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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy October, Illinois. We've veered from government shutdown to political showdown as Kevin McCarthy's speakership hangs in the balance, via POLITICO.
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Gov. JB Pritzker, right, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson applaud President Joe Biden at an event in Chicago earlier this year. | AP Photo/Evan Vucci | The number of buses carrying migrants to Chicago is now reaching double digits each day, according to the city. And they're arriving at all hours. Just after 1 a.m. Saturday morning, two buses arrived at Chicago’s landing zone, which closes at 10 p.m. City officials were sent scouring the streets trying to find the new arrivals since no one was there waiting for them. “Gov. Abbott is not respecting our curfew of not sending buses from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. He is beefing up contracts with busing fleets and plans to send them 24-7,” Deputy Chief of Staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who is managing the migrant issue, told Playbook. “If the trend continues, that means thousands of people daily.” There’s finger-pointing: Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa lashed out at Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday, saying it’s “shameful” that the state isn’t doing more to help. “I get frustrated because I wonder how many of Gov. JB Pritzker’s senior staff are scouting locations on a daily basis to make sure that we’re living up to our responsibility as a sanctuary state,” Ramirez-Rosa said during a heated five-hour meeting of the council’s immigration committee. Ramirez-Rosa was responding to Pritzker questioning the city’s plan to build tented cities for the non-stop flow of asylum seekers. Further fueling the debate: Ald. Jeanette Taylor made racially charged statements at the hearing, indicating the frustration between Black and brown communities over where to place migrants. “This is going to be a race war because y’all choosing who you’re taking care of,” she said. Behind the scenes: Johnson's and Pritzker’s teams are in constant communication over handling the crisis. The state offered up two shelters that then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s team had turned down. Johnson’s team accepted and also opened an additional 17 shelters — or one shelter a week since Johnson took office. Sounds familiar: City vs. state tensions in managing a crisis aren’t new. We’ve seen it in New York, where the governor and mayor of New York City have struggled to manage the more than 100,000 migrants who have arrived there. And it wasn’t so long ago that Pritzker and Lightfoot’s office butted heads at times over how to handle the pandemic. The underlying issue: Neither the city of Chicago nor the state of Illinois have the money reserves to handle the migrant crisis and the federal government has done little to help. From the mayor’s office: “Local governments aren’t equipped with the amount of coordination and capacity needed to meet the moment,” Pacione-Zayas said. “When you're talking about thousands of people daily, there’s no way our local government can staff up. It’s like asking somebody to make creme brulee by rubbing two sticks together.” She said the crisis could imperil some programs supported by the new mayor. A bright spot: The state is awarding $41.5 million in assistance to communities working with migrant populations, including $30.25 million to Chicago. The funding was approved months ago and is just now ready for disbursement. Also receiving funding: Joliet ($8.6 million), Elgin ($1.27 million), Lake County ($1 million), Urbana ($250,000) and Oak Park ($150,000). RELATED OPINION: Chicago needs every busload, writes Sun-Times’ Neil Steinberg
| | THE BUZZ | | SMOKIN’ IN SPRINGFIELD: Former Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who hosted last week’s opening of Mercury Public Affairs’ office on Michigan Avenue, is opening an office in the state capital, too. Mercury is leasing the old Allen Cigar Store on the corner of Sixth and Monroe streets in Springfield. The building has a long history as a lunch counter, as well as a cigar spot. The building is down the street from Abraham Lincoln’s law office and has been a home office over the years to Congressman Darin LaHood and former Congressman Aaron Schock. “It’s an awesome building. Iconic in Springfield,” Bustos, a Springfield native, told Playbook. Running the Capitol office: Nick Bustos, the former congresswoman’s son, who for the past eight years doing marketing and comms in agriculture manufacturing's private sector and earlier worked for the state commerce department and then-Gov. Pat Quinn. Also on Bustos’ team is Michael Morthland, the former chief of staff at the state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and deputy chief at the health department. If you are Aaron Schock, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | On Ogden Avenue at 9 a.m. to attend the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities' national disability employment roundtable.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County building to announce a Digital Equity Action Plan and Digital Equity Map. Watch here Hold the pumpkin spice and send me a line: skapos@politico.com
| | | | Join Lincoln Forum on Oct. 4 at 11:30 a.m., in partnership with the Union League Club & POLITICO, as we host Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera. Be the first to hear the Tollway's vision to boost economic opportunities, advance equity, and meet the region’s needs in its next strategic and capital plan. Register here. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Chicago man becomes first in Illinois to get reduced sentence under new law: “A law passed in 2021 empowered prosecutors to revisit excessive sentences, but so far, only two people have been released. Said one: ‘Two years into it, it’s helped two people?’” Injustice Watch Maya Dukmasova reports — Registration of high-powered guns owned before Illinois ban took effect begins this month, by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — When it comes to pumpkins, Illinois is No. 1, by Daily Herald’s Susan Sarkauskas
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Gov. JB Pritzker is endorsing Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart in his reelection bid. Pritzker will headline a Highland Park fundraiser for the first-term state’s attorney. Rinehart was one of the few prosecutors in the state to speak up in support of the state’s ban on assault weapons. It’s a stand that Pritzker supported. Here’s the invite — In IL-11, Qasim Rashid’s campaign has raised more than $305,000 in the third financial quarter, according to his campaign. Rashid is a Democrat challenging Congressman Bill Foster. — Sandra Parga, an associate judge in Kane County, is running as circuit judge in the 4th Subcircuit. Parga, a Democrat, was the first Latina judge in Kane County upon being appointed to the bench in 2017.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Some violent crimes are down but stickups are up: “Crews of robbers — many of them juveniles — toting high-powered weapons go on crime sprees, robbing or carjacking multiple victims in a matter of minutes, often using stolen cars and dressed head to toe in black,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner, Sam Charles and Jake Sheridan. — UAW strike: Ford's Chicago assembly plant workers join the walkout, by ABC 7’s Evelyn Holmes and Tre Ward — First sale of a downtown building in more than a year: “Menashe Properties takes a chance on West Loop’s elusive revival,” writes Sun-Times’ David Roeder. — Racial impact survey finds equity still lacking across arts and culture ecosystem, by Tribune’s Darcel Rockett — Chicago Sukkot festival reflects on complex history between city’s Blacks and Jews, by Times of Israel’s Lindsay Eanet — No joy in Mudville: The Bears blew their lead, via CBS Sports. The Cubs’ playoff hopes are gone, from the Sun-Times. The White Sox ended the season with 101 losses, via Tribune. And now comes word that Lionel Messi won’t be playing on Wednesday, via X, formerly known as Twitter.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Poised to shutter Catholic parishes, Joliet bishop tight-lipped on financial impact of the priest sex abuse scandal: “Bishop Ronald Hicks might consolidate 16 Joliet-area congregations and eventually close other parishes and schools, with “budgetary issues” a factor. His aides won’t say how much has been spent on fallout from the sex abuse crisis,” by Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth. — Black Cook County residents face scarcity of mental health resources as their suicide rates remain high after the pandemic, by Sun-Times’ Mariah Rush — In-person marriages at Cook County’s downtown court can include more guests, via The Crusader
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what job skill matters most. Rosemary Caruk: “Communication (internal and external).” Dave Dahl: “Treating people the right way.” Lucas Hawley: “Patience and being understanding of other people.” Ed Mazur: “Good interpersonal skills.” Steven Smith: “Clear and concise writing.” Jackie Traynere: “Listening, maybe even with empathy.” Patricia Watson: “Emotional intelligence and unshakable personal integrity.” Phil Zeni: “Empathy.” What TV show have you watched every episode? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Why Congressman Mike Quigley was the only Dem to vote no on the House stopgap funding bill: The Chicago lawmaker who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus was protesting that funding for Ukraine was dropped from the bill, Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet reports.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | | — Newsom picks Laphonza Butler as Feinstein replacement, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago — Leaked doc shows Biden admin is more worried about Ukraine corruption than it says publicly, by POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi — As new term begins, Supreme Court faces fallout from its rightward shift, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | — As Sun-Times marks 75 years, it examines the issue of race to understand its history and the city’s, Neil Steinberg reports — Chicago-born rapper Common headlines new ad campaign for WTTW, by AdAge’s Aleda Stam
| | WEDDING BELLS | | — Jason Rubin, deputy chief of staff for comms in the governor’s office, and Ryan Martin, who works in finance, tied the knot last month. On hand for the nuptials was Gov JB Pritzker, who read the last paragraph of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized gay marriage across the country. Pic and pic!
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Joyce Chapman, Chicago community activist and former Board of Ed member, has died, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Arielle Johnson is CEO at the Business Leadership Council. She was senior adviser for Illinois Central Management Services and deputy director for the Business Enterprise Program. — Lamar C. Brown is now chief external affairs officer at the Business Leadership Council. He was political director for State's Attorney Kim Foxx. — Curtis Franklin is legislative liaison at Illinois Liquor Control Commission. He’s a former City Hall assistant sergeant at arms and advised on political campaigns.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Tuesday: David Orr’s Good Government Illinois is holding its annual benefit. The honoree is William McNary of Citizen Action Illinois. Details here — Thursday: Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul keynotes a fundraiser for The Network, which advocates against domestic violence. Honorees are state Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Kam Buckner. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Timothy Thomas Jr. for correctly answering that Republican William G. Stratton, a former congressman and governor, was acquitted in 1964 of failing to pay taxes on monies the feds considered personal income and buying a house, cars and a boat. TODAY’s QUESTION: How many times has Chicago hosted the World's Fair and what were they called? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Bob Rita, Worth Township Supervisor Patricia Joan Murphy, former state Rep. Jack Franks, Deputy Secretary of State Scott Burnham, former Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta, former Ald. Willie Cochran, energy consultant David Wilhelm, attorney and Grant Park Music Festival supporter Peter Baugher, public affairs consultant David Stricklin, Democratic political operative Caroline Pokrzywinski, AP auto writer Tom Krisher, comms consultant Michelle Damico, PR pro Lisa Spathis, Novartis external engagement director Marlena Abdinoor, research assistant John Arenas and political and policy consultant Jake Mikva. -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 | | | | |  |
