| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | With help from Olivia Olander Good Thursday morning, Illinois. Is campaign fatigue setting in yet?
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Gov. JB Pritzker, left, seen during a press conference in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2022, and state Sen. Darren Bailey, at a primary election night party in Effingham, Ill., on June 28, 2022. | Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP and Jim Vondruska/Getty Images | With 12 days until Election Day, a new WGN poll shows some Illinois races tightening, report Tahman Bradley and Jordan Muck. In the governor's race, incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker leads Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey 50 percent to 31 percent. The margin seems small considering Pritzker spent $38 million during the past quarter compared to Bailey's $1.6 million. In the Senate contest, incumbent Democrat Tammy Duckworth holds a 49 percent to 39 percent advantage over Republican Kathy Salvi, with 8 percent of voters still undecided. "Salvi has gained eight percentage points in the contest since last month's poll," according to WGN. In the race to replace Jesse White as Illinois' longest serving secretary of state, 48 percent of those polled said they back Democrat Alexi Giannoulias over the 39 percent supporting Republican Dan Brady, and 9 percent of likely voters said they're undecided. Giannoulias and Brady took part in a forum last night , with WTTW's Paris Schutz. And just for fun: "In a hypothetical 2024 rematch between President Biden and former President Trump, Biden holds a 12-point lead in Illinois, 49 percent to 37 percent," according to WGN's poll. RELATED Democrats remain confident, and so is Darren Bailey, reports NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern Election anxiety creeps inside the White House, by POLITICO's Jonathan Lemire
| | THE BUZZ | | 'Awful' in the office: Another lawmaker in the Illinois General Assembly is facing scrutiny. Elly Fawcett-Neal, a former staffer to Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, says she was wrongly fired in June after getting pregnant. In an interview with Playbook: Fawcett-Neal, who now lives in the United Kingdom, said she filed a complaint with the Legislative Inspector General earlier this month. "It was awful," she said of working in Carroll's office. Before she was fired, Fawcett-Neal said Carroll's chief of staff, Michael Amarilio, urged her to get an abortion. Carroll denied the accusations, telling Playbook, "I want an investigation. Full stop." Amarilio didn't immediately return a request for comment. To be clear: In a separate statement, Carroll said, "I take these allegations very seriously and I believe they should be reviewed by the Legislative Inspector General. While I have not been informed of any official complaint, I plan to request such an investigation myself. My office and I will cooperate fully, and the investigation will guide further actions." Timing of Fawcett-Neal's story is curious, given the approaching elections, but the former legislative aide said that's coincidence. She told Playbook she had been pursuing different avenues to complain and turned to the "Dear White Staffer" anonymous Instagram account to see if someone could guide her. How it became public: A person with the account asked if her emailed message could be posted. Fawcett-Neal said she agreed. Her story first appeared in Rich Miller's newsletter, Capitol Fax. She wants to come back: Fawcett-Neal, who had been in the U.S. on a work visa, says she returned to the U.K. before she was fired because of a difficult pregnancy. "I'm looking at my options to figure out how to find employment," she said. "I don't want to take my son away from his father." Campaign coincidence: Fawcett-Neal said she was infuriated to learn of Carroll's campaign literature describing him as supporting working women and mothers. "The hypocrisy of it all," she said. "I don't want him to use women to get votes." If you run the "Dear White Staffer" account, Playbook would like to chat. Email skapos@politico.com .
| | | | NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID . | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | On the campaign trail at Planned Parenthood's Chicago HQ at 10 a.m. with Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and state Rep. and congressional candidate Delia Ramirez. — In his official job, he'll be at Sterling Morton High School West in Berwyn at noon to mark the Illinois State School Report Card and National Assessment of Education Progress results.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In City Hall at 2:30 p.m. to discuss public safety ahead of Halloween weekend.
| | Where's Toni | | In Des Plaines at 10 a.m. for the ribbon cutting of an accessible kayak/canoe launch site at Schuth's Grove.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — In tight races, Republicans refuse to denounce Alex Jones: Three Illinois Republican congressional candidates failed to respond to a question asking if they denounced Alex Jones's actions towards the Sandy Hook families and whether they believed the shooting was a hoax. Keith Pekau (IL-06), Regan Deering (IL-13) and Esther Joy King (IL-17) didn't respond, according to a report in The Trace. — Pritzker talks abortion access, gun control during Waukegan campaign stop, by Lake County News-Sun's Steve Sadin — In the state treasurer's race, Republican Tom Demmer is being endorsed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Demmer faces Democratic incumbent Michael Frerichs. — In IL-11, Republican Catalina Lauf received more than $500,000 from the conservative Club For Growth super PAC, via Twitter. Lauf faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Bill Foster. — In the 41st District state House race, Republican Rich Janor, a Naperville Park District commissioner, has been endorsed by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. Janor faces Democratic incumbent state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr. — In the 48th District state House race, Republican Jennifer Sanalitro has been endorsed by state Rep. Seth Lewis, who's running for the state Senate, Carol Stream Mayor Frank Saverino Sr. and Bartlett Village President Kevin Wallace. Sanalitro faces Democrat Azam Nizamuddin. — Evening programming: Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Republican nominee Kathy Salvi meet on the debate stage tonight, hosted by WTTW, WBEZ and the Sun-Times. More info from the Sun-Times; stream at 7 p.m.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Justice Mary Jane Theis takes over as chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court: "Selected by her fellow justices on the seven-member high court, Theis will serve a three-year term, assuming voters in the Nov. 8 general election choose to retain her on the bench for another 10-year term. Theis will be the fourth woman, and second in a row following Burke, to lead the court," by Tribune's Dan Petrella. — Beyond the heated rhetoric about bail, what else is in the SAFE-T Act? "The massive criminal justice bill that ends cash bail in Illinois also supports crime victims and increases police oversight," by WBEZ's Shannon Heffernan.
| | CHICAGO | | — In rare move, City Council rejects Lori Lightfoot's attempt to name ally education committee chair, by WTTW's Heather Cherone — Lightfoot proposes yearly pay hikes for mayor: "Chicago mayors would get annual pay raises under a proposal introduced by Mayor Lori Lightfoot that would tie yearly salary bumps to inflation but cap them at 5 percent," by Tribune's Gregory Pratt and Alice Yin — Mayor pledges at least 50 percent of city advertising to local, ethnic media outlets, by Tribune's Alice Yin — Chicago Public Schools to take over celebrated Chicago all-boys charter school: "The two Urban Prep campuses will stay open for students but CPS took the charter away from its leaders, citing a litany of issues," by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. — Civic Federation demands more transparency in CPD spending, by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman — West Rogers Park school drops its slaveowner namesake , by Sun-Times' Nader Issa.
| | MIGRANTS IN ILLINOIS | | — City wanted to use closed Woodlawn school to house migrants, Ald. Taylor says. But Lightfoot's office says, 'No plans,' by Block Club's Maxwell Evans
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Sheriff Tom Dart wants more restrictions for people on electronic monitoring, by WBEZ's Shannon Heffernan — Highland Park mayor repeats calls for stricter gun laws in meeting with DuPage board, by Daily Herald's Katlyn Smith — Aurora approves Hollywood Casino move from downtown to site near Interstate 88, by Aurora Beacon-News' Steve Lord — Speakers urge Lincolnwood Library to ban specific books, drag queen storytime, but it never had them in first place, by Pioneer Press' Daniel I. Dorfman and Caroline Kubzansky
| | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | — Proposed freight train merger could worsen delays along Chicago-area commuter rail, Metra officials and Krishnamoorthi say : "As the proposed merger stands now — without a series of measures that Metra and Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Schaumburg, say could lessen the effects of increased freight traffic — the rail agency opposes the merger, Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski said," by Tribune's Sarah Freishtat.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Madigan's arraignment on new AT&T conspiracy charges will be missing something: Madigan himself, by Tribune's Jason Meisner — Former Teamsters boss John Coli Sr. sentenced to 19 months in federal prison in extortion case, by Tribune's Jason Meisner — Federal lawsuit filed in May 2022 shooting of 13-year-old by CPD officer, by NBC Chicago's Christian Farr
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, "At a Crossroads: America's Defense Strategy" on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America's national security. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what the first historical event in your lifetime that you remember: Larry Beaumont, Rob Christie, Gail Morse and James Straus remember the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And Marie Ann Donovan watched "live on our 13-inch Philco TV" when Lee Harvey Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby in 1963. Janice Anderson: The 1968 Democratic Convention and riots on TV. Brian Bernardoni: "When I was 4, I remember my mom being mortified at the crash of United Airlines Flight 553 (in 1972). It happened less than a mile from our apartment in Garfield Ridge." Judi Blakemore: Our Lady of Angels school fire in 1958. Tara Byrne Meyer: "The Oklahoma City bombing (in 1995) and a daycare being in that building." Bridget Hatch: "Watching the Apollo 11 moon landing (in 1969) on a black and white TV in my parents' Oak Park house with loads of family, friends and neighbors." Kay Hatcher, James Nowlan, Mark Rosenberg and Claud Walker remember Russia (then the USSR) launching the Sputnik satellite in 1957. Cynthia Given remembers Paul Simon running for president (in 1988) and "asking friends to tell their parents to vote for him. I was in kindergarten." Marshall Hatlee remembers staying up late on Election Night when he was in third grade to watch Barack Obama's acceptance speech in 2008. Bill Hogan: Woodstock in 1969. Ashvin Lad: The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Eric Madiar: The U.S. hockey team beating the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Pat McCann: Atomic bomb testing during the Eisenhower administration. Mary Kay Minaghan: Riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Abdon Pallasch: "When Pope JP II visited Chicago in 1979. I was working the crowd selling St. Patrick High School raffle tickets. I sold 400 that day." Donovan Pepper: "I remember the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown (in 1979) and being so scared that the entire United States was going to be wiped away." David Ruskin: "The Bicentennial celebrations in 1976!" Lisa Schneider Fabes: "Watching the Six-Day War (the 1967 Arab–Israeli War) unfold on TV with my parents." Andy Shaw: "Castro's final victory, in 1958, to end the five-year Cuban Revolution. It ended Saturday night broadcasts of Cuban baseball." Steve Smith: The Cuban missile crisis in 1962. Timothy Thomas Jr.: The resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974. Bill Velazquez remembers Watergate in the 1970s "and wondering how bad the water must be for them to always be talking about it!" Chris White: When President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs have announced six finalists in Chicago's first-ever citywide karaoke competition. So we're wondering: What's your go-to karaoke song? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — GOP eyes Indiana upset amid national push to diversify party, via The Associated Press — Trump to hold rally in Florida with Rubio — but not DeSantis, by POLITICO's Matt Dixon and Gary Fineout — Trump team receives subpoena from Jan. 6 committee, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Erin Banco
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Noelle Brennan, a Chicago attorney, has joined the board of directors of CHANGE Illinois Action Fund. She served as the "Shakman Monitor" for the city of Chicago, and was responsible for ensuring that political considerations don't unlawfully influence city employment decisions.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Richard Kienzler has joined the unfair competition and trade secrets practice at Littler Mendelson in Chicago. He was a partner at Freeborn & Peters. — Marissa Ingley , an attorney with Littler Mendelson from 2002-2011, has returned to the firm after working on the leadership team at two large in-house legal departments, including at Archer Daniels Midland.
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to John Straus and Clem Balanoff for correctly answering that President Benjamin Harrison was on hand for the opening of Auditorium Theatre in 1889. And h/t to William Kresse who notes that the Auditorium Theatre was the site of the 1888 Republican Convention, which saw Harrison nominated as a presidential candidate. TODAY's QUESTION: Where in Illinois is the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico? Email skapos@politico.com And for those keeping track, Bob Schillerstrom served 12 years as DuPage County Board chair, too, per our question earlier in the week.
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Sue Rezin, political strategist Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Suburban Unity Alliance founder Anthony Clark and fundraiser Liz Nicholson. -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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