The doctor is in

By Shia Kapos

Happy Tuesday, Illinois. Buckle up: Federal government funding runs out Friday, and the question is whether the new House speaker’s plan will be able to fix it.

Dr. Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige was named commissioner of the Chicago Public Health Department on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. | Dr. Ige's Linkedin photo

DR. FEELGOOD: Chicago finally has a new commissioner of Public Health. Dr. Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige has been appointed to the position by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Ige’s resume: She’s currently managing director of programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and before that was an assistant commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Ige also served with the United Methodist Church’s Global Ministries with a vision “to develop and implement a more comprehensive approach to the agency’s health-related ministries and programs,” according to the organization.

That vision complements Johnson’s goals for the city. In announcing her appointment, the mayor said Ige will “lead with compassion, competency and collaboration.”

Good line: “The Chicago Department of Public Health needs all three to cope with more than 400 vacancies and the impending loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic-era federal funds,” reports the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

Some background: Ige’s appointment was announced three months after Johnson unceremoniously fired Dr. Allison Arwady, the previous commissioner who guided the city through the pandemic.

The back-back story: Johnson had said during his campaign that he would fire Arwady. Though he never really said why, it’s well known that Johnson is aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union, which resisted Arwady’s push to reopen schools back in the winter of 2021.

Just in time: Ige takes on her new duties as the latest Covid vaccines are being distributed and as the flu season kicks in.

THAT’S HOLDING: The vote on a proposal to build a new Northwestern football stadium was tabled Monday.

At issue: The council wants more time to review a new deal from the university.

Sweetening the pot: “The university, which wants zoning authority for up to six outdoor concerts aside from football games at the new venue, has agreed to community donations totaling at least $157.5 million over 15 years,” reports the Sun-Times’ David Roeder.

Proposed donations: $3 million to Evanston’s Good Neighbor Fund, $2 million to help high school students in Evanston afford college and $1 million to Evanston nonprofit groups. “The university also said it would guarantee $2.5 million in annual tax revenue from Ryan Field events once the stadium is complete,” reports Roeder.

The vote is now scheduled for Nov. 20.

If you are Dr. Ige, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com

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No official public event.

At Navy Pier at 9:30 a.m. for the Chicago Police Department recruit graduation.

At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over the Forest Preserve meeting. — At the county administration building at 2 p.m. for the Bureau of Technology’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division’s GIS Day celebration. — At the Hilton and Towers at 5:30 p.m. for the Daniel H. Burnham Awards Dinner.

It's national pickle day, so email something salty at skapos@politico.com

— State Rep. Mary Flowers is facing another primary opponent — making her reelection bid a little easier. Democrat Mike Crawford has filed paperwork to run against Flowers, according to the State Board of Elections. Crawford is dean at The Chicago School, a private university in the city.

Getting crowded: Flowers, a veteran state rep, also faces competition from fellow Democrat Mark Hamberlin. The competition from fellow Democrats comes as Flowers has faced headwinds in the Democratic caucus. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch banned her from meetings earlier this year claiming she was too disruptive. Welch also bumped her from his leadership team.

— Lawmakers pass bill aimed at modernizing professional licensing in Illinois: A new measure would provide for new online system to speed up paperwork that has sometimes taken “months” to be processed, according to state Rep. Bob Morgan, who sponsored the legislation. It now awaits the governor’s signature, Capitol News Hannah Meisel reports.

— Another take on Invest in Kids: Illinois becomes first state to roll back school voucher program, by Forbes’ Peter Greene

— Ethics charge dismissed against former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's campaign over political emails to some city workers: After meeting with Lightfoot attorney Michael Dorf, the Board of Ethics “dismissed the charges due to insufficient evidence,” reports the Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt.

It could be an addendum to Pratt’s book about Lightfoot’s administration. The book comes out next year, but you can pre-order here.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) is stepping down from the City Council’s Health and Human Relations Committee because she’s got a packed schedule. “I’m on a number of committees and a pending subcommittee that will be formed in 2024,” she told Playbook.

Others on the committee are grumbling about the group’s chair, Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd), who last week tweeted “From the river to the sea, Palestine is free.” The Anti-Defamation League condemned it as a threat of genocide to Israel. It’s the second time the alderwoman has insulted an ethnic group on social media. In July, she made fun of Italians. The Human Relations committee meets this morning.

— Aldermen move to establish a quiet zone around downtown abortion clinic: “The ordinance from Ald. Bill Conway (34th) follows what he said were multiple noise complaints about loud and disruptive anti-abortion protesters at the clinic, including from nearby residents as well as Family Planning Associates clinical staff. The clinic offers abortion care and other gynecological services,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig.

— New policy bars Chicago cops from joining hate, extremist groups, by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos and the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba

— Chicago’s model for providing mental health care is riddled with access barriers, a study shows, by WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel

— Efforts to weaken or repeal Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city gain steam, reports WTTW’s Heather Cherone

— The federal government wants to demolish 2 historic State Street skyscrapers. Preservationists are mobilizing in opposition, by the Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal

— Chicago firefighter dies after falling through light shaft while battling blaze, via Associated Press

— More than 100 arrested at downtown Chicago rally to demand ceasefire in Gaza, by CBS 2’s Chris Tye, Elyssa Kaufman and Darius Johnson

— Bankruptcy at Friendship Village retirement community in Schaumburg has financial impact on residents and families too, by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin

— R. Kelly sues YouTuber and federal employee alleging ’chaos and discord’ over leaked jail conversations, by the Tribune’s Megan Crepeau and Jason Meisner

— Marni Yang’s attorney says evidence will clear her in killing of ex-Chicago Bear’s girlfriend; prosecutor calls it ‘not factual’ and ‘insufficient,’ by Lake County News-Sun’s Chloe Hilles

GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.N. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

We asked about your biggest moment of forgetfulness:

Charles Keller: “The time I forgot my skates. I remembered halfway to Johnny’s Ice House and had to turn back on the Kennedy to get them. Then, when I finally got there, I realized I didn’t have my sticks.

For tomorrow: What skill have you always wanted to learn?

— BIG NEWS: Carlos Tortolero, who has led the National Museum of Mexican Art for 40 years, has announced his retirement. A search is underway for a new president by the museum’s board and Koya Partners. Fun fact: The museum’s opening in 1987 saw Mayor Harold Washington stop by.

— Rebecca Losli and Dwayne Pickett have joined the board of Intersect Illinois. Losli is president of Illinois American Water and Pickett is VP of Clean Hydrogen Market Development at Constellation.

— Compromises, loopholes and old promises: What to know about the Supreme Court’s ethics code, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein

— Sen. Dick Durbin: Supreme Court code of conduct 'falls short': The Senate Judiciary chair said “history was made” with the code, but he’s “still reviewing,” via POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus.

— Will Biden’s economy spur a ’24 win? Econ models sow some doubt, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida and Katy O’Donnell

— ‘I’ve seen better run city council campaigns’: Tim Scott’s allies fume after exit, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison

— Israel supporters to gather in force for D.C. rally, via Jewish Insider. As many as 2,000 Illinoisans are set to join an estimated 60,000 protesters

— Christopher Grgurich, Sarah Jin, Kelly Koss, Megan Krivoshey, Paige Lohse, Erin Pauley, Scott Peloza and David Weldon have been named partners starting in 2024 at Barnes & Thornburg.

— Today at 2 p.m.: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is offering a virtual tour of the region's water infrastructure and history. Details here

— Nov. 29: Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities honors the Chicago Police Department, the 42 Club and fundraiser Colleen Sullivan Schaefers. Details here

— Dec. 13: The Senate Democratic Caucus is holding a holiday fundraising party. Details here

MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Chris Jackowiak for correctly answering that the late former Congressman Roman Pucinski was the chief congressional investigator of the Katyn Massacre of 1940.

TODAY's QUESTION: Who was Bernie Sanders’ only pledged superdelegate from the State of Illinois in 2016? Email skapos@politico.com

Obama Presidential Center President Valerie Jarrett, Elk Grove Township Democratic Committeeman Ted Mason and lobbyist and former Chicago alderman Gene Schulter.

Correction: Lonnie Nasatir heads the Jewish United Fund of Chicago. His name was misspelled in yesterday’s newsletter.

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