Kamala Harris and the politics of Jesse Jackson

By Shia Kapos

Good Monday morning, Illinois. Our bock party ruled.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Chicago’s South Side on Sunday to celebrate the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s retirement and praise his career of trying to unify Americans. It was the perfect set-up for a political message “to stand together” against “extremists” who have an “agenda to divide us.”

About the campaign: It was a speech that didn’t break new ground on the path to 2024 but was a reminder of how important Harris is to energizing the Black vote.

From the VP: “In this moment across our country, we are witnessing hard-fought, hard-won freedoms under full attack,” Harris said, ticking off the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action and student debt relief and the banning of books “to prevent the teaching of America's full history,” Harris said.

Harris said Jackson’s call for “unity” over the past 50 years resonates today in standing up against those fights. Sunday’s crowd at Rainbow PUSH’s annual conference at Apostolic Church of God responded with standing ovations for Harris as well as Jackson and his successor, Rev. Frederick Haynes III from Dallas.

Jackson’s son, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, also spoke — criticizing those “who don’t think you deserve to be there,” referring to Harris being the first Black woman in the White House. “For America to be the nation we want it to be," he said, "we need people sitting at the table when the policies are being made.”

Rev. Jackson’s speech was short, but his message was clear. He might be retiring, but he’ll still be fighting the good fight. He said he’s only making “a pivot.” And he drew applause with his signature, “Keep hope alive.”

Remembering the presidential runs: Harris said she used to drive to law school classes in California in a Toyota Corolla with a “Jesse Jackson for President” sticker on her back window. She marveled at all the thumbs up and honks with approval that the sticker got. Earlier, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke in a video presentation saying cherished the “Action Jackson” T-shirt his grandmother gave to him when Jackson was running for president.

Here’s Congressman Jackson’s speech and VP Harris’ speech

And a message from President Joe Biden on Rev. Jackson’s retirement

From the Tribune: Vice President Kamala Harris praises Rev. Jesse Jackson as he is ‘pivoting’ from heading Rainbow PUSH, by Hank Sanders and Rick Pearson

OPINION: Jesse Jackson’s passing of the civil rights torch is an example of unselfish leadership, by Sun-Times’ Mary Mitchell

RELATED

SCOOP: Democratic National Party Chair Jaime Harrison is hosting a National Finance Committee retreat in Chicago in September with top donors and party members. It’s one of numerous events expected to be held in Chicago by the national Democratic Party ahead of the Democratic National Convention in 2024.

SCOOP: Republican presidential candidate and former VP Mike Pence is scheduled to be in Chicago on Tuesday for a fundraiser for his campaign. (Hey, we’d love to hear details.)

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is fundraising, too. Event details here

IN MEMORIAM: U.S. District Judge James Zagel, who presided over some of the most famous and infamous cases in Illinois history — including the corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich — has died. He was 82.

From the Sun-Times: “Zagel presided over thousands of cases during his nearly 30-year career on the bench and also kept busy outside the courtroom. He played a judge in the 1989 film ‘Music Box’ and wrote a novel about a federal judge who robs the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago,” by David Struett.

“Jim Zagel was a Renaissance man — a lover of the arts, music and literature,” Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said in a written statement announcing Zagel’s death.

Along with the Blagojevich case, Zagel oversaw the Operation Family Secrets trial of the Chicago Outfit that saw mobsters Joseph “Joey the Clown” Lombardo and Frank Calabrese Sr. get convicted.

Before he served on the bench, Zagel was a lawyer. In 1966, he was on the team prosecuting Richard Speck, accused of murdering eight student nurses at a Chicago apartment. “The Speck case put Zagel at the forefront of forensic science and psychology,” the court said in its obituary for Zagel.

If you are Jaime Harrison, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.

In England promoting Illinois with businesses and government officials.

At the Roberto Clemente Community Academy at 11:30 a.m. to announce the opening of a pilot CPS welcome center for newly arriving families.

No official public events.

Start the week off right and send me a line: skapos@politico.com

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, right, took part in the "Server for an Hour" event at the Netroots Nation conference in Chicago last week. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos

— It was substance over celebrity at the national Netroots Nation conference for progressives: Congressional superstars like Bernie Sanders or AOC, who had visited in years' past, didn't show up. pop by. But Illinois Congressmembers Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez and Jan Schakowsky from Chicago all did. And the opening day headliner was Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a star in Chicago, for sure, but whose work as a union organizer was little known a year ago on the national scene.

No one we talked to cared about who was on stage. They were more interested in issues. Your Playbook host attended the conference.

— Brandon Johnson’s election and Illinois’ liberalized social policies rally the three-day conference, writes Tribune’s Rick Pearson

— Illinois is among the states pushing for U.S. census corrections to boost funding: “In his correction request, Gov. JB Pritzker didn’t specify how many people he believes were missed but cited the bureau’s estimate of almost 2 percent of the population,” by The Associated Press’ Mike Schneider.

— Illinois Supreme Court expected to rule on elimination of cash bail Tuesday: “Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington ruled last year that the cashless bail provision of the SAFE-T Act was unconstitutional. The ruling was issued only days before the state was scheduled to eliminate cash bail Jan. 1,” by Shaw News’ Felix Sarver.

— Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has been appointed to the Route 66 Centennial Commission by President Joe Biden.

— Ides of March’s Jim Peterik collapses on stage in Des Plaines, is expected to be OK, by Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky

JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 at 5:15 PM ET. We'll explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? How are advances in technology shaking things up? And, what's the future for energy consumption reduction? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW.

— Worst American city for pensions confronts a $35B crisis: “Just as Chicago reels from a spate of shootings and carjackings, inequities exacerbated by the pandemic and high-profile corporate departures, its pension gap creates a financial burden that threatens its recovery and the mayor’s agenda. The situation makes for a cautionary tale for municipalities across the country facing long-neglected contributions and funding shortfalls,” by Bloomberg’s Shruti Singh.

— City Council committee tiptoes toward sidewalk snow removal mandate: “Chief sponsor Gilbert Villegas (36th) wanted to move more quickly but his colleagues worry it could create an unrealistic and costly expectation,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

— As asylum-seekers struggle while waiting for work permits, Chicago businesses can’t fill jobs, by Tribune’s Laura Rodríguez Presa, Talia Soglin and Nell Salzman

— Chicago watchdog says Ald. Jim Gardiner, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot violated city ethics code, by Tribune’s Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt

— Former ComEd CEO says her bribery conviction shouldn’t lead to sanctions against her law license: “Anne Pramaggiore was found guilty of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Now she’s fighting to keep her law license,” by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.

— PPP fraud suspected of 5 more Cook County workers, including woman who used money to pay for daughter’s wedding, report says, by Sun-Times’ Frank Main

A message from Uber:

— Costly Deep Tunnel flooding project can’t handle Chicago area’s severe storms fueled by climate change: “They’ve been talking about the Deep Tunnel, and that it’s not ready. And that even when it is completed, it still won’t be enough,” said Shapearl Wells, who watched water in her west suburban Cicero basement reach waist high within an hour. “It is still not going to be sufficient to prevent this type of catastrophic disaster in the future — even if they finished it all today.” Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne and Adriana Pérez report.

— New development lets homebuyers live within acclaimed Kemper Lakes golf course, by Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson

— Trial date set for father of alleged Highland Park parade shooter: ‘It’s a rare case with rare facts,’ by Lake County-Sun’s Clifford Ward

— Chicago man who stole items from Pelosi’s office during U.S. Capitol assault gets 51 months in prison, by Tribune’s Jason Meisner

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We should have known better than to ask political nerds about going to the beach.

Let’s move on.

What part of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s career sticks with you most? Email skapos@politico.com

— Sen. Tammy Duckworth blasts Tuberville’s hold on military promotions, calling it a danger to national security: “We’ve given him many options for a vote, and he’s turned them all down,” Duckworth said, via POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity.

— Joe Biden is redefining presidential campaign frugality, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein and Jessica Piper

— A group of GOP centrists threatens hardline tactics on tax bill, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris and Benjamin Guggenheim

— Teamsters president says he’s asked the White House not to intervene if UPS workers go on strike, by The Associated Press

— Kamaria Morris is now deputy comms director for Gov. JB Pritzker. She was assistant comms director in the governor’s office. Earlier, Morris was public information officer for Illinois Capital Development Board.

— Alex Gough is now press secretary for Gov. JB Pritzker after serving as senior deputy press secretary. Earlier, he was on the comms team for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

— Olivia Kuncio moves to senior deputy press secretary in the governor’s office after serving as deputy press secretary. She had been a PR representative for Chicago Public Library.

— Veteran journalists Jennifer Fuller and Molly Parker will join Capitol News Illinois’ newsroom this month, expanding the outlet’s broadcast and investigative presence. Fuller was associate director at WSIU broadcasting, and Parker was a reporting fellow with ProPublica.

— Leigh Giangreco is now a politics reporter at Crain's. She has been freelancing in Chicago for the past few years.

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.*

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— Renault Robinson, 80, dies: “He co-founded the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League, an organization of Black police officers who advocated for police reform and racial equality within the force,” by Sun-Times’ Jacquelyne Germain.

FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Graham Grady for correctly answering that Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois was the last federal judge to hold a law degree but not an undergrad degree.

TODAY’s QUESTION: How did Lake Michigan get its name? Email skapos@politico.com

Former Ald. Leslie Hairston, SEIU Local 73 Political Director Maurice Green, political consultant Art Turner, campaign consultant Alaina Hampton and JPMorgan Chase senior associate Melanie Beatus Ettleson.

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