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Presented by bp: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Marissa Martinez | | | What a week, Illinois! This is Marissa Martinez, state policy and national politics reporter. It’s been a pleasure helping Shia Kapos out this week, so please give her a warm welcome back on Monday!
|  | TOP TALKERS | | DACA BILLS: State Rep. Barbara Hernandez has introduced two bills this legislative session that center undocumented immigrants or DACA recipients. House Bill 3751, which unanimously passed the House on March 24, would allow DACA recipients to apply to be police officers. There are around 30,000 DACA recipients in Illinois. Hernandez told Playbook this bill was inspired by a California law that allows such applicants to become officers. Several other states have recently proposed similar legislation, including nearby Wisconsin. In addition, Blue Island Police Chief Geoffery Farr has already gone through a similar process to allow DACA recipients to apply, petitioning local officials to make this exception for their police department. So far, a handful of people have submitted applications. Blue Island has a large Hispanic population, and Farr told the Chicago Tribune that having diversity on the force would help bridge some existing gaps. “It’s important that the police department reflects the makeup of the community and what better means do we have than to recruit Hispanic officers,” Farr said last week. Federal obstacles: “The federal government doesn't allow DACA recipients to carry, possess or purchase a gun … that's why we [wrote] ‘upon federal approval,’’ Hernandez said. “I'll be hopefully working with the federal government, with Congress, to let them know that this is something that we want to see,” she added, citing initial Republican pushback on this aspect. Some were concerned about the safety of the officers themselves should they not be armed on the job, she said. The other proposal is House Bill 3882 that deals with Temporary Visitors Driver’s Licenses, given to undocumented individuals. The top of the cards have a broad purple line and say “not valid for identification.” Hernandez’s bill, which passed the House on March 23, would remove these markers and standardize the license. It was recently assigned to the Senate Executive Committee. Why the change: Some people can’t purchase medicine or alcohol in Illinois, despite being allowed to under law, because the line is misinterpreted, Hernandez said. There could also be additional difficulties should a TVDL holder be pulled over by police, she added. Her bill would not supersede any federal limitations for undocumented people. Pushback: Some Republican lawmakers don’t understand what a TVDL is or looks like, and are “making this more of an immigration policy stance,” Hernandez said. “This is just to make roads safer for the community, for police officers. Also for families that might not be able to get certain items.” Next steps: Soon, Hernandez wants to expand the pathway for DACA recipients to become firefighters, since only permanent residents or citizens can currently apply. “It might be easier than the police one because they don’t have to carry guns,” she said.
| | A message from bp: bp employees in Illinois are keeping energy moving to keep America moving, too. Our team provides fuel for O’Hare flights, helps people power their cars, trades energy to keep the lights on and more. See more ways bp is investing in Illinois. | | | | | THE BUZZ | | TURNOUT: The Chicago Tribune’s Claire Malon analyzed the lukewarm turnout during the April 4 runoff. Some highlights: — Citywide turnout was low to moderate, with 38.5 percent of registered voters in Chicago casting ballots in last week’s election. But it was still higher than usual — higher than almost every municipal election since 2000. The 2015 runoff garnered slightly more voters than in 2023. — Ward with the most voters: In the 19th Ward (Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood), more than 60 percent of those eligible voted. — Most improved turnout: The 32nd Ward (Bucktown, North Center, Lakeview and Lincoln Park) saw the greatest percent change in turnout of with a 19 percent increase from February. — García effect: The 14th Ward (Gage Park, Archer Heights, Garfield Ridge and Chicago Lawn) dropped 9 percent in turnout, the greatest decrease. Alongside the 12th, 15th and 22nd Wards — all of which turned out for U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. This may mean those voters were less motivated to show up again in April for Brandon Johnson or Paul Vallas.
| | | | 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 | | Announcing capital grant awards for human service providers at Association House at 10 a.m.
| | 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 or mmartinez@politico.com.
| | | | A message from bp:   | | | | | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — Chicago’s youngest voters are ‘the future’ — so why don’t more of them vote? by Sun-Times’ Violet Miller — Who is Jessica Angus, Brandon Johnson's transition team chief? By Crain’s Justin Laurence
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois abortion providers say they will continue to provide mifepristone, by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch — As court battle over abortion drug mifepristone continues, some Illinois clinics have a backup plan, by Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos — For a wider look: What last night’s abortion pill twist means for access — even in blue states, by POLITICO’s Dan Goldberg and Alice Miranda Ollstein — Ultra Right Beer says it will ship its 'woke-free' beer straight to you. That's illegal in Illinois. By Crain’s Ally Marotti
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — Ex-ComEd CEO tells jurors in bribery trial she didn’t view Madigan as an ally of utility, by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
| | CHICAGO | | — Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxx clashed in texts mayor’s office partially withheld from public, by Tribune’s Gregory Pratt — Chicago cop faces 90-day suspension, accused of striking Police Board president during George Floyd protest, by Sun-Times’ Sophie Sherry — South Siders slam Walmart over plan to close stores, threaten protests at other Walmarts, by Sun-Times’ Michael Loria — Tour the Midwest’s largest art fair with a curator keen on emerging artists, by WBEZ’s Mendy Kong — Democratic National Convention 2024 pick spotlights Chicago labor union ties, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall — CTU organized teachers at this nonprofit's school — and now management is shutting it down, by Crain’s Brandon Dupré
| | | | A message from bp: The US is home to bp's largest workforce in the world, a team delivering the energy the world needs today, while increasing our investments in lower carbon alternatives for our future. See more ways bp is investing in America. | | | | | Reader Digest | | For Monday: What do you want to see televised during the 2024 political conventions? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — DeSantis could be walking into a general election trap on abortion, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Alice Miranda Ollstein — Supreme Court rejects bid to block major class-action settlement on student debt relief, by POLITICO’s Michael Stratford — FBI makes arrest in investigation of suspected leaker of classified intelligence, by POLITICO’s Erin Banco and Josh Gerstein
| | TRIVIA | | For Monday: Who was the railroad laborer who traveled to Chicago, where he transformed the music scene while performing at the World's Fair of 1893? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Sen. Neil Anderson, former Ald. Harry Osterman, Anita Banerji of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, U.S. Trade Rep spokesman Adam Hodge, retired Coal Association President Phil Gonet, public affairs strategist Laura Keehner Rigas and the voice of Oak Street Maureen Lampert. Saturday: State Rep. Camille Lilly, former Illinois House Speaker Lee Daniels, former state Rep. Sheri Jesiel, former state Rep. Ron Wait, Latino Caucus redistricting attorney Homero Tristan and political consultant Jaimey Sexton. Sunday: Chicago Public Safety and Accountability Commissioner Isaac Troncoso, Hispanic higher-ed leader Naomi Burgos Lynn, political consultant Clem Balanoff, government relations consultant Kristen Bauer and musician and “The Voice” coach Chance the Rapper, who turns the big 3-0. -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 | | | | |  |
