| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | We made it to Friday, Illinois. There are 47 days until the June 28 primary.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Kam Buckner, a state lawmaker who represents Chicago, announced Thursday, May 12, 2022, that he's running for mayor of the city in 2023. | Screen shot via ABC 7 | Kam Buckner, a state lawmaker who represents a swath of Chicago that runs from Streeterville to the South Side, is making his long-rumored play for mayor in 2023. Buckner rolled out his campaign announcement Thursday with a rally for supporters, one-on-one interviews with reporters, and a stylized announcement video that was filmed when there was still snow on the ground. In it, Buckner says his campaign is for "the people of Chicago who love Chicago but who just want Chicago to love them back." (The boy featured is Buckner's godson.) The 37-year-old lawmaker and former University of Illinois football player heads the Illinois House Black Caucus, and was an outspoken supporter of the criminal justice reform measures the General Assembly passed last year. He sits farther left than two other candidates in the race, Ald. Raymond Lopez and businessman Willie Wilson. What's his beef: He's criticized how crime has been handled under Mayor Lori Lightfoot. "Folks don't feel safe. They don't feel there's a plan for their safety," Buckner told ABC 7's Craig Wall. Lightfoot's team pushed back: "Being mayor of Chicago requires the sort of toughness that Kam Buckner hasn't shown in his public life. When others stood up to Madigan and told him it was time to go, Buckner voted to keep him in power. You can't take on the machine when you're part of it," Lightfoot campaign spokesperson Christina Freundlich said in a statement. In a statement criticizing Buckner, Ald. Michelle Harris said "We must remain vigilant against candidates who put themselves ahead of the progress we've been making together." And Ald. Emma Mitts added that West Siders "don't know" Buckner, and he "has made little effort" to know them. Point being, this ain't beanbag. Down the line, Lightfoot will likely zero in on Buckner's brushes with the law. He's twice been arrested for DUI. Once in 2010 and another in 2019, both of which he said he learned from his experience. He recently pleaded guilty for the 2019 incident and was sentenced to a year of conditional discharge, according to the Tribune. Crowded house: Buckner, Lopez and Wilson are expected to get more company in the 2023 race. State Rep. La Shawn Ford and former schools superintendent Paul Vallas are both considering it. And Lightfoot is expected to announce her bid June 7, according to the Tribune's Gregory Pratt. From Crain's Greg Hinz: Unlike others already in the race or bigger names who aren't, Buckner comes from the political left.
| | THE BUZZ | | BACK ON THE BALLOT: Judge Maureen O. Hannon of the Cook County Circuit Court ruled yesterday that Nancy Rotering, Mark Curran and Susan Hutchinson are back on the ballot for Illinois Supreme Court justice races in the June 28 primary. Hannon's decision overturned an Election Board decision that had kicked the three candidates off the ballot. "Ballot access laws in Illinois are to be interpreted liberally and impediments to candidacy are to be strictly construed," Hannon wrote. Here's the full ruling. "We are grateful that the court ruled in our favor today and upheld what we always knew to be true: that our nominating petitions complied with the Election Code," Rotering, a Democrat and mayor of Highland Park, said in a statement. Her petitions were challenged by fellow Democrat and Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Rochford. Republican challengers separately challenged Curran, the former Lake County sheriff, and Hutchinson, an Illinois appellate judge. The next question: Will the judge's ruling be appealed? Rochford's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As the Tribune's Jeremy reports: "The ruling ratchets up the competition for the seat, which now has seven candidates — four Republicans and three Democrats." Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I'd like to hear from you: 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 | | At Water Tower Place at 9 a.m. to sign a retail theft crime bill… At DOT Security Operations Center in Mettawa at 11 .m. to give remarks at the grand opening of the center…At the Sheraton Grand Hotel at 7 p.m. to give remarks at the Museum of Mexican Art Gala.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In Texas, where this guy lives.
| | Where's Toni | | At Hyde Park Shopping Center at 9 a.m. to mark the beginning of the 61st annual Hyde Park Garden Fair.
| | SPOTLIGHT | | UGLY TURN IN ASSESSOR'S RACE: A group of Jewish lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have written letter to Kari Steele, a candidate for Cook County assessor, calling for her to disavow antisemitic comments her husband Maze Jackson said on his radio show. The letter calls out Jackson for claiming an unnamed "Jewish organization" allegedly "controls" affordable housing activists who are part of the Chicago Housing Initiative. The lawmakers called it "dog whistle" language. In a statement, Jackson apologized . "I take full responsibility for the words I have said… I recognize that they were wrong, and I sincerely apologize for the pain they have caused the Jewish community." Steele issued her own statement, saying, "I unequivocally reject any hateful rhetoric and apologize for the comments made on my husband's show." The incident comes amid a contentious primary challenge between Steele and Fritz Kaegi for Cook County assessor. And she Steele told the Tribune's Alice Yin: "It's interesting that this is being put out there because he is a provocative radio show host personality that talks about Black issues on a Black radio station. And, you know, callers call in and they say what they have to say and I don't feel I should have to wear the jacket for their comments. … I do not feel I should be tied to anyone's comments."
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Richard Irvin's gubernatorial campaign is launching a new ad called "Proud" and highlighting what Irvin's team says is Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker's "massive funding" of Republican Darren Bailey's campaign. Irvin's latest ad buy is meant to counter an anticipated new ad buy the DGA, which is spending millions now in a blue state, of all things. (Don't forget Gov. JB Pritzker is a big donor to the DGA.) In a statement to Playbook, Bailey's campaign addressed the issue of Dems meddling in the GOP primary and takes a dig at Irvin, too: "Democrats shouldn't be involved and spending money in our primary. Richard Irvin is a career Democrat and puppet of the political elites, and he is meddling in our Republican primary." — Ken Griffin has donated $1 million to House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, who's helped promote Irvin, the billionaire's hand-picked candidate for governor. — Personal PAC, the abortion rights political action committee, is out with its statewide endorsements ahead of the June 28 primary. In the highly contested secretary of state race, the organization is endorsing both Alexi Giannoulias and Anna Valencia. — Pelosi's coming to Chicago for a fundraiser, and so are other folks, reports Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet — Rudy Giuliani will be in town May 25 raising money for Republican Scott Kaspar who's running in the 6th Congressional District. — Fritz Kaegi has been endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in his reelection bid for Cook County assessor. — Eric Mattson has been endorsed by former state Sen. John Connor and Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Natalie Manley in his bid for the 43rd state Senate seat. Connor just stepped down from his position in the 43rd, allowing Mattson to hold the seat in the lead-up to the primary. — Political in-fighting, allegations of domestic abuse mar Illinois state senate race: "Eli Nicolosi, chairman of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee and a candidate for Illinois Senate District 35 against 30-year incumbent Dave Syverson, says the allegations against him and calls for his resignation are nothing more than 'political shenanigans,'" by Rockford Register Star's Chris Green. — Indivisible is endorsing Litesa Wallace in the Democratic primary for the open IL-17 seat. — Eric Sorensen has a new campaign ad in his bid for the IL-17 seat in the Dem primary. The ad called "Forecast" has some fun with Sorensen's weatherman credentials.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Marching in mother's footsteps — Pritzker eyes family legacy as he seeks national leadership role in abortion rights battle: "A California kid in the 1970s, Pritzker accompanied his mother at demonstrations, including marches for abortion rights. The governor said it inspired his fight for women's and LGBTQ rights. 'Those are all things that I think my mother would want me to do,'" he told the Sun-Times Tina Sfondeles … In a Washington Post Live interview , Gov. JB Pritzker was asked whether it's appropriate for a sitting governor to attack a draft opinion of the Supreme Court given it could still change. Pritzker said, "Well you're damn right. It's important for all of us to speak out and be heard. ... "[I]f we had enough pro-choice senators, we could have seen a federal law passed to protect women's rights."
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Health care workers burned out during the pandemic. That could impact Illinois' abortion care: "Tens of thousands more people may seek abortions in Illinois. Hospitals and clinics worry they won't have enough staff to treat them," by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Audit finds DCFS failed to implement reforms: "The report found DCFS was unable to provide home safety checklists, which are mandated when a child leaves state care to be returned to their home, in 192 of 195 cases studied," by Capitol News' Beth Hundsdorfer. — Analysis | Federal transit billions are coming, but there's a catch: "Local governments and transit agencies are going to have to come up with matching funds, and to boost revenues, they'll need to find ways to bring riders back. That will require some bold decisions," writes Thomas Day in Governing. — Audit of DCFS finds failures to provide proper medical care, track abuse and neglect cases , by Tribune's Dan Petrella and Clare Spaulding — New law prohibits schools from withholding diplomas due to unpaid fees, by Center Square's Andrew Hensel
| | CHICAGO | | UM — A Lincoln Park man allegedly threatened to kill Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxx for not being 'tough on crime': "The man allegedly said he was incensed by news coverage of violence in his neighborhood, worried it was 'too close to home,'" by WBEZ's Patrick Smith — Remap vote: Lightfoot has called for a Monday City Council meeting to vote on the new boundaries of the city's 50 wards. — Chosen casino developer lays out his cards — but wary residents would rather Bally's folds its hand: "Soo Kim, CEO of Bally's Corp., joked that after gaining Mayor Lori Lightfoot's backing to build a casino at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, 'it would be easier for me to be hiding in some dark, smoky room. I'm here in person telling you that we're going to keep our promises,'" by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout. — CPD supervisors reassigned following claims they fostered hostile work environment, by Sun-Times' Tom Schub. — Police Supt. David Brown appears to overstate links to mass shooting in Back of the Yards, by Tribune's Annie Sweeney and Paige Fry — NFL schedule set: Here's the Bears' complete 2022 schedule, by Shaw Local's Sean Hammond — Dick Simpson's corruption report ranks Chicago No. 1, again, by WTTW's Heather Cherone.
| | | | A message from CVS Health:   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — With Cook County probation units disbanded, tens of thousands of random curfew checks ended: "Supporters of doing away with so-called intensive probation units say it was a 'gotcha' system that didn't reduce crime. Others say it helped get guns and drugs off the streets," by Sun-Times' Frank Main. — State orders controversial set of red-light cameras in Oakbrook Terrace turned off as federal corruption probe progresses , by Tribune's Joe Mahr.
| | DAY IN COURT | | Illinois Supreme Court weighs ex-lawmakers' case for back pay: "Two former state senators who sponsored and voted for bills to reduce lawmakers' pay and forgo annual cost of living adjustments are now asking the Illinois Supreme Court to declare those measures unconstitutional and award them their back pay," by Capitol News' Peter Hancock.
| | HIGHER-ED | | — Illinois is crafting a new equity-based higher education funding formula, by Crain's Elyssa Cherney. — More on the closure of Lincoln College: Last-minute hunt for wealthy 'angel donor' falls short, by Tribune's John Keilman
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what you find most annoying when reading a political poll: Attorney Larry Sanders: "No mention of how the questions were worded."... Timothy Thomas Jr. finds it annoying when the results typically favor the candidate who commissioned the poll. What's the smoking gun you're looking for in the Jan. 6 investigation? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Jan. 6 investigation subpoenas McCarthy, Jordan, 3 other House Republicans, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu — Dems face facts: They need a November turnaround to save Roe, by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris and Marianne LeVine — Senate falters in push to pass $40B Ukraine aid, by POLITICO's Connor O'Brien and Jennifer Scholtes
| | | | DON'T MISS DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | Fred Lebed is now a partner at Exclusive Public Relations LLC, where he'll assist with business development — especially in the health care industry. Lebed is a longtime political adviser and governmental relations consultant who for nearly 20 years has owned Prairie Consulting Group. That business will continue.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Susan Nussbaum, 68, who pressed for disability rights in her plays, dies: "In a wheelchair after being hit by a car in her 20s, she became an advocate for people with disabilities in her writing for the stage and as a novelist," via The New York Times.
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Chicago Reporter turns 50 this year, and it's celebrating with a party (July 21) and a panel discussion (July 22). The Chicago Reporter was founded in 1972 on the heels of the civil rights era. The publication documented race and poverty in Chicago and the surrounding areas before those issues got on the radar of the mainstream media. For more details and to register.
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 6 p.m.: Pat Dowell, a candidate for Congress in the 1st District, is holding a birthday party fundraiser at Moe's Cantina. Details here — Today at 9 a.m.: Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa headlines a foreign policy discussion hosted by The Bastion Institute in Chicago. The discussion will focus on "America's engagement and strength abroad and how that impacts everyday Americans." Details here — Monday: Fiona Hill, a former White House national security official known for her testimony during the first impeachment inquiry of former President Donald Trump, headlines a fireside chat at Northwestern. Registerin-person or virtual. — May 24 at 7 p.m.: GOP GOVERNOR's DEBATE. Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan headline a debate in this highly contested primary race. Richard Irvin has been invited. WGN and Nextstar Media will air he debate. COME JOIN US IN LINCOLN — ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!: Your Playbook host will be in central Illinois for a coffee klatch about politics on May 20 and you're invited to be part of the conversation. Sign up here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to City Club's Ed Mazur for correctly answering that Ald. Edward H. Wright, a Republican, was the first Black ward committeeman when he was elected in 1920. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the former world heavyweight champion who moved to Chicago after his retirement and worked for the Illinois motor vehicle facility in Roseland? 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 | | Today: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza (who turns the big 5-0), Chicago Ald. and congressional candidate Pat Dowell, Cunningham Township Assessor Wayne Williams, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Carrie Hamilton, political fundraiser Mia Phifer, Newberg Group fundraising director Emma Werden, Caterpillar chief strategy officer Brian Colgan, state Rep Margaret Croke scheduler Jacqueline Duarte, broadcaster Mark Giangreco, J.D. candidate Zachary Elvove, and adventurer Leslie Oddy Toepfer. Saturday: IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi, Better Business Bureau President and CEO Steve Bernas, philanthropist and political donor Susan Crown, movie director-producer George Lucas, Hebrew principal David Schwartz, LW&CO fundraising firm's chief of staff Elizabeth Manion. Sunday: Ald. Carrie Austin; Ald. Jeanette Taylor, former Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, ophthalmics consultant Vincent Brandys, community affairs specialist and MWRD candidate Dan Pogorzelski, PAWS Chicago CEO Susanna Homan, and Sun-Times' D.C. bureau chief and columnist Lynn Sweet. -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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