D.C. insider, a Chicago native, will head Dem convention

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Aug 08, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Happy Tuesday, Illinois. This is getting interesting. Mike Pence just qualified for the first GOP presidential primary debate, via POLITICO. TOP TALKER Minyon Moore, speaking at the Coretta Scott King Peace and Meditation Garden and Monument in Atlanta earlier this year, will lead the Democratic Convention in 2024. | Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images BREAKING: Minyon Moore, an adviser to President Joe Biden during his nomination of the first Black woman Supreme Court justice, has been named chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention next summer in Chicago. Selecting Moore, a Chicago native and confidante of Hillary Clinton, reflects the significance Biden continues to place on Black women voters in the Democratic Party. Moore also is credited with playing a role in helping get Vice President Kamala Harris on Biden’s 2020 presidential ticket. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said the convention team brings “unmatched” experience and expertise to the event. And Moore issued a separate statement, saying she's “thrilled” to serve as convention chair in her “hometown of Chicago.” About Moore: She grew up in the city, went to the now-closed Altgeld Elementary School and Chicago Vocational High School, graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago and worked for the National Rainbow Push Coalition. How it began: She got her start in politics by working on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns before going on to work in former President Bill Clinton’s White House and on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. She counts former President Barack Obama as a friend. And she's a former CEO of the Democratic National Committee. Other members of the convention team: Alex Hornbrook, who led the convention selection process, is the executive director of the convention. Louisa Terrell will serve as a senior adviser to both the convention and the Biden-Harris campaign. And Democratic National Committee Deputy Executive Director Roger Lau has been named a senior adviser to the Biden Victory Fund and will advise the convention. Smart choice: As an ally of Hillary Clinton, Moore will have a good relationship with Gov. JB Pritzker, who will be a force within the convention host committee. Pritzker served as a fundraiser and adviser to Clinton in her 2016 presidential run. What's next: Now that the convention leadership is set, watch for the host committee to be announced soon. That's a separate operation that handles fundraising (which has already started) and everything outside of the United Center, where the convention-night activities will be held. Moore and the DNC team members will lead the pageantry inside the arena. THE BUZZ Cook County Clerk Iris Martinez got support at her fundraiser from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Moe's Cantina owner Sam Sanchez. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos Cook County Clerk of the Court Iris Martinez held a fundraiser at Moe’s Cantina in Wrigleyville on Monday — just ahead of next week’s slating for the 2024 election. “I’m ready for the challenge,” she told your Playbook host in between making margaritas for guests. “I hope I get slated because I’m an incumbent. But if not, I’m ready.” Martinez is going against the machine in next week’s slating by the Cook County Democratic Party. Even though she’s the incumbent Democrat, Martinez doesn’t have the support of county party Chair Toni Preckwinkle. There’s tension because Martinez has been seen as not always towing the party line. Her goal has been to support Latina candidates, which didn’t necessarily align with Preckwinkle’s plans. Preckwinkle isn’t the only vote for slating, so Martinez is hopeful she can win over other Democratic Party leaders to get party backing. In the meantime, she won some high-profile fundraising support at Moe’s. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who also famously butted heads with Preckwinkle, joined Martinez in serving drinks to supporters. Also spotted: Moe’s Cantina owner Sam Sanchez, former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, state Sen. Natalie Toro, state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, Teamsters Local 705 President Juan Campos, former Ald. Tom Tunney, trial attorney Jerry Bekkerman, GSG Engineering President Guillermo Garcia and community leader Bart Moy. If you are Minyon Moore, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com. WHERE'S JB No official public events. WHERE's BRANDON No official public events. Where's Toni At the UIC Dorin Forum at 9:30 a.m. to give remarks at the Pathways to Cook County Expo. As you count down the days for your kids to get back to school, send me a line: skapos@politico.com   A NEW PODCAST FROM POLITICO: Our new POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy around the world. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and cybersecurity, POLITICO Tech explores how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, innovations and industries that will matter tomorrow. SUBSCRIBE AND START LISTENING TODAY.     THE STATEWIDES — Gov. JB Pritzker and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel are quantum geeks: They’re “bringing attention and funds to support the experimental field of quantum computing, which has the potential for faster development of vaccines and unhackable computers,” writes Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — POT POURRI: July saw highest Illinois cannabis sales this year at $140M, by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn — Pritzker signs Racism Free Schools Act into law, by My Stateline’s John Clark — He also signed a bill to explore a new state flag for Illinois, via Fox 32 — Illinois congressional leaders urge Biden to grant FEMA relief for storm damage, by Sun-Times’ Kade Heather — Power lines down, homes damaged after Christian County tornado Sunday, by State Journal-Register’s Zach Roth — SPORTS: In Bi-State Softball Showdown, Missouri legislators beat Illinois legislators (again), by St. Louis Public Radio's Brian Munoz and Tristen Rouse CHICAGO — Johnson urged to pick Snelling for top cop as signs point in that direction: “The department will shine under Larry,” says Ald. Chris Taliaferro, a former Chicago Police officer. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reports. — Logan Square Farmers Market and the city are closer to solution on unlicensed sales, market’s organizers say: There’ been peddling nearby without permits, which has caused friction. Sun-Times’ David Struett reports. — This family has visited 364 Chicago Parks (and counting), by Block Club’s Claire Zulkey COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — 'Nothing like this in the state': Palatine OKs housing for human trafficking victims: Along with City Council approval, the program to house homeless girls who have been trafficked has the support of philanthropists John and Rita Canning, and Shelter Inc. for the $3.5 million project, reports Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky. — Evanston has paid half a million in cash reparations so far, by Evanston RoundTable’s Maya Krainc — The push continues to transfer now-defunct Route 53 right of way for greenway, by Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak — Blues Brothers Con at Old Joliet Prison postponed in solidarity with Hollywood strike, by Daily Southtown’s Jessi Virtusio DAY IN COURT — Dad of suspect in Highland Park parade shooting seeks dismissal of charges he recklessly helped his son get gun: “Lake County judge will rule Aug. 28 on motion to dismiss reckless conduct charges against Robert Crimo Jr.,” by The Associated Press’ Michael Tarm and Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Bridgeport bank failure fallout: Ex-city official, second man plead guilty in collapse of Washington Federal Bank for Savings: “William M. Mahon was a high-ranking City Hall official under three former mayors and had close ties to the Daley family’s political organization,” reports Sun-Times’ Tim Novak. — Ex-Northwestern cheerleader who filed suit alleging sexual exploitation calls school’s hazing response ‘a lot of empty platitudes,’ by Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos TAKING NAMES — County Commissioner Dennis Deer is one of 2 people to undergo rare ‘flipped organ’ double lung transplant: “Situs inversus is found in just 1 in 10,000 people, and it’s even rarer for those with it to need lung transplants. Northwestern Medicine doctors performed the surgery twice in a month,” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and his wife, Erica, were finally able to bring home their son, Theo, from the NICU. He and twin Max were born June 13. “They were preemies, and it was difficult for mom and sons. It has been difficult for me, too,” Frerichs wrote in an email to supporters.   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.     Reader Digest We asked what non-political vocation is good for politics. Terry Cosgrove: “Waiting tables in a busy restaurant.” Tyrone McGowan: “Clergy or educator.” David Prosperi: “Sales — learning how to turn ‘no’ into ‘yes.’” Andy Shaw: “A psychology degree helped me get behind the facades of the politicians I covered as a reporter. ” Patricia Ann Watson: “Industrial psychology, marketing, finance or data analytics.” What’s your Grand Canyon vacation story (in a sentence)? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — The impeachment effort losing steam in the House GOP, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney — Biden to create monument around the Grand Canyon, by POLITICO’s Scott Streater — Ohio’s proxy war over abortion reaches its final battle, by POLITICO’s Madison Fernandez and Alice Miranda Ollstein — Florida’s drive to scrutinize what kids read is costing tens of thousands of dollars, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury TRANSITIONS — Anne Emerson has joined the Department of Finance as a deputy director. She had served as chief of staff of the Committee on Finance for Ald. Scott Waguespack. IN MEMORIAM — Chicago native and 'Cha Cha Slide' creator DJ Casper dies at 58 after cancer battle, wife says, ABC 7’s Samantha Chatman reports HISTORY LESSON — On this day in 1974, President Richard Nixon told the nation he was resigning. TRIVIA MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Colby Huff for correctly answering that the Cubs were playing the Boston Braves, who would subsequently move to Milwaukee and then Atlanta, in this Norman Rockwell scene. TODAY’s QUESTION: What two present-day Springfield schools are located on the site of the first Illinois State Fairgrounds of 1853? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cook County Circuit Court Judge Marian Perkins, election attorney Michael Dorf, Chicago Cubs assistant GM Craig Breslow, Chicago Public Library Foundation President Brenda Langstraat Bui, attorney Antonio Romanucci and nonprofit leader Zachary Pellish. -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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