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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday morning, Illinois. We can’t stop watching the bare-knuckle fight in Congress.
|  | TOP TALKER | | BORDER SONG: More asylum seekers arrived Wednesday than any day in the past year, and Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he’s traveling with a City Hall contingent to the nation’s southern border “to assess the full situation.” Unlike New York Mayor Eric Adams, who’s headed to the southern border to discourage migrants from making the trek to his city, Johnson says his trip will be to gather information. “This is serious,” Johnson told reports after Wednesday’s City Council meeting. It “requires our team to be at the border.” Winter is coming: Cristina Pacione-Zayas, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff, told Playbook the Chicago team would point out the difficulties of traveling to Chicago in the middle of winter. More buses: News of Johnson’s trip, which he said will happen “soon,” came as Chicago saw more than 14 buses arrive carrying asylum seekers on Wednesday, with as many as eight more expected before day's end. Shelter time: Johnson also said the city has looked at the idea of limiting the length of stay that migrants are at shelters. Denver, for example, is shortening the stays in shelters, via CBS News. Aldermen on edge: The increase in new arrivals is creating tension in City Hall, where council members say they don’t have the capacity to take in any more migrants at their police stations. Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) has written a polite but pointed letter to the mayor saying it’s become “untenable” for her ward to take on more migrants, and she’s asking for more resources and a “playbook” to be established so wards can handle new arrivals in an equitable way. Her ask: “Our mutual aid group has made gargantuan efforts to welcome asylum seekers, but we can no longer sustain these efforts with the numbers we currently have,” Lee wrote in her letter posted on Facebook. She added that the 11th Ward has taken in “thousands” of migrants and that the Chicago Police Department’s Area 1 currently has excessively more migrants than other police centers — 142 more than the next highest area office, she wrote. “We need citywide equity across the police districts for placement of migrants.” Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) says his ward is receiving migrants without any warning, and it’s becoming impossible to keep up. To protest, he sent every ordinance introduced Wednesday by the mayor to the Rules Committee. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) posted last night that “a bus load of migrants has arrived at Sears (Willis, if you prefer) Tower. Building management was not expecting them, and says they can’t stay in the lobby.” RELATED Lawsuit seeks to stop city from using public buildings to house migrants: “In an amended suit, South Shore residents accuse the city of violating zoning ordinances and creating a public nuisance by placing new arrivals in schools, police stations,” by Sun-Times’ Kade Heather. Isolated and afraid, pregnant migrants cobble together prenatal care any way they can: “I’m scared I’m going into labor in the shelter,” said one Venezuelan mother-to-be. “But if I put my faith in God, I feel it will be OK,” by Elly Fishman with translations by Camila Guarda for WBEZ.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | BUDGET DAY: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is unveiling a $9.1 billion budget for 2024 for the county today and get this: She says there'll be no new taxes, fines, fees — or layoffs. From Tribune’s A.D. Quig: “The budget next year will be nearly 4 percent higher, or about $342 million more, than the 2023 budget. A large portion will be spent on fixed charges — such as increased wages for current county employees and paying down pension costs that serve retired county employees.” From WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch: “Among Preckwinkle’s priorities is bracing to pay more to help provide medical care for thousands of asylum seekers arriving in Chicago. And she plans to tap about $166 million in reserves to continue some programs the county created with federal pandemic relief dollars after that lifeline runs out in a few years.” Read the county budget proposal here. If you are Anthony Beale, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | In Fulton Market at 10:05 a.m. along with Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg for an initiative announcement.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | On Green Street at 9:45 a.m. to give remarks at the Chicago Venture Summit — At the Hyatt at 7:15 p.m. to give remarks at the National Forum for Black Public Administrators awards event.
| | | Where's Toni | | | In the Cook County Building to preside over the Cook County Board meeting and to give the budget address for fiscal 2024. If you’re not bleary-eyed from the Cook County budget numbers, 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. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — DCFS director to step down at year’s end after agency hit with another scathing audit: “Marc Smith is one of three state agency leaders to announce end-of-year departure plans,” reports Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer and Hannah Meisel. — Illinois kickstarts funding to state prison libraries with $420K in grants: “Each of the state’s 28 prisons will receive $15,000 for books, magazines and other supplies, the first time they’ve received public funding of any kind in six years,” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout — Valera "Val" Yazell returns as director of planning and economic development, by State Journal-Register’s Steve Spearie
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago commits to second NASCAR race as new study shows the event generated $109M in economic impact: “Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the deal and said NASCAR must reduce the setup by four days and the teardown by two days, as well as ‘commit to additional resources’ on public safety and other costs,” by Tribune’s Robert Channick and Alice Yin. — Mayor beats back opposition, moves forward with plans to end lower minimum wage: That change is now set to be approved Friday. Tribune’s Alice Yin and A.D. Quig — Over four years, 158 people have died from opioid-related overdoses on the CTA: Of those, 93 were on the Blue Line, which “travels through neighborhoods that see higher overdose-related deaths than many other parts of the city,” reports Katie Prout for The Reader. — Mayor Brandon Johnson vows to hire a new leader to address gender-based violence: The previous leader, a former Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointee, recently departed suddenly. Advocates said they were “deeply disturbed.” WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg reports. — Amid questions about safety and other issues, CTA President Dorval Carter’s salary has climbed more than 60 percent, by Block Club’s Manny Ramos and Mack Liederman
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Three fire departments will fill gap after Elk Grove Township department's ceased operation: “The Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village and Des Plaines fire departments are implementing a plan to serve the more than 5,000 residents who received fire protection from the now-defunct Elk Grove Township Fire Department,” by Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky.
| | 2024 WATCH | | — In IL-17, Republican businessman Rafael “Ray” Estrada has dropped out of the race for Congress. “The timing is wrong for my candidacy, and I have decided to postpone my campaign … to focus my time on my family and philanthropic endeavors,” he said in a statement. — Mike Kirkton announces campaign for 53rd state Senate seat: The Republican businessman and farmer has served on Livingston County Board, via Shaw Local News Network
| | | ...SWAMP THINGS... | | | — Capitol rioter from Illinois who attacked cameraman, police officer gets more than 4 years in prison: “Shane Jason Woods, 45, was the first person charged with assaulting a member of the news media during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection,” by The Associated Press’ Michael Kunzelma.
| | | TAKING NAMES | | | — Rina Foygel Barber, a University of Chicago statistics professor, has been awarded a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant,” by Sun-Times’ Phyllis Cha. — Frank Harris was honored during Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting for his decades-long career as a tailor. Numerous aldermen and the mayor have been customers. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) introduced the resolution. Ald. William Hall (7th) said it was a “right of passage” to wear a Harris suit. Hall wore one for his prom and inauguration day. — Smita Shah, the CEO of SPAAN Tech, was recognized at Wednesday’s City Council meeting for the company’s 25th anniversary. Ald Brian Hopkins (2nd) presented the resolution that recognized Shah for her business acumen, civic contributions and community leadership. — Aarion Stines, a Cook County Board of Review analyst, has received the Lena Henderson scholarship which recognizes women of color in the property tax field. “Lena was one of those amazing voices, and I’m thrilled we are able to honor her while lifting up other women of color,” said Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele.
| | | | 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 your favorite building is in Chicago. Janice Anderson: “Sears Tower.” Matthew Beaudet: “John Hancock Building. I’m an old football kicker and the dual antennae look like goal post uprights.” Patrick Cortesi: “Sears Tower. (Yes, I still call it that.).” Justin DeJong: “Sears/Willis tower. I love seeing this stately tower whenever I drive back into the city because it is the first to welcome me home.” Lucas Hawley: “77 West Wacker Drive because it looks like a cool skyscraper version of Greek Parthenon.” John McCabe: “Marina City. I worked as a janitor there in high school.” Kim Morton: “Aqua. It’s stunning.” Omari Prince: “Willis Tower. Especially the east side view when you’re on a boat.” John Straus: “The Hancock Building, or whatever it’s called today.” Whitley Tee: “The Hancock Building. From every angle and elevation, it's a motionless epic — as fine a spectacle as any mountain or ocean vista.” Stephen Yokich: “Museum Campus.” What was the ultimate act of political vengeance? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — ‘Embarrassing’: After 2 debates, some RNC members aren’t sure they’re worth it, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison — Matt Gaetz just positioned himself for Florida governor, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard and Mia McCarthy — Menendez mess triggers Democratic free-for-all in New Jersey, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick, Sarah Ferris and Nicholas Wu
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Kyle Schulz has been promoted to chief growth officer at World Business Chicago. He was EVP of business development and global strategic initiatives. — Maeve Lucas is chief human resources officer at Sidley Austin in Chicago. She was managing director-senior human resources partner at Accenture.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Friday: State Sen. Mike Porfirio, state Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar and Ald. Marty Quinn will host a Senior Celebration in the 13th Ward. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY'S ANSWER: Congrats to Randy Bukas and Mike Miletich for correctly answering that Watterson Towers at Illinois State University is the tallest point between Chicago and St. Louis, standing at 28 stories. TODAY’s QUESTION: What hotel did Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas stay when they had the second debate in Freeport, Ill., on Aug. 27, 1858? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Rep. Dennis Reboletti, Illinois Policy Institute executive VP Amy Korte, Interfaith Housing Center’s Alicia De La Cruz, McDonald’s Global Chief Impact Officer Jon Banner, YMCA Chicago’s Katy Broom and Protiviti’s Sloane Potter (previously with POLITICO). -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 | | | | |  |
