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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. My phone’s on the fritz but, frankly, I don’t mind the quiet.
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Chicago City Council members Debra Silverstein, left, and Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez debated on how to address the war in the Middle East. | Facebook photos | COUNCIL CLASH: The war in the Middle East is exposing tension within the Chicago City Council just when Mayor Brandon Johnson would like to have some unity as he unveils his budget today. Ald. Debra Silverstein, the council’s only Jewish member, told Playbook she’ll be presenting a resolution to address the attacks by the militant Hamas group on Israel over the weekend. The resolution condemns the surprise assault and vows to stand behind Israel. Ahead of today’s meeting: Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) sent an email to Silverstein suggesting the wording of the resolution also mention Israel’s treatment of Palestinians leading up to the attacks. Her not-so-subtle take: “Although I wholeheartedly agree that the attacks from Hamas are brutal and that no one should be subjected to that violence, I also understand that the situation is more nuanced than what this resolution expresses,” Rodriguez-Sanchez, a member of the council’s Democratic Socialist Caucus, wrote in an email obtained by Playbook. Adding her two cents: Rodriguez-Sanchez also offered to “work together” to present a “more nuanced” resolution, according to her email. Rodriguez-Sanchez didn't respond to a request for comment. Thanks but no thanks is how Silverstein responded. “Thank you for your comments. However, drawing a moral equivalency between one of the worst acts of terror in world history and Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself is absurd,” according to Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. Responding to terrorism: “Hamas came in focusing on killing innocent people — men, women, children and elderly. That’s what this is about. This is condemning their attack on Israel and the way they went about doing it,” Silverstein told Spielman in an interview. Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), who serves as Johnson’s floor leader, didn’t respond to requests for comment but he did post stories that compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to that of South Africa’s apartheid, via X, formerly known as Twitter. And Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who has previously denounced “extreme human rights abuses” in the Palestinian territories, told Playbook it's the “abhorrent and deadly policy choices” of Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu that have increased tensions this week. A united front: Sigcho-Lopez, Ramirez-Rosa and Rodriguez-Sanchez are all members of the Democratic Socialist Caucus on the council. Not commenting so far: The mayor has stayed above the fray. In his ear: Kennedy Bartley of United Working Families, which backed Johnson for mayor, posted pro-Palestinian takes on X, formerly known as twitter. More about Kennedy Bartley operating in City Hall, by WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel RELATED Biden condemns ‘sheer evil’ of Hamas attack, urges Congress on aid for Israel, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward and Adam Cancryn Pritzker says Illinois ‘unequivocally stands’ with Israel in battle with Hamas, by Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles and David Struett The long shadow of Israel’s hostage crisis, by POLITICO’s Calder McHugh Top American colleges seek to quell anti-Israel sentiment in wake of Hamas attacks, by POLITICO’s Madina Toure SIDE NOTE: State Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Kevin Olickal, who each represent Northwest Side neighborhoods of Jewish and Middle Eastern communities, have worked to choose their words carefully in speaking about the Middle East war. They each signed letters of support with the Illinois Legislative Jewish Caucus here and with progressives’ call for peace here. And then they wrote a letter to constituents explaining their views.
| | MIGRANT MOVES | | Fewer migrants staying at O’Hare’s bus center as more shelters open: “The makeshift shelter at the airport, which on Friday hosted 828 migrants, now has 632 people, according to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. That means 196 migrants who have flown into O’Hare from Texas and Denver have been placed into newly opened city-run shelters or are staying elsewhere,” reports Block Club’s Ariel Parrella-Aureli. — The number of migrants who have come to Chicago numbers more than 18,000, reports the Tribune’s Nell Salzman and Caroline Kubzansky — 2 new shelters planned in West Loop as leaders plan meeting today, by Block Club’s Melody Mercado — Venezuelan migrant shot while holding her son outside South Side police station, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo and Frank Main If you are state Sen. Ram Villivalam, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At City Hall at 10 a.m. to present the 2024 budget proposal — At City Hall at noon to preside over a regular meeting of the City Council. Both meetings will be live-streamed on the mayor’s social media channels.
| | Where's Toni | | At Prairie State College at 11 a.m. for a graduation ceremony for participants in the Opportunity Works internship program. We’re on the downside of the week, so 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 | | — Manteno EV battery plant promises 2,600 jobs. But far-right legislators are stoking fears over Chinese influence: “It stokes at a lot of people’s fears. It’s got the Chinese factor. It’s got the factor of chemicals. If you want to get people (rounded) up, you scare them. And I think that’s what’s been done,” Manteno Mayor Timothy Nugent, a supporter of the project, said in an interview. Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner and Rick Pearson report. — Villa Park man charged with stalking after allegedly throwing rocks through windows of Gov. JB Pritzker’s home, by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner reports — Nurses unions push for mandatory staff-to-patient ratios: “Lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes say they are steadfastly opposed to the legislation,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — Company behind 'Heartland Greenway' CO2 pipeline project hits pause button again, by Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore
| | CHICAGO | | — Unveiling of city’s 2024 budget will be 2nd big test of mayor’s leadership: “Mayor Brandon Johnson will stand before the Chicago City Council Wednesday to disclose how he plans to plug a $538 million budget shortfall, more than $200 million of it tied to the migrant crisis,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Boosting the wages of Chicago’s tipped workers could lift thousands out of poverty, by WBEZ’s Alden Loury — Chicago's return-to-office numbers hover above 53 percent for third week, by Crain’s Sophie Rodgers — Sheriff is beefing up patrols on Michigan Avenue and it’s making a dent in retail theft, reports Crain’s Leigh Giangreco
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Get well soon, senator: Sen. Dick Durbin underwent a successful total knee replacement surgery for his left knee, according to a statement from his team. The procedure was performed Tuesday morning at Rush hospital in Oak Brook. Durbin will remain in Illinois until he is cleared for travel to Washington by his doctor. — Anja Herrman, a 17-year-old from River Forest, is being honored by the White House for “leading change and shaping a brighter future.” It’s part of International Day of the Girl. Herrman is a disability rights activist who advocated for personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the pandemic. Since 2021, she has served as the youngest appointed member of the Village of River Forest’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group.
| | HIGHER-ED | | — Northwestern's Kellogg gets $25M in memory of Sam Zell, by Crain’s John Pletz
| | | | 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 where do you spend the most time, aside from your bedroom. (And no offense, but we left out references to the bathroom. It was TMI.) Dave Dahl: “Family room. Had a La-Z-Boy for 20 years and regrettably replaced it a few years ago with a Catnapper.” Lucas Hawley, John Lopez and Josh Mogerman spend it in their home offices. Janet Mathis: “We started spending quiet time on our back patio after work hours during Covid. It continues today.” Enza Raineri, John Straus, Patricia Ann Watson and Rebecca Williams: The Kitchen. “Between cooking almost all our meals and the Sisyphean task that is washing dishes, much time is spent here,” says Williams What’s your one-line answer to addressing gerrymandering? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — House GOP speaker hopefuls equivocate on Trump's 2020 loss, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers — Biden won’t directly address the age issue, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin — Anti-abortion groups keep losing ballot measure votes. They believe Ohio will buck the trend, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Alexandra Robinson is now majority speechwriter for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and Chair Dick Durbin. She was interim head speechwriter with the Labor Department. — Tracie D. Hall has resigned as executive director of the American Library Association. Her last day was Friday. More here — Justin DeAngelis is now a partner with Quarles & Brady’s intellectual property practice group. He was an associate. — Camille Roe is now a partner with Quarles & Brady’s labor and employment practice group. She was a senior associate at Armstrong Teasdale before joining Quarles as a senior associate in August.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Oct. 18: A panel discussion on “Religious Freedom Under Attack: Fighting Back in Court” with former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance and former Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal, a Northbrook native. It’s part of Congregation Beth Shalom’s Distinguished Speaker Series and is free and open to the public. Randall Samborn moderates. Details here — Nov. 4: Robin Rue Simmons, who’s spearheading the Evanston Reparations Movement, and Tosha Wilson, owner of a health and wellness business, will be honored at the YWCA Evanston/North Shore fundraiser. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Caldwell and Sauganash avenues in Chicago are named after William “Billy” Caldwell Jr., who also went by Sauganash. He fought for the British against the United States in the War of 1812. TODAY’s QUESTION: What was Tagge’s Temple a nickname for? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Ryan Spain, former state Sen. Pat McGuire, longtime Democratic leader and former Palatine Township Committeeman Matt Flamm, former Chicago Foundation for Women CEO Felicia Davis Blakley, comms consultant and former spokeswoman for Adam Kinzinger Maura Gillespie and actress and screenwriter Joan Cusack. -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 | | | | |  |
