| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. We're not taking sides on the Super Bowl, but Cincinnati chili is on the menu.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Cook County Judge Tim Evans, speaking at the Union League Club of Chicago in January 2022, faces two different elections this year. | WGN 9 screen shot | Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy Evans, a consummate politician who served for years on Chicago's City Council, faces a retention race this November — but first his peers will vote in September on whether to keep him on as chief judge. And that could be the most difficult race of all if crime statistics continue the way they're going. Evans has been criticized by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and others for the city's two-year crime problem. They criticize Evans' policies allowing alleged violent offenders to return to the streets. "People charged with murder and other crimes of violence are out in communities with zero supervision, both adults and juveniles," Lightfoot said in a recent statement. Evans has defended his policy, saying 95 percent of defendants freed on bond during the past four years were not charged with new violent crimes. But judges are grumbling about the policy, nonetheless, according to two sources in the judicial system. There's a constant worry that suspects will commit new crimes. Evans has made key judicial appointments, maybe knowing that those folks in turn will vote for him in September. In the weird world of Illinois politics, there's a possibility that judges will reject Evans as chief judge before he is supposed to be retained by voters. (Awkward.) Crime could be an issue in the November election, too, as Cook County residents have had enough of violence in their neighborhoods. Still, it would require an organized campaign to get voters to reject Evans, who was first elected 1992. Judges each must get 60 percent of the vote in order to be retained. That's easy in a general election, but in midterms, interest falls off among voters long before they get to the bottom of the ballot.
| | THE BUZZ | | TEACHER TENSIONS: A close ally of Mayor Lori Lightfoot is behind an ad campaign to unseat the current leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union, according to the Sun-Times and WBEZ. Lisa Schneider Fabes, who oversaw Lightfoot's transition team and was COO of her election campaign, has been promoting Members First, the group that's working to unseat CTU leadership — the same leadership that's been fighting with Lightfoot for three years. Why we care: "Involvement in a union election by an employer is a clear violation of federal labor law, said Robert Bruno, a labor professor at the University of Illinois who has studied CPS-CTU negotiations and wrote a book on the 2012 teachers strike. He said he's concerned whether there's enough separation between Schneider Fabes and the mayor's office," according to the report. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | In Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Counties' 2022 Legislative Conference through Monday.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — Fact-check: Pritzker's mostly correct about Illinois' vax claims: "Gov. Pritzker said 'a larger percentage of Illinoisans have been vaccinated,' compared to the rest of the Midwest. That's mostly true but when it comes to getting two COVID shots, Minnesota is the region's top performer," by Better Government Association's Analisa Trofimuk — Threat of getting fired still hasn't persuaded some to get vaccine. How are resisters affecting the pandemic? "The harder they push, the harder I've dug in." Tribune's John Keilman reports
| | CHICAGO | | — Foxx, Lightfoot announce gun charges tied to deadly Austin gunfight that caused a public clash between the two: "Only one man, Thomas Dean, has been charged in the Oct. 1 shooting in the 1200 block of North Mason, even though police initially sought murder and battery charges against five people," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — The heavy cost for Chicago's anti-violence workers, by WBEZ's Patrick Smith — Chicago Police revise foot pursuit policy after criticism, by WTTW's Heather Cherone — A close look at this casino bidder's investment terms reveals an unusual wrinkle: "Bally's is reserving the right to buy out its minority investors in a few years—whether those investors want to sell or not, and at a nonnegotiable price," by Crain's Greg Hinz. — CPS parents seek post-Labor Day start and 'traditional summer break' after 'chaos and conflict' of Covid-19: "The chaos and conflict of the past year, much of which was pandemic induced, means that our kids need the traditional summer break," a parent group pushing for a post-Labor Day start said. Tribune's Tracy Swartz reports. — More on FOP raising union dues: "Catanzara insisted the decision has everything to do with the fact that the union's political fund has been "woefully under-funded" — and nothing to do with his threat to challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot, his longtime nemesis," reports Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Chicago center trained rabbi, other hostages at Texas synagogue who escaped safely: "Secure Community Network, a nonprofit based in River North, 'saved our lives,' one hostage said. It works with the FBI and the Homeland Security Department to protect Jewish facilities across the country," by Sun-Times' Frank Main. — Meet the architect of Lightfoot's plan to reshape Chicago neighborhoods, by Crain's Dennis Rodkin. — VALENTINE FEATURE | Together at last: a wedding 50 years in the making: "Love is different now for Jeanne Gustavson and Steve Watts, who met at Loyola University, split up in part because of her mother's racial hatred and now are well into their retirement years," by Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito. — She's serving a horseshoe in Chicago, by Block Club's Mina Bloom — It's Chicago, yeah, yeah, yeah. | | Patrick Daley Thompson Trial | | — Will Thompson testify? Lawyer says he's 'leaning against' it : "The final call comes after three days of testimony. Prosecutors laid out their evidence that Thompson lied to regulators about the $219,000 he owed Washington Federal Bank for Savings, and that he knew he improperly claimed mortgage-interest deductions on his tax returns for the years 2013 through 2017," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel and Tim Novak. — 'I'm very perplexed': Feds play recording where Thompson allegedly lied by claiming he only owed $100,000 to failed bank, by Tribune's Jason Meisner
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | Grand jury charges former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes with perjury, obstruction of justice: "The charges bring the feds closer than ever to Madigan, who has not been criminally charged and denies wrongdoing. It also lifts the curtain slightly on a grand jury drilling deep into Illinois politics," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel and Better Government Association's Rachel Hinton.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Heart of the matter: The Cook County Board approved legislation to recognize February as American Heart Month in Cook County. The goal is to promote awareness of cardiovascular health and encourage county employees to take available CPR and AED training. The measure was introduced by Commissioner Donna Miller (6th), who developed a countywide CPR and AED training program. — East Dundee appoints new police chief: "James Kruger, who most recently served as Oak Brook's police chief, will join the village as police chief Monday. He replaces East Dundee Police Chief George Carpenter, who is retiring after 49 years in law enforcement; the last four as East Dundee's police chief," by Daily Herald's Alica Fabbre.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Jonathan Jackson on running for Congress, his famous family: "It's not a dynasty. It's a legacy of service," he tells Sun-Times Fran Spielmana. WITH AUDIO — State Rep. Delia Ramirez has been endorsed by Rep. Lauren Underwood (14th) in her bid for the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. "Delia has a proven track record of standing up for Illinois' working families," Underwood said in a statement. — Monica Gordon, candidate for Cook County commissioner in the 5th District, has been endorsed by retiring Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims.
| Judge tosses new claims in 12th judicial subcircuit election challenge: "A former Republican candidate for judge who alleged he was cheated in the 2020 election may not assert new grounds by citing voter signatures improperly reviewed by his legal team, a Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled. Frank DiFranco, a defense attorney from Park Ridge, ran for judge in the 12th subcircuit as a Republican. Several news reports indicated DiFranco was leading the race in the weeks following the Nov. 3, 2020 election. But Democrat Patricia Fallon of Glenview eventually beat DiFranco by 502 votes after the Cook County Clerk's Office certified the results," by Law Bulletin's Grace Barbic. | | DAY IN COURT | | — Nancy Rish walks free after winning appeal on life sentence for infamous 1987 killing: "Stephen Small, a Kankakee businessman who suffocated after being buried alive," by Tribune's Paige Fry and Rosemary Sobol. — Wordle helps save suburban grandmother being held by armed home invader, cops say: Family was concerned woman didn't text her daily score, reports Tribune's Robert McCoppin. — Jerry Harris, former 'Cheer' star, pleads guilty in federal sex case, faces up to 50 years, by Tribune's Shanzeh Ahmaad
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked if money were no object what you'd put on a Super Bowl ad: Ariel Investments' Victoria Watkins would like to see her Joy & Magic looseleaf tea company up in lights. … Illinois Health and Hospital Association's Chris Jessup would advertise Face the Future Foundation, which helps children born with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial differences. … Former lieutenant governor's office legal assistant Levi Bain would buy an ad to "counteract Democratic leaders' concerted efforts to lift mask mandates."... and Union County Democrat Leo Driscoll's ad would talk about global warming. What's the most over-the-top Valentine you've ever given or received? Email skapos@politico.com SUBSCRIBE TO WOMEN RULE: A bully was pushed out of the White House this week, but it doesn't mean there's a sea change in getting rid of the office jerk. Your Playbook host talked to experts and consultants about workplace bullying for today's Women Rule newsletter, which comes out later this morning.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — IT STARTED WITH BUSTOS: Senate passes bill to end forced arbitration in sexual assault, harassment cases: "Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), who sponsored the legislation in the House, said she began working on the bill in 2017 after the Washington Post published a story 'detailing the horrors thousands of workers were facing under forced arbitration clauses,'" by Washington Post. — Kinzinger on 'The Sandlot': Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger has launched a new video on social media that addresses the importance of "legitimate political discourse," and it's filmed on the set of "The Sandlot." | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump denies flushing documents down White House toilet, by POLITICO's Quint Forgey — Dems want to clean up lawmaker stock trades. It could get messy, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu, Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris — Masks off? Democrats try for a pandemic pivot, by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris and Nicholas Wu
| | TRANSITIONS | | — BIG MOVE: Ty Cratic, a noted political operative and former state House candidate, has joined Gladstein Neandross & Associates as a senior program manager. GNA is a clean energy and transportation consulting firm based out of Los Angeles. So yes, he's moving to California! Cratic previously worked in legislative affairs for Cook County's Bureau of Finance. — Summer Beck-Griffith named acting director for Lincoln Library in Springfield: "Beck-Griffith joined the library as the community engagement manager in 2020 after working in Kansas City, Missouri," by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie. — Lynne Turner has been confirmed as board secretary by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Turner will handle operations for board and committee meetings. Turner previously served as interim and deputy secretary to the Cook County Board. She's also the first Black woman to have served as both secretary of the Cook County Board and the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Turner succeeds Matt DeLeon who recently retired after 15 years as board secretary. — Andre Jordan has joined Dykema law firm's Chicago office as a government policy adviser. He'll be focused on Springfield. Before joining Dykema, Jordan was an analyst for Gov. JB Pritzker. He also previously worked for the Senate Democratic Caucus. | | IN MEMORIAM | | — Trial attorney Terry Michael Grimm: "He won a historic, record $88 million (plus interest) verdict for a plaintiff in a commercial case in Cook County," according to his obituary. — Lawrence B. Christmas, former Chicago city planner and president of the Village of Oak Park. — Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer, founder of Skokie synagogue for deaf people that welcomed all, dead at 76: "Among his students at Congregation Bene Shalom, the Reform Jewish synagogue he established half a century ago, he helped Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin study for her bat mitzvah," by Sun-Times' Maureen O'Donnell.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to the Tribune's breaking news editor Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas for correctly answering that Harrisburg for years was home to the largest Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the country. TODAY's QUESTION: Which 1950s-era high school with a population of just 98 students won the state basketball tournament? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: former state senator and co-founder of Center for Illinois Politics Susan Garrett, BofA's David Stern, renewable fuels association leader and former Durbin adviser Mark Palmer, Small Business Advocacy Council executive director Elliot Richardson, public relations consultant Kim Shepherd, and London School of Economics grad student Federica Ferrari. Saturday: Ald. Michele Smith, former state Dem Rep. Ken Dunkin, longtime GOP political aide Barb Frobish, Partners Group investment pro Matthew Nadherny, public-relations pro Beth Silverman, former publishing executive Gloria Scoby, POLITICO Playbook co-author and White House correspondent Eugene Daniels, POLITICO production editor and former Illinois Playbook contributor Kristen East, and Illinois' own President Abraham Lincoln Sunday: state Rep. Marcus Evans Jr., Appellate Court Judge Joe Birkett, Lake County Sheriff chief of staff and county clerk candidate Anthony Vega, Illinois Health and Hospital Association's Chris Jessup, public affairs consultant Brian Bernardoni, Walsh Group senior counsel Ted Gibbs, Boca Media Group president Xavier Nogueras, former Rauner campaign manager now with National Republican Senatorial Committee, Betsy Ankney, and workforce education pro Morgan Diamond. And a special greeting to Dolores Ryan, who served on the Thornton Township board and is the mother of former Rep. Robert Ryan Jr., celebrates being 90. -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 | | | | |
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