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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. What a difference a weekend makes. A national debt deal has been reached and an Illinois budget passed.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | The Illinois General Assembly finally wrapped up its work over the weekend and the results show another progressive policy agenda. Credit the trifecta: The state House and Senate, which are controlled by Democrats along with the governor’s office, had already raised the minimum wage, legalized marijuana and made Illinois an oasis for abortion rights. It didn’t seem like there was any big issue for lawmakers to tackle when they began their work in January. Turns out there was plenty: They passed legislation to further enhance abortion protections, end book banning and combat racism and discrimination in schools. And though it was technically part of last year’s session, lawmakers in January also ended the sales of assault weapons in Illinois. Budget bonanza: After some last-minute brawling, the General Assembly passed a $50.6 billion budget that invests in early childhood education and makes community college free for families at or below median income. Cultural competency: Lawmakers also passed legislation that will ensure cultural competency is part of continuing medical education for a range of healthcare providers in Illinois also heads to Gov. JB Pritzker. What will Ron say? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may call it woke. But in Illinois, it’s an era of progressive policies that is putting the state on the map for advancing social reforms. A Good roundup by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky And WBEZ’s Alex Degman has a thorough list of what passed — and what didn’t, including giving tax breaks to the Bears. RELATED — Law to eliminate racism in schools awaits signature by Gov. JB Pritzker, by State Journal-Register’s Tiffani Jackson — Bill to allow law enforcement drones at parades and other events passes, despite questions over personal freedom, by Tribune’s Hank Sanders — Book bans thwarted in Illinois libraries, but battle continues in schools, by Kerry Lester Kasper in Center for Illinois Politics — Bill changing Illinois rearview mirror law heads to governor's desk, by The Telegraph’s Ben Singson — Lawmakers pass bill that would provide pay protections for freelance workers, by freelancer Anna Burgess Yang for the Sun-Times
| | THE BUZZ | | New mayor, same story when it comes to Memorial Day gun violence. At least 11 people were killed and 45 injured in violence over the long weekend, according to the Sun-Times. “The death toll was the highest since 2015, when 12 people were killed. The total number of those shot, however, was still far below the 71 people wounded by gunfire over the 2016 holiday weekend,” according to the Sun-Times, which tracks incidents from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. Mayor Brandon Johnson, like mayors before him, had laid out a plan that he hoped would quell the expected turmoil. The city teamed up with 250 grassroots organizations across 24 communities on the West and South sides to try to get control of the violence.
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At the Arie Crown Theater at 7 p.m. for the George Westinghouse College Prep graduation.
| | | Where's Toni | | | No official public events. Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! Send tips, or your two cents to skapos@politico.com
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Some rural communities push back against narrative that they’re dying: “The University of Illinois Extension earlier this year held webinars to arm leaders of rural communities with positive data, such as fully occupied homes and anchored schools, while suggesting language those leaders should use to recruit people to move to rural towns, which are often coping with negative stereotypes,” by Tribune’s Hank Sanders. — 41 years ago, an F-4 tornado ripped through Marion, by WSIL TV’s Nick Hausen — Counties with the warmest summers in Illinois, via Stacker
| | SPOTLIGHT | | — Historic gains: Low-income workers scored in the Covid economy: “A POLITICO analysis shows that pandemic-era policies reversed the trend toward a widening income gap. The move away from them threatens those gains. Which way will Biden turn?” Victoria Guida reports.
| | | 2024 WATCH | | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Tracy Katz Muhl is running for Illinois state representative in the 57th District and has already lined up high-powered support. The seat is currently held by fellow Democrat, Rep. Jonathan Carroll, who has drawn scrutiny for his handling of a complaint from a former staffer who said she was wrongly fired after getting pregnant. We wrote about it in The Buzz. Katz Muhl’s story: She’s a Northfield Township Democratic committeeperson, former District 28 School Board president, lawyer and community volunteer. She’s also endorsed by Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), state Sen. Laura Fine and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Full list here
| | CHICAGO | | — Migrant crisis puts more pressure on Chicago finances as state budget offers less than sought: The $50.6 billion state budget that passed out of the General Assembly on Saturday includes $42.5 million to provide services to cities statewide to aid migrants arriving from the country’s southern border. Chicago only gets part of that. Meanwhile, the Chicago City Council is expected this week to approve pulling $51 million from budget surpluses for migrant care. Tribune’s Alice Yin and A.D. Quig — State lawmakers extend deadline for Chicago’s elected school board map: “As long as it provides the best product for these maps and still gives us enough time to conduct those elections, we’ll be in good shape,” state Sen. Robert Martwick told the Tribune’s Hank Sanders. — Merchandise Mart wraps up renovations to improve building's connections to the public, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Blackhawks planning $65M expansion of Fifth Third Arena on Near West Side, by Block Club’s Trey Arline
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Bodily autonomy: The Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an amendment last week to the Human Rights Ordinance ensuring the protection of all individual’s right to their own bodily autonomy, via Windy City Times. — DuPage County explores cutting water contract with Chicago, building pipeline to Lake Michigan, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig — A Marengo man has spent decades rebuilding a B-17 bomber in his barn, by Daily Herald’s Rick West
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Convicted ‘Starved Rock killer’s’ confession 6 decades ago shows he did it: Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow: “He says in a court filing he’s acted impartially in fighting Chester Weger’s effort to prove his innocence in the 1960 killings of 3 west suburban women. Weger wants Glasgow removed as special prosecutor,” by Sun-Times’ Frank Main. — Man in ‘peacekeepers’ vest charged with robbing, beating man in Little Village, by Sun-Times’ David Struett — Police SUV rolled over a 15-year-old during George Floyd protests. Now CPD footage is missing as a civil case proceeds, reports Tribune’s Madeline Buckley
| | SPOTTED | | The Big Shoulders Fund Humanitarian Award Dinner last week raised $8.5 million to support schools and students. Mike Keiser, a golf course architect, and his wife, Lindy, were the honorees. In the room: billionaire Jude Reyes, Big Shoulders Fund adviser and state Rep. Curtis Tarver, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, Citadel COO Gerald Beeson, Nickel Capital Management CEO Carol Lavin Bernick, Keystone Capital chair and Big Shoulders Fund co-chair Kent Dauten. Also spotted: CIBC exec Larry Richman, City Club CEO Dan Gibbons, Chicago Cut Managing Partner David Flom, EY Americas’ Lee Henderson, Madison Dearborn Partners Co-CEOs Tim Sullivan and Tom Souleles, McCormick Foundation's Dennis FitzSimons and Tim Knight, political aide Clarisol Duque, HITEC President Omar Duque, KPMG Managing Partner Travis Hunter, PNC Illinois President Scott Swanson, Centaur Capital’s John Schreiber and KemperSports founder Steve Lesnik.
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked how you kicked off summer. Janice Anderson, like so many, visited and cleaned up gravesites of relatives. Kristin DiCenso: “At the pool with my son and good friends! Is there any other way?” Daniel Goldwin: “A family trip to Portugal.” Lucas Hawley: “First international trip after three years of Covid!” Fred Lebed: “In Wisconsin for a book I'm writing on off-the-beaten-path greenhouses and nurseries.” Steven McKenzie: “Cubs, barbecue and a long walk with family and dog — and getting ready for pre-slating presentation.” Donovan Pepper: “Traveling to Galesburg to pack up my son’s freshman dorm room at Knox College.” Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr.: "Reading ‘The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America’ by Richard Rothstein.” What’s the TV finale you’ll never forget? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — McCarthy rallies support for debt deal amid hints of mutiny, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes — How the GOP lost Wisconsin, by POLITICO’s David Siders — Black women look to break a streak of disappointment in the Senate, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick
| | TAKING NAMES | | — After 50 years, Mike Flannery, the dean of Chicago television’s political reporters, is calling it a career, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Shawn S. Kasserman will be sworn in as the 147th president of the Illinois State Bar Association on Thursday. Kasserman’s first act will be to host the ISBA’s annual meeting in Chicago on June 8 and 9.
| | | TRANSITIONS | | | — Simone Parlier named executive director of HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital. “She's worked in various nursing positions and in management at Passavant Area Hospital and Jacksonville Memorial Hospital since 2006,” reports State Journal-Register’s Tiffani Jackson. — Brittany Hughes has joined the office of Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) as legislative director. Hughes was deputy legislative director for the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and will also work on the Black Maternal Health Caucus.
| | | EVENTS | | | — June 9: Congresswoman Delia Ramirez marks her big 4-0 with a birthday fundraiser. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congratulations to Bill Velazquez for correctly answering Martin J. Dooley was the fictional tavern keeper made famous by Chicago journalist Finley Peter Dunne for humorous observations, including: "politics ain't beanbag.” TODAY’s QUESTION: How many interstates pass through Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
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