Pritzker’s meeting at City Hall

By Shia Kapos

Presented by McDonald's

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. We're in Springfield to check in on the General Assembly.

— NEW: NFL commissioner in favor of new Bears stadium, believes dome feature could lead to hosting Super Bowl, by WGN’s Peter Curi and Eli Ong

THE MIGRANT CRISIS in Chicago brought Gov. JB Pritzker to City Hall on Monday for a meeting with Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Pic!

This isn’t the first time the three have met. Preckwinkle called a meeting of the three a few weeks ago to address how to handle asylum seekers coming to town.

“(It was) good discussion and planning,” Pritzker told NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern. “We’ve been doing this with our staffs for quite some time now, and in regular intervals of meetings with the principals. … We were) talking about the asylum seekers and that we’re taking good care of them.”

Not discussed: Where the city wants the state to locate a new shelter that could house as many as 2,000 asylum seekers. The state has said it’s ready to prop up a facility but needs direction from the city. Johnson has said the state can figure that out on its own.

By the numbers: More than 35,000 asylum seekers have traveled to Chicago since August 2022. Most got their start in shelters before moving into housing, but there are 13,442 asylum seekers currently living in the city’s 28 shelters. “There are a total of 41 currently awaiting placement in those shelters, including 34 at the landing zone and four more in Chicago police buildings,” Ahern reports.

WHITE HOUSE WHIRLS: A graduation ceremony for the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s violence prevention academy will be held at the White House on Friday. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to headline.

The grads of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy include 31 leaders from 21 cities across the country. The academy is funded in part by CEOs Ken Griffin and Michael Sacks.

The graduation had been planned in Chicago, but when White House officials learned of the event they thought it would be a good fit to culminate a week of activities in D.C. addressing gun violence prevention.

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

A message from McDonald's:

From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $3.2 billion to Illinois’s economy, supporting over 50,000 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Illinois generated nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.

No official public events.

At BJ's Fresh Market & Bakery at 9 a.m. where he’s expected to highlight city and state spending that has benefited Black and brown businesses that have helped feed asylum seekers.

At the Hatchery at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the distribution of the 2023 Source Grant to 3,000 small businesses throughout Cook County.

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com

DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Chicago host committee is putting out requests for proposals today to come up with the design for credentials that will be worn at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Who gets ‘em: The credentials will be issued to delegates, alternates, vendors, staffers, volunteers and media during the four-day event, and they're keepsakes for a lifetime. In 2008, for example, Barack Obama’s face and the words “Change We Can Believe In” were featured on some of the credentials. Details here

— Protest moves: A group called the Poor People’s Army says the city of Chicago was ordered by an administrative law judge Monday to grant the group a permit to march from Humboldt Park “to the front doors of the Democratic National Convention” at the United Center on Aug. 19. The group says the city “failed to file a proper denial in time” to prevent the protest. The city didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

It’s tradition: The Poor People’s Army — full name the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign — has marched in previous Democratic and Republican national conventions peacefully and without permits. The group also plans to march at the Republican National Convention on July 15 in Milwaukee. That permit is pending.

— IN IL-07: Age, ethics and money to be key issues in primary for Danny Davis’ seat: “Davis is facing four other Democrats next month, including Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, organizer Kina Collins, who ran against Davis the last two elections, as well as two other newcomers Nikhil Bhatia and Kouri Marshall,” by ABC 7’s Craig Wall.

— IN IL-11: Democrat challenging Bill Foster again raises more from individual donors, but incumbent takes in more overall, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau

— NEW TV AD: Eileen O'Neill Burke released the first TV ad in the race for Cook County state's attorney. The ad features O'Neill Burke, a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and judge, speaking directly to the camera about experience and her vision for the job.

— Clayton Harris has been endorsed by the Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local No. 2 in his bid for Cook County state’s attorney.

— Sonia Anne Khalil has been endorsed by the Illinois Nurses’ Association in her bid for state representative in the 36th District Democratic primary. She faces Rick Ryan.

— Arad Boxenbaum has been endorsed by Run for Something. He faces state Rep. Matt Hanson in the Democratic primary for the 83rd House seat.

A message from McDonald's:

— Families and schools are rattled by end of state private school scholarship program: “As the taxpayer-supported scholarship program sunsets, worried parents look to Springfield for solutions while critics fight to keep program at bay,” by WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko.

— SOCIAL CHANGE:  After eliminating a master's level test as a requirement to be a social worker in Illinois, the number of licensed non-independent social workers “has increased by 100 percent since December 2021,” exceeding 10,000 licensed applicants. “A first,” according to the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

— Sounds familiar: Advocates for the “One Fair Wage for All'' Act will gather today at the State Capitol to promote legislation to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois. It comes on the heels of the city of Chicago passing a similar ordinance.

— Principals Association leader calls for accountability after CTU President Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘concerning’ comments and union’s ‘divisive campaigns’: Troy LaRaviere says “CTU members have made repeated unproven allegations against school principals and administrators”... creating a “hostile work environment for principals, and an underdeveloped learning environment for children,” WTTW’s Paris Schutz reports.

— Aldermen call for report on Chicago police deployment: They want to know “how officers are deployed around the city and when they have to leave their jobs,” reports the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.

— One-on-one debate: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) and Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th) debate last week’s resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East during a segment on WTTW with Paris Schutz.

— Lurie Children’s Hospital offline for days amid cyber attack, by the Block Club’s Melody Mercado

— Johnson appoints engineering CEO to replace Mayekar on McPier board, by Crain’s Justin Laurence

— 'Skilling It' is the top vote getter in Chicago's snowplow naming contest. WTTW’s Patty Wetli lists the winners.

— Former GOP state Sen. Sam McCann’s trial again delayed amid last-minute hospitalization, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel

— Ex-state legislator Annazette Collins going on trial on tax counts stemming from Madigan probe, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner

YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. 

We asked about your favorite soup.

Peter A. Creticos: “Magiritsa Soup on (Greek) Easter.”

Michael Gascoigne: “Tofu pho at Magic Kitchen in Springfield does it excellently.”

Mark Heffington: “The turtle soup served at St. Barbara's Church events in Batchtown.”

Ed Mazur and David Schwartz like homemade chicken soup with matzo balls, and Marilynn Miller makes chicken soup with rice.

Josh Mogerman: “The chicken soup with kreplach at Manny’s Deli is liquid gold.”

Olaya, Jennifer: “French onion soup.”

Bill Velazquez: “Pozole.”

Erika Poethig: “The Manhattan Clam Chowder at the Metro 29 Diner in Arlington, Va., where we went every Saturday until we moved back to Chicago.”

​James Scalzitti: “Matzo ball and kreplach. This is not two soups, but one. From either The Bagel or Max & Benny's.”

Raymond Sendejas: “The Jamaican red bean soup that the now-closed Heaven on Seven served was perhaps the best food I have ever eaten.”

John Straus: “My wife’s Asian hot-and-sour soup.”

Whitley Tee Works: “Green split pea, any style for any season.”

Brent Zhorne: “Hurst's 15 Bean Soup following the directions on the package of beans but with minced garlic and a little Louisiana Hot Sauce.”

NEXT QUESTION: How do you occupy your time on Amtrak? Email skapos@politico.com

— Senate's border deal teeters on brink of collapse, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Ursula Perano

— Trump meets with Ronna McDaniel — then says he’ll be recommending RNC changes, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt

— Dems gear up for final stretch on judges — worrying they won’t catch Trump, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Katherine Tully-McManus

— World Business Chicago chief Michael Fassnacht will join construction and development firm Clayco: “I’m a huge fan of (Clayco founder) Bob Clark and his team. They’ve built a huge company, and they’re incredibly community oriented. The real estate sector is a growth sector,” Fassnacht said. “This role enables me to continue advocating for Chicago.” Crain’s John Pletz reports.

— Nick Ramos is now senior political associate at APS & Associates, headed by Alex Sims. He had worked for the Illinois Democratic Party’s get-out-the vote effort and earlier in Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office.

— Eric Pruitt has joined Quarles & Brady's litigation and dispute resolution practice. He’s a former federal prosecutor who most recently was a partner at Chicago white collar boutique firm, Cotsirilos, Tighe, Streicker, Poulos & Campbell.

A message from McDonald's:

McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Illinois, contributing over $3.2 billion to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 38,900 Illinoisans and supporting an additional 12,800 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Illinois began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to call Chicago and Illinois our home, supporting public schools, parks and more through the nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $2.3 million raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 23,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Illinois. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.

— Today at 10 a.m.: Dick Simpson headlines a virtual discussion for the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s Illinois Authors series. He’ll be talking about his two recent books, “Democracy’s Rebirth: The View from Chicago” and “Chicago’s Modern Mayors: From Harold Washington to Lori Lightfoot.” Institute director John Shaw will moderate. Register here 

— May 9: PR pros Michelle Mekky and Mika Stambaugh team up to offer a seminar on “how to pitch” the media. (They’ve been pitching your Playbook host for years!) Details here

MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Chicago Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet and Appellate Judge Linda Davenport for correctly answering that Anna R. Langford, the first woman — and first Black woman — sworn in to Chicago’s City Council, couldn’t open up her own law firm because city ordinances in place at the time didn’t permit Blacks to lease property in the city.

As Patricia Ann Watson put it: “Racism and sexism, twin isms working in unison.”

TODAY's QUESTION: What Illinois group traveled across the state in 1970 to offer medical services to victims of racial unrest? Email skapos@politico.com

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, state Capital Development Board Executive Director Jim Underwood, Rep. Brad Schneider Legislative Director Tommy Brown, Res Publica Group VP and Director Courtney Greve Hack and researcher John Santerre.

And President Ronald Reagan, who was born this day in 1911 in Tampico, Ill.

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