Chicago budget realities

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

Nov 15, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Let's keep it positive today. TOP TALKER BUDGET BONANZA: The Chicago City Council is expected to approve Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget proposal today. Balancing act: The mayor and his team will call it a balanced budget that provides $150 million for migrant care, even though Johnson has said it costs $40 million a month to care for migrants. So “balanced” seems a stretch to some folks given the budget is for a whole year. Without an infusion of state or federal monies to handle the migrant crisis, the city might have to consider budget cuts, draining reserves or even raising property taxes, reports the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman in this analysis piece. On top of that, there are fresh costs to the budget since it was presented, including more pay for police, more staffers for aldermen and resources for reparations and ex-prisoners, reports the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. What’s really strange: In the days leading up to today’s vote, hardly anyone is talking about the budget numbers. Instead, City Council members are embroiled in debates about housing for migrants, the war in the Middle East and playing a parlor game of who will become the next floor leader. Heads turned last night, when a story dropped about the administration acknowledging it pulled out a quid-pro-quo card when an alderman asked for help. The Chicago Way: The mayor’s office said it would address a crime problem in Ald. Bill Conway’s ward but only if he would agree to support two pieces of legislation backed by Johnson, according to the report by the Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt. “I was shocked,” Conway said in a statement saying the administration is “playing politics with public safety.” The crime at issue included drug dealing, an armed robbery and a few shootings, according to Conway. Mayoral adviser Jason Lee acknowledged the discussion with Conway but said “It’s how political will is created.” Mind your p’s and q’s: If you’re watching today’s council meeting, you’ll hear an announcement calling for decorum by the sergeant at arms. What it says: “Profane, vulgar, threatening, abusive or destructive language is not permitted,” according to the wording of the statement that was read Tuesday by Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez at the Health and Human Relations Committee hearing and Ald. Pat Dowell at the Finance Committee hearing. Ignoring the message: An attendee in the gallery of the Human Relations hearing became angry and started screaming and jumping up and down when she didn’t get a chance to speak. Police had to physically drag her out of the chamber. If you think that’s bad: Congressional lawmakers “traded caustic remarks and nearly came to blows” in D.C. yesterday, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Olivia Beavers. More from yesterday’s Human Relations hearing: Jewish and Pro-Palestinian activists took turns voicing their support Tuesday for Rodriguez-Sanchez, who has taken some heat for her tweeting the pro-Palestinian phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine is free.” Some pro-Israel supporters have condemned it as anti-Semitic. But a large number of Jewish supporters also have pulled together a petition supporting her. THE BUZZ FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The race for Democratic state Rep. Kelly Burke’s seat in the suburban 36th District is about to get interesting. Sonia Anne Khalil is filing paperwork to run. She faces Rick Ryan, an attorney in Evergreen Park who's been endorsed by Burke. Khalil is known in Democratic circles in part for her work in the Cook County Clerk’s Office. Her father is Samir Khalil, founder of the Arab American Democratic Club. About the district: It includes Palos Hills, Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park, where Burke is also the mayor. The district also has a large population of Arab Americans. Money matters: Khalil is seen as someone who can rally fundraising. Ryan already has $60,000 in the bank, the bulk from a big donation from Burke. If you are Samir Khalil, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com.   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     WHERE'S JB At McCormick Place at 9:50 a.m. with U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su to give remarks at the Employment and Training Administration Vision 2030 Conference. WHERE's BRANDON In City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over a City Council meeting about the budget. Where's Toni No official public event. Once the budget is out of the way, take time to email at skapos@politico.com THE STATEWIDES — SCOTUS rejects appeal of Illinois prisoner kept in solitary confinement for 3 years: “Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told the justices in court papers that as a result of ‘persistent misconduct,’ he was ‘on yard restrictions’ from January 2014 to August 2016 but that he regularly met with doctors and mental health professionals supplied by the prison healthcare provider,” by CNN’s Ariane de Vogue. — State high court to hear case against staffing agencies accused of suppressing wages, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel and Dilpreet Raju — Central Illinois organizations spearhead campaign that relived $3.5M in medical debt, by News Channel 20’s Caroleina Hassett — Midwestern corn and soybean crop threatened by climate change, by WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco 2024 WATCH — Lisa Davis is running for state representative in the 32nd district, according to a filing with the State Board of Elections. She is challenging Democratic state Rep. Cyril Nichols for the Chicago seat. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — NEW POLL: The conservative Illinois Policy Institute — a major critic of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s run for office — is out with some polling that claims his approval rating is meh. Details here — Ethics board finds probable cause Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin wrongfully fired 2 whistleblowers, by the Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt. CHICAGO — MISSING PERSONS: A two-year investigation reveals a disproportionate impact on Black women and girls: Reporters found troubling patterns of Chicago Police officers “denying, delaying, or mishandling cases” — a crisis that disproportionately affects Black Chicagoans, particularly Black women and girls. “Nearly 60 percent of missing person cases in Chicago are Black children,” report the Invisible Institute’s Trina Reynolds-Tyler and the City Bureau’s Sarah Conway. — Soldier Field and TIFs help boost the Chicago Park District's budget, by Crain’s Leigh Giangreco — Does the CTA need a chief equity and engagement officer? Denise Baretto, who holds the position, talked about what the job entails with WBBM’s Craig Dellimore. — Traffic study finds Chicago police are 6 times more likely to stop Black drivers, by ABC 7’s Jasmine Minor COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones asked police for court order barring reporter from City Hall, records show: “Jones, who is also a state representative, also directed attorney Dominick Lanzito, with the Chicago-based firm Peterson Johnson & Murray, to file for an order of protection that would have prevented Sanders from entering City Hall as well as “contacting or harassing employees,” according to the email. The Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan reports. — Oak Park taking the lead on ‘coordinated western suburban response’ to migrant crisis, looking for others to partner, officials say. Pioneer Press’ Ryan Hudgins reports. — Highland Police investigating racial epithet broadcast during council meeting, by the Post-Tribune’s Michelle L. Quinn   GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.N. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     Reader Digest We asked what skill you always wanted to learn: Eugene Daly: “Diplomacy.” Michael Gascoigne: “French.” Scott Kaiser: “To play piano. It would be a great way to relax.” Ed Mazur: “To cook like an Italian chef.” Reginald McCoy: “To code (computer programming) and learn Spanish.” Joan Pederson: “To pronounce written French, particularly names of people and places.” Tomás Revollo: "To be more assertive and extroverted professionally." Timothy Thomas Jr.: “To fly an airplane.” Samantha White: “To learn foreign languages with ease.” Wayne Williams: “To play guitar or saxophone.” Brent Zhorne: “To speak a foreign language, particularly Spanish.” For tomorrow: When were you thrown out of a meeting or gathering? Me: because I talked too much in choir practice. DELEGATION — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García joined immigration advocates — including some from Illinois — calling for President Joe Biden to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for migrants seeking work permits. “Many of my constituents have worked and paid taxes for years, but still live without the protection and stability that comes from a work permit,” Garcia said in a statement. THE NATIONAL TAKE — President Biden sent flowers and a note to Sister Jean, by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather — Positivity is out in the modern GOP. ‘Vermin’ and ‘scum’ are in, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren — How the White House got to yes on an ‘unserious’ government funding proposal, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Haberkorn and Burgess Everett — A rambling explanation and tearful rant from Paul Pelosi attacker, by POLITICO's Dustin Gardiner WEDDING BELLS — Political consultant Adam Gunther and real estate administrator Madison Carey tied the knot over the weekend at Colvin House in Chicago. They met in true millennial fashion seven years ago on Tinder. Joining the celebration were state Sen. Willie Preston, Democratic Committeeman Sean Tenner, pollster Benjamin Bobo and political consultants Eric Coats and Graeme Zielinski. Pic! And pic! IN MEMORIAM — Marvin Loskove, the father of Ald. Debra Silverstein, has died. Tributes from the funeral are here — Jack Alan Rosenbloom, who owned Rose Records in Chicago, has died. Details here TRIVIA TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Lamm for correctly answering that former Congressman Dan Lipinski was a superdelegate from Illinois pledged to Bernie Sanders’ campaign in 2016. TODAY's QUESTION: How many state Constitutions has Illinois had and when were they adopted? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Deputy governor Andy Manar, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, state Rep. Lindsay LaPointe, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, deputy chief of staff to Congressman Brad Schneider Matt Fried, City of Chicago project coordinator Steve Niketopoulos, political consultant Nancy Kohn and Playbookers John McGowan and Peter Behle. -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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