| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. Hey, it’s Pi Day!
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
In this July 24, 2016, file photo, workers prepare for the Philadelphia Convention, a huge and costly buildout effort. | AP photo | SCOOP: Gov. JB Pritzker has given assurances to President Joe Biden that Chicago’s business community and labor unions could cover the bills for the 2024 Democratic National Convention if it lands in the Windy City. The price tag is expected to run from $80 million to $100 million. Backing the governor up so far are former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, the governor’s sister, Michael Sacks and Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts who are all on board to donate to the effort — if they haven’t already. Local unions are on board, too. That’s on top of the governor’s own ability to push a button to fund the convention himself. The goal is to put on a convention that doesn’t put the Democratic National Committee or the residents of Chicago in debt. Message to the president: “The governor has spoken directly to Joe Biden and committed that Chicago has the ability to fund the convention,” Natalie Edelstein, a spokesperson for the Chicago bid, told your Playbook host for our POLITICO homepage story. Still not a sure thing: Chicago is competing against Atlanta, which is a sentimental favorite of Biden’s since Georgia helped him win the presidency, and New York, which could also easily ignite corporate support. Chicago’s challenge: “Mayoral chaos does not enhance the bid,” a person familiar with the bid process told Playbook.
| | THE BUZZ | | It’s three weeks to Election Day, and Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are trying to distinguish themselves by defining their opponent. And it’s not pretty. Vallas’ campaign called Johnson a “liar” for saying he never called for “defunding” the police, even though videos out there appear to say otherwise. Vallas is out with a new ad that also focuses on the “defund” issue. And Johnson’s campaign paints a picture of fear if Vallas is elected. “The soul of the city is on the line,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez during a Zoom event last night. She accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot of attempting to “destroy” the city and added, “Paul Vallas is 10 times worse than her.” Endorsements are helping define each other, too. Personal PAC, which supports abortion rights, is endorsing Johnson today. Labor unions are splitting their support. AFSCME Council 31, which represents government workers, backs Johnson. And numerous trade unions, including the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, support Vallas. Gov. JB Pritzker is staying out of it. He told reporters Monday he’s talked to both candidates but won’t be endorsing, via NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern. Pritzker wants to start on the right foot to avoid the kind of relationship former Gov. Bruce Rauner had with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “That was not good for the city. That was not good for the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said, via WBBM’s Craig Dellimore. Dark money is coming into play that could help Vallas: “Greg Goldner, founder and manager of Resolute Public Affairs, has formed the Priorities Chicago political action committee,” reports Crain’s Justin Laurence. On the issues: They have vastly different visions for Chicago’s taxes and finances: Johnson said he won’t raise property taxes if elected. Vallas said he would cap the city’s property tax levy, but has been less clear about whether that means we would not raise property taxes at all. A spokesperson said Vallas is “committed to not raising” property taxes, by Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. And they have sharp contrasts to public safety, explain Tribune’s Gregory Pratt and Alice Yin Vallas vows to limit aldermanic prerogative to boost development on Chicago’s South, West sides, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone They’re retailing: Vallas came out for a fundraiser at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse last night. And former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, state Sen. Mattie Hunter and Ald. Pat Dowell are behind a “Women for Johnson” event Saturday at 3 p.m. at Johnny Miller Center on West Jackson Boulevard. Analyzing the race: Good-government leader David Orr interviews political consultants Delmarie Cobb and Dan Cohen on the mayor’s race. Podcast here Opinion: Next police superintendent should have 21st century view of policing, writes state Rep. and former mayoral candidate Kam Buckner in the Sun-Times. If you are Bruce Rauner, Playbook would like to know your tips for working with Chicago’s mayor. Email 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 | | At Heartland Community College in Normal at 11:30 a.m. to promote his proposed $100 million investment in higher education.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In the Back of the Yards neighborhood for a groundbreaking for United Yards, an INVEST South/West RFP-winning development.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Building for the Forest Preserve Board meeting. 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
| | THE STATEWIDES | | | 
Gov. JB Pritzker signs into law the Paid Leave For All Workers Act as Illinois House Speaker pro-tem Jehan Gordon Booth, left, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford watch on Monday, March 13, 2023, in Chicago. | AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast | — Five days paid leave guaranteed for Illinois workers under law signed by Pritzker: Illinois became one of three U.S. states to require employers to offer paid time off for any reason starting in January 2024. “Workers will begin to earn paid leave on their first day at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours of paid leave for the year,” by Capitol News’ Nika Schoonover. — Starting this month, recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see a decrease in benefits, by Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón — Google partners with Lincoln presidential library to augment exhibits, by Illinois Times’ Dean Olsen — Bill would give ‘child influencers’ a share of parents’ vlogging revenue, by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock — Opinion: China aggressiveness is opening up opportunities for Illinois businesses, writes Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs in Crain’s
| | CORRUPTION CHRONICLES | | ‘ComEd Four’ bribery conspiracy trial scheduled to begin today with jury selection: “According to the indictment, then-House Speaker Michael Madigan participated in a two-year effort to get a onetime political nemesis, Juan Ochoa, appointed to a lucrative position on Commonwealth Edison’s board, part of a larger scheme by the utility to harness the Democratic speaker’s influence in Springfield,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long.
| | 2023 MUNICIPAL RACES | | — 1st Ward: It looks like Ald. Daniel La Spata has surpassed the 50 percent +1 vote total to avoid a runoff by just 14 votes. The race is expected to be formally called today, but there are fewer than 14 votes remaining to be processed. La Spata has faced a fierce challenge by Sam Royko. — 30th Ward: Jessica Gutierrez has been endorsed by state Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Gutierrez faces Ruth Cruz. — 36th Ward: Ald. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas has been endorsed by SEIU Local 1 in his re-election bid against Leonor “Lori” Torres Whitt. — 88 percent of candidates supported by Illinois Realtors group won on election night, by Chicago Agent’s Emily Mack
| | CHICAGO | | — Whether the Chicago Bears leave or not, taxpayers are on the hook for growing Soldier Field debt payments: “Due to refinancing and years of primarily paying interest instead of principal, the debt owed for Soldier Field has ballooned from the original $399 million to $631 million, according to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, or ISFA, which manages the debt payments. The increase in the debt alarms experts who work in stadium financing,” by Tribune’s Robert McCoppin. — Lease signed: Chicago Fire to build $80M training center on Chicago Housing Authority land, by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — 3 groups vie to revive a chunk of Chicago’s industrial legacy at the old Central Manufacturing District, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Chicago’s summer festival dates announced; Taste moved to September in Grant Park, by Sun-Times’ Miriam Di Nunzio
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Eric Rinehart has been named to the board of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Rinehart is the top prosecutor for Lake County and was a strong voice in urging legislators to pass a ban on assault weapons during the waning days of the last legislative session. — Stacey Abrams headlines a Chicago Humanities Festival event June 1. Tickets here — Grubhub CEO Adam DeWitt to leave firm as owner searches for a buyer, by Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Daisy Ayllon, a senior attorney at Romanucci & Blandin, was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by Chicago-Kent College of Law.
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE 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. 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. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about your secret hobby. Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller: “My secret hobby is genealogy. I’m fascinated by tracing my family roots and gathering this information for my children and beyond.” Matthew Beaudet collects old comic books. “My parents never threw my childhood ones out, and I started adding to the collection. My best comic is Journey Into Mystery #83, which was the first appearance of Thor.” Brian Bernardoni is a “Halloween haunter” and a baseball historian. Bradford Howard is learning to play the guitar. David Kohn plays drums in the Rough Draft Rocks band. Dave Lundy is learning to fly. Ed Mazur collects, repairs and trades toy electric trains. Elizabeth Neukirch is writing a novel. Peter Skosey: “I love the outdoors, hunting and preparing wild game for city friends who've never tried it before.” Who’s the wittiest politician? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump returns to Iowa, with a plan to avoid the missteps he made in 2016, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt — Newsom’s former chief is repping Walgreens in abortion pill fight, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago — Barney Frank blames crypto panic for his bank’s collapse. Elizabeth Warren blames Trump, by POLITICO’s Zachary Warmbrodt — How Biden saved Silicon Valley startups: Inside the 72 hours that transformed U.S. banking, by POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn, Ben White and Victoria Guida — Biden angers allies, fails to soothe critics with compromise on Alaska oil, by POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Zack Colman
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Frank Calabrese is now director of communications and policy engagement for Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele. He was a policy analyst for the board. — Donald C. Schiller, co-founder of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, is now counsel and chair emeritus of the firm, having retired from “active practice.” Schiller has spent nearly 60 years of legal practice and 42 years with his family law firm, which he co-founded in 1981.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Jim Vinicky, a fun-loving friend and father, has died. “I remember coming home from college to go to his 50th birthday party, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! What is going on?’ And it’s my dad wearing a shiny gold Speedo, and the party was in full swing. And he was not a svelte dude who worked out by any means,” said his daughter, Amanda Vinicky, a political reporter for WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek reports.
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Fred Lebed and William Singer for correctly answering that RJ Grunts restaurant is named for founders Richard Melman, the “R,” and the late Jerry Orzoff, the “J.” TODAY’s QUESTION: Who are the two Illinois politicians prominently featured in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade scene in “The Fugitive”? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Rep. Emily McAsey, WMRD Commissioner Kim du Buclet chief of staff Dean Alonistiotis, comms strategist and former Michelle Obama aide Ebs Burnough, former Chicago alderman and broadcaster Cliff Kelley and pediatrician Demetra Soter. -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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