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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Monday morning, Illinois. Hoping you had a relaxing weekend, crummy weather and all.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Paul Vallas, photographed during the 2024 Chicago mayoral campaign, is teaming up with Illinois Policy Institute. | AP Photo/Erin Hooley | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is joining the Illinois Policy Institute as an adviser. He’ll work on policy reports, opinion pieces and events, according to the libertarian-to-conservative Illinois think tank. The position isn’t full time, but he’ll weigh in regularly. Vallas, who lost his bid for Chicago mayor in the April runoff election, is a self-described “lifelong Democrat,” though he drew conservative support in the nonpartisan election that had him competing against left-leaning now-Mayor Brandon Johnson. During that campaign, Vallas was positioned right of moderate, in part because of his tough-on-crime message that had the support of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police. Vallas, a well-known policy wonk, also secured support from Republican donors. What he brings to the table: Vallas is the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and was budget director for the city of Chicago for then-Mayor Richard M. Daley. The Illinois Policy Institute was drawn to his “expertise on education, public safety and fiscal policy,” according to a statement. In his own words: “My life’s work has been about identifying policies that lift people up and bring stability to our city’s finances,” Vallas said in the same statement. Sounds familiar: Vallas reiterated themes from his campaign, saying, “The city of Chicago is at a breaking point. Our public agencies are about to fall off a fiscal cliff, the kids in our public schools are falling behind after Covid-19 lockdowns … our economy is lagging and businesses are unable to operate in a high-crime, high-tax and high-regulation environment.” Vallas said he’s “not someone who sits idly by and complains about these problems,” which is why he’s partnering with “the strongest watchdog in the state — the Illinois Policy Institute.” The big draw: Matt Paprocki, the organization’s president, called Vallas “a reform-minded problem solver” who’s mayoral campaign “united” Chicagoans “behind common sense reforms.”
| | | THE BUZZ | | | GEARING UP: The 2024 primary ballot will start to take shape this week during pre-slating meetings with the Cook County Democratic Party. Candidates wanting to be in the mix for the 2024 primary can introduce themselves to party leaders during the Thursday and Friday meetings. The actual slating is in August. Duking it out: A few elected officials are already making moves for other posts. Iris Martinez, the clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, can expect competition, including from Mariyana Spyropoulos and Eira Corral Sepulveda, both commissioners with the Metropolitan Water District. And former Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson is expected to run for the Cook County state’s attorney seat now held by Kim Foxx, who said she won’t seek reelection. Also looking at the seat is Clayton Harris, who lobbies for Lyft and is the former head of the Illinois International Port District. And Appellate Judge Eileen O'Neil Burke’s name is floating around, too. If you are Toni Preckwinkle, who heads the Cook County Democrats, Playbook would like to hear how you’ll be endorsing for 2024. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | At Ryan Field at 9 a.m. to give the commencement address at Northwestern University. — At Harold Washington Library at 1:30 p.m. to sign the anti-book banning bill.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At Arie Crown Theater at 10 a.m. for the Firefighter/EMT and paramedics graduation ceremony. — At Chicago Cultural Center at 5:15 p.m. for the Teacher Residency Induction Ceremony.
| | | Where's Toni | | | In Dixmoor at 9 a.m. with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Jonathan Jackson and Dixmoor Mayor Fitzgerald Roberts for the start of work on the Dixmoor Watermain Infrastructure Improvement Project.
| | WHERE'S BRUCE | | Former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s official portrait by artist Richard Halstead of Evanston will be hung in the Illinois State Capitol today. Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: 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. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Backers aim to save controversial private school tax credit left out of new Illinois budget: “Invest in Kids provides what are effectively public subsidies, in the way of tax credits, for children from low-to-moderate income families to attend private schools. The program has become a linchpin issue for Republicans who have railed against the Democratic-led legislature and its recently enacted state budget.” It’s also fueled the debate between school choice and public education. Tribune’s Sarah Macaraeg, Rick Pearson and Hank Sanders report. — Illinois government among victims of attack by global ransomware group, state IT agency says: “The attack on Illinois’ computer systems was contained within three hours, according to the state Department of Innovation and Technology. But spokeswoman Jennifer Jennings said the agency still is working to determine the extent of the intrusion,” by Tribune’s Dan Petrella. — Where the ever-complicated Illinois assault weapons ban stands in the courts, by Kerry Lester Kasper for Center for Illinois Politics — Calling attention to the clash between cycling and car culture, by Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke — Book ban bill pushed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will be signed by the governor today: Giannoulias has seen “seven measures he initiated clear the Illinois General Assembly this spring legislative session,” by Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Parking meter deal keeps on giving — for private investors, not Chicago taxpayers: “Results of the latest parking meter audit by accounting giant KPMG shows meter revenues reached a record $140.4 million last year - with 60 years left on a 75-year lease,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — City again delays moving migrants from shuttered YMCA to Daley College: “Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has been unclear about the reasoning behind the transfer and has even kept a local City Council member in the dark about the plan,” by Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Chicago’s Walking Man wandered alone for decades, loved ones say: “He observed everything. That was his adventure,” by Tribune’s Christy Gutowski — Chicago Public Library making Museum Passport program more digital, by Tribune’s Jenna Smith — Riccardo Muti stepping down from Chicago Symphony Orchestra, by Kyle MacMillan in the Sun-Times — OPINION: It’s been 15 years since CORE, the Chicago teachers caucus, 'changed Chicago — and the nation,' writes CORE cofounder Jackson Potter in In These Times.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Arlington Heights still odds-on favorite to land Bears as team huddles ‘to squeeze out the best deal they possibly can’: “It’s too early to tell whether the team was bluffing when it said Arlington Heights has competition and introduced Naperville to the stadium game. Were the Bears angling for an Arlington Heights tax break?: by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — Cook County says employees and pensioners can breathe a little easier with long-awaited fixes: Two recent moves have “freed up access to more pools of cash to help shore up the county’s long-underfunded pensions, though fiscal experts say the county will have to be careful not to overcorrect and tie their hands on spending for other needs,” by Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Chicago Public Library making Museum Passport program more digital, by Tribune’s Jenna Smith — Lion Electric’s new school bus factory in Joliet aims to rewrite the rules for manufacturing in Illinois, by Tribune’s John Lippert — Black bear spotted near Antioch, by Daily Herald’s Melynda Shamie
| | | | 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 what site in Chicago might work for a Bears stadium. Robert Arnold: “The vacant land that once housed the Robert Taylor homes. It would be similar to the Inglewood, Calif., site that Stan Kroenke used to build SoFi Stadium.” Vince Brandys and Chris White both recommended the U.S. Steel South Works site. James Castro: “Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course along the lake. It could have underground parking.” Esau Chavez: “Ford City and instead of the I-55 expansion, an extension could be made to the Orange Line to Ford City.” Daniel Goldwin: “I can't think of a better way to bring excitement to Chicago than by putting a new Bears stadium at 1060 West Addison St.” (Ha, ha, Daniel.) Mary Kay Minaghan: “The southern portion of the One Central development.” Josh Mogerman: “The former Paxton landfill, the highest ground in Cook County. The view of the Southeast Side and Calumet River would be really cool.” Chris White: “Lincoln Yards.” What’s the one activity that sets your block party apart? Email skapos@politico.com
| | SPOTTED | | — The backyard party thrown by Choose Chicago’s Rob Fojtik on Saturday got so big it merged with another party across the alley. There was dancing before guests dispersed to check out the Abba cover band at Andersonville’s Midsommarfest. Spotted: former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, state Sen. Mike Simmons, Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, World Business Chicago exec Kyle Schulz, Boys and Girls Club of Chicago CEO Michael Crowley, chef Lorin Adolph, Howard Brown CEO David Munar, Sidetrack owner Art Johnston, media consultant Alex Hanns, election attorney Ed Mullen, Barlitt Beck attorney Mac LeBuhn, fundraiser Mary Beth Sova and writer Peter Handler. — Martin Cabrera and Robert Aguilar, both of Cabrera Capital Markets, hosted a screening of “Story Ave,” the independent film they financed and executive produced, on Saturday at Music Box Theatre. Writer-director Aristotle Torres, stars Luis Guzmán and Asante Blackk and executive producer Cemi Guzmán mingled in the crowd of 500 and took part in a Q&A after the film. Spotted: Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, Ald. Felix Cardona Jr., Illinois Commerce Commissioner Ann McCabe, Chicago Housing Authority CEO Tracey Scott, Joliet City Councilman Cesar Cardenas and chief deputy clerk of the circuit court Eduardo Garza.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Longshots try ‘optimism’ strategy in GOP primary of doom and gloom, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren, Sally Goldenberg and Natalie Allison — Trump allies and critics battle over impact of case, political narratives, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity and Alex Isenstadt — Trump to host first major fundraiser the day of his arraignment, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Joshua Mark is now chief of staff for Ald. Matt Martin. He has been director of development and infrastructure for the alderman. — Jon Yates has been named VP for global marketing and communications at Northwestern University. He was assistant VP of comms and before that was director of media relations. Yates is also a former Tribune reporter.
| | | IN MEMORIAM | | | A memorial service honoring William "Bill" Arthur Brandt Jr. will be held July 7 at Loyola University Chicago's Madonna Della Strada Chapel. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Marilynn Miller for correctly answering that Glessner House was named after John Glessner, who was part of the formation of International Harvester. TODAY’s QUESTION: What city did the Illinois General Assembly proclaim to be the “chili capital of the civilized world”? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Chicago Ald. Emma Mitts, Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Curry Jr., former state Rep. John D’Amico, Chicago Board of Elections Commissioner William Kresse, retired Circuit Court Judge Nick Ford, retired government affairs guru Jill Zwick, Women’s Business Development Center CEO Emilia DiMenco, Frank software company cofounder Mary Urbina-McCarthy, marketing exec Candice Kuhnen and NBC News senior VP, politics and former POLITICO Editor Carrie Budoff Brown. And belated happy birthday to business and political consultant Lee Rosenberg, who celebrated Sunday. -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 | | | | |  |
