Mayor Johnson bringing it home

Presented by the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Nov 01, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by the Save My Scholarship Coalition Happy November, Illinois. Stay warm out there. NEW: President Joe Biden is coming back to Illinois on Nov. 9, per the White House. He’s in Minnesota today. TOP TALKER It’s just a first step but Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated nonetheless Tuesday when a City Council committee passed a key plank in his campaign: the “Bring Chicago Home” proposal to address homelessness. Victory speech: “Whenever there are individuals asking, 'what are we doing for Black people?' Well, they don’t have to look any further,” Johnson said at the news conference after the vote. The Tribune’s  Alice Yin and A.D. Quig have more. Sometimes called the “mansion tax,” the measure would raise some $100 million by increasing taxes on the sale price of high-end properties in Chicago. The tax monies would be used for wraparound services for the homeless, many of whom are from Black and brown communities. How it would work: The plan would raise the tax rate on the sale price of $1 million properties to 2 percent (it’s currently .75 percent). For properties selling for more than $1.5 million, the tax would be 3 percent. And a sweetener has the real-estate transfer tax, as it’s called, dropping for homes that sell for less than $1 million. The proposal was a key plank in Johnson’s mayoral campaign. He and supporters say the city has an obligation to help the increasing number of unhoused residents, which has gone up in recent years. United Working Families, the powerful organizing group that helped elect Johnson, also supports the plan and was on hand for Tuesday’s vote. Video! What opponents say: Business groups and the powerful Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago see it as a political move that punishes the wealthy. They warn that the tax hikes on big property owners would trickle down to regular folks who would see their rents go up. Next step: If it’s approved by the full City Council, the proposal would then go to voters in March in a binding referendum. That’s no easy task and would require a whole campaign to educate residents — and counter opponents who will come out in full force against the plan. THE BUZZ They hit the road: Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) just returned from Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. All about funding: The bipartisan trip came as members of Congress weigh additional aid to the country as it battles Russia — and whether to attach that support to an expected aid package for Israel that has broader bipartisan backing. RELATED: Biden world blitzes the Hill to keep a Ukraine-Israel package intact, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Haberkorn and Burgess Everett At the White House: Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul was on hand Tuesday for President Joe Biden's announcement of new actions to protect retirement security by cracking down on “junk fees.” The Biden Administration released a proposed rule that would prevent financial advisers from taking advantage of their clients by tacking on unnecessary fees. Also in D.C.: State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen and state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz were at the White House on Monday when Biden issued an executive order to establish new safety and security stands for artificial intelligence. Edly-Allen and Gong-Gershowitz helped pass a measure In Illinois to crack down on digital forgeries — also known as deepfakes. If you are Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com   A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Over 9,500 students are counting on the Illinois General Assembly to save the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. If they fail to act NOW, then students from low-income families will lose their scholarships, causing many to leave their best-fit schools. Most of these students are Black or Brown, and 100% are from households with demonstrated financial need. Additionally, 26,000 more students from low-income and working-class families sit anxiously on the waitlist. Do the right thing.   WHERE'S JB At Joliet Junior College to celebrate I-80 improvements. WHERE's BRANDON At City Hall at 10 a.m. for the City Council meeting. Where's Toni At Kennedy-King College at 9 a.m. to attend the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program. — At the Cook County Building at 6 p.m. to celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the Cook County Ofrenda. Take a pause from eating leftover Halloween candy and email me at skapos@politico.com THE STATEWIDES — Pritzker’s science project: Aggressive bid for federal semiconductor center part of larger plan to make state hi-tech hub: “With Chicago in the running for the $11 billion National Semiconductor Technology Center, a multi-university network of researchers and scientists are optimistic Illinois’ advances in engineering and manufacturing — especially quantum — will help them seal the deal. So is Gov. J.B. Pritzker,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.   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.     2024 WATCH — State Sen. Willie Preston (16th) has been endorsed by the Illinois Political Action Committee, the political arm of the Illinois Education Association. BURKE FALLOUT — How the massive power Ed Burke wielded paved the way for his alleged corruption: “That power came from 'scratch my back' Chicago politics, including aldermanic prerogative, a tradition that good government advocates have been fighting to end for years,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel. — Rahm or Ed? Expert quizzed on who had most clout in preview of possible Burke trial testimony, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel. CHICAGO — City counting on state, federal funds to handle migrant crisis — or reserves could be at risk: “A top official said Chicago could be forced to raid its reserves, even though that would almost certainly cause Wall Street rating agencies to reduce the bond rating, increasing how much it costs the city to borrow money,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Unwelcome first snow for migrants at police stations: ‘It’s so cold it hurts,’ by the Sun-Times’ Michael Loria — Brighton Park has taken in immigrants for generations, but residents are split over asylum seekers, by the New York Times’ Mitch Smith — U.S. Supreme Court won't wade into Chicago parking meter fight: The court declined to hear a challenge from Chicago drivers over hourly meter rates for public parking in the city. They sought to void Chicago's 75-year, $1.15 billion contract with a private equity firm managing the system, by Reuters’ Mike Scarcella — ENTERPRISE: Chicago police officer under investigation for striking 8th grader while off duty, by the Tribune’s Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair — Pandemic emergency is over, but Chicago restaurants are still adding fees to your bill, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett   A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition:   DAY IN COURT — 48-year-old convicted felon charged in North Lawndale shooting that wounded 15, including 2 critically: Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling was joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Ald. Monique Scott (24th) and Congressman Danny Davis in announcing the charges, by the Tribune’s Sam Charles, Jake Sheridan and Caroline Kubzansky COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — The Calumet Water Reclamation Plant preps for the future as the climate continues to change: “As flooding events continue to rise in Cook County, the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant is preparing for the future,” by WBEZ’s Noah Jennings — Rising pension costs to test Schaumburg's ability to keep tax levy pledge, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — Police training facility in Cary to open next week to train departments all across McHenry County, by Shaw Local’s Michelle Meyer. — Sean Loughran sworn in as new Glencoe public safety director, by Pioneer Press’ Daniel I. Dorfman POT-POURRI — Pot shop company files suit to blunt planned dispensary at former Rainforest Cafe, limit proximity of minority-owned stores: “The lawsuit filed Monday in Cook County by GRI Holdings claims that the proposed Consume Cannabis dispensary at 605 N. Clark St. violates state law by opening within 1,500 feet of its Green Rose Dispensary,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Imerman Angels, a Chicago-based nonprofit that matches cancer patients with cancer survivors, has teamed up with EO Care. The company provides cannabis health and wellness information to employers and individuals.   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     Reader Digest We asked what advice you’d hand down to future generations of your family. Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Smiling faces tell lies and I got proof. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake. I'm tellin' you beware of the pat on the back it just might hold you back,” via The Undisputed Truth’s “Smiling Faces Sometimes.” Rosemary Caruk: “Don’t hold grudges.” Vince Brandys: “Hard work coupled with strong communication skills will increase chances of success and happiness” Kristin DiCenso: “Never talk politics unless you know you’re on the same page. PERIOD!” Kevin Lampe: “Say yes to all challenges and ask every question!” Gracia Livie: “Treasure your Bible and spend time daily as a family reading from it.” Ed Mazur: “Meanings are in people not in words.” Carol Portman: “Don’t worry, be happy, with a h/t to Bobby McFerrin.” Kathy Posner: “Never beg for a seat at the table when you can build your own table." David Prosperi: “Treat everyone you meet with the same level of respect no matter their position in life.” Jane Ruby: “There are no small gigs, only small people.”  Charles Keller: “Move as far away from Illinois as possible.” (There’s always one.) Are you as open-minded as you used to be? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — RFK Jr.'s 2024 bid is a threat to Republicans — and donor data shows it, by POLITICO’s Brittany Gibson and Jessica Piper — THE FIFTY: 2 governor races will test if Democrats can survive in Trump country, by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro — Jewish leaders to Biden officials: ‘We’ve never seen anything like this ever,’ by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan — Trump fights loom large for a Supreme Court that has tried to ignore him, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein   A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition: Voters are very clear: They support the Tax Credit Scholarship Program by an overwhelming margin of more than 2:1. What’s at stake is the best-fit education of thousands of low-income students who receive a Tax Credit Scholarship or are waiting for one. Over half of the recipients are Black or Brown, and all the recipients qualify based on financial need. We cannot fail these children and their families. The Illinois General Assembly needs to extend the Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program during this fall veto session. In addition to the 9,500 students who currently receive the scholarships, 26,000 more students from low-income and working-class families sit anxiously on the waitlist hoping to receive the same opportunities as some of their peers. This commitment is an investment in poverty reduction and economic acceleration, so lawmakers should do the right thing: Extend the Tax Credit Scholarship Program.   TAKING NAMES — Liz Suwanski of St. Charles doesn't crumble under pressure, wins Food Network's Halloween Cookie Challenge, by the Daily Herald’s Rick West TRANSITIONS — Beth Murphy has been named U.S. Environmental Protection Agency coordinator for Cahokia Heights and the Metro East. She’ll oversee work addressing the flooding, sewage and drinking water crisis, according to Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, who made the announcement. Murphy was a supervisor in EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Ted McClelland for correctly answering that Congressman Joe Cannon was the first Illinoisan to appear on the cover of Time. He represented parts of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives for 23 non-consecutive terms between 1873 and 1923 and was featured in Time’s first edition in March 1923. TODAY’s QUESTION: Which Illinois senator had the same name as a president? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Level-1 Global Solutions CEO Thomas McElroy II, Ariel Investments’ ESG director John Oxtoby and Strata experience management director Eric Allen. -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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