, fire chiefs meet with Bears reps: “The visit marked one of the first formal meetings between village officials and representatives of the new property owner, in a planning and development process that will likely take years before the Bears could break ground on a potential enclosed stadium and mixed-use district,” by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek. — Naperville panel backs Block 59 plans for restaurants and outdoor entertainment, by Naperville Sun’s Suzanne Baker — Park Forest Mayor Jon Vanderbilt drops bid for reelection, by Daily Southtown’s Jerry Shnay
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Father of Highland Park mass shooting suspect pleads not guilty to felony charges: “Robert Crimo Jr. was charged in December because prosecutors say he helped his son apply for a FOID card in 2019 despite the son's troubled past, which included being the subject of a then recent ‘clear and present danger’ report alleging the young man had threatened to ‘kill everyone,’” by Daily Herald’s Doug T. Graham. — Feds want 25 more years in jail for R. Kelly on Chicago conviction, saying he’s shown no remorse for years of sexual abuse, by Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau — Former Rush Oak Park Hospital executive charged with fraud, by Tribune’s Lisa Schencker
| | | | 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 what you liked, or not, in the governor’s budget proposal. Patrick Cortesi, Kevin Hall and Paul Kendrick: The increased focus on K-12 education funding. Mike Johnson: “His commitment to a woman's right to choose and support for pre-school, healthcare, good schools and safe neighborhoods.” Daniel Goldwin: “Continuing to fund Illinois’ Non-profit Security Grant Program at $20 million,” which helps secure synagogues. Mike Kohr: “The return to fiscal sanity instead of gimmicks like ‘Pension Holidays,’ and ‘Pension Ramps’ that brought Illinois to the brink of financial disaster.” Mark Peysakhovich: “I was hoping for sympathy and tangible help for hundreds of social equity cannabis licensees who face ruin if they don't find investors.” Tom Pinkh: “Expanding early education, but I’d like to see more services for our seniors.” When and how did your family arrive in the United States? Email skapos@politico.com
| | TAKING NAMES | | — The White House is in town today to host an Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Economic Summit. The event is designed to connect community members and small businesses with resources. Joining the discussion will be Krystal Ka‘ai from the White House; Sen. Tammy Duckworth; Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08); Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot; regional administrators Geri Aglipay, Debra Shore and Michael Cabonargi; and Chiling Tong, CEO of the National Asian / Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. — Checking in with Amara Enyia (and Charles Thomas), by Eric Zorn, who writes in The Picayune Sentinel
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Matt Gaetz had a hell of a month. What’s next for the Florida Republican? by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout and Jordain Carney — Republican losers look to run again in ’24 — and the party’s at odds how to stop them, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick and Marianne LeVine — Never say ‘nice to meet you,’ and 27 other rules for surviving D.C., by POLITICO’s magazine team
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Jon Maxson and Dave Kimsey for correctly answering that Morton, Ill., is the pumpkin capital of the world. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the U.S. vice president to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Rep. Margaret Croke, Congressman Darin LaHood political adviser Jim Reis, Mayor Lori Lightfoot Deputy Campaign Manager Madison Olinger, The Vistria Group’s general counsel and former deputy governor Jesse Ruiz, government relations consultant Dan Shomon and media and marketing pro Kim Vatis. Saturday: former Gov. Bruce Rauner, Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, attorney and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Paul Schimpf, Board of Review Commissioner Larry R. Rogers Jr., former state Sen. Tony Munoz, former state Rep. Don Moffitt and Prairie Group VP of comms and strategy Marissa Gaines. Sunday: Attorney and former U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feinerman, former state Rep. Ron Stephens, U.S. Small Business Administration exec Alejandro Renteria and sportscaster and restaurateur Lou Canellis. -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 | | | | |  |
