| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Hoping for a triple axel day, Illinois. And thank you to Naperville resident Mary Vadendorpe for brightening the day.
|  | TOP TALKER | | A downstate judge created chaos with a late Friday ruling allowing students and staff from 170 school districts — out of the state's 859 — to go to class without masks and to forgo Covid-19 testing even if they haven't been vaccinated. It means many downstate and suburban Chicago students can opt out of wearing masks, while Chicago Public Schools sticks to Gov. JB Pritzker's mandate. The ruling was prompted by a lawsuit filed by attorney Thomas DeVore, who has represented plaintiffs in several cases against the state. "To the extent that the Springfield school district wants to continue forcing these mask and vaccination policies, they're doing it at their own peril because the judge has said it's illegal," Devore told the State Journal Register's Steven Spearie. Attorney General Kwame Raoul is filing an appeal today against the ruling that throws a temporary wrench into the governor's efforts to keep Covid-19 tamped down in schools. "We remain committed to defending Gov. Pritzker's actions to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and will appeal this flawed decision [today] in the Illinois Appellate Court for the 4th District in Springfield," Annie Thompson, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said in a statement. The Illinois Education Association warned the ruling "has the potential to shut our schools down, effectively closing our school buildings and perhaps being potent enough to stop in person learning altogether." Along with neutering the mask and testing mandates, the ruling allows children and staff who live with someone infected with Covid-19 to enter the schools, too — again, without masks. Students across the state lit up their text chains cheering the decision or vowing to defy any mask mandate. It's going to make for a tension-filled school day as principals try to determine whether to follow the ruling, knowing that it would likely be overturned after Raoul's appeal. Clarendon Hills District 121 is so concerned that it's declared today a remote learning day to avoid the disruption that would likely ensue if it chose to enforce masks and some students refused, according to a memo obtained by WCIA's Mark Maxwell. Geneva Community United School District 304 is canceling classes today, too, according to NBC 5. Chicago Public Schools still requires masks (via WBEZ), and so do Chicago-area Catholic schools. The archdiocese told parents in a letter, "because future court rulings may go back and forth, and because changing our policies back and forth would create confusion and disruption in our schools, we will continue the current mask policy for now." The legal brouhaha comes just as Pritzker said he hopes to lift the mask mandate "as soon as we possibly can," as Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout reports. For now, confusion reigns. The ruling is likely to further polarize the debate about Covid-19 mandates. And it's all happening just in time for the midterm election.
| | THE BUZZ | | Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan has chosen Kathleen Murphy, president of the conservative Breakthrough Ideas advocacy group, as his running mate, adding another twist to the crowded GOP race for governor. Murphy co-founded Breakthrough Ideas with Jeanne Ives, the former Republican state representative who gave Gov. Bruce Rauner a run for his money in the GOP primary four years ago. Among conservative Republicans, an endorsement from Ives is as sought after as a check from Ken Griffin. But like the Chicago billionaire, Ives isn't ready to lend her name to a candidate yet. "Breakthrough Ideas, as a 501c4 organization, is not making an endorsement in the governor's race," Ives said in a statement, noting, too, that Murphy has stepped down from her position at the conservative policy group. "However, I am carefully considering the Republican candidates for governor and assessing each candidate and their campaign's ability to win before making my own personal endorsement," Ives said. "To be clear, I am not endorsing any campaign at this time." RELATED: Sullivan is the last GOP candidate to announce his lieutenant governor pick. The other four contenders already firmed up their tickets, allowing them to begin circulating the petitions required to get them on the ballot. "It takes time to vet candidates," Sullivan told the Sun-Times' Taylor Avery. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | HAPPENING THURSDAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration's climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Illinois State Police Forensic Crime Lab in Chicago at 10 a.m. t o provide an update on increased expressway enforcement. At 1:30 p.m., he'll be at Pepsi MidAmerica in Marion to discuss freezing the gas tax for the coming fiscal year, providing critical savings for Illinois taxpayers.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | At the Office of Emergency Management and Communications at 1:30 p.m. to provide a public safety update.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — States take on Covid sick leave with federal help nowhere in sight: "That federal inaction is pushing blue states like California and Illinois to consider laws that would give extra sick time to employees," by POLITICO's Alexander Nieves and Eleanor Mueller. VIDEO comments from Gov. JB Pritzker. — Covid surge has strained health care workers: "Coronavirus has taught us the value of humility. It has fooled us once, and it could fool us again." Illinois Times' Dean Olsen reports. — Pritzker mandates vaccine boosters for nursing home and other long-term care workers, by the Tribune's Dan Petrella and Joe Mahr — As winter weather intensifies again, shelters balance need against Covid-19 precautions, by the Tribune's Shanzeh Ahmad
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — With Pritzker taking heat on crime, his state police team announces arrests in expressway shootings: "The rise in violent crime afflicting parts of the state has not spared the city's expressways, which are patrolled by Illinois State Police. There were roughly 260 shootings on Chicago-area expressways in 2021, about double the number on those roadways the previous year, according to the state police," by Tribune's Jeremy Gorner. — Critics say Pritzker's gas tax freeze would save motorists only pennies and hinder efforts to repair deteriorating roads, bridges: "Seeking a second term as gas prices have jumped more than $1 per gallon in the past year and overall inflation hits levels not seen in nearly 40 years, Pritzker said he is pitching the gas tax freeze as part of a larger relief effort 'to do right by the working families of our state,'" by Tribune's Dan Petrella, Jeremy Gorner and Rick Pearson. — How much could you save on groceries, gas under Gov. Pritzker's proposed family relief plan? "The plan is said to save Illinois consumers a combined total of $360M on their grocery bills," by ABC 7's Craig Wall. — Nursing home group at odds with Pritzker over payment reform, by Capitol News' Peter Hancock — New state data center could be 'game changer' for Springfield's east side, by State Journal-Register's Andrew Adams — Equipped with snowmobiles, sleds and ice picks, scientists to launch rare winter study of the Great Lakes, by the Tribune's Morgan Greene
| | LEGISLATION | | PLAYING IT SAFE: An item in Gov. JB Pritzker's budget proposal calls for $20 million in funding to ramp up safety measures at synagogues and churches. The proposal is drawing praise from Illinois' Jewish community. "Jewish institutions today are exposed at an alarming rate to violence and hate-crimes. I am grateful for the measures on the federal and state level to protect religious and cultural institutions," Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen told Playbook in a statement. State Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Bob Morgan also are applauding the effort, which would add money to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. It was created in 2017 but has yet to be funded through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The program is designed to help nonprofits with purchasing security enhancements, such as cameras, bulletproof glass and reinforced doors, and offering safety training to staff. The line item comes as hate crimes have been on the rise.
| | CHICAGO | | — Lightfoot ripped staffer for memo on General Iron's controversial scrap shredder plan because it could be made public: "The fall 2020 emails, released to the Tribune under an open records request, offer a window into the extent to which Lightfoot hoped to stop the public from learning details of the behind-the-scenes debate over General Iron's attempted move from a wealthy, largely white Lincoln Park neighborhood to a lower-income, predominantly Latino one on the Southeast Side." … Why this is interesting: Lightfoot ran for mayor promising transparency but the email urges her aides not to put things in writing, which makes it open to scrutiny by the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you want to talk to me, pick up the phone," has said. — Mayor offers 25% cash advance to small businesses, community organizations and nonprofits seeking federal relief funds: "During a so-called 'Readiness Summit' for potential grant recipients, Mayor Lori Lightfoot described the upfront ash as 'bridge funding so smaller organizations can get their operations up and running quickly,'" by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Lightfoot to restaurant crowd: Vax requirement could drop within weeks: "The month-old rule requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, gyms, theaters and other indoor spots could be lifted within weeks, Mayor Lightfoot says, if COVID metrics keep dropping," by Crain's A.D. Quig. — What happens when communal worship goes online? For some, it's a chance to grow in faith: "With religious services going online, back in-person or even both at once, the way Chicagoans worship has been altered by the pandemic," by WBEZ's Adora Namigadde. — 15-story office tower planned in River North aims for post-pandemic appeal, by Sun-Times' David Roeder. — Alpana Singh to open fourth restaurant, by Crain's Ally Marotti. — New film tells story of 1963 Loyola men's basketball team, by WTTW's Aida Mogos — Celebration of Black-owned restaurants underway, by Sun-Times' Josephine Stratman
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | | 
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot led the political parade at the Equality Illinois gala on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. | Photo by Kat Fitzgerald | THE PARTY IS BACK: The Equality Illinois gala, always a must-stop for politicos, brought out all the big guns Saturday. Attendees had to show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test. And masks were required except when eating and imbibing. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot led the parade of elected officials. She and Gov. JB Pritzker drew lengthy applause during their respective speeches. Also spotted: House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Cook County Board Chair Toni Preckwinkle, and numerous candidates for political office, including Alexi Giannoulias and Anna Valencia, who are running for secretary of state, and Supreme Court candidates Judge Liz Rochford and Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. The governor was last in line for the parade and as he walked past the tables up to the stage he stopped at several to take pictures with people. "It was funny because he was treated a little bit like a celebrity, lol!" according to a Playbook tipster. During a VIP party before the event, Welch and Harmon gave speeches highlighting the contributions of the Equality Illinois community and those committed to protecting LGBTQ rights.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Four noted Black leaders are endorsing Anna Valencia in her bid for secretary of state. They are former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Janice Jackson, former state Sen. and adviser to the governor Toi Hutchinson, former state Sen. James Clayborne, and Alton Democrats Chair Steven Kimbrough. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Delia Ramirez has been endorsed by PODER PAC, a national political action committee dedicated to electing Democratic Latinas to Congress who support abortion rights. Ramirez is a state senator running for Congress in the newly created 3rd District. — Will La Shawn Ford run for Chicago mayor again in 2023? "His supporters may be clamoring, but for Ford, 2023 could be another tall order," by Sun-Times' Laura Washington. — Republican state Rep. Sandy Hamilton is announcing her plans to seek reelection today in the 99th District.
| | DATELINE D.C. | | Kinzinger keeps on it: Keep Country First Policy Action, an outside group founded by allies of Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, is launching an ad campaign backing the bipartisan Senate group's work on Electoral Count Act reform. The six-figure ads go live today and will target lawmakers on Capitol Hill, urging them on in their work. "We all saw how bad actors used misinformation about the Electoral Count Act to inspire the attack on the Capitol on January 6th," group board member and former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) will say in a release going out today. "Congress must act to reform the 135 year old law to remove any supposed ambiguity that could be exploited in future elections." Watch one of the ads here.
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Feds say former state Rep. Luis Arroyo should face prison time of up to 57 months in corruption case: "The Chicago Democrat allegedly was caught on a wire offering a bribe to then-Sen. Terry Link, a Lake County Democrat, to support sweepstakes legislation in Springfield," by Tribune's Ray Long and Jason Meisner. — 'Send a powerful message,' hit Muñoz with 1-year prison sentence, feds tell judge, by WTTW's Heather Cherone | | DAY IN COURT | | — Attorney accused of vandalizing campaign signs in McHenry County: "Robert T. Hanlon is accused of "damaging numerous campaign signs located at 770 S. Virginia Road" promoting Tony Colatorti, who is running for McHenry County sheriff, the criminal complaint said," by Shaw Media's Amanda Marrazzo. — Chicago couple charged in $2.1M theft of Michael Kors, Sephora merchandise from warehouse, via Tribune | | Reader Digest | | We asked what you own that you want to get rid of: And Barry Salzman speaks for all of us: "The first installment of my 2021 property tax bill." What's the most environmentally responsible thing that you do? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office facility located at 303 E. Mississippi Ave. in Elwood after former Will County Executive Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh Sr. Rep. Bill Foster introduced a companion bill in the House. Along with numerous local political positions, Walsh served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2005.
| | WHERE'S RAHM | | U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel gave Sox and Cubs jerseys to Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in their first meeting.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden's top science adviser bullied and demeaned subordinates, according to White House investigation, by POLITICO's Alex Thompson — The GOP's Jan. 6 committee dilemma: Disband it, or turn it on Dems, by POLITICO's Olivia Beavers and Kyle Cheney — How Hispanic women are powering GOP gains in South Texas, by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez — Meet the 2022 athletes with Illinois connections, by Tribune's Kori Rumore — NAACP membership is trending younger. Here's how the civil rights group plans to evolve, by The Associated Press
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Syl Johnson, Grammy-nominated Chicago blues artist, dies at 85: "Johnson's death is the third big loss for the Blues industry in the last eight days and comes less than a week after the death of his brother and fellow musician Jimmy Johnson," by Sun-Times' Madeline Kenney and Tom Schuba.
| | EVENTS | | Today at 11 a.m.: Jonathan Jackson, son of Rev. Jesse Jackson, formally announces he's running for Congress at ATU Local 38 Hall, 11204 S. Western Ave., Chicago.
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to activist Ja'Mal Green for correctly answering that 235 masthead of Black newspapers were showcased at the journalism booth of Chicago's 1940 Diamond Jubilee of Negro Progress. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was a candidate for mayor of Chicago and for vice president of the United States? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Robyn Gabel, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, Durbin comms director Emily Hampsten, philanthropist Maureen Dwyer Smith, and Hellenic American Leadership Council executive director Endy Zemenides. -30-
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