| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. Happy International Women's Day! Your Playbook host is from a family of four daughters, so every day was women's day in our house. HISTORIC: After 200 tries, the Senate passed anti-lynching legislation , this one named after Chicagoan Emmett Till. Rep. Bobby Rush carried the bill in the House and Sen. Cory Booker shepherded it in the Senate.
|  | TOP TALKER | | SPRINGFIELD SCOOP: Members of the Illinois House are expected to vote today to make masks optional in the chamber. The approval would put an end to standoffs with Republicans who have opposed the face-coverings. "It's time," House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said in an interview in his office after taking up the issue with his Democratic Caucus. "We wanted to check with them first. I don't want to be guessing," he said. "I'm hopeful that that's something we can take up [Tuesday] when we convene." It would go into effect immediately, so we imagine a dramatic moment of masks flying like caps in a graduation scene in the movies. Welch also met with House Minority Leader Jim Durkin about taking a vote to make masks optional. The response? "It was the shortest meeting I've had with him all year," Welch said. The expected new guidance follows contentious debates on the House floor with some Republicans being kicked out of the chamber for not wearing masks. The decision also follows Gov. JB Pritzker easing up the indoor mask mandate in Illinois and Congress removing its mask mandate as well. With just a month left before the General Assembly convenes its spring session April 8, Welch wants to make sure lawmakers aren't distracted. He says the General Assembly is on track to pass a budget and legislation addressing public safety. "We're hearing from voters that they care about inflation, jobs, the economy and crime. So you're going to see legislation that addresses that over the next month," he said. Welch's Democratic Caucus has also dealt with the elephant in the room: the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan. "We caucused, we talked. Some members talked to the press if they wanted [on Wednesday, when the indictment came out]. But we went back to work until 11 p.m. Thursday and worked through the afternoon Friday and we are back here today. We haven't missed a beat, and I think it's because we've had a great 13 months," Welch said, referring to the year-plus since Madigan made his exit and Welch took the House gavel. Asked whether supporting Madigan last year during the speaker's race might hurt Democratic candidates in 2022, Welch said, "I haven't got a sense of that at all." Remember: Madigan bowed out after realizing he couldn't get the 60 votes needed from his caucus. Nineteen Democrats publicly said they wouldn't vote for him and another three said so in caucus. Welch says once Madigan was out, 70 Democrats gave him the support he needed to become Illinois first Black speaker — a signal that they wanted change, he said. MORE ON MASKS — Chicago Public Schools to drop mask mandate March 14; teachers union vows to fight the change without collective bargaining, by Tribune's Tracy Swartz — The majority of students at most Chicago schools are unvaccinated, reports WBEZ's Sarah Karp — Lightfoot wrote a two-page letter to the Chicago Teachers Union, saying, "It was crucial that CPS move swiftly to make this change itself, rather than be forced to by a court."
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
Illinois Republican governor candidate Richard Irvin takes questions from reporters in Springfield on Monday, March 7, 2022. Behind him are members of his slate: Steve Kim for AG, left, Shannon Teresi for comptroller, Avery Bourne for lieutenant governor, Tom Demmer for treasurer, and John Milhiser for secretary of state. | by POLITiCO's Shia Kapos | SPRINGFIELD — Republican governor candidate Richard Irvin took questions yesterday from reporters for six minutes, during which he swerved here and there, turning his answers into attacks on Gov. JB Pritzker or Republican opponents. Asked why his ads promote his work as a prosecutor but fail to mention defending people accused of the kind of crimes he says he's tough on, Irvin said he has "a unique perspective to address crime" and that opponents won't talk about his time spent serving his country or as a mayor. (See what he did there?) Pressed a few times for a better answer, he said, "the foundation of our country says every person is innocent until proven guilty. But until then, the Constitution says everyone deserves the best defense possible." On how he can gain more momentum downstate among conservative Republican voters, Irvin said he'll be traveling down Illinois, "talkin' to folks about how we can take back our state." Irvin, who's backed by billionaire Ken Griffin, took questions at State House Inn, in the shadow of the Capitol, after making campaign stops Monday and turning in his petition signatures. Asked why he pulled a Democratic ballot in past primaries, Irvin said, "Oftentimes when there's a local election, I gotta make a choice, 'Do I not have a voice at all?' or 'Do I make sure that we vote for somebody who continues the conservative path we've created to make the city better." So did he leave the box blank when it came time to vote for a presidential candidate? Irvin said "That's exactly what JB Pritzker wants me to talk about." And maybe Republicans, too. MORE FROM SPRINGFIELD
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Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton arrive with their petition signatures at the State Board of Elections Office in Springfield on Monday, March 7, 2022. | By POLITICO's Shia Kapos | — Candidates pivot from petitions to 'kick-off' events: It signals "a full-on sprint towards the primary election in just under four months," reports Lee Enterprise's Brenden Moore. — Griffin's GOP slate headlines a rally, by WGEM's Mike Miletich — The cold, snowy wait to file petitions and win chance for coveted top ballot spot, by Tribune's Jeremy Gorner and Rick Pearson — 'Camaraderie,' coffee and catcalls, by Sun-Times' Taylor Avery Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines: Illinois HB 1780 Puts Patient Access to Generic Medicines at Risk! Generics drive patient savings, yet HB 1780 imposes new costs on patients who rely on generic access to life-saving treatments. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | On west 63rd Street at 11 a.m. for ribbon-cutting for the Go Green Community Fresh Market.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Hilton Chicago at 6 p.m. to keynote the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association's 42nd Annual Banquet.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | Illinois billionaire behind group enlisting Trump supporters to hunt for voter fraud using discredited techniques: "The Voter Reference Foundation is putting the nation's voter rolls online while making unsupported claims suggesting election fraud." The group's funding can be traced to a Super PAC funded by Richard Uihlein, the Chicago-area CEO of Uline, by Pro-Publica's Megan O'Matz
| | MADIGAN MATTERS | | — An unnamed presence in the Michael Madigan indictment: AT&T, by Tribune's Jason Meisner and Ray Long — Cadre of attorneys line up to represent former House speaker in corruption case, by Center Square's Brett Rowland and Greg Bishop
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cash assistance program launched in Cook County, touted as one of the nation's largest guaranteed income pilots: "Preckwinkle has offered few details about the cash assistance program, but its total would surpass a similar $31.5 million pilot in Chicago as well as most guaranteed income experiments across the U.S. Preckwinkle has said selected residents will get monthly payments for at least a year with no strings attached," by Tribune's Alice Yin. — Dixmoor again under a boil order months after severe water crisis, by Tribune's Madeline Buckley — More than picnic groves: Cook County Forest Preserves are a research hub, by WTTW's Patty Wetli
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ON THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN: Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph for a panel discussion on the future for Afghan women. Guests include Hawa Haidari, a member of the Female Tactical Platoon; Cindy McCain, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's first female ambassador to the U.S.; and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Learn how female Afghan veterans are planning their futures, what the women still in Afghanistan face, and what the U.S. can do to help. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — SCOOP: According to apolling memo shared with Playbook, the race to fill the Illinois Supreme court seat in the new 2nd District remains a toss-up. The poll, conducted by Brian Stryker's Impact Research for candidate Elizabeth Rochford, shows a virtual tie. If the election were held today, Rochford would get 12 percent of the vote, to Rene Cruz's 11 percent, Nancy Rotering's 10 percent, and 67 percent undecided. All of the candidates are within the margin of error. The polling memo says Rochford passes her competitors when respondents learn that she's a Lake County Circuit Court judge and Rotering is mayor of Highland Park: Rochford gets 40 percent to Rotering's 19 percent. Cruz, a Kane County Circuit Court judge, likely isn't included in the polling memo because he's trailing in fundraising. The point being, candidates need money and messaging to get their names before voters for the June 28 primary. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Illinois Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope is endorsing Republican Jesse Sullivan for governor. "Jesse Sullivan will make an excellent governor. He means it when he says he wants to eliminate corruption in our state," Pope said in a release obtained by Playbook. Pope stepped down as IG earlier this year, saying the position left her with "no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations." — State Sen. Robert Martwick faces a challenge from Chicago police detective Erin Jones in Dem primary for 10th District, by Nadig News — Langfelder 'geared up' for seeking a third term as Springfield mayor: "Jim Langfelder wants what eluded his father, Ossie Langfelder: a third term in the city's top spot," by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie — Daniel Calandriello, a former Orland Park Village trustee, is running for Cook County Board. He filed his petitions for nomination for the 17th District. — Eric Sorensen has been endorsed by the LGBTQ Vicory Fund in his run for Congress in the 17th District.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — COVID: Illinois reports no Covid-19 deaths Sunday or Monday, by Daily Herald's Marni Pyke — First it was pizza and applause. Now, hospitals look at longer-term solutions to support exhausted health care workers, by Tribune's Alison Bowen — Hotel help: New legislation is popping up to give a boost to the hotel industry. The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association is calling on elected officials to pass the Hotel Jobs Recovery Act, which would allocate funds to hotels across the state to rehire workers. — Increased availability of remote work could hurt some cities' revenues: "Continued loss of commuters after pandemic could lead to smaller municipal tax," by PEW Trusts. — Column | In favor of state bill payments reform: "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the state needs to stop giving politically connected wealthy private lenders the chance to make 12 percent profits on the backs of taxpayers," by Crain's Greg Hinz.
| | | | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Garza's final flip-flop in General Iron fight shows 'she's not worried about people's health,' says resident: "In a nearly 20-minute defense of the project, Ald. Susan Garza lashed out at community groups, environmentalists, the media, City Hall, the public health commissioner and, most notably, her political ally Mayor Lori Lightfoot for preventing the business to open in her ward," by Sun-Times' Brett Chase. — Members of Jewish community gather to pray for peace in Ukraine: "We believe God is listening and God gets involved in human events and points us where they have to go," said Rabbi Yochanan Posner," by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek. — Some Chicago-area Russian-influenced businesses take heat for Ukraine invasion, by Bob Chiarito for the Sun-Times — Trump tower penthouse sells for $20M: "It's the most anyone has paid for a single Chicago-area property since Ken Griffin paid more than $58 million for the top floors of a Gold Coast building," by Crain's Dennis Rodkin.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what prompted you to wait in line for more than two hours: Suzie Bassi waited in line to purchase a Cabbage patch doll for her daughter "way back in the day."... Sharon Rosenblum camped out two days for Bruce Springsteen and a day to see Bob Dylan. … Daniel Goldwin: "Any, and I mean any, University of Wisconsin basketball game in the old Field House — this is how I "On Wisconsin-ed" 1989-94." What makes a good campaign speech? Email skapos@politico.com
| | TAKING NAMES | | | 
Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Chicago-based Lifeway Foods, is behind a fundraising event for Ukraine. | Working Woman Report screen shot | Chicago-based Lifeway Foods, headed by Ukraine-born Julie Smolyansky, is sponsoring Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine, a chef event March 16 at Navy Pier to raise money for World Central Kitchen. The event will feature Piccolo Sogno's Tony Priolo, Prairie Grass Café's Sarah Stegner, chefs from Blue Plate Catering, Breakthru Beverage, and others who are expected to sign on in the coming days. "Like mostly everyone around the world, we are devastated and horrified as we witness events unfolding in Ukraine," according o a statement from Smolyansky, who was born in Kiev "and was granted asylum in the US as a refugee as an infant in 1976." Smolyansky is CEO of the company that makes Kefir yogurt drinks.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden warms to a Russian oil ban. Congress may not give him a choice, by POLITICO's Andrew Desiderio, Burgess Everett and Jonathan Lemire — Progressives grit their teeth as defense wins big in spending bill, by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris and Connor O'Brien — U.S. oil industry prepares to boost production — but with a giant warning, by POLITICO's Ben Lefebvre — Deal with Manchin would reshape Dems' fight to keep majority, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Marianne LeVine
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 6:30 p.m.: Anti-violence advocates will discuss the SAFE-T Act and the importance of community-centered solutions for violence prevention in Illinois. State Sen. Robert Peters will host the virtual panel discussion. Panelists are from Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Mothers On A Mission28, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, and Crime Survivors For Safety and Justice. Register here — Tomorrow at 8 a.m.: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi headlines a new series by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute called Congressional Conversations. Register here
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY'S ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Conlon for correctly answering that John S. Clark, a 30th Ward committeeman and Cook County assessor, was father to Illinois Supreme Court Justice William G. Clark — who also was a former Illinois attorney general. His son is William G. Clark Jr., a Chicago attorney. TODAY's QUESTION: What political campaign gave rise to the still pending Shakman lawsuit? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines: Illinois HB 1780 Puts Patient Access to Generic Medicines at Risk! Patients in Illinois benefit from access to life-saving, lower-cost generic medicines. In 2020, generics saved Illinoisians $12.7 billion. HB 1780 would jeopardize the ability of generic manufacturers to sustainably produce low-cost medicines. HB 1780, as currently drafted, would disproportionately impact the makers of low-cost generic medicines and not the manufacturers of high-cost brand-name drugs. The Association for Accessible Medicines, representing the manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, opposes HB 1780 in its current form and without changes. HB1780 puts patient access to generic medicines at risk. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Retired Chicago Police Lieutenant Gene Daly, State Sen. Steve McClure, attorney and former Ald. Bob Fioretti, Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals member Judith Hamill, Hyde Park Hospitality CEO Marc Brooks, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace VP Evan Feigenbaum, former Democratic committeeman Aaron Goldstein, Northwestern adjunct professor Bob Rowley, MBA admissions consultant Beth Tidmarsh, NORC research analyst Ridgley Knapp, and congressional candidate Kina Collins. -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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