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Presented by Uber: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | TGIF, Illinois. I’m heading into a busy block party weekend, so wish me luck in the egg toss.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, center, listens as President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy on June 28, 2023, at the Old Post Office in Chicago. | AP Photo/Evan Vucci | END OF AN ERA: Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the Civil Rights icon and former presidential candidate, is stepping down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he recently told members. His successor will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the Crusader. Still in the groove: Jackson, an 81-year-old Chicagoan, has been slowed down by Parkinson’s disease in recent years, though he remains a familiar face on the civic and political scenes. He traveled to Washington to support his son, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, when he was sworn in earlier this year. And just last month, he was front and center for President Joe Biden’s speech on the economy held in Chicago. News of Jackson’s exit from Rainbow PUSH comes as the organization holds its annual convention, which starts today and will include a reception for former campaign workers from Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential bids. Jackson’s 1984 campaign “shocked many,” according to Chinta Strausberg in the Crusader. “Running a very inclusive campaign despite the rejection of his candidacy by many key Blacks, Jackson stunned many when he won 21 percent of the popular vote” and only 8 percent of the delegate vote. In 1988, Jackson would win Michigan “even though political experts thought a Black man would never win a northern industrial state,” political consultant Delmarie Cobb, who worked on Jackson’s campaigns, told Playbook. Before politics: Jackson is also known, of course, for his work in the Civil Rights movement, having been a close aide to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Jackson’s name is synonymous with Rainbow PUSH, a nonprofit he founded and that pursues social justice and civil rights issues. VEEP VISIT: On Sunday, the Rainbow PUSH convention will feature Vice President Kamala Harris. RELATED The VP will return to Chicago on July 24 to deliver remarks on the final day of UnidosUS’ annual conference in Chicago. UnidosUS is the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Harris will also headline a fundraiser for the Biden-Harris campaign in Chicago. On Aug. 11 the VP is set to return again to Chicago for the Everytown for Gun Safety Gun Sense University, a gathering of gun control and anti-gun violence groups.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | 
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson headlined the Netroots Nation conference on Thursday in Chicago. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos | THANKS A MILLION: Mayor Brandon Johnson seems committed more than ever to a “mansion tax” on real estate transfers valued at $1 million or more. In a speech at the Netroots Nation conference of progressive leaders from across the country, Johnson hinted at the proposal he campaigned on. “As President Joe Biden has articulated, teachers and firefighters should not pay the same tax rate as millionaires or billionaires. Clearly, President Biden read my budget plan,” the mayor joked during his keynote Thursday at the Hilton Chicago event. Johnson continued, “In order to make sure that education is a human right,” as well as health care, affordable housing, climate justice, transportation and a green technology industry, “the wealthy in this country have to step up.” Does it mean a real estate transfer tax? It sure sounds like it. The proposal would more than triple the current rate paid by Chicago property buyers, from $7,500 to $26,500 per $1 million spent. Spotted at Netroots Nation: State Sen. Robert Peters, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, United Working Families Executive Director Kennedy Bartley, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (34th), Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th), Ald. Jessica Fuentes (26th) and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. RELATED — United Working Families’ new leader Kennedy Bartley says working with the mayor is about ‘co-governing,’ via In These Times’ J. Patrick Patterson and Miles Kampf-Lassin. If you are Kennedy Bartley, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | In London to speak at the Goodwood Festival about manufacturing and technology advances in Illinois.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Send me a line before I head out to the block party: skapos@politico.com
| | 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 | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — Sen. Ted Cruz, who hails from the reddest of red states, Texas, will be in Hinsdale on Monday to fundraise for the Illinois Republican Party. Details here — Running for Cook County State’s Attorney: Eileen O’Neill Burke, who recently retired as a judge so she could run for the top prosecutor’s spot, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — Problems with abuse, neglect and cover-ups at Choate extend to other developmental centers in Illinois: “Prompted by an outcry over abuse, Illinois proposed moving residents from Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center to similar facilities in the state. New reporting shows the problems at Choate are common throughout the statewide system,” by Lee Enterprises’ Molly Parker and Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer. — Illinois Freedom Caucus rallies behind 16-year-old swimmer in debate over trans people in YMCA locker room: Swimmer claims she was kicked off team after complaining about trans women in the changing area. But a spokesman says swimmer's family left on its own,” by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie. — Kraft Heinz to add 150 jobs in DeKalb with new distribution center, by Tribune’s Talia Soglin — Illinois is #2 worst state in U.S. for drought – a county-by-county breakdown, by WGN 9’s Chip Brewster — TRAFFIC REPORT: “Two decades after Illinois began collecting and analyzing data about traffic stops, Black and Latino drivers continue to be stopped at higher rates across the state according to the 2022 Illinois Traffic and Pedestrian Stop Study Act data released this week,” according to the ACLU. Read its twitter thread here. — OPINION: Willie Wilson says Black elected leaders must accept responsibility for what is happening in our community, via the Tribune
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — 3 finalists named for Chicago’s top cop. Now Mayor Brandon Johnson must pick a nominee: “Larry Snelling, Angel Novalez and Shon Barnes were named finalists for the police department’s top job following a months-long recruitment process,” via Block Club. — City Council committee advances 2-term limit on city’s top watchdog: “The reforms championed by Ethics Chair Matt Martin (47th) would limit the inspector general to two four-year terms — with firm timelines for picking a replacement and a demand for written explanations if those deadlines are not met,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Feds investigating possible minority-contracting fraud involving city deals worth millions, by Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt, A.D. Quig and Jason Meisner — 11 Chicago area tornado touchdowns confirmed, including at O'Hare, as residents clean up, reports ABC 7 — Bughouse Square storytelling event to honor novelist Toya Wolfe’s ‘Last Summer on State Street,’ by Tribune’s Rick Kogan — A correction: In Thursday's item about Italian groups butting heads, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez did not reference Al Capone in her tweet, though people commenting on her post did — and that's what's created tension among some Italian groups.
| | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | | — Now Northwestern dismisses its head baseball coach amid controversy, by Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | — Rick Heidner, Illinois video gambling mogul, and his wife owe $5 million in income tax, IRS says: “The Heidners didn’t contest that they owe $5,083,274 in personal federal income taxes from 2021. They say it will all be paid off ‘by the end of August,’” by Sun-Times’ Tim Novak and Robert Herguth. — Rahm Emanuel, the ambassador to Japan and former Chicago mayor, was in D.C. on Thursday meeting with the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is the lead Democrat on the panel. Issues discussed: economic coercion by the CCP, trade, energy security, semiconductor manufacturing and how to strengthen diplomatic ties with democratic allies in the region. Emanuel also met with Sen. Dick Durbin to discuss Japan’s role supporting Ukraine and the greater U.S.-Japanese alliance. — Matthew Glavin, a member of Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies Group, is being honored by Loyola University Chicago School of Law with its 2023 St. Robert Bellarmine award for alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professions. — Precious Brady-Davis, a Black trans appointee, talks about public office, preserving Lake Michigan and her historic first, by WBEZ’s Noah Jennings
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what weather phenomenon shook you to your core. Janice Anderson: “Naperville tornado of 2021. It hit homes on our block and tore off some of our roof.” Mike Gascoigne: “The derecho that recently hit Springfield. I’ve been paranoid about the storms since.” David Prosperi: “L.A. earthquake in 1980. I was working in the Reagan for President campaign high-rise building. I was leaning on a desk and told someone that my knees felt wobbly and I didn’t feel well. She said don’t worry it’s just an earthquake.” Mel Huang: “The February 1995 Nor'easter. I was on a trans-Atlantic flight toward Newark. We circled for hours due to runway closure.” How often do you get to the beach in the summer? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump’s 2024 media play: Less cable, more Barstool, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt — Special counsel blasts Trump’s bid to delay documents trial until 2024 election, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — Biden declares victory over Putin, as challenges mount in Ukraine, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Lemire and Alexander Ward
| | Transitions | | — Bill McCarty is now COO of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. He had been director of budget and management for the City of Springfield.
| | 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 | | | | | ENGAGED | | — Connor Coughlan, a special adviser at the State Department and a former campaigner for Chris Kennedy in Illinois, got engaged to Ellie Wheeler. a marketing director at Global Prairie in D.C. Sunny location: Navy Yard on the river in D.C.. Pix!
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Larry Werries, who served as state ag director under Thompson, dies at 83, by State Journal-Register’s Steve Spearie — Rich Bradley, founder of NPR Illinois and PMJA, dies at 83, by Current’s Tyler Falk
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to William Kresse for correctly answering that Clyde Tombaugh, who was born in Streator, Ill., went on to discover Pluto. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the last federal judge to hold a law degree — but not an undergraduate college degree? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Educational consultant William Hogan, Descript content marketing director Brandon Copple, Crown Family Philanthropies program officer Rachel Giattino, Deputy Chief of Staff and Labor Counsel for the Cook County Clerk’s Office James Gleffe, Codeverse co-founder Katy Lynch, journalist Phil Rosenthal and POLITICO alums Tina Sfondeles of the Sun-Times and Daniel Strauss with New Republic. Saturday: Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo Jr., former Congressman Dan Lipinski, state Treasurer’s Chief of Staff G. Allen Mayer, Illinois Policy Institute marketing VP Austin Berg, Aon apprenticeships director Shay Robinson, Executives’ Club comms officer Eva Penar, Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder Jr. and Bloomberg’s U.S. deals team managing editor Liana B. Baker. Sunday: Lt. Gov’s Office General Counsel and Deputy Chief Natashee Scott, Jewish United Fund Chief of Staff Jim Rosenberg, Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Marcus Towns II, American Medical Association comms VP Justin DeJong, leadership consultant Ginny Clarke, ALG Research associate Maddie Conway, entrepreneur Victoria Rivka Zell, New Trier comms director Niki Dizon and POLITICO cybersecurity engineer Kalon Makle. -30-
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