| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. The Senate has actually approved the idea of ending daylight saving time, though we aren't adjusting our schedules just yet.
|  | TOP TALKER | | JB Pritzker's administration is changing up how future cannabis licenses are handed out after legal delays for current applicants have stifled growth of the nascent industry. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced Tuesday that it's filing rules to simplify the application process. Going forward, applicants will be able to apply online with certain basic information — name, principal officers, contact info — and a $250 fee. The state is responding to complaints across the industry that the current application process has been onerous — too much paperwork, too time-consuming and too expensive. Some social equity applicants, for example, have had to hire pricey consultants just to get an application filled out. "It's the state's attempt to make the application process an easier first hurdle. It's not unusual. Many other states have made the application a lot simpler," Pam Althoff, executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, told Playbook. Althoff's only concern is that the vetting process will occur after the conditional award of a license. "Past experience makes me cautious that it could open the door for substantially more lawsuits and legal challenges," Althoff said, a reference to the current batch of applications that have been tied up in the courts. The legal morass has ensnared fledgling dispensaries, manufacturers and cultivators — many of them minority-owned businesses — preventing them from opening their doors. IDFPR is required by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to issue at least 50 new adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses by the end of 2022. The details: Along with the simplified, online application, the state plans to issue 55 conditional dispensary licenses to be distributed across the existing 17 regions across the state. "During the license lottery process, principal officers cannot be included on more than one lottery entry and applicants cannot have more than one lottery entry across all 17 regions," according to IDFPR. Althoff sees that as "too restrictive," given some regions, like the Chicago metropolitan area, have larger populations than other regions. Equity anguish: A major element of Illinois' adult-use cannabis law, which passed more than two years ago, was to help communities and individuals most hurt by the war on drugs. In IDFPR's announcement, Pritzker said that remains a priority. "From day one, Illinois has been dedicated to leading the nation in an equity-centric approach to legalizing cannabis, and these proposed changes to the application process will make it much easier for social equity applicants to pursue licenses," Pritzker said in the statement announcing the new guidelines. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | THE BUZZ | | THE POLITICAL AFTERSHOCKS of the federal indictment of powerful former House Speaker Michael Madigan are starting to hit. NBC reporter Mary Ann Ahern reports that secretary of state candidate Anna Valencia relied on some members of Madigan's Democratic ward organization to help get signatures she needs to get on the ballot. David Moore, who's also running for secretary of state, criticized Valencia, saying, "The people [Madigan] controlled are still there, so they have an interest in maintaining what's happening in the Secretary of State's Office." Ahern says the Madigan connection is part of a broader concern about ethics in the race. She points to oppo research showing Valencia failed to fill out her 2021 statement of economic interest disclosing that her husband, Reyahd Kazmi, had earned $18,000 lobbying city agencies and alderpeople, among others, on behalf of Monterrey Security, a company co-founded by Santiago Solis, the brother of former alderman and FBI mole Danny Solis. After Ahern's inquiries, Valencia amended her filing. The secretary of state's office oversees lobbying registration, prompting Alexi Giannoulias, another candidate in the race, to call for tighter restrictions and more disclosures about lobbyists' work. — Speaking of ethics | A Cook County official is fined for 'flagrantly' disregarding nepotism ban: "Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Tammy Wendt must fire her cousin from his chief of staff position in her office and pay the county $2,000 for violating rules against nepotism, the county's Ethics Board has ruled," by Tribune's Alice Yin.
| | 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 Miami for a combination of political and official events (back Thursday).
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | TRANSITIONS | | SCOOP: Nancy Juarez, chief of staff to Rep. Marie Newman, is leaving to become executive director of the California Democratic congressional delegation. Juarez grew up in Orange County so the position will bring her closer to home. "Nancy is a rockstar, and I am so excited for her to take on this new role," Newman said in a statement to Playbook. Ben Hardin will step in to serve as chief of staff. Hardin previously served as Newman's campaign manager and district director. Newman's camp sees the job shuffling as a routine change of leadership. Still, Juarez's exit comes as the first-term congresswoman is embroiled in an ethics probe that is challenging her ability to make inroads in her primary race against fellow Democratic Rep. Sean Casten.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Eight Republicans file to run for Illinois governor and Pritzker draws a Democratic primary challenger: "The Republican primary elections for Illinois governor and attorney general are shaping up to be competitive," by WBEZ's Dave McKinney — GOP group backing Donald Trump's baseless election fraud claims among more than 700 candidates filing for June primary, by Tribune's Rick Pearson — Toni Preckwinkle, Richard Boykin trade barbs…and other Cook County campaign news: "I wouldn't vote to defund the police. That's what the county board did last year. And (Preckwinkle) allowed that to happen," Boykin said. Preckwinkle's campaign calls Boykin's claims "misleading." Tribune's Alice Yin reports — PETITION PITFALLS: Watch for GOP governor candidate Jesse Sullivan to see his petition signatures challenged. Copies of some of the petition pages that his campaign turned in Monday show signatures that look strikingly similar. Check out here, here and here . His campaign's response: "We're not surprised that our opponents prefer to focus us in court than on the campaign trail." … Sullivan says "hand on the Bible" he won't lobby for crypto special interest companies, by Cities929's Catrina Petersen — Zalewski faces Dem primary challenge in state rep race: "Progressive [Abdelnasser] Rashid says voters want 'ethical representation,'" by Riverside-Brookfield Landmark's Bob Skolnik — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a Republican candidate in the 6th Congressional District, has been endorsed by former House Republican Leader Tom Cross, former state Sen. Kirk Dillard, and former Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar. Grasso faces Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in the GOP primary for a November contest against Democratic Reps. Sean Casten or Marie Newman. — Anna Valencia has secured endorsements from 13 LGBTQ+ leaders, including, Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug, Chicago House CEO Michael Herman and AIDS Foundation Chicago CEO John Peller. Full list here. — Democrat Eileen Dordek has been endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and IUOE Local 150 in her bid for the 13th District state House seat now held by Rep. Greg Harris (who's not running for reelection). — State Rep. Sam Yingling's bid for state Senate has been endorsed by the Illinois State Conference of the Transport Workers Union of America and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | The Democratic Party of Illinois and Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association have created a 12-week candidate training program in partnership with the National Democratic Training Committee. The focus is on Democratic candidates running at the countywide level or below, according to a statement. "Local candidates are often running for office for the first time and do not have the resources or capacity of state or federal campaigns," Rep. Robin Kelly, chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, explained in a statement. "This Local Candidate Training Cohort is a way for us to build the bench in a sustainable, real-time way for candidates who are running for office right now." The application period closes April 1.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — SOUNDS FAMILIAR: House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch has invited the New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the Consul General of Ireland to the Midwestern United States, Kevin Byrne, to address the House Chamber this week. Heastie is the first African American to serve as the leader of the House Chamber in New York — and he came to the position after longtime former Speaker Sheldon Silver was charged by the feds with corruption. Sound familiar? Watch for Heastie to talk about that experience and the healing process in the New York Assembly. — With 3 weeks left before lawmakers leave Springfield, here are 10 things they've done: Budget, teachers, mental health and masks among the top issues tackled, reports State Journal Register's Andrew Adams — Second top leader exits Illinois tollway amid internal turbulence: "Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, a former Chicago Housing Authority executive, had recruited at least nine CHA colleagues for tollway jobs with their salaries totaling more than $1.3 million [raising] new questions about cronyism," reports Daily Herald's Marni Pyke. — Private ambulance companies see 40% turnover rate: "The Illinois State Ambulance Association says more funding is needed to retain workers," by NBC 5's Chris Hush — Aging in the shadows: A crisis of older undocumented workers awaits Illinois, by Tribune's Laura Rodriguez and Injustice Watch's Carlos Ballesteros — Remains of Tennessee woman missing since 1992, identified in Illinois, via Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle — Opinion | State's financial road now smooth, but potholes dead ahead, by News-Gazette's Jim Dey
| | LEGISLATION | | — Teachers would be able to use sick days for mental health. Will it help? "With the pandemic taking a toll on teachers, Illinois' lawmakers consider a bill that will allow them to use sick days for mental health," by Chalkbeat's Samantha Smylie. — Data point: A group of business associations, including the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, and Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce are urging Gov. JB Pritzker to support a pair of House and Senate bills that will change the state's Biometric Information Privacy Act, which they say is outdated and is being used to extort businesses for financial gain. Biometric data is the personal information that can be gleaned from someone's electronic devices. They say HB 4692 and SB 3874 will provide a solution for businesses without sacrificing privacy rights.
| | | |   | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | Alpana Singh, the Chicago sommelier and restaurateur who gained fame on Check, Please!, drew a crowd last night for the opening of her new Gold Coast bistro called, appropriately, Alpana . It was a restaurant opening reminiscent of the before times, with a crowded floor of friends and influencers air kissing hello, nibbling on passed apps (spicy pasta, focaccia and crudites) and sipping cocktails. SPOTTED: A few of Gov JB Pritzker's staffers, including Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, and campaign manager Mike Ollen. The event was hosted by Pritzker pals Neal Zucker and Marko Iglendza. We also saw state House candidate Eileen Dordek and her attorney husband Chris Landgraff, former state's attorney candidate Bill Conway, and former state Rep. and judicial candidate John Fritchey.
| | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | The feud over Chicago's new ward boundaries reaches a new high: "Chicago voters may have to choose new ward maps after Latino and Black aldermen put forward competing maps with no compromise in sight," by WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel
| | CHICAGO | | — As Lightfoot, Arwady look back on pandemic living the past two years, they assure equity work will continue: "Arwady said vaccines, boosters, widely available tests, and effective treatments have pushed us into a new phase of the pandemic, one that requires ongoing work to address the racial health disparities laid bare the last two years," by Tribune's Darcel Rockett and William Lee. … Chicago marks 2nd anniversary of start of Covid pandemic, lockdown, by ABC 7's Craig Wall and Eric Horng with VIDEO — Committee OKs tool to reclaim distressed properties concentrated in communities of color: "Planning and Development Commissioner Maurice Cox and Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara would be authorized purchase delinquent or forfeited property taxes from Cook County to assemble property for development," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — CPS defends its vaccine mandate for teachers in court amid separate fight with union over the end of the mask rule: "The lawyers sparred over whether the teachers participating in the litigation are having their due process rights jeopardized," by Tribune's Jeremy Gorner and Tracy Swartz. — Daniel Boone elementary seeks a new name because he's a 'historically egregious figure,' by Tribune's Tracy Swartz — Willie Wilson, the businessman and former Senate and mayoral candidate, says he'll be donating $200,000 in gas (in $50 increments) across 10 locations Thursday, via Twitter.
| | Patrick Daley Thompson Trial | | Former alderman asks for new trial, says feds 'littered' arguments with innuendos: "Thompson's request is not unexpected. A jury found him guilty of cheating on his taxes and lying to regulators. The verdict cost him his seat on the City Council," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Lights and noise at Irvin's State of City address in Aurora: But no mention he is one of six candidates running for governor, by Daily Herald's Susan Sarkauskas — Proviso High School District 209 classes canceled for 7th day, affecting 4,200 students; Riverdale students back in the classroom, by Tribune's Karen Ann Cullotta — The Arlington Million will live on this year ... at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, by Daily Herald's Christopher Placek
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — No criminal charges against police officers in fatal shootings of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and Anthony Alvarez: "State's Attorney Kim Foxx made the announcement Tuesday almost a year after Chicago police officers shot and killed Toledo and Alvarez in separate incidents," by Sun-Times' David Struett. … Community reaction via WTTW's Paris Schutz: VIDEO — Suburban supply rep charged in scheme to give $75,000 in iPads, gift cards to CPS principal for personal use, by Tribune's Jason Meisner — Ex-CPS principal sues school cafeteria worker, CPD detective who charged him: "Now that his criminal case is over, Kurt Jones is heading to federal court, accusing the cafeteria worker and detective of violating his civil rights 'by having him arrested and prosecuted for these crimes,'" by Sun-Times' Nader Issa.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what your plans are for spring break: For John Straus, it was a trip to Tempe, where "neither baseball nor temperatures hit the 70s." And we can all take a lesson from Ed Mazur, who is staying put doing his taxes. When did you decide to cut bait because something was no longer worth your time, trouble or energy? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE FIFTY | | — Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed a temporary freeze on the annual gas tax, and there's legislation in Springfield to do it entirely. Red and blue states alike are rushing to respond to soaring gas prices, report POLITICO's Marie French and Colby Bermel. — RELATED: Grubhub boosts driver pay as high gas prices squeeze earnings, via Bloomberg
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | — How Zelenskyy learned to love Congress: "The Ukranian president has effectively moved Congress into quick action to help his beleaguered country, even as he eschews typical diplomatic norms," by POLITICO's Andrew Desiderio. — 5 reasons war in Ukraine is a gut punch to the global food system, by POLITICO's Eddy Wax and Gabriel Galindo. — On the ground in Ukraine, in photos: Millions flee their homes amid intensifying Russian attacks, via POLITICO
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Raskin withdraws as Biden's Fed nominee, by POLITICO's Kate Davidson — Another Jan. 6 mystery revealed: Pence's second script rewrite, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney — Poll: Americans split over Florida's controversial bills on gender identity and race, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | The Daily Herald and Crain's business have reached a content-sharing agreement that allows Crain's to pick up media blog posts from media columnist Robert Feder's blog and The Daily Herald to use political content by Greg Hinz.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Today at 7 p.m.: Sen. Tammy Duckworth headlines a statewide virtual vigil to mark the one year anniversary of the shooting in Atlanta. The event also will call attention "to violence and hate crimes seen in Illinois and around the country since the onset of the pandemic." Also featured: state Sen. Ram Villivalam, state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, state Rep. Theresa Mah, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita. Register here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congratulations to U. of Chicago political science professor John Mark Hansen for correctly answering that Henry Thomas Rainey is the only Illinois Democrat to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. TODAY's QUESTION: Which current state legislator was a contestant to be queen of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring Illinoisans and millions of Americans can access health care services.
We have been offering COVID-19 vaccines at more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.
Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we have been increasing remote access to mental health services.
We have been supporting safer pregnancies and expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine.
Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we have been investing in affordable housing to support underserved populations and build healthier communities.
Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care into neighborhoods, homes and hands—so it's never out of reach for anyone.
Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Linda Holmes, secretary of state candidate and former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, commercial real estate's Michael Weber, digital strategist Riccardo Reati, and Columbia College adjunct faculty member Gail Sonnenfeld. -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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