Progress on Johnson’s progressive agenda

Presented by Uber: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Jul 20, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by Happy Thursday, Illinois. I’m back, which means my Powerball numbers were a bust. TOP TALKER The Chicago City Council took baby steps Wednesday to push forward Mayor Brandon Johnson’s progressive agenda for the city. The council approved resolutions to hold subject-matter hearings on the “Treatment Not Trauma” and “Bring Chicago Home'' proposals. “Treatment Not Trauma” would help Chicago Police address the mental health crises they often face on the job and “Bring Chicago Home” targets homelessness with funds from increasing the real estate transfer tax for properties that sell for $1 million or more. “There's a theme around here,” Johnson told reporters after the council meeting, referring to the progressive legislation. He said “Bring Chicago Home” would “create a safer community and people will ultimately have the ability to rebuild their lives in a productive way.” To that end, the council also approved transforming the Diplomat Motel on Lincoln Avenue into a housing and social services site for people struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. The most heated debate arose over a proposal to create a task force to study the idea of a municipal snow removal program for seniors and people with disabilities. Council members raised concerns about the costs. Johnson pushed back. “You know, my question is, what's the cost to the city of Chicago when seniors and individuals with disabilities can't move around in the city?” he told reporters. Residents need to be able to go to restaurants, buy food and move around so they can invest in the city, he said. Two steps forward, one step back: A plan to eliminate what’s known as a sub-minimum wage for tipped restaurant workers was moved to the Rules Committee for more review, though sponsoring Alds. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Jessie Fuentes told Playbook they’re confident the measure will be brought back when the council returns to work in the fall. “There are some restaurants that are already paying $18 an hour for workers starting out,” and it’s a matter of fairness that all restaurants move in that direction, Ramirez-Rosa said. Tapping the brakes: “Illinois Restaurant Association strongly urges careful examination and dialogue,” association President Sam Toia told the Tribune’s  A.D. Quig. Surprise move: In another vote, the council rejected a recommendation by city attorneys to award $2 million to the family of a man shot dead by police in 2014. The vote by the full council came after Ald. Bill Conway (34th), a former assistant state’s attorney, spoke at length about details of the case that he said corroborate the officers’ defense, including a semi-automatic firearm recovered on the scene. The case will now go to trial. Interesting side note: Conway is vice chairman of the Finance Committee, which had approved the settlement narrowly on a 10-9 vote before sending it to the full council. Conway voted against it then too. He also spoke and voted in favor of a different settlement — $5 million class action case — which council passed. Confirmed: Council members also confirmed Mary Richardson-Lowry as the first Black woman to serve as corporation counsel for the City of Chicago. Pic! The rest of the council meeting was a legislative version of emptying the kitchen sink, writes Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman More on the proposal to eliminate sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, by WGN 9’s Erik Runge and Tahman Bradley, with video of Johnson’s press conference THE BUZZ We’re not all yokels! Gov. JB Pritzker is stateside today after a weeklong trip across the pond to pitch the state to businesses there. In a virtual briefing with reporters Wednesday, Pritzker said he found himself giving an Illinois-101 lesson to some folks who didn’t have Land of Lincoln on their radar. Pritzker said he found himself repeatedly pointing out that Illinois has a strong community college system. “It's the third largest in the nation, and companies really want to know that we're educating our workforce in a way that is beneficial to them,” Pritzker said. At least they didn’t ask about Capone. More media takes: Pritzker hints Illinois is in the ‘final throes’ of electric vehicle deals, reports Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles Governor envisions Illinois being the ‘Silicon Valley of quantum development,’ by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner If you are Finance Chair Pat Dowell, Playbook would like to know your thoughts on the settlement vote that failed. Email skapos@politico.com. WHERE'S JB No official public events. WHERE's BRANDON At Kennedy-King College at 6 p.m. for the community engagement budget roundtable. Where's Toni At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Beat the heat, and send me a line: skapos@politico.com A message from Uber: What the City of Chicago uncovered about Uber. An independent study by the City of Chicago found that most Uber and Lyft drivers make $21-$30 per hour and earn over $1,000 a week* on average. Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study.*Full-time TNP driver avg hourly and weekly earnings, PPV Study April,'23   CONVENTION ZONE — Next door: Milwaukee host committee seeks contractors for Fiserv Forum project ahead of Republican National Convention: The request for proposals are looking for a general contractor "for restoration of the Fiserv Forum, the Baird Center and other venues.” The Republican National Convention is next year in Milwaukee from July 15-18. The Daily Reporter’s Ethan Duran reports. — In Chicago on this day in 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was nominated for an unprecedented fourth term at the Democratic National Convention. THE STATEWIDES — AG Kwame Raoul pushes back at Republicans warning Fortune 100 companies not to use DEI in hiring: "They should not be sending letters trying to intimidate employers into abandoning efforts to embrace diversifying the workplace," Raoul said, NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports. — Lawmakers criticize Pritzker administration’s handling of noncitizen health care limits: “Lack of ‘collaboration’ with immigrant advocates, executive overreach among concerns,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams. — Draught, deluge and the climate-curious farmers of central Illinois, by Zachary Nauth for WBEZ. — Air pollution rule change to move forward, preventing sanctions from federal government, by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — Safety concerns raised at packed hearing on Navigator's CO2 pipeline plan: “Coming to Springfield from Nebraska, Navigator Heartland Greenway LLC attempted to sell a standing room audience on its proposed pipeline running through 292 miles in the state,” by State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck. — Child-care convo: State Reps. Lakesia Collins (9th) and Joyce Mason (61st) were part of the policy discussion at the White House focused on what works in child care in terms of accessibility, affordability and workforce development. We mentioned Wednesday that Rep. Mike Simmons (7th) also was attending.   JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 to explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW.     CORRUPTION CHRONICLES — Will Danny Solis take the witness stand? Ed Burke’s lawyers would like to know: “Former Ald. Solis helped prosecutors build their blockbuster indictments against Ed Burke and Mike Madigan. Solis is now formally charged with bribery, but the feds are expected to seek dismissal of that charge if he holds up his end of their deal,” by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. CHICAGO — Auction set for building that’s housing Obama records in Hoffman Estates, by Crain’s Alby Gallun — Chicago Football Classic returns to Chicago Sept. 2, by WGN 9’s Larry Hawley — McDonald’s DEI efforts are targeted by firm co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, reports Crain’s Ally Marotti — Sisters to sail the Race to Mackinac 100 years after their great-grandfather’s win was overturned, by WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers — Lou Mitchell’s diner turns 100 and remains an iconic slice of Americana, by Amy Bizzarri for the Sun-Times   A message from Uber:   COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Cook County property tax bills will be late again: “Second installment property tax bills for the 2022 tax year are expected to be ready Nov. 1 and due Dec. 1. It’s an improvement compared to last year’s delay,” reports Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Pro tip! The Steele Report, produced by Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, shows residents what tax assessments and appeals look like township by township. — One-on-one: Kim Foxx sees elimination of cash bail as step toward equal justice, by WTTW’s Paris Schutz and Blair Paddock — Oak Park Village Hall could be demolished despite historic status, by Tribune’s Ilana Arougheti — Northwestern's 'rampant' hazing was 'devastating' for athletes of color, ex-football players say, by The Associated Press’ Larry Lage and Claire Savage — Transcript of the interrogation by Waukegan detectives that led to a 15-year-old’s false confession, via WBEZ   JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE.     Reader Digest We asked about how you pick your Powerball numbers. Eli Brottman: “I let the computer pick randomly.” Daniel Goldwin: “I let the Powerball machine pick.” Ed Mazur: “Addresses of residences and birthdates of family.” Mark Nevins: “Jersey numbers of Walter Payton, Michael Jordan and Frank Thomas and then my kids’ birthdays.” When did you work in a restaurant? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — Backstory: Rep. Jayapal’s slam on Israel came as she tried to take heat off Rep. Schakowsky at Netroots Nation conference in Chicago: “Rep. Pramila Jayapal set off an uproar when she said that Israel is a ‘racist nation,’ speaking to try to take heat off Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who was attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters at last week’s Netroots Nation convention,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — ‘It makes them all look silly': Dems prepare to scorch RFK Jr. testimony, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu and Jordain Carney — Sununu’s exit spells the end of a whole breed of Republican governor, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky — THE FIFTY: DeSantis, Abbott taunt Dems with controversial immigration moves, by POLITICO’s David Kihara — ‘Cracks’ visible in Putin’s leadership, senior U.K. officials say, by POLITICO’s Alexander Ward IN MEMORIAM — Slain Springfield organizer set shining example: “Emma Shafer was the most remarkable person I’ve ever met,” writes Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore. A message from Uber: Going where taxis won’t go The City of Chicago’s own study found that nearly 30% of Uber & Lyft rides start in underserved neighborhoods like Avalon Park and Pullman.* Learn more about the City of Chicago’s study. *PPV Study April,'23   EVENTS — Starting today: The nonprofit Live Free Illinois is launching Community Healing Resource Centers around the state to support communities impacted by gun violence. The 13 centers are located across Chicago and in East St. Louis, Champaign, Chicago Heights, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield. TRIVIA Wednesday’s ANSWER: Congrats to Joseph Morris for correctly answering that Israel Blackburn Jr. and his sons Israel and Malcolm are believed to be the only African Americans buried in the Downers Grove Main Street Cemetery. TODAY’s QUESTION: What global media organization got its start on South Harper Avenue in Chicago? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Former Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes, AIPAC regional director David Fox, UIC sociology professor Barbara Risman and Illinois Optometric Association CEO Leigh Ann Vanausdoll. -30-   Follow us on Twitter Shia Kapos @shiakapos   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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