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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Monday morning, Illinois. If last night’s poker night is any indication, it’s going to be a break-even week.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, photographed recently in Rome, spoke up addressed a Jewish congregation in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. | Paolo Lucariello/AP | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich surprised congregants at the Anshe Emet synagogue’s shabbat service Saturday when he spoke to them from the bimah, saying he was there to “personally assure” his support for the Jewish community of Greater Chicago. Addressing the trauma: “Through personal conversations, I have learned the depth of the Jewish community’s trauma and I extend my deep condolences to all of you,” he said, according to prepared remarks. “While some in our area view this as an event occurring half a world away, I know, as much as I can, how deeply personal this attack was for you.” Standing O: The Catholic archbishop's comments drew an unusual standing ovation from 200-plus congregants at the high-profile synagogue. Why he’s speaking now: Cupich explained to the crowd that he hadn’t spoken earlier because he had been in Rome for the Synod for most of October. Last week, he met with Lonnie Nasater, the president and CEO of the Jewish United Fund, who suggested speaking to a congregation. Getting real: Nasater told playbook that Cupich asked him to “give me a sense of how people are processing the attack of Oct. 7." "I was very honest and open with him, saying this has been a really tough four weeks," Nasater said. Quick reply: Nasater said within a few hours of returning to his desk, he heard from Cupich’s team saying the cardinal wanted to speak to a Jewish congregation right away. “He affirmed the fundamental right of Jews to a Jewish state. And then, of course, he talked about the national aspiration for Palestinian people,” Nasater said of Cupich’s remarks. “We heard it as he's there as a friend and he understands that we have seen immense tragedy.” RELATED The grief is overwhelming Chicago’s Palestinian community, too, by the Tribune’s Caroline Kubzansky
| | THE BUZZ | | | | 
Mayor Daniel Biss, photographed when he was a state legislator, faces what could be the most consequential vote of his career on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. | Seth Perlman/AP | BIG VOTE TODAY: The Evanston City Council will vote tonight on a proposed $800 million reconstruction project for Northwestern University’s football stadium — and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is expected to break what could be a tie vote. Pros and cons: Supporters say the project, which includes a state-of-the art stadium that will also be used as an entertainment venue, will be an economic driver for the city just north of Chicago. Critics worry about traffic congestion and noise, especially as evening concerts will be part of the mix. The major funder is Pat Ryan, the insurance mogul whose name already adorns Ryan Field. Biss is keeping mum: The mayor hasn’t commented on the project and didn’t return a request for comment from Playbook. But he’s expected to support the project, given that he did so in an earlier council hearing. There’s backlash: The project has created such an uproar that opponents have started a political action committee called “Better than Biss” to find a candidate to oppose him in the 2025 mayoral election. Who’s behind it: Parielle Davis, a 30-year-old software engineer and lawyer, started the PAC and told Playbook she might even run herself if another candidate didn’t stand up to oppose the mayor. Biss is a notable name in progressive politics, and his support for the project has been viewed as a “betrayal” to those progressive ideals, Davis told Pioneer Press’ Alex Hulvalchick. Biss’ pedigree: The mayor is a former state senator and Democratic gubernatorial candidate whose name has come up as a possible future congressional candidate. His vote today will follow him in his future political endeavors. “It’s one of the most consequential votes of his political career,” writes Crain’s Brandon Dupré. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. Agenda here If you are Daniel Biss, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public event.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At the Fairmont at 11 a.m. to give remarks at the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conference.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public event. It’s the 10-day turkey countdown, so email me at skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Biden’s comments in Illinois indicate he’s not so worried about his age: When the clatter of someone tripping interrupted President Joe Biden’s remarks at an Illinois last week, he paused and asked, “You OK? I want the press to know that wasn’t me.” His ad lib prompted a big laugh in an otherwise serious speech about his administration’s commitment to union jobs. It also shows he’s embracing the age thing, via your Playbook host in The Nightly. — Madison County Democrats outline plans at annual JFK Dinner: “So far the Democrats have been relatively quiet. Locally, the only declared candidate is Nick Raftopoulos, who is running for the 111th Illinois House seat now held by Amy Elik. Raftopoulos has already received the Democratic Party’s endorsement,” by The Telegraph’s Scott Cousins.
| | | | 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 | | — Families lament, public school advocates celebrate end of controversial scholarship tax credit: State lawmakers adjourned their legislative session last week without taking up a proposal to extend the Invest in Kids program beyond Dec. 31. “Both sides said they believe it was the first time such a voucher program has been discontinued,” by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner, Dan Petrella and Alysa Guffey — Peoples Gas rate hike would hurt Chicagoans struggling to pay utility bills, advocates say: “It would result in an average monthly increase of $11.83 — or $141.96 a year. A vote is set for Thursday,” by the Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón. — Midwest pollution spiked dramatically because of Canadian wildfires. Now officials may erase those days from the books: “They could do so by invoking the so-called exceptional events exclusion for pollution humans don’t cause and can’t control. If they do, it could lead to the largest such exclusion in the history of the federal Clean Air Act,” by the Tribune’s John Lippert and Dillon Bergin. — Pro-life or pro-lie? “A new state law cracks down on deceptive practices by anti-abortion centers, but a legal challenge claims Illinois is violating free speech,” by Chicago magazine’s Edward Robert McClelland. — Springfield World War II veteran receives Congressional Gold medal, by the State Journal Register’s Patrick M. Keck — Illinois judge who reversed sexual assault ruling awaits fate after disciplinary hearing, by the Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington — C-SPAN INTERVIEW: Author Robert Hartley talks about his book "Power, Purpose & Prison" about Illinois governors who served time in prison. There have been a few. Podcast here
| | CHICAGO | | — Some migrant families are leaving Chicago ahead of winter: “They’re looking for warmer weather, more resources or to reunite with friends and family in other places,” writes the Tribune’s Laura Rodríguez Presa. — City ID card event cancellations frustrate migrants desperate for official identification, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Laura Rodríguez Presa
— Chicago Catholic Charities is helping migrants but isn’t getting coordination help from Texas Catholic Charities, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman
— Advising the VP: Members of the University of Chicago Crime Lab were in D.C. last week offering insights to the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which was established by Vice President Kamala Harris.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Penny Pritzker has been talking to members of Congress, urging funding for Ukraine. She’s just returned from the region, having visited there in her role as head of the U.S. economic recovery effort for Ukraine. Pritzker’s lobbying effort comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled his support to aid Ukraine — though he drew a line against combining it with money for Israel, according to POLITICO’s Congress team. Congressman Mike Quigley, who’s co-chair on the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, told Playbook the funding process “isn’t the best way to do it at this point. But we never seem to do it the right way.” He added: “We’re at a pivotal point. Winter is coming.”
| | SPOTTED | | — THE BIG 4-0: Samir Mayekar, former deputy mayor of Business and Economic Development and new leader at U. of C.’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship, celebrated his 40th birthday at the Rendezvous Pop Up at the John Hancock Building. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot toasted Mayekar, joking that all of his former employees were now attending Harvard. It was a humorous nod to her current teaching gig at Harvard’s school of public health. Turns out a number of Mayekar’s former employees are attending the law and business schools there. Also on hand: World Business Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht, French Consul General of Chicago Yannick Tagand, Ariel Investments’ John Oxtoby, ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones, Vice Chair of BMO Commercial Bank Eric Smith and Attucks Asset Management President Winston Blake. Lightfoot administration alums on hand included DCASE commissioner Erin Harkey, CHA CEO Tracey Scott, former CDPH commissioner and newly named to the CDC Dr. Allison Arwady and Studeo Gan principal and former CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi.
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| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Tim Scott suspends his presidential campaign, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison — Here’s how Biden can turn it around (Rahm Emanuel is involved), by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin — Mike Johnson stares down the first real test of his speakership, by POLITICO’s Ryan Lizza
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Danita Childers has been named executive director of Housing Authority of Cook County. Childers was deputy chief of development operations at the Chicago Housing Authority, — Eric Murphy joins the Illinois Republican Party as political director and will serve as the party’s first-ever get-out-the-vote director. Murphy has served “in a variety of roles across government and campaigns the last 15 years,” GOP Chair Don Tracy said in announcing the hire. — Lou Sandoval has been named president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Sandoval is president and partner of the Halo Advisory Group, via NPR Illinois. — Robert Emmons is chief partnership officer with Dion’s Chicago Dream. He was director of engagement at National Louis University and is also a consultant.
| | | TRIVIA | | | FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Scott Simon and Gene Daly for correctly answering Little Cubs Fields are in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood and at Reed Park in Freeport. TODAY's QUESTION: What longtime Chicago political figure was the chief congressional investigator of the Katyn Massacre of 1940? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | U.S. Attorney General and Illinois native Merrick Garland, Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sanchez, U. of C. Crime Lab public affairs director Sarah Rand, Ipsos head of trends Matt Carmichael, public affairs consultant Marion Steinfels and CNN political reporter (and POLITICO alum) Eric Bradner. -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 | | | | |  |
