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Presented by Uber: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. If I win tonight's Powerball, I won’t be back, folks.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | |  The Illinois Supreme Court, whose building is in Springfield, upheld the constitutionality of a state law ending cash bail. | AP Photo/Seth Perlman | | The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the end of cash bail, putting Illinois on the map as the first state to equalize the judicial system that until now has disproportionately jailed Black and brown defendants who can’t afford to pay their bond. But it’s not the end of the debate. Our inbox was full of statements from Republican leaders criticizing the ruling. It’s a signal the cash bail law will be a talking point in 2022 – even though the law will already be in effect. The GOP outrage: Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) predicted the law “will flood the streets” with dangerous criminals. State Sen. Andrew Chesney accused Democrats of enacting “the most radical soft-on-crime policies in the country.” And state Republican Senate Leader John Curran called for a special session of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly “to properly address the negative impact on the public before this reckless statute goes into effect in just 60 days.” Sounds familiar: Republicans used similar language ahead of the 2022 election. Broadsheet publications designed to read like real newspapers fueled misinformation about the criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act, which includes eliminating cash bail. The publications stirred confusion and forced Democrats to spend time explaining the nuances of the law, even though it had already passed and had nothing to do with the election itself. Ultimately, Democrats came out ahead after the election, gaining even more seats in the General Assembly and re-electing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who had signed the law abolishing cash bail. What’s next: Watch for Republicans to revisit the 2022 campaign tactic nonetheless. From the right: “Democrats’ position on eliminating cash bail and being soft on crime will be a top issue that will impact the 2024 election — especially in the suburbs,” GOP political consultant Jon Zahm told Playbook. It’s a familiar GOP strategy, said Constance Mixon, a political science professor at Elmhurst University who has analyzed Chicago campaigns and elections for more than two decades. Since 2016, “Republicans in Illinois and nationally have used fear tactics around crime to try to bring critical suburban voters back to their party,” she said. The question is whether it will work. “If Republicans continue with the Trump-Bailey playbook in the 2024 cycle, Democrats are going to grow their majorities in Springfield,” predicted Democratic consultant Ron Holmes, referring to Republican Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in 2022. Pritzker’s response: “I’m pleased. ... We can now move forward with historic reform to ensure pre-trial detainment is determined by the danger an individual poses to the community instead of by their ability to pay their way out of jail.” Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul, echoed the governor, saying, ““I am pleased — although not surprised… Attorneys from my office have spent many months defending the SAFE-T Act’s constitutionality in courtrooms throughout Illinois against meritless challenges.” Read Tuesday's full opinion here Here’s how pre-trial release will work, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Note, judges can still keep the dangerous folks behind bars. Illinois could be a national model for eliminating cash bail, but implementation is another test, by WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan and Alex Degman What's next: Illinois Supreme Court sets Sept. 18 as start date for new system, by Tribune’s Dan Petrella, Jeremy Gorner and Madeline Buckley
| | THE BUZZ | | | | 
Kaitlin Delaney, left, and Kelsey Nulph, who were close advisers to former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have launched Ignite Blue Partners. | Photo provided | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Kelsey Nulph and Kaitlin Delaney, close advisers to former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have launched Ignite Blue Partners, a political strategy firm that will advise clients from the corporate and nonprofit worlds as well as offer event planning and management. "Working in the mayor's office, we had the great privilege of seeing the city in an intimate way, celebrating alongside residents on the best days of their lives and mourning with Chicagoans in some of the city's darkest times," Nulph told Playbook. "We wanted to honor those experiences and create a platform where we could implement all that we've learned.” They’ve got the chops: Nulph was senior adviser to Lightfoot, managing the former mayor’s initiatives, including Chicago’s successful bid to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Delaney was director of scheduling and advance for Lightfoot, managing high-profile events such as visits by the Biden administration. Nulph and Delaney will both hold the title of principal and founding partner of the firm. Word on the street is that they already have clients on board. If you are Dan Proft, Playbook would like to know if you’re going to bring back the broadsheets of 2022. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | In England for a trade mission and holding a virtual press conference with local reporters to talk about it.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At City Hall to at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the City Council.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Building at 9 a.m. to announce $40 million in small business grant awards. After playing Powerball, send me a line: 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 | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — The new Rainbow PUSH leader vows to fight recent Supreme Court decisions: “With Jesse Jackson pivoting to a new role, Frederick D. Haynes, III is preparing to take the mantle as head of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition,” by WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. — State Sen. Mike Simmons will be in Washington, D.C.. today for a meeting on child care policy proposals along with senior White House officials and other state leaders. The meeting will be livestreamed here at 7:30 a.m. CT (in just a few minutes!). — Green Thumb worker death triggers Teamsters criticism, by Green Market’s John Schroyer — What to know about Illinois' $68M Instagram settlement, by NBC 5
| | SPOTLIGHT | | Ald. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council, criticized Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal’s comments in Chicago at the Netroots Nation conference over the weekend. “Rep. Pramila Jayapal called Israel a ‘racist state.’ This hateful statement comes as antisemitism spikes across the nation,” Silverstein said in a statement. “Israel is not a racist state. It is a thriving democracy, which has made tremendous contributions to the global community.” Since her comment, Jayapal has tried clarifying her remark, saying she supports “a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.” She also argued that she and other politicians of color have been unfairly singled out for criticizing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, reports Seattle Times’ Jim Brunner. RELATED: Dems grit their teeth through another awkward Israel dustup — and GOP-forced rebuke, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu and Sarah Ferris
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Police oversight agency says it can’t find migrants who were allegedly sexually abused by cops: “Officials said victims of alleged sexual abuse may have left the city. Meanwhile, another sex abuse complaint was lodged against an officer at a Lakeview police district,” by Block Club’s Alex V. Hernandez. — How a group of community leaders worked to choose 3 finalists for Chicago’s next police superintendent, by WTTW’s Paris Schutz and Paul Caine — City Council members to propose 2-year timeline for eliminating ‘sub-minimum’ wage: “Despite the proposal, however, Ald. Ramirez-Rosa acknowledged negotiations with the restaurant industry continue and may result in an even longer phase-in period,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Obama Foundation gives $1M to prevent summer violence by funding safe spaces for young Black and brown men: “More than 30 community groups received $30,000 to organize summer violence prevention programs,” by Block Club’s Maxwell Evans. — Argonne scientists test South Side air, rain to find ways to tackle climate-related problems, by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — 1st lawsuit filed against Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern leaders stemming from hazing scandal: “The player, identified in the lawsuit as John Doe, alleged Tuesday in the Cook County Court in Chicago that Fitzgerald, Northwestern President Michael Schill, the board of trustees and athletic director Derrick Gragg enabled and concealed sexual misconduct and racial discrimination,” by The Associated Press’ Larry Lage.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Tax relief: Watch for Cook County Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas to stand with members of the Pilsen neighborhood today to talk about successful efforts to help alleviate the property tax burden faced by some residents. — Rare downzoning in Arlington Heights aimed at preserving century-old homes, by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek
| | | | 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 about your favorite outdoor concert. James Castro: “Tony Bennett at Ravinia.” Daniel Goldwin: “Jimmy Buffet at Wrigley Field.” Kent Gray: “The 2016 three-day weekend of Desert Trip (Oldchella): The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, The Who, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan and Neal Young.” Lucas Hawley: “Ramstein at Soldier Field, the Germans put on one crazy metal show.” Mel Huang: “Garth Brooks in Central Park in NYC, when an estimated 1 million showed up.” Ashvin Lad: “Tom Petty at Wrigley Field.” Marilynn Miller: “It was a 1970s-era 4th of July concert at Grant Park.” Jennifer Olaya: “Foo Fighters at Lollapalooza 2021, after people were emerging from lockdown." Mark Peysakhovich: “Dead shows in Las Vegas were always a lot of fun! But it all kind of blurs together.” Andy Shaw: “Springsteen at Soldier Field in 1985.” Warren Silver: “The 2018 performance of Bernstein's ‘Mass’ at Ravinia. Marin Alsop conducted and our daughter sang in the chorus.” Claude Walker: “The B-52s and Violent Femmes at the 1992 Illinois State Fair.” Steven Zaris: “David Lowery’s bands (Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker) at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Square Roots Festival in 2019.” How do you pick your Powerball or lottery numbers? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Looming indictment wrenches open the central question of 2024: Is Trump fit to serve? POLITICO’s Adam Wren and Natalie Allison report — House GOP support for Santos censure builds, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers, Sarah Ferris and Nicholas Wu — It may be Tim Scott’s moment — but he just can’t seem to catch fire, by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker
| | 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 | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — Kathy Posner is now a senior adviser to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham’s campaign. A Democrat, Cunningham was appointed to the state's high court last year to serve out the remainder of the term of Anne Burke, who retired. Posner is a longtime Chicago political consultant. — Carrie Zalewski is joining American Clean Power as vice president of markets and transmission. She was chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission and earlier served on the boards of the Organization of MISO States and Organization of PJM States.
| | | IN MEMORIAM | | | — Drinda OConnor, who worked for the Illinois Department of Human Services and earlier headed community affairs for both Govs. James Thompson and Jim Edgar, has died. More in her obit
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Patricia Ann Watson for correctly answering that Rockford first saw passenger train service on Aug. 2, 1852, when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad started running there. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who are the only African Americans buried in the Downers Grove Main Street Cemetery? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Cook County Judge Fredrick Bates, former U.S. Attorney Ron Safer, chief of staff to the lieutenant governor Charles Watkins, Advocate Aurora Health Government Relations Director Crystal Olsen and Illinois Channel Executive Director Terry Martin. -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 | | | | |  |
