| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. In crazy election news, former President Donald Trump couldn't decide whether to endorse Eric Greitens or Eric Schmitt in today's Missouri Senate primary, so he just endorsed "ERIC," per POLITICO's Natalie Allison .
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Dick Uihlein, left, is putting his money into a pack that's targeting Gov. JB Pritzker instead of giving directly to Republican nominee Darren Bailey. | Screen grab from Uline YouTube video, and AP file photo. | Darren Bailey's got money trouble — and Dick Uihlein, the conservative billionaire who came to his aid during the contentious Republican primary, is pulling back on his support. Uihlein hasn't donated directly to Bailey's campaign for governor since the primary. Instead, he's giving to the People Who Play By The Rules political action committee that's helping fund conservative candidates. The PAC has run ads attacking Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, but they don't mention Bailey. There's a reason: Uihlein isn't happy with Bailey's campaign team. He wants more transparency in how his money would be spent, and he wants more seasoned campaigners running the show. They don't seem like unreasonable requests, but a person familiar with the discussions between Bailey's camp and Uihlein says campaign manager Jose Durbin is pushing back nonetheless. Durbin, who's in his 20s, has been with Bailey through thick and thin in Bailey's races for state House, state Senate and now the governor's office. Durbin declined to comment on the situation. The unwillingness to budge on those requests means financial donations could be limited from Uihlein, who gave more than $9 million to Bailey in the primary. Uihlein heads the Uline packaging empire and is an heir to the Schlitz beer dynasty. Money concerns: Bailey's cash on hand is $493,000. It's a drop in the bucket compared to Pritzker's $60 million in the bank, and plenty more in personal reserves. Republicans are worried the friction between Bailey and Uihlein will jeopardize the governor's race as well as contests farther down the ballot. Compounding Bailey's struggles: Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, who put $50 million into the failed candidacy of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, isn't going to help Bailey's attempt to unseat Pritzker, according to a report by WBEZ's Dave McKinney and Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles . So Uihlein's involvement in Bailey's campaign is seen as crucial. Adding to the GOP stress: Bailey is having a hard time unifying the party, in spite of public appearances with Party Chair Don Tracy and House Leader Jim Durkin. Meet and greet: "Quite frankly, I've never met Sen. Bailey. ... I generally don't support people I don't know," Ron Gidwitz, a co-chair of Irvin's campaign and a high-profile Republican player told McKinney and Sfondeles. Gidwitz also was chair of Donald Trump's 2020 Illinois presidential campaign and an ambassador to Belgium under Trump. There is a bright note for Bailey: Some signs point to the possibility that Irvin himself will endorse Bailey soon. Stay tuned. RELATED — THERE's OPPO: In 2017, Bailey said that "the attempted extermination of the Jews of World War II doesn't even compare" to "the life that has been lost with abortion." via Forward.com — In races for governor, Democrats see a silver lining: "For Republicans, anemic fund-raising, missteps by Donald J. Trump and weak candidates could stand in the way of bigger statehouse gains in November," via The New York Times. — Illinois political veterans among former Dem leaders blasting party's 'risky and unethical' meddling in GOP primaries: Former Congressman Jerry Costello and former Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, both of Illinois, are among signatories of a letter along with former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt and former Sen. Gary Hart. — Ad time: Pritzker is spending a combined $107,000 on cable TV ads in the Chicago, Champaign and Peoria regions. The ads run today through Aug. 8.
| | THE BUZZ | | — Shootings and homicides in Chicago down from historic highs, but overall crime still up, reports Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. Some take-aways: Homicides decline: "Homicides have dropped 16 percent through July, down to 379 from 452 at the same point last year," according to the Chicago Police Department. Shootings down, too: "The number of people shot has fallen 20 percent, down to 1,969 from 2,455 during the same period last year," according to the report. Those are two points Mayor Lori Lightfoot will focus on in the upcoming mayor's race, while her opponents focus on another data point: that overall crime is up. Index crimes, including forcible rape, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, larceny over $50 and car theft "have increased 26 percent this year," according to the report. Says Police Superintendent David Brown: "Our work is never done." 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
| | | | 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 . | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | Attending a virtual White House Summit at 11:30 a.m. to address "emergency rental assistance to ensure long-term eviction reform."
| | Where's Toni | | At Provident Hospital of Cook County at 4:30 p.m. to honor 31 recipients of the $1 million Provident Scholarship Fund supporting students from underserved communities.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — COLUMN | Bobby Rush says Jesse Jackson Jr. and wife deserve a presidential pardon and our forgiveness: "Though their crimes were serious, I firmly believe that Jesse and Sandi have not only shown remorse but have atoned for them as well," he wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden. Scoop by Tribune's Laura Washington. — Janet Hansen has been an election judge in Morgan for 51 years: "We had this big green book, and we had to check off the names when they came in. … They changed that to an application process, and then we would place their information on a spindle." My Journal Courier's Darren Iozia reports.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Pritzker declares public health emergency as Illinois reaches 520 monkeypox cases: " The governor called it a "a rare, but potentially serious disease that requires the full mobilization of all available public health resources to prevent the spread." The proclamation allows public health officials to better coordinate efforts with the federal government and other state agencies and get help in distributing vaccines," by Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles. — As fewer kids enroll, big cities face a small schools crisis: "A state law prohibits Chicago from closing or consolidating schools until 2025. And across the U.S., Covid-19 relief money is helping subsidize these shrinking schools. But when the money runs out in a few years, officials will face a difficult choice: Keep the schools open despite the financial strain, or close them, upsetting communities looking for stability for their children," by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova and Matt Barnum and The Associated Press' Collin Binkley. — Illinois health insurers propose price increases for Affordable Care Act exchange plans, by Tribune's Lisa Schencker — Illinois income and property tax rebate distribution begins next month, via NBC 5.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Boisterous crowd supports Illinois Workers' Rights Amendment: "Illinois will be the first and only state in America to prohibit 'right-to-work in our constitution,'" said B. Dean Webb, president of the Madison County Federation of Labor. Last year, the state House and Senate passed joint resolutions to put the amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot. To pass, it requires 60 percent of those who vote on the amendment to vote yes, via Labor Tribune. — Deering has ground to make up in 13th District race: Democrat Nikki Budzinski has $1 million cash on hand to Regan Deering's $37,598, "and she has outraised Deering, $2 million to $287,000. Further, the Deering campaign is weighed down by debt from the primary," writes The News-Gazette's Tom Kacich.
| | CHICAGO | | — Lightfoot touts new Lollapalooza contract even as details have been scarce, by Tribune's A.D. Quig, Tracy Swartz, and Gregory Pratt and Alice Yin — Lollapalooza agreement, NASCAR street racing event cause concern about overwhelming downtown, by ABC 7's Craig Wall — Discover Financial Services call center opens in former Target store in Chatham: Rep. Bobby Rush's message to Target: "I stand here now — and I'm gonna call them out. Target, good riddance. See ya and don't want to be ya. Bye-bye. So long. Adios. We don't want you." Sun-Times' Fran Spielman reports. — Once named Hero of the Year, a Chicago charter school head resigns: "Tim King's Urban Prep Academies are famous for graduating its Black male students, but finances have been shaky for years," by WBEZ's Sarah Karp — Rent is spiking, so tenants are forming unions and pushing for rent control to stay in their neighborhoods, by Block Club's Jennifer Bamberg. — More than 40 people shot, 5 killed in weekend gun violence in Chicago, according to police data, WTTW's Patty Wetli reports — The Salt Shed, opening today, turns Morton Salt complex into new music venue, via NBC 5
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — In Naperville: Longtime Naperville Liquor Commissioner Scott Wehrli announces run for mayor, via NCTV17 — In Chicago: Community advocate Ayana Clark announces her candidacy for 21st Ward council member in a video released on Facebook . She says she was inspired to run after her 3-year-old picked up a shell casing off her lawn, and her 6-year-old's elementary school had the windows shot out.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — School, sports communities grieve Rolling Meadows family members, friend killed in crash, by Daily Herald's Eric Peterson and Steve Zalusky — A suburban bakery faced harassment for a kid-friendly drag show. Now, officials are threatening to fine the owner, by Tribune's Madeline Buckley — JoJo the silverback gorilla is dead after emergency medical procedure at Brookfield Zoo, by Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek — Teen beaten by police in Oak Lawn released from hospital, taken to juvenile detention, by Sun-Times' Andy Grimm — Des Plaines council clears the way for controversial apartment building, by Daily Herald's Russell Lissau
| | DAY IN COURT | | — NorthShore agrees to pay $10.3M settlement in Covid-19 vaccine lawsuit over religious exemptions, by Tribune's Lisa Schencker — Ex-CPS elementary school teacher gets 50 years for child abuse in Indiana, by Tribune's Jason Meisner and Tracy Swartz
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Rita Garman, who retired from the Illinois Supreme Court last month, is featured in an interview by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. The video interview touches on Garman's career as the first female judge in Vermilion County, the first woman to serve on the Fourth District Appellate Court and the second woman to sit on the Illinois Supreme Court. — Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore was elected to serve as first VP of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO). He's chair of the Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Asset Management and Contract Compliance committees.
| | | | INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY . | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what book changed the trajectory of your life: Timothy Thomas Jr. "I was in high school during the Jane Byrne era and was swept up in the euphoria of the prospect of change at City Hall. My honors English teacher had us read 'Animal Farm,' and we saw how easy what we fought FOR could morph into what we fought AGAINST." Ed Mazur of the City Club read "Don't Make No Waves Don't Back No Losers: An Insiders Analysis of the Daley Machine" by Milton Rakove. "I was a student at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier ($100 a semester) with no idea of what I wanted to do with my life when I enrolled in Rakove's political science class. The book and his teaching led me to decide to become an academic and eventually earn a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in urban history and political science." Alison Pure-Slovin, a Skokie trustee: "Mein Kampf (no explanation needed)." Rich Norman, retired Nicholas Senn High School principal, "went from pre-law to education," after reading "Death at an Early Age" by Jonathan Kozol. When did you make an unpopular decision? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's delegation to the Indo-Pacific Region today. Taiwan is on the itinerary, ending weeks of wrangling between the United States and China about whether Pelosi should make the trip. "A controversial stop in Taipei, which would make Pelosi the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the self-governing island in decades, indicates that the Pentagon has downgraded its assessment of a potential credible Chinese military threat to the speaker's safety," r eports POLITICO's Phelim Kine . — OPINION | 'I'm mad as hell' about the lack of federal action on gun safety , writes Sen. Tammy Duckworth in Marie Claire.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — U.S. kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in drone strike, by POLITICO's Alexander Ward, Paul McLeary, Nahal Toosi and Lara Seligman — TODAY's ELECTIONS: Impeachment fallout, Trump endorsements and a major abortion test , by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro, Ally Mutnick and Natalie Allison — GOP eyes 2024 payback for Manchin's Dems-only deal, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett
| | TRANSITIONS | | Santrice R. Martin has been named COO of the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation. Martin, who starts Aug. 15, has most recently been chief external affairs officer at Comer Education Campus.
| | EVENTS | | — Today at 2 p. m.: River Forest village president Cathy Adduci joins John Shaw for the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute's "Meet the Mayor" series. Adduci will discuss River Forest issues and her work at the Illinois Municipal League." The event is free. Register here — Tonight at 5:30 p.m.: It's a family affair fundraiser for Kim Du Buclet, commissioner for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Headliner is itoldLexi, Du Buclet's daughter, fresh after performing at Lollapalooza with Chance the Rapper and Peter Cottontale. ItoldLexi and Peter Cottontale perform tonight. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY's ANSWER: The late Congressman Ken Gray appeared on "To Tell The Truth" and "I've Got A Secret." TODAY's QUESTION: Which private business and social club counted the Secret Six as members? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Rep. Karen May, Catholic Charities government relations director and political wonk Brendan O'Sullivan, Drug Enforcement Administration of Chicago's Luis Agostini and OpentheBooks.com founder Adam Andrzejewski. -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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