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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Some weeks seem longer than others. And this is one.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, waving to onlookers at last year's Chicago Pride Parade, is taking his progressive message national. | Jon Durr/AP | NEW THIS MORNING: Gov. JB Pritzker, who’s been donating to abortion rights efforts across the country, has now started a national organization to focus on the effort. Think Big America, a take-off of his “Think Big” campaign for governor in 2018, addresses abortion rights and is part of a broader mission of “combating far-right extremism.” The group has an eye for expanding to address issues such as book bans, LGBTQ rights or gender-affirming care — issues where Democrats have often played defense in recent years The message: “Extremism poses an existential threat to our democracy. And I take this threat very seriously,” Pritzker says in a video about the new group. Who’s running it: Nine members of Pritzker’s political team, including Mike Ollen, who was Pritzker’s campaign manager, have stayed in place since his re-election campaign last year and will split their time between the governor’s political work and running the new organization. The group’s board of directors includes several Pritzker allies, including businessperson Desirée Rogers, who worked in the Obama administration, Illinois state Rep. Margaret Croke and Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris. We’ve got the full story on the home page. The news follows a big day: Pritzker took the stage at the annual Personal PAC fundraiser Tuesday at the Chicago Hilton, where he introduced the headliner, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Frenemies: The two are both mentioned as possible future Democratic presidential candidates. But for now, they are on the same team, serving as surrogates for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. Pritzker also just donated $5,000 to Whitmer’s “Fight Like Hell” political action committee.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | EXCLUSIVE: We got our hands on some exclusive polling about one of the hottest issues in Springfield: the Invest in Kids Act, a scholarship program that’s set to end Dec. 31 if the General Assembly doesn’t act. About the law: The law gives tax credits to those who contribute to the scholarship program, which benefits low-income families at non-public schools. It’s opposed by the Chicago Teachers Union. The topline takeaway: Two-thirds of Illinois voters support the program, “especially” parents, voters of color and voters with annual incomes under $40,000, according to the polling memo from Brian Stryker and Oren Savir, the pollsters who count President Joe Biden as a client. More details: “Support remains unchanged after voters hear statements from both proponents and critics of the program,” according to the poll memo. Most of those surveyed weren’t even bothered by statements such as: “Wealthy Illinoisans get to take their tax dollars, give them to private schools, and leave public schools underfunded.” Read the poll memo here. In Springfield’s court: Lawmakers could take up the proposal to extend the program when they meet starting Tuesday for the scheduled veto session. If you are Brian Stryker, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg at 9 a.m. to deliver remarks at the Cereals & Grains Association’s annual meeting.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At Build Inc. at 10 a.m. to attend the Sport for Good town hall.
| | Where's Toni | | At Mujeres Latinas en Acción at 9 a.m. to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and announce nearly $5 million in grants. Take a break from picking apples and 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 | | — State officials recommend utility gas price increase for 4.1M consumers: “Final decision on rate increases expected before the end of the year,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams. — Wartime tax relief: Gov. JB Pritzker announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the attacks that took place in Israel earlier this month and the resulting Israeli-Hamas war. Impacted taxpayers may request to waive penalties and interest with the Illinois Department of Revenue if they cannot file their returns or make timely payments for income taxes, according to a statement.
| | MIGRANT MOVES | | — MESSAGE FROM EL PASO: “Mayor [Oscar] Leeser and members of the city team were pleased to host a delegation from Illinois visiting El Paso. Mayor Leeser and Mayor [Brandon] Johnson of Chicago have spoken, but he did not travel to El Paso. We will continue conversations with Mayor Johnson and his team to ensure a coordinated and collaborative response among our cities to the humanitarian crisis we are facing,” said Estrella Escobar, senior chief of staff," via Leeser's team late Tuesday. — Johnson’s top aide travels to the border instead as tensions build over where to move migrants before winter starts, by CBS 2’s Todd Feurer, Sabrina Franza and Mugo Odigwe — City’s spending plan for migrants doesn’t add up, critics say. Block Club’s Quinn Myers reports — INVESTIGATION: Invoices show how millions of dollars flowed to one company staffing migrant shelters, via NBC 5
| | CHICAGO | | — There's a $5M pot sweetener in Johnson's $16.6B budget: The funding would allow every City Council member to hire an additional staffer, by Crain’s Justin Laurence. — Outgoing Police Board president urges City Council to reject arbitrator’s ruling, says it would undermine police reform, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Demolition of Thompson Center facade, atrium for Google makeover approved by city, by Sun-Times’ Lee Bey
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — How Toni Preckwinkle plans to improve the Forest Preserves next year: “Flush with money from a tax increase, the Forest Preserves’ budget includes plans to restore 400 acres of woodlands and floodplains and add more conservation programs,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. — Second-installment property tax bills in Cook County due Dec. 1: “The 2022 tax bills will be mailed in two weeks, but owners can download and pay them now online,” by Sun-Times’ David Struett.
| | | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | | — Metra to buy zero-emission, self-propelled rail cars with $169.3M federal grant: “Metra may be able to retire its most polluting diesel trains earlier than it planned and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 567,000 tons, the transit agency says,” by Sun-Times’ Phyllis Cha.
| | | 2024 WATCH | | | — Clayton Harris III, who’s running for Cook County state’s attorney, has been endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, which represents bus drivers, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, which represents rail workers in Chicago.
| | | | PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about politicians who give good insight. Randy Bucas: “Sen. Mitt Romney on the federal level and the notable names in POLITICO Illinois Playbook.” Thank you, Randy! Rosemary Caruk: Congressman Sean Casten. David A Carzoli: Dan Cronin. “Why has he never run for governor?” Mike Gascoigne: “AOC.” Marilynn Miller: Congressman Bill Foster. Omari Prince: Cook County Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr. Alison Pure-Slovin: “Commissioner Scott Britton on Cook County level, state Sen. Laura Fine on state level, and Congressman Brad Schneider on national level.” Mark Rosenberg: David Axelrod. Emily Spangler: “A mix of state Reps. Terra Costa-Howard, Anna Moeller and Lindsey LaPointe.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, and for Illinois issues, Congressman Sean Casten.” When did history repeat itself? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Jim Jordan’s allies tried strong-arming his GOP critics. It backfired, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney, Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers — Biden expected to ask Congress for $100B package that includes aid to Israel and Ukraine, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Haberkorn, Lara Seligman and Alexander Ward — Biden on Gaza hospital strike: Looks like the ‘other team’ did it, by POLITICO’s Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana — Trump’s new gag order poses puzzles with no easy answers, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney — Man faces misdemeanor charge for twice bringing guns to Wisconsin Capitol, demanding to see governor, via The Associated Press
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Cesar Rodriguez is now media relations manager at BP. He was press secretary for then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and earlier worked in broadcast journalism. — Rebecca Shuster is now human resources director for the Illinois Office of Comptroller. She had held the same position for the Executive Ethics Commission. Shuster replaces Michele Cusumano, who is now human resources director for the Department of Natural Resources. — Anne Sokolov is now the executive director of the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House. She was the chief of staff for Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and is a Biden administration, Max Rose, Tim Ryan and Charlie Wilson alum.
| | | TAKING NAMES | | | — Anja Hermann, a 17-year-old senior at Oak Park River Forest High School, was among 15 teens honored at the White House last week by first lady Jill Biden for ‘leading change.” Hermann was recognized for advocating for disability rights. More here from Bob Skolnik for Wednesday Journal.
| | EVENTS | | — Oct. 24: Chakena Perry, senior policy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, headlines a discussion on “clean water access and Black maternal health.” Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Chicago. Details here — Nov. 1: The Arab American Democratic Club fundraiser will feature Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta. Details here — Nov. 15: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s annual “Kelly-oke” fundraiser is always a scene. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that nearly 50 years ago on Sept. 4, 1974, Gov. Dan Walker signed an executive order granting bargaining rights to state workers under his direct jurisdiction. Walker said it would protect workers against patronage abuses and encourage career employment. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Chicago ward boss who also served as attorney for Al Capone’s gang? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, State Budget Director Alexis Sturm, attorney J.C. Strzalka-Steil, political fundraising consultant Erica Kelly, MxD’s senior comms director Alyssa Anna Sullivan, University of Chicago professor Victor A. Friedman, policy and comms consultant Jim Bray and Playbooker Steve Whitmer. -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 | | | | |  |
