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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Batten down the hatches. We’re 10 days from a possible federal government shut-down.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Christy George, left, has been named executive director of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Host Committee, and Keiana Barrett is senior adviser. | 2024 Democratic National Convention | BREAKING THIS MORNING: Christy George, an aide to Gov. JB Pritzker, has been named executive director for the 2024 Democratic National Convention Host Committee. It’s a smart pick as George has experience working at all levels of government, which will be needed for the all-hands-on-deck event next summer in Chicago. Also joining the host committee is Keiana Barrett, who'll serve as senior adviser. They will work closely with Minyon Moore, who is chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. George’s background: She’s been Pritzker’s first assistant deputy governor for budget and the economy since 2021. Earlier, she was executive director of the Illinois Commerce Commission, where she managed 200+ employees, the agency’s budget and operations and the implementation of Covid-19 relief for utility ratepayers. She previously worked in Chicago City Hall as deputy budget director for public safety and had roles in the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and Department of Law. She’s an attorney. Barrett has worked in government affairs, equity and inclusion, crisis communication and community engagement spaces. Most recently, she was chief diversity and engagement officer for the Sterling Bay development company. She also has worked for Rainbow PUSH, the DuSable Museum of African American History and the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. George and Barrett are both moms, so they know all about the juggling act required to put on the biggest political show of 2024. Staying on the team: Kaitlin Fahey moves from interim executive director to general consultant for the committee. With leadership now in place, the Host Committee is expected to roll out information more frequently on planning and fundraising ahead of the Aug. 19-22 2024 convention, a mere 334 days away.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | ‘TIRED OF THE GAMES’: Jim Rule, chair of the Tazewell County GOP, shared a sobering story about how the 2024 presidential election might play out for Illinois Republicans. While lunching with a friend, Rule asked, “Who do you like in the presidential primary?” “He confessed he probably wasn’t going to vote,” wrote a “shocked” Rule in an email to Tazewell County Republicans on Tuesday. His friend continued, “I am tired of the games and the lies. I don’t believe half the things I hear, and I am just at the point of not caring anymore.” His friend “isn’t the only one” losing interest in the Republican presidential contest, said Rule, who cited a range of reasons, from “too divided” to “corruption” in Democratic politics. Simply put: Rule’s memo highlights the continued divisions within the Illinois Republican Party between the far right, loyal supporters of Donald Trump and establishment Republicans who aren’t happy with anyone else on the ballot. It’s why Trump is leading in the national polls. Here’s Jim’s full letter to Republicans. If you are Christy George, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At 231 South State Street at 10:30 a.m. to deliver remarks at the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. The Cubs cracked their losing streak, and so can you. Just email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | |  Gov. JB Pritzker, headlines a Clinton Global Initiative discussion with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. | Screen shot via Clinton Global Initiative. | — Gov. JB Pritzker keeps the spotlight on abortion: “The Dobbs decision just made me angry,” the Illinois governor said during the Clinton Global Initiative summit in New York on Tuesday. Pritzker, along with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, are gearing up for another election cycle focused on abortion and reproductive rights. WGN 9’s Tahman Bradley and Eli Ong report. Downstate take-away: Pritzker told a story about campaigning in downstate Illinois during 2022, saying, Republican women would approach him and “lean in and whisper” that they supported his efforts supporting abortion rights. So, he sees the issue as important for 2024. SPOTTED: Pritzker joined Clinton for a dinner honoring artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who also spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative conference. He has been openly critical of the Chinese government’s stance on democracy and human rights. Democratic donor and business entrepreneur Susie Tompkins Buell hosted.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Some downstate counties struggled as bail reform took hold this week; one didn’t even try applying the new law: “Many downstate prosecutors had joined an unsuccessful legal challenge to the law doing away with cash bail,” by WBEZ’s Will Bauer, Mawa Iqbal, Chip Mitchell and Edith Brady-Lunny. — With the end of cash bail, hearings have been longer, more deliberative — resembling federal detention proceedings, report Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer and Hannah Meisel — New State Police rules for assault weapons permits will take effect Oct. 1: “People who owned banned weapons before new law must apply for FOID endorsement,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — REPORT: Illinois clean energy and transportation jobs are growing, by WGEM’s Sam Matheny — Illinois man immediately retires after $2M scratch-off lottery win, via NBC 5
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago elected officials get a pay bump. But the mayor’s administration won’t say yet who accepted it: “Mayor Johnson’s salary could increase $4,800 due to an automatic pay raise tied to inflation. But his office won’t say if he took the money,” by WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. — Mayor’s real estate transfer tax proposal already faces pushback: “Dubbed the ‘Bring Chicago Home’ resolution, the Chicago real estate industry has already begun their marketing campaign to fight the plan to raise real estate transfer taxes on high income properties to generate millions for the city's homeless population,” by ABC 7’s Sara Schulte. — Two big pieces of education news: Chicago Public Schools enrollment is stable for first time in more than a decade, reports Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin with data analysis by Thomas Wilburn And more Chicago students met reading and math standards in 2022-23, data show, by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin and Becky Vevea with data analysis by Thomas Wilburn — As Chicago punts on apartment safety, Denver shows what’s possible: “Chicago has no way of tracking landlords, nor does it require rental units to be inspected. That was the case in Colorado’s largest city, until officials decided to do something about it,” by Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin. Sidebar: Chicago doesn’t keep track of landlords. Renters demanding change, also by Alex Nitkin — From homebodies to prolific swimmers, researchers track Chicago River fish to find out where they are going and why, by Tribune’s Adriana Pérez — Cboe CEO resigns after investigation into undisclosed personal relationships with colleagues, by Tribune’s By Robert Channick
| | | | Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked who you’d like to see debate Illinois issues. State Sen. Ann Gillespie: “I’d love to see former Sen. Dale Righter and Sen. Elgie Sims debate again. They were always some of the most interesting, intelligent debates on the floor.” Eli Brottman would like to see Gov. JB Pritzker and former Gov. Nikki Haley debate. Hmmm. Lucas Hawley: “Former Congressman Rodney Davis and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss.” How can the Democratic National Convention involve all of Chicago’s neighborhoods? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Duckworth blasts ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ senator for blocking vote to confirm U.S. attorney in Chicago: “Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is scorching Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), the “Hillbilly Elegy” author, and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) for their holds on military and Justice Department nominees,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet.
| | | THE FIFTY | | | — He’s the first Arab American, Muslim mayor of Michigan’s fastest-growing city — and he doesn’t want to be the last: “Dearborn’s Abdullah Hammoud discusses city power, policing and how the Democratic party can avoid blowing the Midwest in 2024,” by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — Biden White House content to watch McCarthy flail on shutdown bill, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Haberkorn and Adam Cancryn — ‘Trump scooped us’: Dems sound alarm on Biden’s handling of the auto worker strike, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein — A field guide to the House GOP's latest dysfunction, by POLITICO’s Daniella Diaz — In Chicago, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko talks Putin, poisoning and the need to combat Russian aggression, by WTTW’s Paul Caine and Paris Schutz
| | TRANSITIONS | | — United Airlines has promoted Josh Earnest to executive VP of comms and advertising and Terri Fariello to executive VP of government affairs and global public policy. Both will remain on United’s executive team. Earnest had served as White House press secretary under President Barack Obama, and Fariello had led Exxon Mobil’s federal and state government affairs team.
| | EVENTS | | — Sept. 26: A panel discussion, "Democracy and distrust: Overcoming threats to the 2024 election," features Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, Black Voters Matter founder LaTosha Brown and University of Chicago professor Robert Pape. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Velazquez for correctly answering that Chicago native Michael Peña played a CIA officer in “Jack Ryan,” a DEA agent in “Narcos: Mexico,” an FBI special agent in “Shooter” and “American Hustle,” and a U.S. Special Forces agent in “12 Strong.” TODAY’s QUESTION: Who’s the famous Chicagoan who hosted a gambling party in Mexico that ended with signatures on a five peso bill? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Terri Bryant, state Sen. Julie Morrison, state Rep. Joyce Mason, former state Rep. Lisa Dugan, American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois CEO Kevin Artl, Strategia Consulting public affairs officer Tom Cullerton, attorney Louis Cairo and former Cook County comms chief Frank Shuftan. -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 | | | | |  |
