| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy March, Illinois. Fingers crossed we might see Major League Baseball after all.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Gov. JB Pritzker has a love-hate relationship with labor unions. On one hand, he and the unions are in perfect harmony supporting a workers-rights proposal that's headed to the November ballot. If voters approve, the Workers' Rights Amendment would make union organizing a constitutional right and would squash efforts to eliminate bargaining rights. Illinois labor unions don't want a repeat of Wisconsin's Act 10, which eliminated bargaining rights for state and local government employees, affecting teachers, prison guards and clerical workers. The Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois AFL-CIO are heading up the effort, which was passed during last year's General Assembly. "We're excited to have the governor's support and to have leaders from both parties on board," Samantha McClain, state director for Vote Yes for Workers Rights, told Playbook. On the other hand, Pritzker has proposed a freeze on the motor fuel tax that's causing hand-wringing among the road construction workers represented by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. Pritzker says a one-year pause in the fuel tax would save consumers $135 million over the year. It's an effort to soften the blow of inflation. But unions and other critics worry that pausing the tax could hurt funding for future transportation projects. Needless to say, talks are ongoing. And then there are the political campaigns that put the billionaire governor and unions in distinct camps. Bob Reiter, the president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, advises not to read too much into the differences Pritzker might have with unions. "Are there ever any brushes we've had with the governor on policy? Sure," Reiter told Playbook. "But those are things that are easily worked to resolve because we approach everything in partnership." It's a far cry, he says, from the relationship unions had with Bruce Rauner, another wealthy governor. "Union people can make or break any administration regardless of whether they need our money or not because we represent the hearts and minds of Illinois," Reiter said. In other words, hell hath no fury like a union scorned.
| | THE BUZZ | | SIZE MATTERS: Applicants for "craft cultivation" cannabis licenses — many of which are minority-owned businesses — want the right to cultivate up to 14,000 square feet of land. But current state law says they must start at 5,000 square feet before ramping up to a larger canopy. The applicants say it's difficult to create financially sustainable businesses with such tight limits, and that they have the capacity to go bigger from the get-go. "It would be more cost-effective if they could just start at 14,000 square feet," said state Democratic Sen. Cristina Castro, who's carrying legislation in Springfield to tweak the 2019 law that established an adult-use market. But the legislation has been stalled by opposition from established weed companies led by the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois. Those businesses insist they're not worried about competition, noting that they can already have cultivation footprints of up to 210,000 square feet. Rather, they're concerned that the expanded canopy space could prove more attractive to multistate operators who want to buy up licenses from smaller entrepreneurs. CBAI says it supports allowing craft growers to expand to 14,000 square feet as long as they can be assured those licenses stay among diverse owners. "The association does not support the new legislation , as drafted, because it allows no discretion and affords no protections to ensure that the benefit of this proposal actually goes to the Black and Latinx businesses for whom this category of licenses was intended," the organization said in a statement. Craft cultivation license holders bristle at the suggestion that they're simply looking to sell out to big marijuana companies, rather than create their own successful cannabis businesses. "That's speculation or an attempt to try to weaken and undermine our position," said Bobby Burns, an Evanston alderman who was awarded a marijuana craft grow license. He estimates that he'll need to raise $7 million to $12 million to get the business operating. The lobbying fight over cultivation limits is just the latest drama in the rollout of Illinois' adult-use market. Licensing of new businesses has been stalled for months as legal fights play out in the courts. The delays have frustrated state officials and allowed established businesses to entrench their hold on the market. For now, the bill is in a holding pattern while craft growers and the CBAI try to find a compromise. Until then, Castro is holding on to the bill before trying to get it through a committee. The negotiations will have to pick up as the session adjourns April 8. If it doesn't get across the finish line before then, it could emerge again during the veto session later in the year. RELATED — Lawmaker's CBD enterprise forced to pay back $144,000 to investors after state investigation: "After regaling a crowd about the prospect of becoming "marijuana millionaires," state Sen. Patricia Van Pelt started Wakanna For Life, a multilevel marketing company that has since been the subject of multiple consumer complaints. The vast majority of those who paid to set up "dispensaries" through her company have made an average of just $200," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba — Vote on whether to allow more marijuana shops in Rolling Meadows could be close, by Daily Herald's Christopher Placek Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | Testifying at 9 a.m. in a virtual meeting about Illinois' use of ARPA and coronavirus relief funds during the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing… At Rush Hospital at 1:30 p.m. along with state public health director Ngozi Ezike to deliver an update on Covid19. At the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 6 p.m. to deliver remarks at an Illinois Holocaust Museum event.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations — and masking — looking more like July than February: "Things seem to be pretty good. Hospitalizations are way down. Cases are way down, and we hope we can sustain that through the spring and the summer and frankly, forevermore," Gov. JB Pritzker said at Navy Pier. "I am so excited that we now have no indoor mask mandate, that we have no school indoor mask mandate." Sun-Times' Taylor Avery reports. — Pritzker adds child care centers to list of places where masks are no longer required, by Tribune's Dan Petrella — Masks still the rule at CPS, by Tribune's Tracy Swarts — No masks at Bulls, Blackhawks games but vax or negative test required, by Tribune's Julia Poe
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | Former President Barack Obama will headline University of Chicago Institute of Politics conference on Disinformation and the Erosion of Democracy. David Axelrod, who heads the institute, and The Atlantic are hosting the conference April 6-8 in Chicago. Along with Obama, speakers include former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (a Chicagao native), former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Director Chris Krebs, U. of C. law professor Geoffrey Stone, and Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | 'I am not involved': Pritzker denies knowledge of blind trust investments after report: "Centene had a contract with the state of Illinois before I became governor. It was the prior governor that signed that contract," Pritzker said. "That contract went into place before I went into office. So there's no relationship in any way."
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — What it will take to keep Illinois' economy humming: "A solid pandemic recovery—featuring strong job growth—won't continue unless Illinois can stem population losses and solve the fiscal problems eroding our edge in the fight for talent, jobs and capital, says a new Moody's report," by Crain's Greg Hinz. — Winter research in Great Lakes will help scientists understand climate change and what happens when ice disappears, by Tribune's Morgan Greene — Severe implications of climate change in UN report extend to Illinois, by Tribune's Morgan Greene — Future of Pontiac and Vandalia Correctional Centers in discussion with state lawmakers, by WCMY's Steven Devine — As surrounding states increase restrictions on abortion, Illinois sees influx of patients, by Illinois Times' Dean Olsen — Opinion | Reducing the interest rate on past-due bills is a bad idea, no matter what state Comptroller Susana Mendoza says: "A 12 percent interest rate is a significant and necessary deterrent to any backsliding. Dropping it would be akin to encouraging a newly-sober alcoholic to hang out in bars after completing a 30-day rehab program," writes Crain's Joe Cahill.
| | LEGISLATION | | — Illinois schools wouldn't have to serve cheapest food possible under new bill: "In hopes that students could see healthier meals, a Peoria lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would allow exemptions from rules that require districts to take the lowest bid for food services," by Sun-Times' Nader Issa. — Will County Board decries lack of transparency In General Assembly: A measure that affects how county executives operate is headed to the House after changes to the bill were quickly made and approved in the Senate, reports WJOL.
| | CHICAGO | | — TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL: "I'm tired of being ignored. I'm tired of not getting phone calls returned. I'm tired of letting the inmates run the asylum. Yeah, no. Absolutely not," Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza said during an interview on the "Ben Joravsky Show" podcast after she was asked if she'd support Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for a second term. "I have never met anybody who has managed to piss off every single person they come in contact with — police, fire, teachers, aldermen, businesses, manufacturing, and that's it. I said it. That's it. I don't care." Garza has been an ally of Lightfoot's, and she's a lawmaker who speaks her mind. Lightfoot responded in a statement: "There is more to do together. Alderman Garza and I will talk and work through this." The Tribune's Gregory Pratt writes : "The comments offer a window into the behind-the-scenes complaints aldermen share about Lightfoot." From the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman: "Sadlowski Garza also took aim at the stalemated process led by Lightfoot's City Council floor leader to redraw Chicago's ward boundaries. 'It has been one of the worst experiences I have ever witnessed in my life.'" — McCormick Place raises the ante in casino stakes: "Plans for a comeback in Chicago's convention trade can't be separated from the debate over where to put a casino," by Sun-Times' David Roeder. — After December walkouts, organized Amazon workers in Chicago area eye next steps, by WTTW's Nick Blumberg — Corey Brooks to stay outside in fight against gun violence, by Sun-Times' Cheyanne M. Daniels — The City That Votes: Chicago Board of Elections' Max Bever has a podcast that examines the Chicago election system. The latest episode features new Election Board commissioner June Brown. — They found a surrogate in Ukraine. Now a U.S. couple must get their preemie twins out of a war zone, by Washington Post's Kim Bellware | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Alexi Giannoulias has won the endorsement of Our Revolution in his bid for secretary of state. The national political group aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders announced its support last night during a national program that also included Jessica Cisneros, who's hoping to unseat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar (their primary is today), and Melanie D'Arrigo, who's running for New York's 3rd Congressional District as Rep. Tom Suozzi runs for governor. Our Revolution says it has more than 300,000 members in Illinois. Giannoulias also has the support of Illinois progressive Reps. Chuy Garcia and Jan Schakowsky. — Catalina Lauf, who's running in the 11th Congressional District Republican primary, has been added to the National Republican Congressional Committee's slate of 21 "On the Radar" candidates in its Youngs Guns program . The program, led by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, helps candidates build their campaigns. — North Aurora trustee enters race for Foster's 11th Congressional District seat: "Mark Carroll's entry into the contest brings the GOP field to seven candidates," reports Daily Herald's Russell Lissau. — Kirk J. Ortiz, a Cook County sheriff deputy, is jumping into the race for sheriff, challenging his boss, Tom Dart.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — A suburban principal gave a personal lesson during Black History Month: "It's not about going into a classroom and specifically teaching them one way or the other what they should think or what they shouldn't think. It's giving them a different perspective," Marcus Belin told WBEZ's Susie An — Senior housing development proposed for Carol Stream farmhouse site, by Daily Herald's Katlyn Smith
| | Reader Digest | | We asked when you made your worst flub in a speech: Political consultant Pete Giangreco had to stop and gain his composure when telling the story of the 1958 University of Buffalo Bulls football team. "The team went 8-1 and was invited to play in the Tangerine Bowl, one of only a handful of bowl games back then. This was UB's first and only bowl invitation. But when the UB team found out that the Orlando HS Football Assn that controlled the stadium would not allow UB's two Black players to play, the nearly all white team immediately and unanimously voted to reject the bowl bid. The school would not get another bowl bid until 50 years later."... Ald. Raymond Lopez: "I remember giving a speech on the floor of the City Council, I was trying to state that people should point fingers because that means some fingers are pointing back at you. However, I said five fingers are pointing back at you, leaving many aldermen to wonder how many fingers I had on my hand." What class in high school set you on your career path? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Rep. Chuy Garcia is hosting community advocate Alex Ramon as his virtual guest at President Joe Biden's State of the Union address today. "Several years ago, Ramon was an innocent victim of gun violence when he was caught in the middle of gang crossfire. With support and mentorship from the Little Village community, Alex persevered, graduating high school in 2020," Garcia said in a statement. Here's a rundown of who other members of Congress are bringing "virtually" to the State of the Union, courtesy of Daily Herald's Russell Lissau.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — State of the Union 2022: What to know ahead of Biden's speech, by POLITICO's Samuel Benson — House passes Rep. Bobby Rush's bill to make lynching a hate crime: "Three Republicans — Representatives Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Chip Roy of Texas — opposed the anti-lynching bill," via The New York Times. — The primary foreshadowing the future of the GOP, by POLITICO's Ally Mutnick, Olivia Beavers and Elena Schneideer — 6 House races to watch in Texas, by POLITICO's Stephanie Murray
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Chico Tillmon, a nationally recognized violence prevention expert, joins Heartland Alliance as executive director of READI program, which works with at-risk youth to overcome trauma and to find employment. He previously worked with YMCA's Youth Safety and Violence Prevention program, Cure Violence, UCAN, and Ceasefire. Most recently, Tillmon served as a senior research fellow at the University of Chicago Crime Lab. — Frank Favia is a partner at Sidley Austin in the firm's litigation group. He previously was executive VP and general counsel at Guaranteed Rate and is experienced in M&A litigation, employment issues, and post-closing disputes.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — SENATE BOUND: The White House advanced the names of William Brodsky and Kathryn Huff, both of Illinois, to the Senate for nomination hearings. Brodsky, a former head of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and a college friend of President Joe Biden's, is in line to be director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. And Huff has been nominated to be an assistant secretary for nuclear energy. She's a former University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor. — SPOTTED: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller held court at the Mid-America Club over the weekend for a fundraiser featuring Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell. — Nick Offerman, who played Ron Swanson on "Parks and Recreation," will deliver the keynote address for this year's Illinois Conservation Foundation gala April 6. Offerman was born in Joliet and graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Susanne M. Groebner, a Cook County Circuit Court judge, has died.
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to judicial candidate and former state Rep. John Fritchey for correctly answering that Frank Duryea, born in Wyoming, Ill., was the inventor who won the first U.S. auto race held along the lakefront from Chicago to Evanston in 1895. TODAY's QUESTION: What was the name of the newspaper started by Illinois' first women lawyer? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Chicago Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs Manuel Perez, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, former Rep. Randy Hultgren, former state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Illinois Department of Agriculture chief of staff Jeremy Flynn, real-estate pro Meredith Meserow, vPeer CEO and president of Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition Dilara Sayeed, public policy consultant Laura Tucker, chef Art Smith, Centre College (Kentucky) marketing VP Sarah Nolan, community advocate and political strategist Tavares Briggs, and veteran journalist Randy Weissman. -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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