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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Monday morning, Illinois. What a relaxing break, and props to Marissa Martinez for keeping the engines running.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, participating in a mayoral forum in January, is headed to Springfield this week. | AP Photo/Erin Hooley | Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson heads to Springfield this week just as state lawmakers return from their two-week spring break. Johnson will speak before a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday and then join Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch for a press conference. It’s familiar territory for the mayor-elect who previously worked for Harmon as constituent service director and was chief of staff to former state Rep. Deborah Graham. Those relationships and the endorsements he received from state legislators during his campaign will start him on the right foot with the General Assembly, whose Democratic members generally want to be help Johnson address public safety, housing and youth employment. Lots of meetings: Johnson also has scheduled a series of gatherings, including with the Black, Asian, Latino and Moderate caucuses. What’s next: Watch for the mayor-elect to announce key hires and to start rolling out policy initiatives. Johnson also has met with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to discuss how their two offices can address public safety, continued implementation of the police consent decree, gun trafficking and organized retail crime. RELATED — Johnson talks about living in Austin and how he’ll choose the next police superintendent: It will be “someone who understands the desires of rank-and-file,” he tells WTTW’s Brandis Friedman. — Democrats place big bet on Johnson by tapping Chicago for ’24 convention, by Tribune’s John Byrne and Rick Pearson — Voting trends in contested wards hint at how Johnson secured victory, writes Kerry Lester Kasper in Center for Illinois Politics
| | THE BUZZ | | Why GOP culture warriors lost big in school board races: Many conservative candidates who campaigned on issues around race, gender identity and parental involvement lost — and Democrats in Illinois and elsewhere are feeling validated, writes POLITICO's Juan Perez. The Illinois Democratic Party says 84 of 117 candidates the party recommended won their April 4 races. And the Illinois Education Association says it won nearly 90 percent of the races where it endorsed candidates. What it means: Democrats feel validated that a pro-public education message can beat hard-right messages. They also credit a playbook that called for local party officials to choose their own candidates, according to Juan’s report. RELATED How Johnson’s win in Chicago reflects local and national shifts on education: “Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson brings a teachers union-friendly perspective that rejects many of the education ideas that once dominated Democratic politics and defined former CPS CEO Paul Vallas’ career,” reports Chalkbeat’s Becky Vevea. If you are Jeannie Ives, Playbook would like your take on school board wins and losses. 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 New York at 8 a.m. for the upcoming general obligation bond sale.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Woodson Regional Library at 9:30 a.m. with library and community leaders for an announcement.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public event. Thank you for reading Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: skapos@politico.com
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — How a Covid-19 exodus affected Illinois government staffing, salary spending: “DCFS gained more than 100 employees between 2021 and 2022. Public health employees declined,” by WTTW’s Jared Rutecki. — Illinois teams up with Indiana and Michigan in an effort to land $1.25B to build a clean hydrogen hub, by Tribune’s Nara Schoenberg — One of the nation’s largest solar energy projects, being built near Springfield, will provide electricity to Chicago, by Inside Climate News’ Dan Gearino — Report: State help with tuition, college budgets tanked amid 20 years of state disinvestment, via Capitol News’ Andrew Adams — 5 state public health workers kept ‘yearbook’ that mocked photos of medical marijuana applicants, IG report says, by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — HIGHER-ED: Chicago State University faculty reach a tentative agreement, ending their strike, by Crain’s Brandon Dupré
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — As ‘ComEd Four’ trial shifts to defense, FBI wiretaps could prove hard to overcome: “To prove their case, prosecutors have to show that the defendants, through [former House Speaker Michael] Madigan, somehow intended to corrupt that process,” write Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long.
| | | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | | HOT UNDER THE COLLAR: We got a look at how the next mayoral administration views youth violence after Friday’s warm temps brought hundreds of teens downtown, leading to gunfire, injuries and arrests. Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded by zeroing in on the importance of parents to get involved. She said a few bad apples among the young people ruined a joyous day. “We as a city cannot and will not allow any of our public spaces to become a platform for criminal conduct,” the mayor said. “Most importantly, parents and guardians must know where their children are.” Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson issued a statement, saying Chicago must “create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both residents and visitors.” He added that it’s part of his “comprehensive approach to improve public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone." The subtle message seemed to be that Lightfoot’s administration hadn't done enough. Fact is Lightfoot recently beefed up programming to get young people into employment programs to prevent the surge of summer violence that we saw over the weekend. Johnson’s call is a familiar refrain. Hot-weather violence has been an ongoing problem for years. Take it from political consultant John Amdor, via Twitter.
| | CHICAGO | | — ANALYSIS | What Walmart’s pullback from Chicago says about Corporate America’s limits: “The closures are another example of the shortcomings of local governments and even national political leaders betting on leading chains to provide key public services and fill gaps,” CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn reports. — Prognosis uncertain for Arwady post with Johnson — but city health chief ‘looking forward to the conversation,’ by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase — ‘Do not stay silent,’ Chicago protesters urge as courts weigh access to abortion pill, by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn — Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish community disappointed, but not discouraged, by mayoral election, Jewish News Syndicate reports
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — INVESTIGATION: Judges could push the pace on slow-moving murder cases. Most of them don’t: “Each courtroom is its own little kingdom, controlled by a judge with license to run their docket however they please. Every day, every judge gets to choose how aggressively to push for progress in a deeply dysfunctional system. They can stay hands-off and work at an excruciatingly slow pace. At the other extreme, they can berate attorneys for every perceived misstep in an attempt to keep cases from dragging,” write Tribune’s Joe Mahr and Megan Crepeau. — Dozens of Cook County employees resign or are fired in clerk of court, county inspector general’s PPP fraud probe, by Sun-Times’ Frank Main — Blockbuster construction season that will try the patience of Chicago and suburban drivers alike, writes Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke
| | TAKING NAMES | | | | 
First Lady of Illinios MK Pritzker, with Gov. JB Pritzker, left, and their children, wave to well-wishers on Election Night 2022 in Chicago. | Pritzker campaign photo | — MK Pritzker has been appointed to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. The committee is charged with establishing policies relating to the museum function of the White House, its staterooms and collections, according to the White House. Details via Tribune’s Hank Sanders — Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and former Chicago mayor, and his wife, Amy Rule, hosted a Ramadan iftar reception at their residence in Tokyo on Sunday. Some 60 guests attended, including Tokyo-based ambassadors from Muslim-majority countries. A local imam delivered the call to prayer to break the fast, according to Emanuel’s team. It was the first Iftar hosted at the ambassador’s residence since 2014, when Caroline Kennedy held the post. It’s a tradition that Emanuel also took part in while he was mayor. Details on Twitter. And a pic! — Kanye West’s failed 2020 presidential campaign reported a disbursement of $30,297 to white nationalist and noted antisemite Nick Fuentes.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what you’d like to see televised during the 2024 political conventions? State Sen. Dave Koehler: “More youth involvement and why the Democratic Party is the bridge to the future of our democracy.” Brian Berg: “A tribute to John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.” It will be 60 years since Robert Kennedy gave his “Stars” speech at the 1964 Democratic Convention honoring his late brother, who was assassinated a year earlier. Graham Grady: “Clips from the 1968 and 1996 political conventions held in Chicago.” Marty Malone: “A repeat of the video roll call from Democratic delegates across America. Seeing the notable locations of all 50 states and seven territories was the highlight of the 2020 DNC.” Patricia Ann Watson: “The speech that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will give.” What's the best thing about returning from vacation? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — DeSantis wants to make it easier to execute criminals — with an eye toward SCOTUS, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout — What it will look like if China launches cyberattacks in the U.S., by POLITICO’s Maggie Miller — Senate GOP among McCarthy’s biggest skeptics on SNAP cuts, by POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Dan Luna has been named chief of staff to Chicago Alderman-elect Bill Conway (34th). Luna spent the past 12 years as chief of staff to outgoing Ald. Harry Osterman (48th).
| | | ENGAGED | | | — Elizabeth Burgess, scheduler for Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and Michael Torounian, account executive at Bloomberg Government, got engaged at the Wharf in D.C. on Friday. They met at Santa Rosa three-and-a-half years ago and ended the first date at Capitol Lounge. Pic
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Robert R. Egan, a noted criminal defense attorney, died earlier this month at 74. Earlier in his career, he prosecuted John Wayne Gacy and witnessed his execution. Details here
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 6 p.m.: Carl Hulse, New York Times’ Washington correspondent, will discuss American and Illinois politics at an event hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. Hulse is an Illinois native and ISU grad. Details here — This weekend: Cast members of The Office reunite at Navy Pier. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to labor leader Tom Kotarac for correctly answering that Scott Joplin was the railroad laborer who traveled to Chicago and transformed the music scene at the World's Fair with his ragtime music. TODAY’s QUESTION: Which waterway did the General Fry ship travel before arriving in Bridgeport from Lockport? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Ald. Jim Gardiner, attorney and Evanston Democratic Committeeman Eamon Kelly, state Senate Dems’ adviser Jake Butcher, comms pro Robert Christie, Bird Rides government relations exec Vaughn Roland, FEMA press secretary Jeremy Edwards, Block Club editor and reporter Mick Dumke and belated happy birthday to Purple Strategies’ Jamie Geller, who celebrated Saturday. -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 | | | | |  |
