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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF Illinois, and welcome to Chicago, Taylor Swift! BREAKING OVERNIGHT: Senate averts default, sends debt bill to Biden’s desk, by POLITICO’s Daniella Diaz
|  | TOP TALKER | | | Chicago’s business community, which has a long record of rallying around a cause — think World's Fair — is organizing to try to bring down the murder rate in Chicago by creating jobs and beefing up violence prevention efforts. Who’s behind it: The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago is leading the effort. It spent six months researching and interviewing former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, former Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and others about the criminal justice system, according to the Sun-Times. The way Steven Crown sees it, the business community is “late to the conversation” about understanding the issues surrounding violence. The Tribune reports it’s the first time in the Commercial Club’s 146-year history that it’s tackled crime. But 10 years ago, Chicago’s broader business community embarked on a similar effort to curb crime. Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel asked business leaders to come up with $50 million to reduce violence over five years. They called it “Get In Chicago.” Your Playbook host wrote about it here. While it might have made an initial dent, the murder rate would continue to creep up. That’s because the issue then, like now, is more about economics than crime. Let’s hope the latest effort has a more lasting effect than the last time. — ‘State of Black Chicago’ highlights outcome disparities between Black and white Chicagoans, by WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde
| | THE BUZZ | | DEM v. DEM: Chicago Ald. Jeanette Taylor pointed her finger at Gov. JB Pritzker during this week's heated City Council debate about migrant funding. “We have a governor who ain't said one word. Not one. But, of course, we’re going to throw it on the Black man,” Taylor said, alluding to Mayor Brandon Johnson having to manage the problem. Taylor’s attack on the Democratic governor was especially unusual from a fellow elected Democratic official. There was no follow-up discussion between Taylor and the governor. The alderwoman said she didn’t expect there would be. Pritzker’s team, meanwhile, views Taylor’s comments as being in the heat of the moment and not accurate. The governor has spoken about it “multiple times,” said a spokeswoman. And Pritzker’s and Johnson’s teams have had “many meetings” on the issue. Praise from Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia: “This moment requires us to move forward in coalition as we fight for opportunity and investment in Black and Brown communities,” he said in a statement supporting the funding. “I migrated to Chicago when I was 9, and this city welcomed me and my family. Chicago was the nation’s first sanctuary city, and we must continue to live up to that legacy. Chicago is a city for all, and we must reject those trying to divide us.” — There’s a surge in 311 calls for shelter. But Chicago’s help line can’t keep up, report WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko and Amy Qin — Edgewater residents call for answers as city eyes Broadway Armory as possible migrant center, by WTTW’s Acacia Hernandez If you are politico headed to any of the Taylor Swift concerts, Playbook would like details. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Health Professional Building at 11 a.m. to mark Gun Violence Awareness Day . Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! I'd like to hear from you: skapos@politico.com
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — POT POURRI: Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session, by Capitol News’ Nika Schoonover — COVID: Massive Covid-testing operation tied to U. of I. ending, prepping for next pandemic, by Crain’s Jon Asplund and Katherine Davis — Watchdog group seeks to cut more than $110M from record Peoples Gas rate hike request, by Tribune’s Robert Channick — Pritzker: Invest in Kids program may be renewed this year, but with changes, by Center Square’s Kevin Bessler — Drought declared across Central Illinois, by WCIA’s Jacob Dickey
| | CHICAGO | | | | 
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson confers with Vice Mayor Walter Burnett Jr. during the City Council's Wednesday, May 31, 2023, meeting. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos | — Inside the political survival of Chicago City Council dean: “Ald. Walter Burnett expected to be stuck in the political wilderness. Instead, he became vice-mayor, with a $400,000 budget, keeping the staff he had as chair of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Chicago Police Department’s reform chief resigns, claims ‘retaliation’: “Tina Skahill’s exit comes just months after the ouster of her predecessor Robert Boik, who was fired after criticizing former Police Supt. David Brown’s decision to reassign nearly 50 officers under his command,” by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba. — New figures show tourists flocked back to Chicago in 2022, Numbers are up but won't be to pre-pandemic levels until 2025, reports Crain’s Danny Ecker. — Peregrine falcons protecting chicks and dive-bombing Chicago pedestrians, by The Associated Press — ALSO DESCENDING: The Swifties on Soldier Field for the weekend, by Sun-Times’ Catherine Odom and Katie Anthony
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Big Spending and a Springfield joyride for south suburban ‘people’s mayor’: “Tiffany Henyard makes about $250,000 a year as the mayor of Dolton and the supervisor of Thornton Township. Critics blast her free spending ways while her fans cite the progress she’s made,” by BGA’s Answers Project Casey Toner and Rachel Hinton. — Lake in the Hills bakery that drew protests over drag brunch closes its doors 'forever,’ by Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Judge overrules city’s decision to block Southside Recycling from opening — But Mayor Brandon Johnson vows to appeal, by Block Club’s Maxwell Evans Statement from the mayor: “My administration stands firmly behind CDPH’s permit denial and the comprehensive review that led to it. We will immediately appeal the administrative judge’s ruling and continue our fight ... to make decisions that protect the environment, health and quality-of-life for residents of the 10th Ward and all environmental justice communities.” — Heather Mack scheduled to plead guilty in federal murder conspiracy case stemming from mother’s body found in a suitcase in Bali, by Tribune’s Jason Meisner
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is inviting folks to a “spa experience.” Really, it's a fundraiser. Golf is involved. Details here — MacKenzie Scott has given $8 million to Chicago-based Erikson Institute to advance equity in early childhood education. Erikson President Mariana Souto-Manning called it “transformational,” via release.
| | SPOTTED | | — The historic Firehouse Restaurant was the meeting spot for a political fundraiser for Ald. Pat Dowell, who now heads the Chicago City Council’s powerful Finance Committee. The Firehouse is an old-school haunt of former Mayor Richard M. Daley who once hosted a 60th birthday dinner there for President George W. Bush. No national names at Dowell’s event. Mayor Brandon Johnson couldn’t make it either — his daughter had a recital. In the room: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, state Rep. Kim du Buclet, mayoral senior adviser Jason Lee, city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Black Caucus leader and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), Chicago COO John Roberson, Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th), Ald. Will Hall (6th), Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), MWRD President Keri Steele, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers and MWRD Commissioner Marcelino Garcia.
| | | | 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 your political beliefs were shaped. Eileen Dordek: “By my grandfather, Louis Fisher, who ran for president of the United States on the Socialist Labor Party ticket in 1972. We worry he would consider my progressive values too far to the right.” Frank Bass: “Family.” Michael Gascoigne: “My education, particularly at the University of Illinois.” John Howell: “My mother’s family members were Kennedy Democrats, father’s family all Nixon Republicans. Lively holidays. Someone always left early.” Kevin Lamm: “From a very civic-minded family, my church and staff work at Scout summer camps.” Tim Mellman: “I grew up in liberal Oak Park, but my father was conservative. I'm now in college studying political science.” Chris White: “My mom organized in support of my neighborhood's integration and was later on a county disability commission.” Stephen Yoshida: “Family, in that, we watched all those Michael Moore docs in the front room together.” Cynicism — and politics — aside, what’s an issue that Democrats and Republicans agree on? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump-DeSantis feud gets ugly fast, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg, Alex Isenstadt, Natalie Allison and Lisa Kashinsky — Could Hunter Biden be the next poster child for Second Amendment rights? POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan reports — Prosecutors have tape of Trump discussing classified document he kept after leaving office, reports say, via POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Illinois Chamber President Todd Maisch dead at 57: “Maisch joined the chamber nearly 30 years ago and has served as its leader since 2014. The job often put him at the forefront of legislative negotiations, lobbying for the state's business community. … No cause of death was given. He took a leave of absence from the organization last month,” NPR’s Sean Crawford reports.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Sanjay Gupta, a national IT leader, was appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to serve as the new secretary of the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), pending state Senate confirmation. Gupta has served in the public and private sectors, including running the federal government’s pandemic aid portals for small businesses.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congratulations to Dave Druker and Michael Penicnak for correctly answering that Abner Mikva, Paul Simon and Anthony Scariano were the original Kosher Nostra members of the Illinois General Assembly, named as such for their advocacy of progressive reforms and their independence from strict party dogma. And h/t to Bill Singer and Jeff Schoenberg for noting Bob Mann was an original member. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Illinois native who created baseball’s infield shift, in which all the infielders are between first and second base to defend against left handed hitters? Email skapos@politico.com BIRTHDAYS Today: Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, business consultant Sonya Jackson, attorney Pejman Yousefzadeh, Kieloch Consulting director of congressional services Hannah Botelho, columnist Clarence Page and Vella Group’s Lauren Pulte. Saturday: State Sen. Jason Plummer, Ald. Derrick Curtis, Chicagoland Chamber government relations VP Brad Tietz, Future Founders CEO Scott Issen, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Patrick G. Martin and Crain’s group publisher Jim Kirk. Sunday: retired water commissioner Frank Avila, attorney Kevin Fanning, Good Realty Group President Sheldon Good and PR pro Lynda O’Connor. -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 | | | | |  |
