| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | It's Wednesday, Illinois. And here we are again, mourning the lives of children taken in a deadly gun massacre while lawmakers wring their hands about what to do next.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern, left, poses questions to GOP governor candidates Paul Schimpf, Richard Irvin and Max Solomon on Tuesday, March 24, 2022. | Screen shot from NBC | It turns out watching back-to-back GOP governor debates wasn't so bad, thanks to NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern keeping the heat on Richard Irvin to not filibuster his answers. Irvin appeared last night with Paul Schimpf and Max Solomon. Then Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan took questions from WGN 9's Tahman Bradley and Micah Materre in a separate debate. The split-up forums focused on issues, including how to handle crime, and their views on abortion, pensions, immigration, the Jan. 6 insurrection and Donald Trump, among others. Given the day's events — a massacre of children in Texas — the issue of gun violence and crime dominated the discussions. The biggest line came from Bailey regarding crime closer to home.
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Jesse Sullivan, left, Darren Bailey and Gary Rabine debate on WGN on Tuesday, My 24, 2022. Reporters Micah Materre and Tahman Bradley are in foreground. | Screen shot from WGN | "Let's just call it like it is. Let's think about Chicago: a crime-ridden, corrupt, dysfunctional hellhole, and no one knows that better than the friends and the people that live in Chicago," Bailey said. "Something's wrong. City leaders, they hate the police. At least they act like they do." Calling Chicago a "hellhole" could have some reverberations (both ways) come Election Day. Candidates also got their talking points in, and that's where having two forums put Irvin, who has an edge in some polling, at a disadvantage. He couldn't push back at criticisms lobbed his way during the second debate. Bailey called Irvin "mini-Mike Madigan," saying, "Richard Irvin is as corrupt as Mike Madigan, and actually electing Richard Irvin into this seat would be no different from allowing Mike Madigan to serve as governor." Those might have been fighting words if the six candidates had shared one stage. It's not clear if/when all six might do that . Irvin agreed to attend a June 2 League of Women Voters forum on ABC 7, the same day Bailey already committed to a Northwest Suburban GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. Coincidence? RELATED — How the competing debates played out , by Tribune's Rick Pearson and Dan Petrella — Irvin more elusive than lesser known rivals Schimpf and Solomon, by Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles — Watch the WGN debate here with Bailey, Rabine and Sullivan. — Watch the NBC debate here with Irvin, Schimpf and Solomon.
| | THE BUZZ | | Chicago's now-former Ald. Michael Scott is headed to Cinespace Studios, where he'll serve as director of industry and community relations. Scott's replacement on the City Council will be appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot , who said she will "work tirelessly" to find someone who "embodies the values of the 24th Ward and the rest of our city." In a statement, Lightfoot said she's looking for a candidate who can "speak to and advocate for the unique needs of the communities they will represent." The appointment process must be completed within 60 days . Lightfoot said her office will accept applications starting today and ending June 7 at 5 p.m. As she did in the last appointment she made, Lightfoot will form a committee to review candidates. Applicants must be residents of the ward for a year. More details here State Rep. Lakesia Collins, whose district includes the 24th Ward, told Playbook she hopes the mayor appoints someone "who's from Lawndale and understands Lawndale and the inner workings of the community." 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 67 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 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the City Council.
| | Where's Toni | | At First United Methodist Church of Chicago at noon for a memorial service to honor indigent residents who came under the care of the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office over the past year.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Gov. JB Pritzker has been working behind the scenes to get allies on the Democratic State Central Committee, and now he's going public with a full endorsement, backing longtime lobbyist Liz Brown-Reeves of Springfield for the 15th Congressional District seat on the committee. "Liz Brown-Reeves has decades of experience working with Illinois Democrats and is committed to fighting for our shared values," Pritzker said in a statement. Brown-Reeves faces Democrat Katherine Daniels of Quincy. — Q&A with governor candidates: How will you bring down health care, prescription drug costs? Peoria Journal Star reports — Details on Mike Pence's visit to Illinois: He'll headline the Lincoln Day Dinner at the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom on June 20. The event is sponsored by the Tazewell and Peoria County Republicans. Congressman Darin LaHood and IL-17 Republican candidate Esther Joy King will also be featured. How to attend
| | CHICAGO | | — More than 176,000 Chicago residents applied for a chance to receive $500 for 12 months: "More than 70 percent of applicants were women, according to City Hall. Applicants are expected to hear news about their status in the program by next week," by Sun-Times' Elvia Malagón — City Council today: The full council is expected to vote on the Bally's plan to build a $1.74 billion casino and resort at the Tribune Publishing site in River West. — CPD officers deserve signing bonus, help buying homes, City Council member proposes: "Recruits with no law enforcement experience would get a $5,000 bonus. Transfers with experience would get double that. "We're in a crisis. They're running for the exits," said Ald. Matt O'Shea. 'We have to try to do something,'" by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — One-on-one with CTU president-elect Stacy Davis Gates, via WTTW's Brandis Friedman — A relic of pre-Internet boom times, Water Tower Place desperately needs a makeover: "The iconic vertical mall — the psychological anchor of Chicago's Mag Mile — was once a beacon of retail innovation. Can the 'saddest place on earth' be saved?" Zachary Nauth reports for WBEZ — As companies plan post-pandemic office return, co-working makes a comeback in Chicago, by Tribune's Robert Channick — Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is bringing back "Tuesdays on the Terrace" for the first time since 2019.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County Board members vote themselves 10 percent raises, with automatic future pay bumps: "Those who stand to benefit include Cook County's board president, sheriff, assessor, clerk, treasurer, circuit court clerk as well as all 17 board commissioners and three members of the Board of Review. The Cook County state's attorney and chief judge's office, which are state posts, are not affected," by Tribune's Alice Yin. — Evanston residents speak out against 'trauma being inflicted on our community' after nooses found outside middle school, by Pioneer Press' Alex Hulvalchick — La Grange Theatre set to reopen Thursday for first time since March 2020 with 'Top Gun: Maverick ,' by Pioneer Press' Hank Beckman
| | POT-POURRI | | 'Circus of blame': DuPage County Board members argue over lost marijuana tax revenue: "County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek avoided the hot seat, declining an invitation from board members to answer lingering questions about how the Illinois Department of Revenue never received paperwork from her office allowing DuPage to charge a cannabis tax," by Daily Herald's Katlyn Smith.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Plainfield Republican known for pushing everyone to bring their 'A-game,' by Capitol News' Beth Hundsdorfer — 11th contempt citation filed against DCFS director, by Capitol News' Beth Hundsdorfer
| | | | A message from CVS Health:   | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — Judge rules in favor of WBEZ in open-records lawsuit against Lightfoot's office: "The station sued nearly a year ago after the city blacked out portions of a complaint letter from a Chicago Park District lifeguard," by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos. — 'On my way to protest for a Rolex': Chicago man admits setting fire to CTA van amid 2020 riots: "The feds pointed to a video Lamar Taylor posted on Facebook Live on his way downtown on May 30, 2020, in which Taylor made 'air quotes' with his hands as he said he was on his way to 'protest,'" by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked how your views on weed have changed (or not) since Illinois legalized cannabis: Attorney Michael R. Lieber: "I was against weed before legalization and still am because weed allows people to sleepwalk through life instead of putting themselves to their highest purpose. (I know this makes me sound like a fuddy-duddy.)" Is there a gun restriction you think could survive the Supreme Court AND make a real difference in gun deaths? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE FIFTY | | A Chicago alderman is making his exit from City Hall to work for Cinespace Film Studio, which continues to expand its footprint in the movie industry. Chicago and Illinois aren't the only municipalities calling out "lights, camera, action." States across the country are battling to bring Hollywood to Main Street — and paying big , reports POLITICO's Joseph Spector.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — 'Why are we willing to live with this carnage?': Biden demands action on guns after Texas school shooting, by POLITICO's Christopher Cadelago and Laura Barrón-López. … Shooting at Texas elementary school leaves 19 children dead, horrifies nation, by POLITICO's Myah Ward … Murphy pleads with GOP for a gun deal as 'another Sandy Hook' grips America, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Katherine Tully-McManus — How Brian Kemp crushed Trump in Georgia, by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt — Most in Senate GOP shun total abortion ban, by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett — 2 years after George Floyd's murder, many Blacks in Minneapolis do not feel any safer , via NPR
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | Big media names turned up at Christie Hefner's home earlier this week to talk about the First Amendment, the free press and her father's legacy in a discussion with Stuart N. Brotman. He's just written a new book, "The First Amendment Lives On: Conversations Commemorating Hugh M. Hefner's Legacy of Enduring Free Speech and Free Press Values." SPOTTED: University of Chicago law professor Geof Stone, actor Jim Belushi, Better Government Association's David Greising, writer and activist Jamie Kalven, The Reader's Tracy Baim, former Sun-Times CEO Edwin Eisendrath, Chicago Media Project's Paula Froehle and Steve Cohen, legal eagles Carolyn Shapiro and Jill Wine-Banks, philanthropist Adele Simmons, American Writers Museum's Carey Cranston, business exec Ted Souder, and journalists Laura Washington and John Pletz.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Pat Pulido Sanchez has been named to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Sanchez is a longtime civic leader and business consultant. — Jason Baumann, a Brookfield resident and business owner, was recognized by Make-A-Wish Illinois as one of the organization's outstanding volunteers, via Landmark. — Megan Collins has been appointed to the Illinois Bankers Association's executive committee. In her day job, Collins is a senior VP and market executive at Bank of America in Chicago.
| | Transitions | | — BIG MOVE: Columnist Laura Washington is moving to the Chicago Tribune after years at the Sun-Times, by media reporter Robert Feder. — A.D. Quig is moving to the Chicago Tribune, where she'll cover Cook County government. She most recently has been reporting on politics for Crain's. — Katy Broom is joining the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago as director of public relations and communications. She held a similar title at the Civic Federation. — Susan Charles has been appointed office managing partner at Troutman Pepper in Chicago. Charles counsels clients on all aspects of environmental law. — Thomas Gaughan has been named chief operating officer at Honigman LLP, following the retirement of Robert Kubic (who had been COO since 2008). Gaughan, who will be based in Chicago, joins Honigman from ArentFox Schiff LLP, where he served as co-COO.
| | WEEKEND WEDDING | | Wendy Hamilton, outreach and member services adviser for Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Marvin Foster, member services adviser at CareJourney in Chicago, got married Saturday at Celeste in Chicago. Pic … Another pic
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Rich Norman for correctly answering Chicago Mayor Martin Kennelly and Bears' owner George Halas lived in the same iconic Lake Shore Drive building, the Edgewater Beach Apartments (the pink building on Lake Shore Drive). TODAY's QUESTION: Who defeated the incumbent 35th Ward Democratic committeeman and later became city clerk of Chicago? 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 | | First lady of Illinois MK Pritzker, governor's deputy chief of staff Emily Bittner, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, attorney Joel M. Hurwitz, and Northwestern Local News Initiative editor Greg Burns. -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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