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Presented by Uber: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Good Monday morning, Illinois. On this day in 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. joined a crowd of 30,000 at the Chicago Freedom Movement Rally at Soldier Field to address housing injustice.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | A report of sexualized hazing incidents among Northwestern University’s football team has upended the school’s gridiron program and prompted state lawmakers to beef up legislation to protect students. The explosive report: A former player said the hazing occurred in the team's locker room and included a practice called “running,” where a player (usually a freshman) was restrained by as many as 10 players “who would then begin ‘dry-humping’ the victim in a dark locker room,” according to Daily Northwestern’s Nicole Markus, Alyce Brown, Cole Reynolds, and Divya Bhardwaj (student journalists!). The fallout so far: Coach Pat Fitzgerald was put on a two-week unpaid suspension by the university. School President Michael Schill then indicated stronger action should have been taken, saying he “may have erred in weighing the appropriate sanction,” according to a letter he wrote via Northwestern. And a separate letter from the “entire team” calls the Daily Northwestern’s report “exaggerated and twisted,” via ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. The investigation: Maggie Hickey, former inspector general of Illinois who previously reviewed Chicago Public Schools’ policies in wake of a separate sexual abuse scandal, led the investigation of the whistleblower’s allegations against the Northwestern football team. According to the Daily Northwestern’s report, Hickey’s investigation "revealed that while current and former players ‘varied on their perspective regarding the conduct, the whistleblower’s claims were ‘largely supported by evidence.’” Springfield responds: State Rep. Kam Buckner, who played defensive tackle in college for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, called the Northwestern report “disturbing” and told Playbook, “if the allegations are true it amounts to much more than hazing, which in and of itself is bad enough. It amounts to sexual assault.” State Sen. Napoleon Harris, who played football at Northwestern, did not immediately return a request for comment. Ramped up legislation: Buckner said the hazing report has prompted him to add new language to legislation he’s already working on to create a college athletes bill of rights in Illinois similar to a measure passed by the California state legislature. “Protecting student athletes from exploitation is not just an economic and educational conversation. It has to be all inclusive.” Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois and is classified as a Class A misdemeanor unless it results in death or “great bodily harm,” in which case it is a Class 4 felony. National anti-hazing legislation has languished in Congress. Sen. Tammy Duckworth most recently signed on to the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act. The federal measure would require colleges to issue annual reports on hazing incidents, similar to how sexual assault cases are often handled.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | 
Kina Collins is running for congress in the 7th Congressional District. | Photo provided by Collins campaign | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democrat Kina Collins, an activist who has twice made a bid for Congressman Danny Davis’ IL-07 House seat, is hoping three times is a charm. She has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run again. From Collins: “My candidacy presents Danny Davis with the most significant primary challenge of his 25-year career in Congress,” Collins said in a statement. She added that she already has momentum for 2024, with numerous elected officials on her side, including some progressive Chicago aldermen. Here’s the full list. Also, serving as Collins’ campaign chair is Martese Chism, with the National Nurses United union and a 2016 Bernie Sanders delegate. Their history: Collins lost to Davis, 52 percent to 45 percent, in the 2022 Illinois primary — an improvement from 2020’s 60 percent to 14 percent. Their support groups: Last year, Collins was endorsed by several progressive groups, including Justice Democrats. Davis, whose record also aligns with progressives, was backed by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Also eyeing IL-07: Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin has launched an exploratory committee to run for IL-07 seat.
| | A message from Uber: What the City of Chicago uncovered about Uber. An independent study by the City of Chicago found that most Uber and Lyft drivers make $21-$30 per hour and earn over $1,000 a week* on average. Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study. *Full-time TNP driver avg hourly and weekly earnings, PPV Study April,'23 | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | Sheraton Grand Chicago Hotel at 11:30 a.m. to announce a record Illinois tourism milestone. — At Bank of America Advanced Center in Chicago at 6:35 p.m. to give remarks at the opening of TechChicago Week.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Start the week off right and send me a line: skapos@politico.com
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is spending $3.2 million on a Chicago ad campaign focused on promoting free speech. Along with TV and radio ads and billboards around town, the group will be giving away 1,791 free hot dogs at Clark Street Dog on July 19. The “Free Chicago Dogs for Free Speech” event celebrates the 1791 passage of the First Amendment. The campaign is designed to raise awareness about supporting free speech, according to organizers. “Chicagoans know what it means to create and sustain a robust culture of free expression. We’re excited to celebrate that by giving away free Chicago dogs with a side of free speech — just hold the ketchup,” mused spokesman Daniel Burnett in a statement. — SENATE ANGLING: Here are the eight candidates who applied in time to be considered for the 20th District state Senate seat previously held by Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who’s now in the mayor’s office: Rep. Jaime Andrade, consultant and Harris School of Public Policy instructor Thomas Day, Pacione-Zayas’ Senate district director Graciela Guzman, chief of staff at Aspira nonprofit Edgar Lopez, Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada chief of staff Daisy Navar, Dave Nayak, elections attorney Ross Secler and Chicago Public Schools teacher Natalie Toro. Voting on the candidates (and their weighted votes): Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1), committeeperson Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez (26), former Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), Ald. Scott Waguespack (32), Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez (33), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), state Sen. Ram Villivalam (39), Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) and committeeperson Paul Rosenfeld (47).
| | | | JOIN 7/11 FOR A TALK ON THE FAA’S FUTURE: Congress is making moves to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, laying the groundwork for the FAA’s long-term agenda to modernize the aviation sector to meet the challenges of today and innovate for tomorrow. Join POLITICO on July 11 to discuss what will make it into the final reauthorization bill and examine how reauthorization will reshape FAA’s priorities and authorities. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — IDOT unveils 6-year, $41B plan for infrastructure projects: “It’s the largest multiyear plan in state history [and] driven by the state’s 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure program. The initial six-year Rebuild Illinois plan included $33.2 billion for transportation, funded largely by annualized increases to the state’s motor fuel tax and increases to driving-related licensing fees that took effect in 2020,” writes Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — State ends fiscal year with record $50.7B in base revenue, sparking small surplus, by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki. — Cities have long planned for extreme heat, but is it enough in a warming world? The Associated Press’ Melina Walling and Isabella O’Malley report
| | | CHICAGO | | MIGRANT CRISIS: Investigation into claims of sexual impropriety has begun: “Dozens of immigrants were moved from the Ogden district police station on the Southwest Side Friday afternoon, a day after officials said they were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving officers and at least one immigrant temporarily housed there,” by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba, Michael Loria, Kaitlin Washburn and Violet Miller. — Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez tangles with Italian American group over tweet: Hateful messages spewed after Rodriguez Sanchez posts what she says was a “lighthearted” poll about “the Best Way to honor Italian Heritage in Chicago,’” by Tribune's Hank Sanders. — Activists push for landmark status at Burr Oak Cemetery, where there are ‘improvements to be made’: “More than a decade after scandal hit the historic cemetery, local advocates say there’s still much left to be desired, with wooden markers broken and rain causing Emmett Till’s grave to constantly be submerged,” by Sun-Times’ Violet Miller. — Chicago firefly populations 'off to an absolutely terrible start this year’: “Experts say firefly populations have been under stress for reasons that include bright lights, dry weather and things we do that hurt the environment,” by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase. — Only one veteran from WWII will be on honor flight departing Chicago, by Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito — How Chicago tour guides are fighting segregation, by Tribune’s Jenna Smith
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Collar county seniors are in line for a bigger property tax break, if not lower tax bills: “The increase is thanks to a law passed nearly unanimously in 2022 boosting the exemption to $8,000 from $5,000, matching the value of the benefit seniors in Cook County already receive. The value for eligible homeowners in downstate counties remains at $5,000,” by Daily Herald’s Jake Griffin. — How Kane County has reduced its backlog of people languishing in jail: “Key to the effort was something Kane County judges simply call ‘the list.’ It’s a weekly spreadsheet, with special tabs, that lists details of every pending case involving a defendant jailed at least a year,” by Tribune’s Joe Mahr. — Winnetka taking a closer look at billionaire’s planned land swap near beach popular with dog owners, by Sun-Times’ Michael Sneed — Campton Hills police chief placed on leave: “The village said it's "financial in nature," and is related to Millar's role as police chief,” via ABC 7.
| | | Reader Digest | | | We asked what your post-retirement gig might be. Brian Bernardoni: Give Wrigley Field tours. Ed Mazur: Give Chicago Architecture tours. Mark Rosenberg: To be a professor of baseball. Claude Walker: “I’m doing it! Volunteering for the Pinellas Dems in Florida, paddling, pedaling, painting. I’m not retired — but refired!” How were you hazed in school? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | UNLEASH THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE WITH POLITICO, A 7/20 INTERACTIVE EVENT: Imagine a future where rare genetic diseases are not only treatable, but potentially curable. Where our approach to chronic illness takes a monumental leap forward. That future is already taking shape in the form of next-generation health care treatments such as gene therapy. Join POLITICO on Thursday, July 20 and delve into the burgeoning field of gene therapies, which hold the power to redefine our health care landscape. Are you ready to explore this new frontier in health care? Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | DELEGATION | | — ENTERPRISE: A former interpreter for U.S. military escaped the Taliban with help of an Army vet and Krishnamoorthi’s office: For 16 months, U.S. Army veteran Chris McClanathan and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s office “worked every angle possible to rescue Romal, whose situation grew more perilous with each passing day,” writes Tribune’s Stacy St. Clair.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The testosterone primary of 2024 is ‘getting out of hand,’ by POLITICO’s Adam Wren — House GOP treads lightly in culture war on Wall Street, by POLITICO’s Zachary Warmbrodt and Eleanor Mueller — Dems’ mission to stop a third-party presidential bid hits the Hill, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett — IN MEMORIAM: James Lewis, the sole suspect in the 1982 Tylenol murders, has died, by Tribune’s Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair
| | Transitions | | — Connor Sloan is now district scheduler for Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). He most recently was assistant director of scheduling for the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. — Ryan Hughes has been named assistant VP at communications and marketing agency JConnelly. He most recently was senior manager at Hiltzik Strategies.
| | | TRIVIA | | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur and Ashvin Lad for correctly answering that Dakin Williams, brother of Tennessee Williams, ran for Senate and governor of Illinois. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Polish-born Chicago Cubs pitcher who surrendered Stan Musial's 3,000 base hit? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from Uber: Going where taxis won’t go
The City of Chicago’s own study found that nearly 30% of Uber & Lyft rides start in underserved neighborhoods like Avalon Park and Pullman.*
Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study.
*PPV Study April,'23 | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Congressman John Cox Jr., former state Rep. Carol Sente, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President and CEO Mark Denzler, civic activist Toni Canada, Kittleman & Associates principal consultant Sunny Fischer, OMP Strategy & Advocacy Group President Olivia Pantoja, CivicLab co-founder Tom Tresser, journalist Brandon Smith, Wall Street Journal restaurants reporter Heather Haddon and downstate Illinois journalist Paul Wood. -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 | | | | |  |
