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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | It’s Thursday, Illinois. On today’s menu: hot and humid.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is facing increased scrutiny from frustrated City Council members about how to handle the migrant crisis in their communities, including alleged “lawlessness.” At a hearing Wednesday, aldermen complained about alleged sex trafficking, drug dealing, pot-smoking and reports of dozens of young people “with guns in their waistbands,” Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman details the hearing here. And the complaints aren’t just about migrants but also about community members around shelters. South Side Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) criticized the mayor’s office for making a “beautiful presentation” about migrants in the city, but “it does not paint the picture of what is actually happening,” according to Fran’s story. North Side Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) echoed Taylor, saying there’s “no rule of law,” and Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) sent a letter to the mayor, citing examples of “drug sales,” “male and female prostitution” and “human trafficking.” Fifth Floor response: “We take these allegations very seriously. They are activities that are harmful to both asylum seekers and to the neighboring residents,” Beatriz Ponce de León, the deputy mayor for immigrant, migrant and refugee rights, told Playbook. Some additional police presence has been added to the shelter in Taylor’s district, and other allegations are being examined before further action can be taken, Ponce de León said. Persistent problem: The migrant crisis is one of the Johnson administration’s greatest challenges. And it’s not going away. Migrants have arrived in Chicago nearly every day for weeks mostly by bus, with as many as 50 to 60 passengers each day, and sometimes by plane. “Our highest priority is to move asylum seekers from police stations into temporary shelters and put them on a path to resettlement,” Ponce de León said. There’s no playbook for it: “It's a federal issue, and we need some federal solutions,” Ponce de León added. “But right now, Chicago is handling the crisis the best that we can.” Aldermen are calling on Chicago’s congressional delegation to step up for federal disaster aid, reports ABC 7’s Sarah Schulte RELATED Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) has written the mayor asking for more officers as his North Side ward has seen an uptick in crime. He also asked Johnson to hire a police superintendent who is “committed to an enlightened and creative community policing strategy and an equitable deployment of officers in every district throughout all of Chicago.”
| | THE BUZZ | | Richard Porter, a Chicago attorney and Republican national committeeman, is endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president — and speaking out about why Donald Trump could lose in a general election. In a column published in Real Clear Politics, Porter gives Trump props for his “epic” 2016 victory and for having “some success” in the White House but also calls him a flawed candidate. Why we care: “Porter becomes the highest-ranking member of the Illinois GOP to announce a break with Trump,” notes Tribune’s Rick Pearson. And Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet writes: “His speaking out is significant because so many local and national Republicans are remaining silent.” In his column, Porter praises Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy, who would each “match up well against President Biden in a general election.” But the challenge is securing the nomination to get to the general election, Porter says. “I believe that after flirting with other attractive candidates, the Republican alternative who will emerge is Ron DeSantis.” He adds: “Trump voters will not vote for an anti-Trump, or someone that ‘agrees’ with our policies but is ‘nicer’ to those that hate us and hate America.” The real choice, he says: “Our nominee will either be Trump or someone better than Trump — someone with chutzpah, but savvier and more likely to succeed.” If you are Timmy Knudsen, Playbook would like to hear how the mayor responds. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Prysmian Du Quoin Plant at 10 a.m. to announce the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois agreement — At Hoyleton Youth and Family Services at 12:30 p.m. for a groundbreaking of the campus expansion — At Temple Jeremiah in Northfield at 6 p.m. to discuss gun violence prevention.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Just because it’s muggy outside, doesn’t mean you can’t write. Send me a line at skapos@politico.com
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Chicago, Milwaukee seek extra $50M to cover convention security: Congressional delegations from Illinois and Wisconsin “are seeking $75 million for each host city to cover security for the presidential nominating conventions, up from the $50 million that is currently slated. That amount hasn’t changed since 2004,” report Bloomberg’s Shruti Singh and Alyce Andres.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — STATE SENATE MOVES. State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt has made it official: She’s retiring from her 5th District seat. “It’s time to pass the torch,” she said in a statement Wednesday. Back in January, the West Side Democrat told Playbook she would be stepping down, but she didn’t put a timeline on it. Van Pelt had two hip replacements “but insisted she was still doing work for her constituents, despite not being in Springfield during the spring session,” reports Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner. And state Sen. Tom Bennett, a Republican from Gibson City, has announced that he will retire when his term ends in 2025. Bennett is a former state representative who was appointed in January to fill the seat of former state Sen. Jason Barickman, who stepped down.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — Pritzker signs bill aimed at ending homelessness in Illinois by bringing agencies together for comprehensive plan, by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock — State paid at least $5.2B in fraudulent or excessive unemployment claims during pandemic, audit finds, by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — Need to renew your driver’s license? Starting Sept. 1, you’ll need an appointment, by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITORIAL: L.A.’s bail reform is an improvement, but falls short of what Illinois has done — It's slim pickings for southern Illinois peaches this year — and you'll pay more, reports St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer
| | CHICAGO | | — New Chicago Public Schools board lays out ambitious agenda for school system: Some goals include embracing students with disabilities, “dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline” and creating a 10-year master facilities plan that would invest in neighborhood schools, reports WBEZ’s Sarah Karp. — Chicago’s Urban Prep school for boys wins right to remain open this fall: “A judge rejected Chicago Public Schools’ plans for a takeover,” by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp. — Patrick Daley Thompson should be suspended, according to disciplinary board: The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission says the nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley committed “criminal acts that reflect adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer. … The board’s report is only a recommendation. The [state] Supreme Court has final say on any discipline,” by Law Bulletin’s Emma Oxnevad. — Former CPD official accuses top cop of retaliating against her after she headed investigation that led to his suspension, by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba — A Chicago Park District lifeguard was fired after he allegedly ‘inappropriately touched’ a girl, by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos. — Chicago’s downtown buildings are slowly sinking. Study shows underground climate change is the culprit, report Tribune’s Adriana Pérez and Rebecca Johnson. — What ‘The Bear’ gets right about Chicago: The show celebrates “ambition, and Chicago, and the freedom the nation’s third-largest city can offer to follow your ambitions on your own terms,” by Nicholas Cannariato for The New York Times.
| | | 2024 WATCH | | | — Eileen O’Neill Burke has won some labor endorsements in her bid for Cook County state’s attorney, including from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 and the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA. — Other than Coroner Rob Russell, Kane GOP lacks countywide candidates for 2024, by Shaw Local’s Brenda Schory — Kelli Wegener, who’s running for McHenry County Board chair, has been endorsed by LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council.
| | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | | — They’re arguing about pickleball in Lake Bluff: The village and Park District are at odds about who has authority to operate the courts, reports Pioneer Press’ Daniel I. Dorfman. — Video update of Arlington Park demolition, via WGN 9’s Sarah Jindra.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — State Supreme Court rules man who pleaded guilty to murder he didn’t commit can get certificate of innocence, by Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm
| | TAKING NAMES | | — JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot reflect on what Rocky Wirtz, Jim Crown meant to Chicago: They were two “huge civic leaders,” via NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern. — Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison was elected chair of the National Association of County LGBT Leaders and Allies Caucus at the National Association of Counties last weekend in Austin, Texas.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about the biggest party you’ve ever attended. Ald. Bennett Lawson and political mom Patricia Ann Watson: The gathering at Grant Park the night Barack Obama won the presidency. Matthew Beaudet: Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party. Stella Black: “Willie Brown's party at Fisherman’s Wharf during the San Francisco Democratic Convention.” Charles Keller: “At Navy Pier on Aug. 12, 1978, when bands played on barges tied to the dock.” Jim LaCognata: “Running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. For a week, it was a 24/7 party with buckets of sangria.” Yanzi Mendez: New Year's Eve at Union Station with musical guest B.B. King. Marilynn Miller: The Harold Washington mayoral victory party. Daniel Goldwin: “Last month’s St. John's Festival in Porto, Portugal, made New Years Eve in Times Square look like child's play.” John F. McCabe: The July 3rd Fireworks Display in Grant Park. Andy Shaw: Summer parties hosted on the Lake Geneva estate of the late philanthropist Richard Driehaus. Who’s a favorite singer/musician who also goes political? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, is among at least 25 members of Congress who drive electric vehicles. The big question: Will they steer changes to transportation and energy policy? Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, recently spoke about her new Bolt on the House floor. POLITICO's E&E News’ Mia McCarthy reports
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Some Republicans fear they may be focusing too much on the Hunter Biden ‘soap opera,’ by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison and Ally Mutnick — About Hunter: Judge declines to approve his plea deal for now, by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan and Josh Gerstein. And Woodruff Swan scooped a copy of the proposed plea deal. — McConnell had a health episode, alarming Senate GOP, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett
| | WELCOME TO THE WORLD | | — Alice James Marron Mahoney blessed proud parents Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political reporter, and Mike Mahoney, the Will County executive's chief of staff, on July 3 and has been depriving them of sleep and bringing them unparalleled joy ever since. Pic!
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Former Ald. Luis Gutierrez, who went on to become a congressman, once did an ad for Edy’s Ice Cream. TODAY’s QUESTION: What two Top 40 songs mention the Illinois Central Railroad? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett, former congressional candidate Jonathan Swain, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary for Manufacturing Chandra Brown, Lime Chief Business Officer David Spielfogel, MK Communications VP Brian Berg, Conlon Strategies consultant Barbara Lumpkin and Jenner & Block Chicago Managing Partner Melissa Root. -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 | | | | |  |
