| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday morning, Illinois. Your Playbook host went a little rogue today.
|  | TOP TALKER | | The world is consumed with TikTok and tweets, where everything comes out in 280 characters and small bytes, but it's the spoken word that sticks with you. Compelling oratory was everywhere yesterday, from the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson in Washington, D.C., to the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield and Chicago's City Hall chambers. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker delivered a joyful pep talk to Jackson after she responded to hours of questions from Republicans looking for contradictions in her handling of cases about child pornography and Guantánamo Bay defendants. "Don't worry, my sister. Don't worry," Booker told Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated for the Supreme Court. "God has got you. And how do I know that? Because you're here. And I know what it's taken for you to sit in that seat." Jackson wasn't the only person wiping away tears as Booker spoke.
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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson becomes emotional as N.J. Sen. Corey Booker speaks during the third day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2022. | Francis Chung/E&E News/POLITICO | Jackson would go on to top Booker with her emotional message to young people: "I would tell them to persevere." Nearly 800 miles away, in the House Chamber of the Springfield Capitol, it was oratory about the gender issues that caused us to pause. Republican state Rep. Tom Morrison alluded to George Orwell's 1984 and "a society that accepts lies in place of facts" to criticize University of Pennsylvania's Lia Thomas making history as the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA swimming championship when she won the 500m freestyle. "It denied that rightful place of honor to actual female athletes," Morrison said in a dark speech about an issue that deserves nuance. (Transgender people have been allowed to compete in women's categories in the Olympics since 2003 and in the NCAA since 2010.) Democratic state Rep. Kelly Cassidy responded with an emotional speech about tolerance and the recent death of transgender activist Elise Malary. "We will not follow in the footsteps of states that are tormenting these families and driving them away. We will embrace our youth. We will protect our youth. And we will work together to solve the epidemic of murders and suicides among trans women in our community because we actually love and care for people as God made them." Her comments drew applause from the Democratic majority. And during yesterday's City Council meeting, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave a moving tribute to the late Mayor Harold Washington, revealing the first time she had ever visited City Hall was when his body was lying in state. "Every single day in this job, I feel Harold's legacy. Every single day," Lightfoot said, her voice shaking. "I think about what he wanted, the vision he had for the city and the opportunity that we now have. I feel like I'm a runner in the relay race and the baton in the race that he ran so valiantly has been passed to me. I don't take that lightly." All the more compelling: After two years of Zooms, their words were spoken live to a crowd. And we hung onto every word thanks to the virtual world of the internets.
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley, photographed during an interview last year talking about the events of Jan. 6, is weighing a run for Chicago mayor. | AP Photo/Alex Brandon | QUIGLEY EYES CITY HALL: Congressman Mike Quigley has been polling the past few days about a possible run for Chicago mayor. The texted survey of 15 questions goes deep on criticizing Mayor Lori Lightfoot about crime. One question asks whether respondents would vote for Quigley knowing he "says Lori Lightfoot has failed to keep Chicgoans safe with shootings and carjackings skyrocketing and the city solving fewer of its murders every year." There were questions asking for respondents' take on Quigley being "a leading national voice for NATO-enforced limited no fly zone to protect Ukrainian civilians" and that he worked as a defense attorney and county commissioner. And there are head-to-head questions asking who would voters choose between Quigley and Lightfoot, or from a list of candidates: Quigley, Lightfoot, former mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Willie Wilson, state Rep. Kam Buckner, police union leader John Catanzara, Chicago Teachers Union leader Stacy Davis Gates, City Clerk Anna Valencia, and undecided. Quigley did not return Playbook's request for comment, but his allies say he's close to a decision on whether to run in the 2023 municipal election. For the moment, he's preoccupied with the situation in the Ukraine as a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Lightfoot, who hasn't officially announced she'll seek reelection, said she's not fazed by the potential challenge. "What I focus on every day is doing my job," she told reporters when asked about the poll after yesterday's City Council meeting. "The politics will take care of itself. I'll make my case to the people. The voters will be the ultimate decision-makers." Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | JOIN TODAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON CRYPTOCURRENCY AND REGULATION: Cryptocurrency has gone mainstream. With the market now valued at $1.8 trillion, Washington's oversight of the fast-growing industry remains in its infancy. How should Congress and federal agencies shape future regulation of digital asset markets? Join POLITICO in person or virtually for a deep-dive discussion on what's next for crypto, regulation and the future of finance. Programming will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | Will meet virtually with Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski of Warsaw, Poland, to discuss their cities' response to the Russia-Ukraine war.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — When Sun-Times didn't hire Madeleine Albright, it changed her life; editor called her 'honey': "A rebuff by a top editor at the Sun-Times was a turning point in the life of Albright, who became the first female Secretary of State when President Bill Clinton tapped her for the post," by Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet. — Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton among mourners honoring legendary DJ Pervis Spann, 'The Blues Man,' by Sun-Times' Cheyanne M. Daniels.
| | Covid Update | | — Statewide ICU admissions for COVID lowest since early days of pandemic, but cases creeping up in city: "The low ICU total is just one facet of the state's broad improvement in COVID-19 metrics over the past month," by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout. — Moderna to seek emergency authorization for Covid vaccine for young kids, by POLITICO's Katherine Ellen Foley
| | SCOTUS WATCH | | — Jackson's hearings are ending. Meet the 9 potential Senate swing votes: "It's pretty clear how most senators will vote on President Joe Biden's Supreme Court pick. But nine of them are up in the air," by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett. — Cursing senators, judicial philosophy and document demands: 5 takeaways from Jackson hearing: "The Supreme Court nominee's confidence grew as GOP attacks continued on day three," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Marianne LeVine — Trailblazing Chicago Judge Ann Williams to testify at Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court hearing: "Williams' storied career as a federal judge speaks volumes as the Senate considers Jackson, who, if confirmed, will be the first Black female on the Supreme Court," by Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — BIG VOTE | Illinois House votes to use $2.7B in federal relief money to reduce unemployment fund debt: "The measure also would use about $1.4 billion in state funds to pay off old employee health insurance bills, fix a now-closed college savings plan that has been headed toward insolvency, and make additional deposits into the state's woefully underfunded pension plans," by Tribune's Dan Petrella and Jeremy Gorner. — Illinois firefighters call on lawmakers to help ease the need for volunteers, by State Journal-Register's Andrew Adams — A federal task force issues steps to address racial discrimination in home appraisals: "For decades, the appraisal industry has flown under the radar and has skirted criticism about its role in racial discrimination. The plan directs federal agencies toward oversight and to create a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal industry while noting that violations run counter to the 1968 Fair Housing Act," by WBEZ's Natalie Moore.
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | — Defendants in alleged ComEd scheme to bribe Speaker Madigan make rare request to waive jury, hold bench trial: "Defense attorneys sometimes seek bench trials in cases that have been sensationalized in the media or where they think a jury might get confused or distracted by information secondary to the charges. In the ComEd case, the defendants accused prosecutors of misusing the federal bribery statute, arguing that there was no quid pro quo agreement and that jobs, contracts and other payments to chosen Madigan political operatives constituted legal lobbying," by Tribune's Jason Meisner. — Former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo gets 6 months in prison for cheating on taxes in case tied to Madigan probe: "Court records connect Acevedo's indictment to the investigation of former Speaker Michael Madigan and ComEd. His name appeared in a subpoena sent to Madigan's office in July 2020, the same day prosecutors accused ComEd of a bribery scheme," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. — Madigan, ComEd and corruption: Timeline of how the investigation unfolded, by Tribune's Jason Meisner and Kori Rumore
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Darren Bailey and Jesse Sullivan win the lottery! (For sought-after spots on GOP primary ballot): "But does ballot position matter? Some experts say no. "It's tradition. It's part of the summer camp aspect of campaigning," said political science professor Christopher Mooney. 'But does it have an impact on average? No, it doesn't. But again, in an individual case, who's to say?'" Sun-Times' Taylor Avery reports. — TAKING A STAND: Pat Dowell, a Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District, won't take part in WTTW's 2022 voter guide as long as workers there are on strike. "While I appreciate every opportunity to communicate with voters. …Whether in person or online I will not cross a picket line at WTTW. I encourage other candidates not to be a part of the WTTW voter guide until the workers' demands are met," Dowell said in a statement. About two dozen technicians, graphic artists and floor crew members with Local Union 1220 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers say station management has threatened their work jurisdiction in an attempt to hire nonunion labor. … Monica Gordon, Democratic candidate for Cook County commissioner, is also taking a pass on the voter guide because of the strike. — Gov. JB Pritzker is out with a digital ad honoring the 12th anniversary since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. Pritzker also released a statement that took a swing at Republican Darren Bailey, calling him an "extreme conservative" who supported "the GOP's 2017 tax scam that would have stripped ACA coverage from 13 million Americans." — OPPO | Schneider violated conflicts-of-interest law with late stock-trade disclosures. His office blames a missed mouse click, via Business Insider — Delia Ramirez, a Democratic candidate in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District, has been endorsed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who also heads the Cook County Democratic Party.
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Chicago Public Schools is flush with federal Covid-19 relief cash but is spending little of it: "A WBEZ analysis shows that 69% of the $536 million in federal COVID relief money CPS budgeted this year is unspent," by Sarah Karp. — Lightfoot accused of 'stacking the deck' on Chicago casino committee: "After cutting the list of potential casino sites from three to five, Lightfoot has asked Ald. Tom Tunney to chair a special council committee with jurisdiction over 'all matters within the jurisdiction of the City related to the establishment of the casino,'" by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. … Plans for a casino 'super committee' spark complaints that process will 'circumvent opposition': "In a preview of what promises to be a contentious process, Lightfoot's plan to create the 'Special Committee on the Chicago Casino' drew accusations from opponents that the mayor is trying to sideline them," by Tribune's John Byrne, Alice Yin and Gregory Pratt. — Council votes to divest Chicago's finances from fossil fuels: "The divestment ordinance passed today creates an annual 'exclusion list' that prevents city funds from being invested in oil, gas or coal companies," by Ted Cox for Crain's. — Lobbyist reform: Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) has 15 aldermen on board for an ordinance that would clamp down on lobbying in city government. As we mentioned yesterday, the move was prompted by reports that City Clerk Anna Valencia failed to disclose her husband's income as a lobbyist. Valencia called the ordinance "a political stunt" since Tabares has endorsed her opponent for the secretary of state race, Alexi Giannoulias. Hanah Jubeh, Giannoulias' campaign manager, responded that Valencia is "finger-pointing" instead of "taking responsibility." NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern has more — Developers who demolish homes near The 606, Pilsen will be hit with fees through 2024 after program extended, by Block Club's Quinn Myers and Justin Laurence — Electronic voting era dawns at City Hall, with only a few glitches, by WTTW's Heather Cherone — Pilsen kids ask EPA's Debra Shore to protect them from 'massive amounts of pollutants': "After about a 30-minute standoff with EPA staff and security, six children from Pilsen were allowed to meet with Administrator Shore about pollution concerns," by Sun-Times' Brett Chase
| | TAKING NAMES | | Ricketts family denounces racism amid backlash to their bid on an English soccer club: "It has been three years since family patriarch Joe Ricketts apologized after online media outlet Splinter News published emails featuring him making Islamophobic comments, such as 'Islam is a cult and not a religion.' The racist comments have gained a renewed focus during the competitive bidding contest to buy Chelsea," by the Associated Press
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Proviso teachers, school board reach tentative agreement to end two-week strike and send 4,200 students back to class, by Tribune's Kareen Ann Cullotta — Burr Ridge shooting killer was upset about pay, about to be fired, police say, by Daily Herald's Susan Sarkauskas — Schaumburg considers delay of land donation for village facility on former Motorola site, by Daily Herald's Eric Peterson
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Mom of man who could get resentenced thankful he could be freed after nearly 3 decades in prison: "Larry Frazier, now 63, is the first convicted felon in Illinois to be recommended for a shorter sentence under a new state law," by Sun-Tims' Matthew Hendrickson. — First case Cook County prosecutors target for resentencing under new initiative probably won't be done quickly, by Tribune's Megan Crepeau — Prosecutors allege St. Anthony Hospital staffer sexually assaulted 2 female patients in January, by Tribune's Rosemary Sobol — Judge greenlights lawsuit alleging 'state-sanctioned bullying' by Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico, by Tribune's Jason Meisner
| | HIGHER-ED | | Janet L. Gooch named chancellor at U. of Illinois Springfield: Gooch, the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Truman State University, will also serve as vice president for the University of Illinois System, reports State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie.
| | POT-POURRI | | Chicago's Cresco Labs to become nation's largest weed firm with planned $2B takeover: "Cresco Labs announced plans Wednesday to take over Manhattan-based Columbia Care, marking the latest high-profile consolidation affecting Illinois' booming cannabis businessm" by Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito and Tom Schuba.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what you see as the big draw in the Chicago casino proposals: Illinois Academy of Family Physicians CEO Gordana Krkic hopes a casino "brings competitive pricing for tourism — hotels and restaurants keep inching away from being affordable to the middle class."… Chicago election commissioner Bill Kresse says "Hopefully it will attract in-person conventions to return."... Jack Ulrich says a Chicago casino will "give me an excuse to go to the city for a reason other than a Sox game."... City of Chicago attorney Steven McKenzie says: "With a casino in Chicago I can take Las Vegas off the bucket list of places to travel." ... And Teamsters attorney Pasquale Gianni just wants to see a casino that plays nice with organized labor. What's your pet peeve about group meetings? Email skapos@politico.com
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | — How the Ukraine war could go nuclear: "The prospect is growing all too real that Russia could resort to its deadliest weapons or trigger an accidental nuclear war," by POLITICO's Brian Bender. — Biden has a plan for Ukrainian refugees. Advocates want him to be bolder, by POLITICO's Laura Barrón-López — Putin's war in Ukraine has brutally exposed the flaws in Western security architecture, by POLITICO's David Herszenhorn
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — BREAKING: North Korea fired a suspected long-range missile toward the sea, by The Associated Press — Why Trump is losing his grip on the GOP, by POLITICO's John F. Harris — Former Boeing 737 MAX technical pilot found not guilty in Texas trial, by POLITICO's Oriana Pawlyk
| | TRANSITIONS | | Seth Earl Jenkins is headed to a Princeton summer leadership program and then Vasser in the fall after serving as an aide to Sen. Dick Durbin.
| | EVENTS | | Saturday at 10 a.m.: Sen. Tammy Duckworth headlines a "Women Pray for Peace" meeting at the First Unitarian Church at 5640 S. Woodlawn in Chicago. Duckworth will give an update on the situation in Ukraine and reflect "on peace from her perspective as a former warrior, a mother and a public servant."
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Conlon and Roger Flahaven for correctly answering that after graduating from U. of Chicago in 1972, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun was an assistant U.S. Attorney under James R. Thompson, a Nixon administration appointee who headed the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. TODAY's QUESTION: What Chicago suburb was featured in William H. Whyte's 1956 bestselling classic, "The Organization Man"? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Rep. Donald Manzullo, former state Sen. Dan Kotowski, former state Sen. Tom Rooney, noted trial attorney and political donor Bob Clifford, Durbin downstate director Kaylee Gholson, Reputation Partners' Nick Kalm, and Natural Resources Defense Council's Nadia Perl. -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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