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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 Tuesday, Illinois. Here we go again: The federal government could shut down in 10 days.
|  | TOP TALKER | | THE CHICAGO WAY: In the dramatic world of Chicago politics, powerful Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa stepped down from his leadership positions Monday amid claims he bullied fellow aldermen to vote his way. His demotions came just as former Ald. Ed Burke entered a courtroom a few blocks away for a trial on whether he used his seat of power to direct business to his law firm. (We’ve got more on Burke below.) They’re far apart in scope, but they also both show that the old way of doing business, the Chicago Way, still reigns in City Hall. There’s still hope: Ramirez-Rosa apologized for trying to block Ald. Emma Mitts from entering the chamber for a vote and for bullying Alds. Nicole Lee (11th), Felix Cardona (31st) and Chris Taliaferro (29th). “Tensions were high at a chaotic meeting, and I let that get the best of me, leading me to act in a way unbecoming of a leader,” Ramirez-Rosa said in a heart-felt statement. Read it here The Black Caucus in turn thanked the mayor for resolving the issue and accepted Ramirez-Rosa’s apology, saying it’s “satisfied with his atonement, remorse, and decision to resign his posts.” Here’s the full statement But it’s not the end of it. The threats weren’t just legislative “horse trading,” according to a censure letter drafted by Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). They were “a clear abuse of power reminiscent of the worst aspects of our City’s political history.” The letter says complaints are being filed with the Chicago Inspector General and the Board of Ethics. Now all eyes are on Mayor Brandon Johnson who must fill key leadership posts just as key votes are coming up: today, the council will consider paid leave and a possible ballot referendum to raise the city’s real estate transfer tax on high-end property sales. And in the coming weeks, the Council will be voting on a budget. Appointment options: Will he fill the leadership positions with Ramirez-Rosa’s allies from the Democratic Socialist Caucus? Or will he listen to the Black Caucus and others and assign chairs deemed to have measured temperaments to fill the roles of floor leader and zoning chair? In a statement, the mayor said, “Let us all recommit ourselves to the principles of respect and civility upon which our work and our democracy depend.” The Progressive Caucus supports the move, “As alderpersons, we must be the example for the type of behavior we want to see,” according to a statement. Progressive community leaders oppose it, saying they are “concerned with the hasty removal” of Ramirez-Rosa from his leadership positions and that calls for censure are “politically motivated.” That sounds like the Chicago way. Read the full statement Who might step up: “If Johnson wants someone more likable and less confrontational, speculation could center around Vice Mayor Walter Burnett Jr. (27th), the Council dean, or Ethics Chair Matt Martin (47th), an up-and-coming Council star. Veteran Ald. Greg Mitchell (7th), Workforce Development Chairman Mike Rodriguez (22nd) and Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) are also possibilities. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) isn’t interested, saying she has her hands full as chair of the Finance Committee,” writes the Sun-Times’ Spielman in her analysis story. If you are Ald. Emma Mitts, 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 | | In Miami at 12:30 EST for a Biden campaign press conference on "MAGA extremism."
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Union League Club at 8 a.m. for the One Million Degrees/City Colleges Chicago Corporate Breakfast — At City Hall at 11 a.m. for the City Council meeting.
| | | Where's Toni | | | At Malcolm X College at 5:30 p.m. to give remarks at the "Bridging the Equity Gap” health and housing forum. Before you get that second cup of coffee, email me at skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — BIDEN’S VISIT: President Joe Biden will headline a fundraiser hosted by entrepreneur Glen Tullman on Thursday in Chicago. Prices range from $3,300 to be an attendee to $200,000 to be a co-host. — Congresswoman Mary Miller officially kicked off her re-election bid with a video posted on social media. It features former President Donald Trump, former Trump adviser Stephen Bannon and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Check it out — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democratic state Rep. Kelly Burke has donated $50,000 to Rick Ryan, an Evergreen Park attorney who Burke supports. Burke, who's also Evergreen Park's mayor, announced she wouldn’t seek reelection to the General Assembly. Also donating to Ryan was state Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th), also a Democrat, who gave $10,000.
| | | | 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 | | — Seven members of Congress voice opposition to private school tax credits as state lawmakers take up the issue, by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles — An Illinois judge reversed a sexual assault verdict he had rendered. A hearing will now decide whether he stays on the bench, by the Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington
| | CHICAGO | | — Johnson's first budget easily clears committee hurdle: “The lack of significant amendments to the proposal is reflective of the modesty of Johnson’s first budget, which held to a campaign promise to not raise property taxes,” reports Crain’s Justin Laurence. — City Council committee grills Peoples Gas ahead of ICC decision on proposed $402M record rate hike: “The Illinois Commerce Commission is expected to rule Nov. 16 on the rate hike proposal. If approved, the rate increase would add $11.83 per month to the average residential customer bill beginning in January,” by the Tribune’s Robert Channick and A.D. Quig. — Paid leave opposition: The Association of Safety Net Community Hospitals sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday about the paid leave proposal. The group says if passed, the measure would cost hospitals millions in added expenses and would force hospitals to “reduce staff and eliminate services.” Here’s the full letter — Restaurants cutting labor costs in preparation for tipped wage increase, by Crain’s Ally Marotti — Biden White House, state, city team up for pilot program to help migrants apply for work permits, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — Illinois bill could give temporary Bally’s Casino more time at Medinah Temple location, by WGN 9’s Peter Curi — In shocking move, Cubs fire David Ross as manager and hire Craig Counsell to replace him, by the Sun-Times’ Maddie Lee
| | | | A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition:   | | | | | | — Ed Burke corruption trial off to slow start as once powerful politician faces those who may decide his fate: “Burke could be seen reviewing paperwork, including potential jurors’ questionnaires. But he mostly seemed to be taking it all in,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel — On the jury: a part-time butcher, a Chicago Public Schools teacher, and a retired IRS agent with a passion for roller-skating, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau — First move by Burke’s team: “To object to a large display in the hallway outside the courtroom that memorializes the other high-profile public corruption cases that have taken place at the Dirksen Courthouse.” The judge said she would take the request under advisement, reports WTTW’s Heather Cherone
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Father of Highland Park parade shooting suspect pleads guilty to reckless conduct, gets 60 days in jail, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | — Calumet City drops citations against Daily Southtown reporter who called workers seeking comment, by the Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt
| | | | 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 how many states you’ve visited and which you liked best — not counting Illinois, of course. Clem Balanoff: “All 50 states. Current favorite is California because that’s where my grandchildren and children live.” Eli Brottman: “13 plus D.C. California is my favorite by far.” Rob Christie: “43, and Colorado is my favorite especially in the summer.” Michael Gascoigne: “29, and Wisconsin tops them. I like cold states.” Elena Maria Gottreich: “22, and I have a soft spot for Georgia for its greenery and my alma mater, Emory U.!” Charles Keller: “45, and I like Florida the best.” Ashvin Lad: “47 and my favorite is California.” Kady McFadden: “I visited all 50 states before my 25th birthday, some only by bicycle! You can’t beat the mountains and big sky in Montana.” Marilynn Miller: “15. Tennessee makes for gorgeous driving.” Joe Moore, the former alderman: “49, New Mexico being the exception. Favorite is Florida for its winter weather, not its politics.” Joan Pederson: “All 50. Washington state.” Sharon Silberg: “All 50. New York.” Terry Steczo: “49, Hawaii being the exception. Utah was beautiful." Michael Stokke: “All 50. Alaska, the final frontier.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “28. Wisconsin, specifically the Madison area for its mix of academia and many lakes." Patricia Ann Watson: “50. Fave is North Carolina. I could live there.” La'Mont R. Williams: “50. Maine. It’s truly gorgeous.” Brent Zhorne: “32. “My favorite is Tennessee. My daughter lives in Memphis. A close second is Wisconsin because GO PACKERS!” What’s an only-in-llinois sorta thing? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Internal debates in Biden world over whether to go harder at Trump, by POLITICO's Jonathan Lemire, Adam Cancryn, Holly Otterbein and Elena Schneider — ‘I’m not a windmill person’: Trump takes the witness stand and doesn’t break character, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — Sarah Huckabee Sanders to endorse Trump in debate counterprogramming, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt
| | | | 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 | | — Susan Lane Stone is now CEO and executive director of the National Headache Foundation. She has been interim executive director. — Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu is now EVP at Resolute. She previously worked in the Chicago mayor’s office.
| | | EVENTS | | — Thursday: Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger talks about his book, “Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country,” with Lynn Sweet. Sign up to watch online — Dec. 13: The Illinois Third House luncheon. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Dan O'Brien for correctly answering that the first game played at the newly named Guaranteed Rate Field was Nov. 9, 2016, when the University of Toledo football team defeated Northern Illinois. TODAY's QUESTION: Where in Chicago was the Star Spangled Banner first performed? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin, philanthropist Eleni Bousis, Harry Caray CEO Grant DePorter, trial consultant and former prosecutor Karen Kerbis, lieutenant governor’s digital media specialist Joanna Byrne, crisis comms consultant Randall Samborn, political adviser Bob Yadgir, Axion Analytical Labs President Lee Polite and Sportico reporter Daniel Libit. And belated greetings to Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug, who celebrated the big 6-0 Saturday. -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 | | | | |  |
