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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. It’s the ‘First Day in August.’
|  | TOP TALKER | | It was no coincidence that Gov. JB Pritzker chose Monday to announce several initiatives and programs that boost access to reproductive health care in Illinois. The big roll-out came a day ahead of the start of Indiana’s near-total abortion ban, which was approved after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed Roe v. Wade. Now, every state that borders Illinois bans or dramatically restricts abortion, giving Illinois the title of being an “oasis” for abortion care. Illinois has “doubled down” on expanding reproductive health access for patients and to protect providers, Pritzker said Monday, at a news conference at the University of Illinois Chicago. The latest big initiative is a hotline to help high-risk patients get abortions at hospitals: The program starts “as Chicago hospitals have seen a rise in the number of high-risk patients coming from states that ban or heavily restrict abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year,” reports WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. Another new initiative: A family planning program will help people not eligible based on a Medicaid income threshold, reports Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. And there're: $5M in grants for health-care providers experiencing increased demand for their services. It amounts to a $23M boost in abortion access, reproductive health care initiatives, reports Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel
| | THE BUZZ | | BANG FOR THE BUCK: Of all the recent winners of statewide office, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza spent the least per vote, according to figures pulled from the State Board of Elections. Dollars and sense: Mendoza spent $1.07 per vote. It’s a pittance considering Gov. JB Pritzker spent a whopping $62.68 a vote in the governor’s race. How she did it: Mendoza, who holds events downstate as well as in Chicago, likely pulled in Republican voters to help her victory. She received 2,331,714 votes, making her the highest vote-getter in 2022, and spent about $2.3 million on her campaign. Sen. Tammy Duckworth came in with a close second after winning 2,329,136 votes and spending more than $15 million on her race, putting the price per vote at $6.82. Other statewide office holders: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias spent $4.29 per vote; Treasurer Michael Frerichs, $1.53; and Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul, $1.33. If you are Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Shedd Aquarium at 10 a.m. to announce an expansion project — At Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ at noon to give remarks at the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument Sign Unveiling.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Shedd Aquarium at 10 a.m. — At Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ at noon. — At Convene on Green Street at 5 p.m. to give remarks at the State Revenue Alliance Assembly kick-off. — At the Chicago Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. for a reception for Japanese officials, including the Osaka mayor in honor of the 50th anniversary of the two cities’ sister city partnership.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Office Building at 10 a.m. to announce the county’s first off-site power purchase agreement for renewable energy. Start August off right by sending 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. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Forget Infrastructure Week, it’s the start of ‘an infrastructure decade,’ Buttigieg says during central Illinois stop: “There is no question that Illinois benefits from being a state whose leadership has put their money where their mouth is in terms of the importance of infrastructure,” the U.S. Transportation Secretary told Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore. — Police departments are adopting a new way to report crime data. And it’s showing results, reports WTTW’s Jared Rutecki — POT POURRI: Weed giants Columbia Care, Cresco Labs call off plans for $2B merger, by Sun-Times’ Mary Norkol — Ken Leonard, the winningest football coach in Illinois history, wins another award, by Peoria Journal Star’s Ryan Mahan
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago Public Schools’ aggressive tactics for removing principals under the microscope: “Nine principals have been removed pending discipline or investigations into “serious misconduct” in recent years. Of those, six are Black men,” by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. — Another Lightfoot Cabinet star leaving Johnson administration: “Gia Biagi ushered in the electric scooter era and pioneered the outdoor dining program that helped restaurants and bars survive the pandemic,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Amid driver shortage, CPS to prioritize bus service for students with disabilities and homeless students, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo — Nearly 40 teens charged after 'disorderly' gathering in South Loop: Chicago police, via ABC 7’s Cate Cauguiran — It’s not just the Bears: Billion-dollar mini-cities becoming top priority for stadium projects, by Front Office Sports’ David Rumsey
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Oak Park reevaluating approach to integration: “Over the last 50 years, Oak Park has succeeded in transforming itself from a majority-white enclave to a more racially diverse community through a series of policy measures aimed at promoting integration. But new pressures from a lack of affordable housing to sky-high property taxes and lingering racial tensions threaten to undo those gains, some community members and stakeholders say,” by Tribune’s Lizzie Kane. — Aqua Illinois utility company apologizes for July water crisis in southern Lake County, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — Plant poachers damage Cook County forest preserves as demand for ramps and morels makes foraging more profitable, by Tribune’s Ezra Maille — Aurora City Council ratifies business done during ‘closed’ meetings held after doors to City Hall automatically locked, by Aurora Beacon-News’ Steve Lord — Suburban office market continues to face challenges, by Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Dave Nayak, a physician and founder of Nayak Farms, a commercial farm that donates corn around Illinois, has given $65,000 to his campaign for the 20th District state Senate seat. That’s on top of $90,000 he already loaned himself, according to the State Board of Elections. — Eileen O'Neill Burke has been endorsed by IBEW Local 9 and Roofers Local 11 in her bid for Cook County state’s attorney.
| | | DAY IN COURT | | | — Cook County employee sues Clerk Karen Yarbrough over soured land sale: “The lawsuit lays out a complex series of questionable moves and countermoves regarding the sale and purchase of two buildings on 17th Street in Maywood and alleges Yarbrough was not even legally allowed to make the sales,” by Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Prosecutors seek contempt charge against former judge accused of stealing from Tuskegee Airman, by Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm — Northwestern named in three more football hazing lawsuits, by Evanston Now’s Jeff Hirsh
| | | | 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 your August tradition. Nancy Rotering, mayor of Highland Park: “Hitting all of my summer faves at least once: swimming in Lake Michigan, listening to music at Ravinia Festival, going to a Cubs game, reading a book sitting outside and eating at Hackney’s on Harms. I’m almost there — just need to get to the beach!” Mary Oshana, Skokie Park District board member: “Celebrating four birthdays in my inter-generational household — my husband, son, mother and myself. Erin Carlson Mast, Lincoln Presidential Foundation CEO: “Aside from the classic back-to-school prep, we have a longtime tradition of attending an annual family reunion.” Janice Anderson: “Swimming in Lake Michigan.” Dave Dahl: “Going to the State Fair. Love the food and the politicians, not necessarily in that order.” Ed Mazur: “Fishing at Burnham Harbor, Navy Pier and the Montrose Harbor ‘Horseshoe.’” Mary Kay Minaghan: “Head to Michigan for the beaches and great produce.” Alison Pure-Slovin: State Fair. Vickie Smith: “Our extended family reunion. We’ve had some type of gathering since 1938.” Phil Zeni: “Reunions with both sides of my family.” In a sentence, what makes you think the economy is humming along — or not? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump has spent millions more than he’s raised in 2023, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper and Zach Montellaro — No Labels to GOP donors: We are your anti-Trump alternative, by your Playbook host! — RFK Jr. super PAC got more than half its funds from GOP mega donor, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper — Adam Schiff Urges U.S. Postal Service To Honor Leonard Nimoy, by Deadline’s Ted Johnson
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Zach Koutsky, a longtime Democratic strategist and lobbyist, is joining Mercury public affairs team as a managing director, the firm’s co-chair, Cheri Bustos, announced in a statement. Koutsky joins Toi Hutchinson, who we announced last week has joined Mercury, too. Koutsky founded Berteau Consulting, a boutique government relations and political consulting firm in Chicago. Before that, he was a statewide union legislative and political director and worked on political campaigns, including for state Treasurer Mike Frerichs in 2014 and Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. — Alyx Goodwin is now senior adviser on community safety in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. Goodwin has been deputy campaign director for Action Center on Race and Economy (ACRE) and served on Johnson’s transition team. — Marisa Novara is now VP of community impact at Chicago Community Trust, where she'll lead a team focused on grant making and reducing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region. Novara was commissioner of the City of Chicago Department of Housing.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Wednesday at 11 a.m.: Rocky Wirtz will be memorialized at a public service at the United Center, details via Fox 32
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congratulations to Jarod Hitchings for correctly answering that the Springfield race riot of 1908 was the tipping point that led to the creation of the NAACP. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Illinois homemaker who fought the ERA before becoming an Iowa legislator? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Chicago First Assistant Corporation Counsel Amy Crawford, chief of staff to Congressman Danny Davis Tumia Romero, CTA comms director Steve Mayberry and former Illinois Film Office head Brenda Sexton. -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 | | | | |  |
