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Presented by the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by the Save My Scholarship Coalition | Happy Monday, Illinois. Could last week BE any worse? Let’s hope this one is better.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock headlined the Illinois Democratic Party's fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. | Democratic Part of Illinois screen shot | Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock headlined the Illinois Democratic Party’s first-ever fundraiser on Friday, showing there are no hard feelings (not too many, anyway) for Chicago beating out Atlanta to host the 2024 Democratic Convention. Worlds collide: Warnock gave a shout-out to Quentin Fulks, who was in the crowd. Fulks is the principal deputy campaign manager for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. He was campaign manager for Warnock’s 2022 campaign and, before that, was senior political adviser for Gov. JB Pritzker. Friday’s event raised more than $1 million, according to organizers. This was the first large-scale fundraiser for the revamped Illinois Democratic Party after more than 20 years run by former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who plugged millions into the party’s coffers. Since his exit two-plus years ago, Pritzker has picked up the slack to fuel the party. Earlier this year, for example, he gave $1 million. It won’t last forever. Democrats are trying to find new ways to juice up fundraising, knowing that the governor won't always be around to write checks. What’s happened to the Illinois Republican Party is a good lesson: for years it was funded primarily by two people — former Gov. Bruce Rauner and businessman Ken Griffin. When they left town, the Illinois GOP was left scrambling. Also donating to the Dems: House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s political organization gave $40,000, the Illinois Federation of Teachers gave $63,500 and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi gave $5,000 as part of Friday’s event. You can watch the speeches here (starting at about 1:16). SPOTTED: All the big names, including Pritzker, Welch and Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. Fulks sat with his good friend, Pritzker chief of staff Anne Caprara. Senate President Don Harmon couldn’t make it and delivered his comments by video.
| | THE BUZZ | | ANOTHER SHOOTING, BUT HOPE: Fifteen people were injured over the weekend in a mass shooting in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood when a man opened fire into a crowd gathered at a Halloween party. The irony: The shooting comes as law enforcement officials from across the country gathered in Chicago to get their arms around the gun problem. Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the shooting and reminded that the violence is a national issue. Big quote: “Sadly, mass casualty events like these are not exclusive to the City of Chicago. This Halloween weekend alone, 11 people were killed in 12 mass shootings across the country from Tampa to Texarkana. This comes on the heels of last week's devastating mass shooting in Maine,” he said in a statement, referring to the shooting that saw 18 people killed and 13 injured. Johnson blamed the “proliferation of high-powered artillery” and called for “common sense gun reform to bring safety to all communities." It’s not enough for his critics, who see a lack of urgency in addressing crime. One group is working for change: The University of Chicago Crime Lab graduated its inaugural cohort of the Policing Leadership Academy on Friday, with Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling giving opening remarks. He also taught in the academy. The Lab says it’s “the only police management and leadership training program in the country specifically designed to increase safety and fairness in America’s most violent neighborhoods.” As cities continue to grapple with high rates of gun violence, police leaders from departments across the country took part in a six-month education program focused on “data-driven management, violence reduction strategies and building community trust.” Check out graduates here If you are Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | | | A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Over 9,500 students are counting on the Illinois General Assembly to save the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. If they fail to act NOW, then students from low-income families will lose their scholarships, causing many to leave their best-fit schools. Most of these students are Black or Brown, and 100% are from households with demonstrated financial need. Additionally, 26,000 more students from low-income and working-class families sit anxiously on the waitlist. Do the right thing. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | No official public events.
| | | Where's Toni | | In South Holland at 10 a.m. for the grand opening of the CEDA Weatherization Training Center. Before you buy your Halloween costume, email me at 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. | | | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Donald Trump Jr. voices host of grievances during fundraising stop in Addison: He appeared in a DuPage County that was once the hotbed of suburban Republicanism. That's changed. The former president's son labeled the change as a "creation of the media," the Tribune’s Rick Pearson reports. — THE BAILEY CONNECTION: Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, who’s challenging Republican Congressman Mike Bost for his IL-12 seat, met with former President Donald Trump on Thursday at Mar-a-Lago, then flew with Don Jr.’s team to the Addison event before heading to a fundraiser in Effingham on Friday night, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall, with VIDEO. — Senate President Don Harmon gives back red-light camera company’s campaign cash after Sun-Times report: “Spokesman says it was an ‘oversight’ that Harmon’s campaign funds took the money after the Oak Park Democrat voted to ban contributions from red-light camera operators,” by the Sun-Times' Robert Herguth.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — UAW-Stellantis tentative agreement to include a new vehicle, EV battery facility for idled Belvidere plant, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick — Assistant in Illinois emergency agency quits amid questions over pay that peaked at $48K a month, by the Sun-Times’ Lauren FitzPatrick — State estimates $1.3B drop in business taxes for local governments, by the Daily Herald’s Jake Griffin — Police called to high school after official alleges altercation with state Sen. Willie Preston, by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — Illinois sheriff says cop signed up for Oath Keepers, but now renounces the extremist group, by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos — Surge in antisemitism amid Israel-Hamas war marks ‘frightening time’ for Jews locally and globally, by the Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos
| | | | A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition:   | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | — CONVENTION ZONE: Natalie Edelstein has been named communications director for the 2024 Democratic National Convention’s host committee. She was Gov. JB Pritzker’s communications director for his most recent gubernatorial race and political operations. — Stacey Abrams was in Chicago on Friday to keynote the Erikson Institute’s luncheon fundraiser, where she received the Equity Award. The event raised more than $1 million. Spotted: Sen. Dick Durbin, A|L Media’s Eric Adelstein, who serves as board director, and Bela Moté, who heads the Carole Robertson Center and also was honored. Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Presidential Center CEO, was on hand for an impromptu 95th birthday celebration for her mom, Erikson co-founder, Barbara Bowman. — Chris and Sheila Kennedy, daughter Kate Kennedy and Rep. Nancy Pelosi were among the crowd at the christening and launch of the new USNS Robert F. Kennedy naval ship in San Diego, named after Chris’ late father.Pic and VIDEO — Jesse Ruiz and Carolyn Blackwell have been named to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Ruiz is partner, general counsel and chief compliance officer of The Vistria Group. He was deputy governor for education in Pritzker’s office. Blackwell is senior accountant with Champaign Asphalt Co.
| | CHICAGO | | — MAYOR’s MIGRANT MOVES: “To protect new arrivals and unhoused Chicagoans from falling temperatures, the city is collaborating with external partners, volunteers and mutual aid groups to provide blankets, coats and other much-needed items. Warming buses will be provided by the CTA at the landing location and 16 police district locations. The city is also working with faith-based leaders to plan for emergency staging and shelter,” the mayor’s office said in a statement Sunday evening. — How to help asylum seekers this winter, via WTTW’s Erica Demarest — Did you know? 2023 marks the 100 year anniversary of Chicago’s 50 wards system. Committeewoman Maggie O’Keefe partnered with CivicMatters to break down its history. Watch here — $20,000 grant from CHA puts homeownership within residents’ reach, by the Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Most Cook County property owners will pay higher taxes this year: “Homeowners in the north and northwest suburbs will get hit particularly hard. Schools, which rely heavily on property taxes, are largely the reason,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch — EVBox launches fast-charger production in Libertyville, as part of national push for widespread EV adoption, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick — Chicago-area environmental activists, experts seek to protect region’s trees after bur oak removal in Kane County, by the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson
| | Reader Digest | | We asked about your Halloween plans. Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady MK Pritzker dressed up as Harry Potter characters and gave out treats to children at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield on Saturday. Pic! Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Judge ShawnTe Raines-Welch dolled up for a Halloween party. Pic! Consultants Becky Carroll and Jon Friend left the kids home Saturday to attend Kathleen Strand and Bobby Kellman’s Barbie-themed Halloween Party. (Strand was spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.) Carroll and Friend won the costume contest as “Goth Barbie and Ken.” Pic! Brian Bernardoni: “Trick-or-treaters will see our yard cemetery, our homage to Svengoolie and our garage ‘House of Oddities.’” Pic! What political-themed costume do you hope to see on Halloween? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Obama team reuniting in Chicago to mark 15th anniversary of historic presidential win, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet — COLUMN: Joe Biden’s big New Hampshire blunder, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin — Abortion referendum offers Ohio Democrats a playbook for ’24, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Madison Fernandez — It ended in Sin City. But Mike Pence’s campaign was DOA for months, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren
| | | | A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Voters are very clear: They support the Tax Credit Scholarship Program by an overwhelming margin of more than 2:1. What’s at stake is the best-fit education of thousands of low-income students who receive a Tax Credit Scholarship or are waiting for one. Over half of the recipients are Black or Brown, and all the recipients qualify based on financial need. We cannot fail these children and their families. The Illinois General Assembly needs to extend the Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program during this fall veto session. In addition to the 9,500 students who currently receive the scholarships, 26,000 more students from low-income and working-class families sit anxiously on the waitlist hoping to receive the same opportunities as some of their peers. This commitment is an investment in poverty reduction and economic acceleration, so lawmakers should do the right thing: Extend the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — Israel Rocha, head of Cook County Health through the pandemic, exiting in December, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig — Elizabeth Grisanzio is now CEO & President of EG Strategies, a lobbying and consulting firm. Grisanzio was chief of staff at Lisa Wagner’s LW&CO and fundraising director for Greg Hart’s DuPage County board campaign.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — When young Matthew Perry had ‘the best experience of my life’ in Chicago: “Long before ‘Friends,’ actor made his movie debut in ‘A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,’ befriending co-star River Phoenix and falling ‘deeply in love with acting,’” by the Sun-Times’ Darel Jevens — Shelley Howard, concert poster artist and fixture of Chicago nightlife, dies at 76, by the Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet and Ed Mazur for correctly answering that eight employees were asked to resign or retire after the tunnel under the Chicago River was breached by construction work. TODAY’s QUESTION: What two private companies once claimed to have purchased large tracts of land from Native American tribes in Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
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