| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Politics never gets old in Illinois.
|  | TOP TALKER | | IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR: Two incumbent state senators appear ready to retire, conveniently leaving their seats open for close friends and family members who turned in petition signatures on the last filing day yesterday. State Sens. Antonio Muñoz and Steve Landek are listed as candidates for the 1st and the 11th districts, respectively, but so are two of their buddies. Muñoz's son-in-law and former campaign manager Javier Loera Cervantes, filed at the last minute to run for the 1st District seat that his father-in-law has held since 1999. Political insiders call it a shrewd move that would see Muñoz drop out of the race, allowing Cervantes to get on the ballot with no competition for the June 28 primary. Cervantes, who was taken aback that Playbook would point out the icky optics of him sliding into Muñoz's seat, said: "Everybody has their opinion. I'm just looking forward to serving if that comes my way."
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Illinois Sen. Antonio Muñoz (D-Chicago), arguing a point on the Senate floor in Springfield, is expected to wrap up his Senate career. | AP file photo | Similarly, Landek is expected to step aside to allow his chief of staff, Mike Porfirio, who also filed signatures on the last day, to win the seat. Neither Landek nor Muñoz returned Playbook's calls or texts for comment. Political insiders expect the veteran lawmakers want out of politics after seeing their associates operate close to the legal edge. Landek is mentioned in a recent Tribune story as being appointed to his Senate seat with the help of former-now-indicted House Speaker Michael Madigan and for hiring the insurance firm of Madigan's son when Landek was mayor of Bridgeview. Muñoz, meanwhile, was a friend and classmate of former Sen. Martin Sandoval, who was indicted on bribery and tax offenses before dying of Covid-19. The Senate seat maneuvering seems all too Illinois for Froy Jimenez, who ran against Muñoz in 2020. He called the likely retirements "a mockery" of the political process. "They're political shenanigans that circumvent actual democracy," said Jimenez, a civics teacher who is working on petitioning Cervantes' signatures "because it's in the best interest of the general public to be aware and informed." RELATED As candidate filing closes in Illinois, some want the system reformed: Rep. Kelly Cassidy, former Gov. Pat Quinn have some ideas, by WTTW's Amanda Vinicky
| | THE BUZZ | | PARTY POLITICS: Gov. JB Pritzker and leaders in the state House and Senate are quietly supporting candidates for the Democratic State Central Committee, which will be elected during the June 28 primary. They see it as a post-Michael Madigan opportunity to bring new ideas and new blood into the party — and to have some control on decision-making. The election follows a leadership power struggle in the state central committee after Madigan's exit last year. Rep. Robin Kelly was elected chair over the governor's preferred candidate, Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris. Both women are running unopposed in June in their respective districts. Pritzker doesn't have a slate of candidates, per se, but he is expected to support Rep. Margaret Croke in the 5th District and lobbyist and political insider Liz Brown-Reeves in the 15th. There are state reps running for central committee seats, too, including Rep. Delia Ramirez, who's separately running for Congress in the new 3rd Congressional District. In the central committee, Ramirez is challenging Cook County Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez , a longtime committee member who also has served on the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus. "I'm very disappointed that Delia would challenge me. It shows some disrespect for people like me who have opened doors for women," Martinez told Playbook. "I'm ready for the fight. And it's going to be a fight that spills into the 3rd Congressional District race." Ramirez countered in a separate interview, saying, "It's sad that a woman in this seat for almost two decades is upset that another woman dares to run for that seat. We should be celebrating. We need more women to run." Other contested central committee seats: Senate President Don Harmon is challenging Rep. Danny Davis. And Rep. Bobby Rush, who is retiring from Congress but wants to keep his central committee seat, is being challenged by state Sen. Elgie Sims, state Reps. Marcus Evans and Lamont Robinson; and Anthony Hargrove. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in Illinois and communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 59 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In City Hall at 11:30 a.m. with Chicago Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady to provide an update on Covid-19.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over a Cook County Forest Preserve District meeting.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Republican Kathy Salvi running for Senate; may get boost from major Illinois GOP donors: "Salvi jumps in after no major Republican surfaced to challenge Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth," by Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet. — State Rep. Denyse Wang Stonebeck, who hired an employee embroiled in the Evanston lifeguard scandal, is now facing opposition for her 16th District House seat. Naema Abraham , president of the Niles Township District 219 school board, submitted petition signatures yesterday. If she were to win the primary and General elections, she would be the first Assyrian American state rep in Illinois. — OPPO | Rabine blames 2017 tax lien on IDES, pledges to pay 'legitimate' debt: "Tax records show the Illinois Department of Employment Security filed a tax lien for $10,262 against Rabine Utility Pavements, LLC, in 2017. Rabine [a GOP candidate for governor] dissolved that company in 2019, according to records filed with the Illinois Secretary of State, but the bill remains unpaid," by WCIA's Mark Maxwell. — Republican Sullivan runs for governor as 'outsider,' says he'd keep Pritzker's $15 minimum wage, cannabis laws in tact, by WCIA's Mark Maxwell. — Rep. Litesa Wallace, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois' 17th district, has hired Dulana Reese as campaign manager. Reese previously was chief of staff to Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner, who chairs the Illinois House Black Caucus. — Sidney Moore, who we wrote about in September, turned in his petitions to stay in the race for secretary of state. He adds some confusion to the contest as David Moore is also in the race. — As race for Republican gubernatorial nominee begins in earnest, will endorsements matter? "Influential players from the 2018 GOP primary are also looming large," writes Daily Herald's Marni Pyke.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Lawsuits filed for victims of deadly LaSalle veterans home Covid outbreak: "The deaths have prompted a series of individual lawsuits against the state on behalf of the families of 26 veterans who died of COVID-19 or coronavirus-related illnesses. The lawsuits, which began being filed last week in LaSalle County, allege negligence and wrongful death and could cost the state millions of dollars," by Tribune's Rick Pearson. — Illinois lawmakers could expand earned income tax credit, create child tax credit: "Rep. Carol Ammons says 44% of all Black households and 65% of Latino households in Illinois could be eligible for the earned income tax credit under her plan," by ABC Heart of Illinois' Mike Miletitch. — Lawmakers debate measure that would use federal funds to pay down unemployment debt, by Center Square's Andrew Hensel
| | REMAP ROAD MAP | | City Council's Rules Committee chair to file for remap referendum: "We're taking it to the voters and we're gonna let the voters decide," said Rules Committee Chair Michelle Harris. "Without 41 people making a decision to move forward, how do we avoid going to referendum? … We're filing for a referendum because we need 41 votes." Sun-Times' Fran Spielman reports Sidenote: Watch for Secretary of State Jesse White to come out endorsing the Black Caucus map
| | CHICAGO | | — Council committee takes first step on ordinance intended to punish Trump over Capitol insurrection: "The ordinance would prohibit any person convicted of treason, sedition, related offenses, or a hate crime, from doing business with the city. But co-sponsors disagree on exactly how that could end up affecting Trump," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Lightfoot says vaccine non-compliers will be given final chance before losing pay: "We're not doing mass firings today." Tribune's Gregory Pratt reports. — Police detectives begin training to investigate drug deaths as possible homicides: "Locking up a drug dealer will not bring my daughter Sydney back," a retired cop told detectives Monday. "But I am confident that our efforts will save the lives of others." Sun-Times' Frank Main reports. — Living in a downtown apartment will be more expensive this year: "After rising more than 30% in 2021, downtown rents are poised to increase at least another 5% this year. 'A lot of people are absolutely priced out of the market,'" by Crain's Alby Gallun. — Ald Sighco-Lopez, neighbors sue city and former Ald. Solis over Giant Penny Whistle liquor license debacle: "The lawsuit argues the city approved a liquor license for the bar and music venue without passing an ordinance to lift a tavern moratorium in place on Blue Island Avenue," by Block Club's Madison Savedra.
| | | |   | | | | | SMOLLETT FALLOUT | | Jussie Smollett in 'psych ward' at jail, lawyers want him released on bond: "Smollett's lawyers say they are concerned for actor's safety, mental health if he remains locked up," by Sun-Times' Andy Grimm.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Judge denies motion to dismiss resisting law enforcement, reckless driving case against Lake County sheriff: "The indictment states that Sheriff Oscar Martinez 'did knowingly or intentionally flee' from Crown Point police and that he 'did recklessly operate a motor vehicle by driving at such an unreasonably high rate of speed as to endanger the safety or property of others,'" by Tribune's Alexandra Kukulka. — Charges filed against man accused of abusing developmentally disabled woman at state-run facility, by Capitol News' Beth Hundsdorfer
| | Reader Digest | | We asked when it hit you that Covid-19 was here for the long haul: For UIC's Chris Mooney it was March 11, 2020, when the NBA canceled its season. Your Playbook host was slower but got the message on April 5, 2020, when Gov. JB Pritzker walked out for his daily briefing wearing a mask. What are your spring break plans? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | — Sen. Dick Durbin, the majority whip, took to the Senate floor yesterday to pay tribute to Ngozi Ezike as she steps down from her position as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "Appearing with Gov. JB Pritzker at his daily briefings, she [Ezike] was the public face of Illinois' effort to contain the virus and save lives. What a reassuring presence. She dispensed a daily dose of compassion and empathy along with the facts and statistics, the realities and pleas for mask-wearing and hand-washing. She delivered her message calmly and clearly and then, without missing a beat, delivered it again in Spanish. Her sincerity was obvious," Durbin said. — Adam Kinzinger let everyone know why he refused an invite to go on Tucker Carlson's show.
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | — Lightfoot gets first-hand account of horrors of war in Ukraine: "The harrowing details came in a video call from Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, who said artillery strikes are 'coming from everywhere,'" by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Russia may do Biden a favor by killing the Iran deal, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi and Stephanie Liechtenstein — China insists it's 'not a party' to Russia's war with Ukraine, by POLITCO's Stuart Lau
| | | | 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 | | — Schumer's Senate shocker: Bills are passing (seriously), by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Marianne LeVine — 'Clock is ticking': 2024 Republicans try to leap out of Trump's shadow, by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt — DOJ: Film crew was present at Jan. 5 meeting between leaders of Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney | | IN MEMORIAM | | — Sanford D. (Sandy) Horwitt, a political adviser, activist, and author who wrote the definitive biography of pioneering community organizer Saul Alinsky, died March 12 at his home in Arlington, Va. He was 79. In 1974, he volunteered on the campaign to elect Abner Mikva to Congress. After Mikva's victory, Horwitt moved with his family from Evanston to Washington, D.C., to join the congressman's staff. "Horwitt forged a lifelong bond with Mikva," according to his obit, sent to Playbook. — Peter Fasseas, who built Chicago's largest privately held bank, dies at 82: "Along with his wife, Paula, Fasseas founded Paws Chicago, one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in the U.S. Their Metropolitan Bank Group was sold under duress after nearly failing in the Great Recession," by Crain's Steve Daniels. — Pervis Spann, 'the BLUES man,' legendary Chicago disc jockey, dead at 89 of Alzheimer's disease: "Hired by Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess at WVON-AM, his career spanned over 60 years. He was one of the 'Good Guys' — a group of DJs that also included Herb Kent," by Sun-Times' Maureen O'Donnell.
| | EVENTS | | April 21 at 6 p.m.: Mayor Lori Lightfoot headlines a discussion with her friend Dick Simpson, the University of Illinois at Chicago political professor who backed her mayoral campaign in 2019. The two will discuss Simpson's new book, Democracy's Rebirth: The View From Chicago, for which the mayor wrote the preface. The in-person conversation is hosted by the Society for Midland Authors. Simpson and Lightfoot will examine "the future of American democracy and whether it has reached a tipping point from which there is no return—or can it be reborn." The event is free and open to the public at Harold Washington Library or can be viewed on the library's YouTube channel. | | TRIVIA | | MONDAY's ANSWER: Congratulations to Michael Penicnak for correctly answering that Chicago Mayor Martin Kennelly led the way for Chicago to take over mass transit in the city. TODAY's QUESTION: Who is the only Illinois Democrat to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives? Email skapos@politico.com
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Republican adviser and S-3 Public Affairs exec Kate Dickens, Crown Family Philanthropies director Wendy Platt Newberger, CPS teacher and journalist Craig Newman, Springfield policy advocate Kim Drew, Salesforce's Apryle Babish, and journalist Rogers Worthington. -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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