POLITICO Illinois Playbook: Jussie Smollett and ‘the ‘hammer of justice’

Presented by the Association for Accessible Medicines: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Mar 11, 2022 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by TGIF, Illinois. Also known as the day Jussie Smollett knocked Michael Madigan out of the headlines. TOP TALKER Actor Jussie Smollett maintained his innocence in speaking to Judge James Linn after his sentence was read Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool Jussie Smollett offered a cliffhanger after being sentenced yesterday to five months in Cook County Jail as part of a 30-month probation for lying to law enforcement about a racist and homophobic attack he orchestrated in Chicago. "I am not suicidal. I am innocent!" he told Judge James Linn, declaring that if he were to die in jail, "I did not do it to myself." Smollett's legal team said it would appeal the sentence and in light of that, asked to suspend or stay the jail time. Linn denied it, saying there comes a time when "the hammer of justice has to fall, and it's falling right here. Right now." It was the end of a three-year saga that roiled Chicago — and challenged efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Smollett, once a high-profile actor on "Empire," which was filmed in Chicago, was found guilty in December. It was 2019 — the middle of the Trump administration and amid growing conflict about race and racism in America — and a lot of people believed Smollett's "attack" was entirely plausible. Why wouldn't we? The case drew international headlines, as did the eventual reports of it being a trumped-up plan to get attention. "The malicious and wholly fabricated claim made by Mr. Smollett resulted in over 1,500 hours of police work that cost the city over $130,000 in police overtime," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last night in a statement. "The city feels vindicated in today's ruling that he is being held accountable and that we will appropriately receive restitution for his actions." Along with jail time and probation, Smollett was ordered Thursday to pay $130,160 in restitution to the city (he's already paid $10,000 of that). Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who had dropped the case as she would have for any first-time offender committing a dumb hoax, criticized the process. In a column in the Sun-Times, Foxx called the sentencing "mob justice" and a "disregard for the discretion that prosecutors must have to be effective and independent." She was referring to the special prosecutor, Dan Webb, hired to reinvestigate the handling of the case, which led to the trial, conviction and yesterday's sentencing. Linn's comments before sentencing seemed to address why Smollett's case was different. It was a "heater" that pulled resources from across the city. And Smollett's fabrication wasn't inconsequential: It was homophobic and racist. It was a stain on a city that prides itself on diversity." "I believe you did real damage to hate-crime victims. People who have a difficult time coming forward, who are distrustful, [who have] trepidation," Linn told Smollett. "I don't know if they will be hesitant to come forward or if first-responders will be doubtful because of what you did here." "The capper of all cappers," for the judge was Smollett's "pure perjury" — from lying to police all the way up to the witness stand. The judge also criticized Smollett for his disregard for Chicago. Here's the full passage: "Chicagoans, they love their city. We don't all agree with each other on a lot. There are all kinds of disagreements on what our city should be, what the vision should be for the future. There are even disagreements on what our past looks like. "But despite all the disagreements and all the things that aren't right, it's home, sweet home for Chicagoans. Chicagoans are fiercely loyal to their city. But Chicagoans have one thing in common where there's no misunderstanding and everyone is on the same page. And that page is that crime is a problem. It is a major problem. Nobody disagrees. And we know that police resources, they're valuable. They're limited. Detective resources are precious. And they cannot be squandered. "What you did because you are selfish, arrogant and narcissistic bringing attention to yourself…you took away a lot of resources from other places, other real victims of real crimes… and used up police resources for your own benefit. You did what we call around here is you created a heater." — Smollett's case is undoubtedly the most high-profile Class 4 felony to ever be tried in Chicago, reports Tribune's Megan Crepeau and Jason Meisner — Smollett remained defiant to the end, by Sun-Times' Matthew Hendrickson and Andy Grimm — WGN 9 features Smollett's booking photo THE BUZZ NEW POLL VIA SUN-TIMES: The Democratic primary for the new Hispanic-majority congressional district is wide open, according to a new poll that gives Rep. Delia Ramirez an edge over Ald. Gilbert Villegas. The poll underscores how both Democrats "are blank political slates waiting to be filled in," writes Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet with the scoop about the poll. "Though they have been running for several months, voters said they don't know much about Ramirez or Villegas," Sweet writes. "If the vote was taking place now, 66 percent said they were undecided; 19 percent said they were for Ramirez; 11 percent for Villegas and 1 percent for Iymen- Chehade." The poll also shows what low "favorables" Mayor Lori Lightfoot has among a list of numerous elected officials. 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 At Legler Regional Library to announce a new Artist-in-Residence. Where's Toni No official public events. IN THE SPOTLIGHT Scott Olson/Getty Images and Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP POLITICO's The Recast newsletter has named the 40 power players of 2021, and three Illinois lawmakers have made the list. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Chuy Garcia and Ald. Gill Villegas are standouts for having an impact on the intersection of race, politics and policy. Explore the full list here. How we came up with this year's inaugural Power List: "These 40 power players were crucial in driving conversations about race and politics in the year since the Recast's launch," by POLITICO's Brakkton Booker, Rishika Dugyala and Teresa Wiltz THE STATEWIDES — State regulators approve Danville casino, leaving only Chicago still pining for gambling expansion: "Fifteen casinos have been approved in Illinois history, but the 16th — earmarked for Chicago — promises to be the biggest," by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout. — Gaming Board pulls plug on Russian sports betting following Ukraine invasion, by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout — State lawmakers advance pension buyout extension fueled by $1B of bonding: "The Senate Pensions Committee advanced the legislation laid out in HB4292 in a bipartisan vote Wednesday, setting the stage for a floor vote later this month, according to committee Chairman Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago. The measure passed the House Feb. 24 and has Gov. JB Pritzker's support," by Bond Buyer's Yvette Shields. — Rezin urges bills preventing future health outbreaks get a proper hearing: Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has reintroduced legislation "to improve and hasten the state's response to the outbreak, but on Thursday called for more help from lawmakers to advance the bills which remain in the Assignments Committee," by Capitol News' Grace Kinnicutt. — Mendoza urges automatic payments into 'rainy day fund': "Current law requires deposits into the fund only when the state's general revenue estimates increase by 4 percent or more over the prior year, something Mendoza said has not happened since the fund was created. Instead, transfers into the fund have been made only when the General Assembly makes a one-time appropriation in the budget." — GOP senators want to cap state's fuel sales tax, by WGEM's Mike Miletich — Illinois hotels seek public aid during slow Covid-19 economic recovery, by WTTW's Acacia Hernandez and Paris Schutz   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.     CHICAGO — CPD to waive college requirements for some new hires: "City Colleges of Chicago will host in-person testing for the Chicago Police Department from March 17-19. Walk-in applicants will also be welcomed," by Sun-Times' Manny Ramos. — Lightfoot makes news visiting a few editorial boards: ... Mayor calls 2022 year of 'accountability' on violent crime, but says CPD Supt. Brown has her 'total confidence': "Her hand-picked police chief "is implementing levels of accountability that, frankly, we haven't seen in the Police Department in a long time," the mayor told the Sun-Times editorial board," by Fran Spielman. ... Lightfoot mulls gas tax rollback: "Chicago's mayor said in an interview with Crain's editorial board that her administration is "looking at" doing without the 8 cents per gallon the city collects from drivers at the pump as gas prices hit nosebleed levels," by Crain's Steve Daniels. ... Long-term fix for Soldier Field bonds needed; taxpayers can't be on hook when hotel tax revenue falls short, Lightfoot says: "We've got to make sure that we're diversifying our ability to respond to any kind of economic downturn and not constantly putting ourselves in harm's way because we tied vital services to a single source of revenue," the mayor told the Sun-Times editorial board. Fran Spielman reports. — An admissions change is coming to CPS' selective schools to try to enroll more low-income students: "CPS is considering dropping part of its admissions process that benefits students who live in affluent Chicago neighborhoods," by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. — As CPS' mask rule is about to end, employees mount new legal challenge to Covid-19 vaccine mandate for staff, by Tribune's Tracy Swartz — What the new Democrats' mistakes taught us about fighting inequality: Chicago's ShoreBank and its influence and lessons learned shaping the Democratic Party's policies and political strategy since the Clinton years is covered at length in this new book reviewed in Washington Monthly. — March honoring Harriet Tubman also shines light on Kierra Coles, other missing Black women, by Sun-Times' Cheyanne M. Daniels — City, bar owners, prepare for crowds as St. Patrick's Day Parade returns downtown Saturday after two years of cancellations, by Tribune's Stephanie Casanova — Details on when the Chicago River will be dyed, parade routes and more, by Tribune's Kori Rumore DAY IN COURT Companies tied to Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover, his family and supporters facing new federal scrutiny: "A grand jury in Chicago has subpoenaed records on the businesses in what a source says is an active investigation. The grand jury was formed the same year Hoover began his unsuccessful bid to be released from prison," by Sun-Times' Frank Main and Jon Seidel. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Gov. Pritzker, Jewish elected officials targeted by anti-Semitic flyers in Glenview: "Glenview village officials said the community will not tolerate any kind of hate. Over the last few weeks, similar flyers have also surfaced in Park Ridge and Niles," by ABC 7's Evelyn Holmes. — Richard Boykin, an attorney running for president of the Cook County Board, is expected to join striking District 209 teachers at a rally today at Proviso Mathematics & Science Academy.   A message from the Association for Accessible Medicines:   CAMPAIGN MODE — Man convicted of hate crime runs to unseat Cook County's first openly gay commissioner: "Kevin Ake was convicted of a hate crime two decades ago is running to unseat Cook County's first openly gay board member, Democratic Commissioner Kevin Morrison," by Tribune's Alice Yin. — Nikki Budzinski has been named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's competitive Red to Blue program. She's running in the newly formed 13th House District. Candidates must meet benchmarks in campaign infrastructure, fundraising and on-the-ground engagement to be part of Red to Blue. Inclusion means organizational and fundraising support, strategic guidance, staff resources, and candidate training, according to the DCCC. — Democratic Rep.  Sean Casten has been endorsed by Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-Calif.), deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, in his reelection campaign. — Travis Weaver announces run for state representative: Weaver, the son of former state Sen. Chuck Weaver, is challenging Rep. Mark Luft in the Republican primary in the 93rd District, reports CiProud's Matt Sheehan. Reader Digest Where you've fallen asleep where you weren't supposed to: Here's a doozy from Eric DeBellis: "I once fell asleep in a lawn chair outside in Tahoe National Forest. I couldn't figure out for sure which of the tents was mine in the dark, and I did not want to risk walking in on anyone. So I slept outside in January. I woke up totally numb, surrounded by deer, one of which was chewing on my shoelaces. Weirdest part of the story is that I was completely sober."... Patricia Watson has been known to fall asleep in yoga class… Ed Mazur: Once in the 1970s, after a few beers after work, "I remembered that I had to get home to watch my 2-year-old daughter because my understanding spouse had an appointment. I got on the #36 Broadway Bus at Madison Street to go to Wellington St (3000 North) but fell asleep and woke up at the end of the line --- Howard Street."... Steve Smith fell asleep in a law school class. "The professor noticed and called on me."... And Andy Shaw fell asleep at "every opera I've ever tried to sit through." When did you completely forget to change your clocks? Email skapos@politico.com   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 — Senate gives final OK to $1.5T government funding bill, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Jennifer Scholtes — Dems see midterm hope in Biden bounce, by POLITICO's David Siders — The new identity politics of Eric Adams, by POLITICO's Ruby Cramer — EU leaders back Ukraine but balk at fast-track membership, by POLITICO's David Herszenhorn and Jacopo Barigazzi — Baseball is back: MLB, players agree on new CBA to salvage 162-game 2022 season, via USA Today TRANSITIONS — Jacob Huebert is now president of Liberty Justice Center, the public policy legal advocacy group that has filed lawsuits against Illinois' Covid-19 mitigation rules. Huebert previously was director of litigation for the group. Huebert also litigated the U.S. Supreme Court case, Janus v. AFSCME, in which the court upheld government workers' right to choose for themselves whether to pay money to a union. — Joanna Rubin Travalini is now partner in Sidley's Securities Enforcement and Regulatory group in Chicago. She previously worked at Winston & Strawn, where she was a partner in the Securities Litigation Group. — Pat Carey is now senior principal at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies in Chicago. Carey previously was principal at the firm and before that was an aide to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Mayor Richard M. Daley. IN MEMORIAM Alan Greiman, state legislator and appellate court judge known for negotiating acumen, dies: "A onetime assistant majority leader in the state House of Representatives, legislative leaders frequently tapped Greiman to oversee negotiations of the biggest issues in the General Assembly that year," by Bob Goldsborough for the Tribune. TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Before two different elections, the late Mayor Richard J. Daley criticized Martin Luther King Jr., which was seen as an attempt to win over white voters. TODAY's QUESTION: What was the impetus for turning the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day? 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 Today: State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, House candidate Nikki Budzinski, Springfield Ald. Kristin DiCenso, former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., tech CEO and former state Sen. Dan Duffy, former legislator and Mac Strategies Group Senior Director Matt Murphy, Joyce Foundation President Ellen Alberding, consultant and former Chicago Treasurer's Office COO Tripp Wellde, PR pro Samantha Frontera, and consultant and Flower and Garden Show owner Tony Abruscato. Saturday: Sen. Tammy Duckworth, retired Cook County Circuit Judge Roger Fein, All-Circo founder Jim Houlihan, Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin, Duckworth Illinois press secretary Courtney Jacquin, McDonald's global comms manager and former Durbin aide Joseph LaPaille, public affairs pro Jennifer Mullin, and MALDEF attorney Steven Monroy. Sunday: state Rep. Jawaharial "Omar" Williams, former Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, former Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak, Andscape (formerly The Undefeated) executive editor for culture Steve Reiss, marketing pro Julie Darling, and real estate exec Robert Weil. -30-   Follow us on Twitter Shia Kapos @shiakapos   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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