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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy December, Illinois! Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom took the Blue State v. Red State debate to a new level last night, via POLITICO.
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Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, photographed earlier in 2023, wants to see improvements in border policies, though he doesn't support Republicans' HR2. | Erin Hooley/AP | Congress is trying to fix the nation’s immigration system, which Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and others say is “broken” and in need of repair. So, we reached out to Democratic Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia to get his take. The issue hits home for Garcia. About 30 percent of residents in his 4th District are foreign-born, and he is, too. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. What do you want to see in a border deal? “We need to ensure that there's adequate funding to meet the needs of welcoming cities like Chicago and others who are receiving migrants. We also need to make sure nonprofit organizations that have been playing a frontline role in caring for migrants also receive support. And there needs to be something to address the massive immigration backlogs. We need more immigration judges and hearing officers.” What’s your take so far on HR2? “It's the cruelest immigration bill we've seen in a long time. It doubles down on detention, and it basically ends asylum as we know it and continues the border wall.” Where are Democrats on bill? “We don't have a proposal in front of us yet. We have bits and pieces and rumors of conversations that have taken place. But I believe in a humane immigration system that’s focused on compassion and not criminalization.” How did we get to this point? “We should have known that, given the ravages of Covid in the Latin American economies, there was going to be a big displacement of people and uprooting of people. We should have known that given the Trump policy towards Venezuela and the sanctions that would have a direct impact on displacing so many people that are winding up at our doorstep.” Do you support steps to limit crossings or deportations? “I support measures that would prevent people from coming here — the type of investment that should have happened in the wake of Covid. And the impact on those economies. People are migrating because of their desperation. They're migrating in part because of our foreign policy in their home countries. And they're losing their hope that they can make a life in their countries of origin. They certainly don’t migrate here because they believe that the streets are paved with gold.” Do you favor more temporary protection status for more populations? “I support providing more people with work authorization. We attempted to do that in the Build Back Better bill, when we negotiated — the Three Amigos Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.) and myself — in the 11th hour when we passed it out of the House, but it stalled in the Senate. Remember, these are immigrants that have been contributing to this country, who have strong ties here, who have family members who are U.S. citizens. They just want peace of mind to be able to go to work and not worry about deportation. They want to live a normal life.” Should there be limits migrants being sent to other cities and states? “Republican governors have said that they're willing to work with the federal government for the orderly placement of people in their states where labor market shortages are greatest. We can make that happen. But certainly exploiting people and trafficking in migrants to score political points is not meeting the needs of our economy and the national interest. So, we can do it if we resolve to do it.” RELATED: Republicans aren’t the only ones pushing for border policy changes: Democrats like Gov. JB Pritzker are calling for changes, too. The federal government needs to “coordinate the flow of migrants coming in from the southern border instead of allowing their final destinations to be selected by politically motivated Texas politicians,” Pritzker told POLITICO, via our team’s deep bench of reporters.
| | CONVENTION ZONE | | HOST COMMITTEE HOOHA: The Democratic and Republican national convention host committees are ramping up work, and there’s some rivalry between the two camps — and we’re not talking Wisconsin cheese vs. Chicago pizza. In Chicago: The Dems are sending out requests for proposals today for event planners for three big parties. The Delegate Welcoming Event and Volunteer Appreciation Event will each draw more than 10,000 attendees, and a Media Welcoming Event will bring in 15,000. Details here In Milwaukee, Republicans hosted a media walkthrough Thursday at Fiserv Arena, where their convention will be held. There was chest thumping about being organized, even more so than the Democrats in Chicago, they claimed. But the real jab came from Elise Dickens, CEO of the 2024 Republican National Convention. “Unlike the DNC,” she told the media crowd, referring to the Democratic National Committee, Republicans “didn’t choose a city that's reliably in their corner.” It was meant as a hat tip to RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. If you are Ronna McDaniel, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public event.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Chicago Cultural Center at 10:40 a.m. for the Department of Family and Support Services senior holiday party — At the 15th Police District at 6 p.m. for the Austin Tree Lighting ceremony.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center at 3:30 p.m. to commemorate World AIDS Day and mark the center’s 25th anniversary. Pour the eggnog and email 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. | | | | | | | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Corruption in Illinois breeds voter cynicism, but what about voter apathy? “People might be more cynical and their government more expensive, but voter interest in state elections has only increased in the face of seemingly endless corruption,” reports WBEZ’s Dave McKinney — Illinois State Police launch online tip line for public corruption allegations, by the Daily Herald’s Charles Keeshan.
| | | — Jurors hear ‘tuna’ recording for the first time after judge rejects request for a mistrial: “So did we land the, uh, the tuna?” juror heard from tapes. The “tuna” referred to tax business from developers of the massive Old Post Office. The Tribune’s Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau and Ray Long have the full report.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — State’s high court rules against nurses who sued over hospitals’ use of fingerprint medicine cabinets, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel — Illinois Supreme Court ruling could solve insurance legal struggles for pedestrians hit by vehicles, by ABC 7’s Maher Kawash — Some Illinois law enforcement say enforcing gun ban violations not a priority, by Center Square’s Greg Bishop
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago City Hall is owed billions of dollars it hasn’t managed to collect: “Thousands of scofflaws — many from the suburbs — have dodged city debts over the years, depriving City Hall of a massive sum of money as Mayor Brandon Johnson faces steep budget challenges,” by the Tribune’s Mitchell Armentrout and Tim Novak — Biden lets Chicago replace dangerous lead water lines much slower than other cities, by the Sun-Times’ Brett Chase. — Amundsen Park Fieldhouse no longer being considered for migrant shelter, by WGN 9’s Erik Runge — Better Government Association is opposing City Council’s ‘invitation only’ rule for the public, via the BGA — Part-time Columbia College faculty’s record-long work stoppage continues into second month, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson — 16 Chicago restaurants visited by Guy Fieri on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’, by WGN’s Addy Bink
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Opponents sue the city of Evanston for approving Northwestern’s stadium plans: “A community group and homeowners in Evanston and Wilmette are suing to stop the ‘commercialization’ of the university’s rebuilt Ryan Field,” by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos — Police officer caught child thrown from burning apartment building in West Chicago, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked when your car was towed: Michael Gascoigne: “In 2013 on the Upper West Side of New York City. I was having a health issue and abandoned my car inexplicably in a no parking area. I didn’t get it back for a week.” Mark Heffington: “Once during my college days, I thought I found a great spot outside the Hanger in Carbondale.” Mark Rosenberg: “In 1970 after ‘visiting’ too many bars in Lincoln Park.” Sean Tenner: “In college in D.C. in 1997, I parked my beaten up 1989 Ford Taurus in an alley that turned out to be in view of biographer Kitty Kelley — who had my car booted and towed. I had to choose between paying rent and getting the car out (I chose the car). No hard feelings Kitty — it was a long time ago!” For Monday, What’s your holiday shopping motto?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — BREAKING OVERNIGHT: War resumes in Gaza after truce collapses, by Reuters’ Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Suhaib Salem — Florida Democrats plan to cancel presidential primary, enraging Dean Phillips’ campaign, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein and Gary Fineout — RBG Is Dead and Biden is boring: Inside the left’s icon gap, by POLITICO Magazine's Michael Schaffer
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Caroline Hoffman is now senior manager for media relations focusing on healthcare at Weber Shandwick. She was associate director of media relations at Walker Sands. — Cristel A. Turner is chief branding officer at DePaul University. Turner has had roles at UScellular, Kraft Foods and PepsiCo. — Sheila Walk of the Springfield Area Arts Council is bowing out, but not completely, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Elizabeth Grisanzio for correctly answering that before it was Midway International Airport, it was Chicago Air Park and Chicago Municipal Airport. TODAY's QUESTION: What major event in the history of science occurred in an underground racquetball court at the University of Chicago in 1942? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: 2nd Ward Democratic Committeeman Tim Egan, civic leader and auctioneer Leslie Hindman, political fundraiser and connector Sugar Rautbord, attorney and civic leader Manny Sanchez, Major League Baseball counsel Daniel Egel-Weiss, public affairs pro Natalie Wyeth Earnest, lieutenant governor’s intergovernmental affairs manager Joseph (Joe) McGee and Playbooker and trivia maven Gail Purkey. Saturday: Champaign County Auditor George Danos, Illinois Senate President comms specialist Jake Handley, Republican strategist Chris Robling and Bain & Co. recruiting specialist Alex Short. Sunday: Political consultant Lance Trover, comms consultant Neal Ungerleider, Stomping Ground Strategies consultant Olivia Goethals, screenwriter Lyn Vaus and Scripps News reporter Meg Hilling. Whoot whoot: Illinois, which became a state on Dec. 3, 1818. -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 | | | | |  |
