Politics and ‘power of the open casket’

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

Aug 02, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Oh, what times we live in. Key revelations, groundbreaking strategies and notable omissions in the new Trump indictment, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney. Here’s the filling. TOP TALKER Elected officials celebrated Chicago's newest national monument Tuesday. | POLITICO's Shia Kapos MAKING HISTORY: President Joe Biden already had signed the proclamation to designate the South Side church where young Emmett Till was eulogized as a National Historic Monument. It became real Tuesday when signage was unveiled. Dozens of elected officials, clergy members and Till family and friends gathered to commemorate it — and to recognize that racism remains in this country. One need only look at some political candidates, speakers said. “The power of the open casket” ignited the Civil Rights movement and “changed the world,” former Congressman Bobby Rush told the crowd in a stirring speech at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Rush carried an anti-lynching bill that Biden signed into law last year. Gov. JB Pritzker took a subtle jab at those who try to sanitize the realities of racism. “Mamie Till-Mobley demanded that her son's casket remain open for all the world to see [hoping] it would help change people's minds,” Pritzker told the group. “We do a disservice to her memory and her bravery when we don't teach the full history of the brutality of slavery and racism.” It was a not-so-subtle dig at Florida’s move to sanitize the realities of slavery in its history books. Congressman Jonathan Jackson got to the point: “We've got a senator in Alabama that says diversity in the military will weaken it. We've got a congressman in Arizona that's calling us ‘colored’ on the floor of the nation’s capital. And we've got a presidential candidate who says affirmative action was bad for the nation.” Jackson was referring to Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Congressman Eli Crane and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, respectively. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who championed the effort to make the church a monument, called Till’s murderers racists and cowards, adding that history hasn’t changed much. “People who are running for president and saying enslaved people benefited from being enslaved … are also motivated by hate, and by fear, because they truly are cowards.” Mayor Brandon Johnson: “We all know this painful story. But it’s important for us to always remember, because it is in that memory we find our strength and our power.” Also taking the stage: U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Sen. Dick Durbin, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, congressional Reps. Robin Kelly and Danny K. Davis, Ald. Pat Dowell and the Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. Sun-Times’ take by David Struett RELATED The governor called DeSantis a liar on X, formerly known as Twitter. The tweet came after Florida governor attacked a bill signed by Pritzker that allows legal permanent immigrants and DACA recipients to serve as police officers. DeSantis tweeted that “illegal aliens” could be officers. Here’s their exchange. THE BUZZ HAZING SCANDAL: Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will lead an independent investigation in the hazing scandal that’s rocked Northwestern University. Her report will be public: University officials announced that Lynch will examine the “processes and accountability mechanisms” already in place to detect, report and respond to potential misconduct across the NU athletics programs. Lynch’s backstory: She also led the Justice Department when it entered into an agreement with the City of Chicago that would launch a court-enforced consent decree designed to reform the Chicago Police Department, explains WTTW’s Matt Masterson. University President Michael Schill said in a statement: “Hazing has absolutely no place at Northwestern. Period. I am determined that with the help of Attorney General Lynch, we will become a leader in combating the practice of hazing in intercollegiate athletics and a model for other universities.” If you are Deb Haaland, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com. WHERE'S JB At TCCI Manufacturing in Decatur at 11 a.m. for the groundbreaking at the EV innovation hub’s groundbreaking — At Grand Haven Lodge in Romeoville at 2:30 p.m. to sign a grandparents resource pilot bill. WHERE's BRANDON At Daley Plaza at 10 a.m. for the Cradles to Crayons’ backpack-a-thon event — In City Hall at 1 p.m. to meet with reporters. Where's Toni No official public events. It’s hump day, so send me a line at 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.     CONVENTION ZONE — OPINION | Road leading to Chicago’s 2024 Democratic Convention looks a bit like 1968: “We are a nation of movements, with a new generation advocating for Black Lives Matter, defunding the police, LGBTQ+ issues, abortion rights and anti-gun legislation. On the other side are their polar opposites,” writes John Vukmirovich in the Sun-Times. THE STATEWIDES — Residents decry ‘audacity’ of proposed $402M Peoples Gas rate hike: “Speakers at a public meeting at UIC tell Peoples Gas executives that the cost of living is already high and a rate hike would add to households’ financial pressure,” by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo. — Why operators of video gaming terminals have such influence in Illinois: “Tax revenue,” writes Chav Vasilev on Bonus.com. — Illinois State Police cracking down on speeding, by MyStateline’s Jack Baudoin — Contour Airlines' now offers a Chicago to Marion flight, making southern Illinois to Chicago and back more accessible, by The Southern’s Marilyn Halstead. — Some of the new Illinois laws hitting the books in coming months, via NBC 5 — The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has hired the search company Koya Partners to find its next CEO. The move comes after the death in June of Chamber President Todd Maisch. CHICAGO — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Watch for Mayor Brandon Johnson to announce his selection for police superintendent next week, according to a person close to the mayor’s office. The three finalists are Shon Barnes, the Madison, Wis., police chief; Angel Novalez, CPD chief of constitutional policing and reform; and CPD Deputy Chief Larry Snelling. — Interim top cop was accused in a domestic violence complaint in 1994, reports WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos — Migrants moved out of South Loop police station as Lollapalooza looms: “Families were moved to the newly opened Broadway Armory shelter in Edgewater as city officials work to move migrants out of local police stations,” by Block Club’s Melody Mercado and Madison Savedra. — Shedd Aquarium details major renovations for Centennial Commitment project: “Renovations include updating exhibits and creating new ones, making all signs in the aquarium bilingual, expanding research labs and investing in educational programs,” by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — New pick for top Chicago Park District lawyer accused in a civil rights lawsuit in Evanston: “Parks officials had said they thoroughly vetted Nicholas Cummings but would not comment on the accusations,” by WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos. — Residents air grievances about ‘putrid’ odors from local food plants, by Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky — Elk Grove Village could go a year without a new police chief, by Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Rocky Wirtz remembered by North Shore residents as attentive and kind neighbor, by Pioneer Press’ Daniel I. Dorfman 2024 WATCH — In IL-12, Congressman Mike Bost has been endorsed by 22 Republican Central Committee leaders from across the district. Here’s the list — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Terrell Barnes says he’s running for re-election as chair of the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization. That means he won’t be running for DuPage County Board, which some county Democrats had urged him to do. SPOTTED — A fundraiser for Sen. Tammy Duckworth at Porter Kitchen & Deck saw Marsh managing director John Atkinson (a longtime fundraiser for Duckworth), SPAAN Tech CEO Smita Shah, CS Insurance Strategies CEO Charles Smith, TASC CEO Joel Johnson, Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th), Nourishing Hope CEO Kellie O’Connell, Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug, Women’s Business Development Center CEO Emilia Dimenco, Conlon Public Strategies’ Kevin Conlon, Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Hillary Caron and Illinois College of Optometry’s Leonard Messner. TAKING NAMES — Hollywood is giving Ken Griffin the celebrity-actor treatment: Sony Picture's ‘Dumb Money,’ a “drama-comedy film chronicling the 2021 meme stock short squeeze of GameStop,” will feature Griffin. The Citadel founder and political donor will be played by Chicago-area native Nick Offerman, reports Crain’s Jack Grieve. — Jason Peltz will be honored with the American Jewish Committee’s Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award, which is presented to an attorney who embodies Learned Hand’s “ideals of justice and who works to safeguard the rights of individuals and democratic values.” Details here   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 your thoughts on the economy. Phillip Crivellone: “Surplus money continues circulating while too few seek work, creating expansion despite the paradoxical housing shortage fueling the rising ranks of homeless.” Kaye Grabbe: "Employment and the markets are up, and unemployment is way down." Lucas Hawley: “In my summer travels, I have seen a ton of boarded up downtown businesses and limiting of business hours in tourist spots.” Reid McCollum: “The economy is humming along" thanks to Taylor Swift, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” Patricia Ann Watson: “New homes and housing developments are being approved, and Costcos and restaurants remain packed.” Why do you care if a Republican donor gives to a Democrat, or vice versa? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — Revealed: The criteria for the second Republican primary debate, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt — Dems launch a new effort to shore up white voters — by leaning into race, by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker — Fitch downgrades U.S. after debt limit stalemate, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton — Wisconsin’s high court, which almost overturned Biden’s win in the state, flips to liberal control, by The Associated Press’ Scott Bauer IN MEMORIAM — James O’Connor Sr., the former ComEd CEO and philanthropic leader, has died: “O’Connor established a deep legacy in multiple charitable and cultural institutions around Chicago and was always trying to convince industry peers to make similar investments,” his son told Tribune’s Ilana Arougheti. TRIVIA TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Rosemary Thomson, the Illinois STOP ERA lieutenant of Phyllis Schlafly, became an Iowa legislator. TODAY’s QUESTION: What TV character called 5901 N. Sheridan Road home? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Former state Rep. Karen May, Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Clayton Harris III, Catholic Charities Government Relations Director Brendan O’Sullivan, Drug Enforcement Administration of Chicago’s Luis Agostini and OpentheBooks.com founder Adam Andrzejewski. -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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