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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. It’s another summer day. Thanks, climate change.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, photographed earlier this year at a bill signing, has called on the White House to step up action on migrants in Chicago. | AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast | Gov. JB Pritzker has called on President Joe Biden to intervene to get a handle on the “untenable” surge of migrants coming to Chicago — and he took a bit of a dig at the vice president while he was at it. In a letter to the president, Pritzker asked the White House to “first and foremost” designate a point person to coordinate the “many different federal departments” that are charged with helping asylum seekers. More pointedly, the governor wrote: “It is time for the federal government to take a much more active role in managing the transport and destination of the transport of asylum seekers.” Along with asking to ‘cut red tape’: Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson talked to White House advisers on Sunday. On the call were White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, senior adviser Tom Perez and staffers from the Department of Homeland Security. By the numbers: Pritzker and Johnson shared that the city is expecting 25 buses a day from Texas, bringing as many as 1,200 asylum seekers each day. During the call, “Pritzker offered as an example that logistics with the federal government ran far smoother when Afghan refugees were housed in military bases,” according to Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. The pivot: Pritzker’s letter released Monday moved the conversation away from criticism he got last week that the state hasn't helped Chicago manage the crisis, either. Illinois last year committed to helping find housing for migrants but eventually pulled back, leaving the city to manage it. Illinois offered up two facilities to Chicago, but then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration turned down one because the building was uninhabitable. It was an early sign of the difficulty officials face in finding adequate housing for the new arrivals. Not just any building can be adapted. Some have asbestos, for example. The state has sent funding to Chicago, but it’s a drop in the bucket of what’s needed. Until now, Pritzker and Johnson have tip-toed around pressing the White House to step up — unlike New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has openly criticized Biden. Pritzker and Johnson’s softer approach might be described as Midwestern politeness — or not wanting to ruffle feathers ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. One point worth noting: Before migrant issues escalated to what they are today, Biden had tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to be the White House point person on the nation's southern border with Mexico. RELATED Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro criticizes migrant shelter plan at Amundsen Park field house: He's leading a community meeting today at the field house, Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reports. At Pilsen community meeting on migrants, residents call for relief from spiking property taxes, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo
| | THE BUZZ | | | | 
Pat Brady, who was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention, is speaking up for abortion rights. | WTTW screen shot | MAKING WAVES: Pat Brady, the former Illinois Republican Party chair, has joined the board of Personal PAC, the organization that supports abortion rights. Center of the storm: The move puts Brady, a voice for moderate Republicans, in the crosshairs of the GOP, which has been divided on issues related to reproductive rights. It’s familiar territory for Brady. Ten years ago, when he was Illinois GOP chair, he was stepped into the center of a huge political debate in Illinois by speaking up in support of same-sex marriage legislation. He did so even though the GOP platform at the time said marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman. Illinois would pass marriage equality that year, and Brady withstood attempts to oust him from his leadership role. He eventually resigned for personal reasons. His wife, Julie, had cancer and died a year later. The GOP, meanwhile, came to soften its stand on gay marriage, and Brady has continued to be a voice for moderate Republicans. So, it’s no surprise he would now be taking up the cause of reproductive rights at a time when Republicans are also divided on the issue. Brady tells Playbook: “If the party doesn’t get more tolerant on the abortion issue — and quit demonizing women, we will never succeed electorally.” Also joining Personal PAC’s board: Clare Pinkert, associate general counsel at Protocol Labs, and Art Mitchell, a policy expert who is also deputy director for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. If you are Jeff Zients, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library at 10 a.m. to commemorate Banned Books Week.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At Bally’s Chicago Casino at 9 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony — At the Chicago History Museum at 7 p.m. for the annual LGBT Hall of Fame ceremony.
| | | Where's Toni | | | At the Four Seasons Hotel at 6 p.m. to present awards at the Chicago Zoological Society's Conservation Leadership Awards. Turn up the AC 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 | | — Racist propaganda, antisemitic acts spiked in Illinois last year, report shows: “In some ways, we think that we live in Illinois and somehow we’re immune to this,” said David Goldenberg, the Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League that issued the “Hate in the Prairie State” report. Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba reports. — 7 years after passage, Illinois’ first in string of recent abortion protections gets day in court: “Crisis pregnancy centers contend they shouldn’t be forced to convey ‘benefits’ of procedure,” by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel. — Illinois sues alternate electric supplier for ‘deceptive’ tactics that may have cost residents $15M: “The 50-page complaint filed Sept. 29 listed out instances in which some customers had their energy costs tripled; on average, the company’s rates were nearly double those offered by ComEd in 2020,” by Sun-Times’ Violet Miller. — ‘Invasion’ of tropical birds known as limpkins reported in Illinois; they may be eating the invasive snails, experts say, writes Sheryl DeVore for the Tribune
| | CHICAGO | | — Hospitality union sues over Signature Room layoffs: Unite Here Local 1 says employees weren’t given proper notice of the layoffs, by Tribune’s Talia Soglin. — Is Chicago’s shift to restorative justice and fewer school police working? Some say yes, writes Chalkbeat’s Becky Vevea — POT POURRI: Marijuana dispensary in former Rainforest Cafe remains on hold as one man fights against it, by Tribune’s Robert McCoppin
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Ed Burke’s lawyers ask to bar mention of the alderman’s tax work for Trump Tower at his upcoming trial: “Mr. Burke’s legal work for (Trump) could cause many jurors to have an unfavorable impression of Mr. Burke and could create significant bias against him,” Burke’s lawyers wrote in a motion late Friday. Telling jurors about the Burke-Trump association is “fraught with the likelihood of unfair prejudice,” the motion argued. Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Lining up to fill judicial seat: Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright is among seven candidates vying to be appointed to an associate circuit judge vacancy created by the recent death of Matthew Mauer. Side note: Former State’s Attorney John Milhiser, Wright’s former boss when Wright was an assistant state’s attorney, is now working for Wright. Milhiser is an assistant state’s attorney prosecuting felony cases, according to county records. Milhiser was acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of Illinois before making an unsuccessful run last year for Illinois secretary of state. Illinois Times’ Dean Olsen has the story.
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Another Dem joins the race for Lance Yednock’s seat: “Carolyn Zasada, 1st Ward alderwoman for DeKalb, announced that she’ll seek the 76th District in the Illinois House in 2024 as a Democrat, putting her in line for another battle with Mayor Cohen Barnes, who also is running as a Democrat.” Democratic state Rep. Lance Yednock announced he wouldn’t seek reelection. Shaw Media’s Kelsey Rettke reports.
| | | | 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 TV show you’ve seen every episode. Jimmy Dean, the former Johnston City mayor: “Chicago Fire and Chicago PD.” Ashley Urisman and Ashvin Lad both said they’ve watched “Friends'' episodes dozens of times. Urisman said: “Some amigas and I used to play in a city-wide ‘Friends’ trivia league. Shout out to my teammates for Shooting With Althea.” Kathy Posner: “I have watched every one of the 280 episodes of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ at least three times. At 30 minutes an episode, those 25,200 minutes or 420 hours or 52.5 days.” That’s a lot of TV. Here’s the full list of responses What sport correlates well to politics? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — As Trump goes on trial for business fraud, he treats courthouse like campaign stop, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — How Sam Bankman-Fried’s fall keeps rattling Capitol Hill, by POLITICO’s Declan Harty, Eleanor Mueller, Sam Sutton and Jasper Goodman — Texas Dem Congressman Henry Cuellar carjacked in D.C., by POLITICO’s Nichols Wu and Sarah Ferris
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — A memorial for the late state Sen. Scott Bennett will be Wednesday, and Gov. JB Pritzker will be in attendance. Details via Vermilion County First’s Steve Brandy — Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Kevin M. Birmingham dies at 51: “He passed away in his sleep,” according to an archdiocese spokesperson. It wasn’t clear what caused his death, reports Sun-Times’ Rosemary Sobol. — Federal judge Harold Baker, whose ruling set up Springfield's commission form of government, dead at 93, by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Noureen Hashim-Jiwani is now senior policy adviser for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. She was chief of staff at University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. — Colleen Baime is now a partner at Baker McKenzie’s North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice in Chicago. She was head of McDermott Will & Emery's Chicago litigation practice.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Oct. 10: Chicago Cred CEO Arne Duncan, Moms Demand Action CEO Angela Ferrell-Zabala and author Robin Smith headline a panel on community building. It’s part of a fundraising luncheon for Chicago Chapter Charities Foundation. WGN’s Micah Materre moderates. Details here
| | KUDOS | | Matthew Beaudet, the Chicago buildings commissioner and regular winner of Playbook trivia, is also on a trivia team: Trivia Newton John. They won the top prize at the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Board’s Trivia Night last week. Others on the winning team: Assistant Corporation Counsel Lindsay Sonenthal, Assistant Corporation Counsel Mark Siegel (both of the Law Department) and Managing Deputy Buildings Commissioner Grant Ullrich. Pic!
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY'S ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Conlon and Karen Reinbold for correctly answering that Chicago has twice hosted the World’s Fair: It was called the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 and Century of Progress in 1933-34. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the railroad magnate who started a train line that connected Chicago to the West, including Glacier National Park? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Mike Marron, U. of Chicago VP for civic engagement and former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, government affairs pro Andrew Proctor, Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall, political campaign consultant Hugo Jacobo and hockey player Jordan Brickner Gragnano. And congratulations to Barack and Michelle on their 31st wedding anniversary! -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 | | | | |  |
