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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. The House has no speaker, and the clock is ticking again toward a government shutdown. Politics is one bumpy ride.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez announced his candidacy for Congress at the Jardin Restaurant in Berwyn on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. | WGN screen shot | Chicago Ald. Raymond “Ray” Lopez announced on Tuesday he’s waging a primary against Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the 4th District next year, setting the stage for a battle within the Democratic Party as it grapples with issues such as persistent crime and a wave of asylum seekers. Both sides now: Lopez is a conservative Democrat who aligns with the equally conservative Chicago Police union, and Garcia is a venerable progressive. How Lopez kicked it off: Garcia "has chosen to try to lead from the left of the left, and in the meantime, he has left everyone else out in the cold,” the 15th Ward alderman said during his morning announcement. Watch Lopez’s full press conference here, via WGN 9 Garcia pushed back: “Lopez’s latest run for a new office is nothing more than an attention-grabbing stunt,” Garcia’s campaign manager, Manny Diaz, said in a statement. Their common history: Lopez and Garcia both ran for mayor. But Lopez dropped out before petitions were due last year, and he endorsed fellow conservative Willie Wilson, who lost in the first round. Garcia would fall short, too. Lopez also made a run for the 4th congressional seat ahead of the 2018 race but dropped out before the primary. Lopez sees a lane: The 4th Congressional District includes a portion of 13 Chicago city wards and areas of 30 different suburbs, including DuPage County and the more conservative-leaning Hinsdale and Elmhurst. Redistricting has also pulled in some areas once represented by Congressman Dan Lipinski, also a conservative Democrat. Lopez’s strength. He has “strong support and a sizable political organization in his Southwest Side base,” reports Tribune’s John Byrne and Rick Pearson report. His challenge: In spite of what Lopez described as a “robust” base of support, he won’t likely be backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson or the Cook County Democratic Party, both of which would assign their army of volunteers to help Garcia on the ground game. Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas knows something about this.
| | THE BUZZ | | WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS: Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s heard back from the White House about his letter asking for assistance and some organization fortitude in managing the migrant crisis in Chicago. The take-away: “They have said they want to be responsive to those things, and they’re kind of working down the list to see what the things are that they can do immediately and what they might be able to do in the near term,” he told reporters at an unrelated event on Tuesday. Tribune’s Dan Petrella reports. Tensions continue to rise in Chicago communities, which are being asked to find space for the new arrivals. In the 29th Ward on the West Side, community members spoke out and were visibly angry Tuesday about a plan to put migrants in the Amundsen Park field house. “We cannot take resources from the Black community, a community that has already for decades been disinvested in,” Ald. Chris Taliaferro said to applause. — More here: Frustration about park space for migrants boils over in 29th Ward: ‘I have compassion, but I can only go so far,’ by Tribune’s Caroline Kubzansky — In Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood: Backlash to migrants grows in Latino community as new shelter opens, by Tribune’s Laura Rodríguez Presa and Caroline Kubzansky — In Joliet: Mayor Terry D'Arcy wants Supervisor Angel Contreras to withdraw application to obtain $8.6M in state migrant aid, by Patch’s John Ferak If you are Willie Wilson, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At Danville Area Community College at 11 a.m. to give remarks at a tree dedication ceremony honoring the late state Sen. Scott Bennett — At Wintrust Arena in Chicago at 7 p.m. to give remarks at the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | In City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over a City Council meeting.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. If you've recovered from Tuesday’s House drama, send me a line: 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. | | | | | | | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Diversity numbers among delegates trigger alarm at DNC meeting: Illinois state Rep. Lisa Hernandez was a delegate for Democratic National Convention in 2012. She’s now chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, the first Latina to hold that title, and is charged with formulating her state party’s diversity plan. “[That] experience from then to now, I just recognize that there is a need for an intentional process to ensure that we have diversity,” Hernandez said, speaking of the party’s delegate selection process. POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker reports
| | SPOTLIGHT | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Steve Daniels, the longtime reporter at Crain’s Business, is joining the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board. This is a huge coup for the Tribune. Daniels wrote news and editorials — he did both at Crain’s — and is skilled at making complicated issues understandable for the broader audience. He has been a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the utility industry, especially the ins and outs of Commonwealth Edison (and that recent bribery scandal). Daniels, who’s worked for Crain’s since 1999, also covered banking and finance and is well-versed in Illinois government and politics. He’s also a great collaborator. Congrats to the Trib and Daniels.
| | SPOTTED | | Illinois first lady MK Pritzker and Gov. JB Pritzker hosted a dinner and reception Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate the first lady’s new book, “A House That Made History — The Illinois Governor’s Mansion, Legacy of an Architectural Treasure.” The first lady is dedicating all the proceeds from the sale of the book to raise money for the Illinois Governor’s Mansion’s Foundation. You can purchase the book here. In the room: Governor’s Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, Intersect Illinois Chair John Atkinson, Mansion Foundation Board Member Leslie Hindman and lobbyists Liz Brown-Reeves, Julie Curry and Trevor Clatfelter were among the donors that joined the dinner. What’s next: Today the first lady is holding a public event and book signing at the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library. On Oct. 14, she and interior designer Michael S. Smith discuss the mansion’s history during a Chicago Humanities Festival event. Details here
| | CHICAGO | | — Mayor Brandon Johnson establishes city’s first chief homelessness officer: “The move comes a day before a public hearing before the City Council on the mayor’s proposal to raise the real estate transfer tax on high-end home sales to create dedicated funding to combat homelessness,” by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo. — DELAYED: The vote to end tipped minimum wage is delayed because of a hiccup in the clerk’s office, reports WTTW’s Heather Cherone — Damen Silos demolition is delayed because of a federal review, by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase — When will Chicago’s new map for the elected school board be ready? It’s unclear, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie — Condé Nast Traveler names Chicago the best big city in the country, via Crain’s Corli Jay — Loop parking garages to add 300 EV charging stations with help from ComEd, by Sun-Times’ Catherine Odom — Black Panthers' medical, day care sites part of historic district proposal: It’s an effort to create a “thematic historic district” that would include sites in different cities but connected by a theme, writes Crain’s Dennis Rodkin.
| | | DAY IN COURT | | | — Former Cook County Assessor’s worker admits he helped businesses cheat on tax bills for two rounds of golf: “Basilio Clausen faces up to five years in prison but is now cooperating with federal prosecutors,” by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. — Notoriously slow Cook County courts will begin tracking why cases are delayed, by Tribune’s Joe Mahr
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Becky Carroll, who heads the C-Strategies public relations firm, has been appointed to the board of National Small Business Association Leadership Council, which advocates for small businesses on a nonpartisan basis in D.C. — Ashli Nelson, government relations director at McDonald’s, was named board chair of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association at its annual meeting Tuesday at the Palmer House Hilton. Prior to McDonald's, Nelson did scheduling and advance for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. — Marcus Lemonis, the chair and CEO of Camping World, has been appointed to the board of directors of Overstock.com, via Yahoo Finance
| | | | 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 sport correlates to politics. Monica Gordon, a Cook County commissioner: “Boxing: it relies on efficient strategy, intelligence, rapid decision-making and stamina.” Matthew Beaudet, Chicago Buildings commissioner: “Chess: Moves, counter-moves, strategize, adjust and in the end you're on your own.” Vince Brandys: “Since 2016, mixed martial arts. Before that, it was competitive dancing.” Eugene Daly: “Professional mud wrestling: It’s dirty and phony.” Bill Kresse: “Pee-wee soccer.” Mary Kay Minaghan: “Baseball: Because the owners make lots of promises only to leave you disappointed in the end.” Dennis Potthast: “Ice Hockey: Hard hitting and skating around questions.” Brent Pruim: “An old English adage says football is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans, and rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen. Politics has become less like rugby and more like football.” Jason Rosensweig: “Football and glee club.” What’s your favorite building in the Chicago skyline? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Judge in fraud trial imposes gag order after Trump attacks judge’s aide, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden, Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney — The rudderless GOP careens toward 2024, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett, Sarah Ferris and Ally Mutnick — Acting speaker orders Nancy Pelosi to leave her Capitol hideaway office, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu and Daniella Diaz
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Former state Sen. Gary Dahl dies at 82: "He shocked Democrats by defeating longtime state Sen. Pat Welch," by Shaw Local’s Tom Collins. Dahl lived in an RV during the Springfield legislative sessions and donated his salary to charity, according to his obit.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Anne Sokolov is executive director of the New Democrat Coalition, the center-left caucus of House Democrats. She was chief of staff to Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, who is the group's freshman leadership representative. — John Lee moves up to be chief of staff to Congresswoman Budzinski. He was legislative director. — Steffanie Bezruki has been promoted to senior adviser for the deputy secretary’s office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bezruki was chief of staff for the undersecretary of rural development. Earlier, the Illinois native was senior policy adviser for then-Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.
| | EVENTS | | — Monday: Former Congressman Daniel Lipinski (IL-03) headlines an event in Springfield on democracy, polarization and bipartisanship. It’s sponsored by University of Illinois and will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Register here — Oct. 16: A public hearing on the Chicago Police Department consent decree will be held by the department's Independent Monitoring Team. Details on how to participate — Oct. 17: Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell headlines a fundraiser at the Metropolitan Club. Details here or donate here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to John Fritchey and Andy Shaw for correctly answering that James Hill, known as the empire builder, started a train line that connected Chicago to the West, including Glacier National Park. TODAY’s QUESTION: What’s the tallest building between Chicago and St. Louis? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Ald. Debra Silverstein, former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, former Cook County Clerk David Orr, Assistant State’s Attorney Margaret Hillmann, IDOT Federal Affairs Bureau Chief Timothy McMahon, American Business Immigration Coalition co-founder Josh Hoyt, health tech exec (and Obama for America alum) Eliza Adelson, political fundraiser and operative Melanie Meyers, Block Club co-founder Jen Sabella and former White Sox manager Tony La Russa. -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 | | | | |  |
