Pritzker presses Biden on migrants

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

Nov 10, 2023 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by the Save My Scholarship Coalition TGIF, Illinois. A big salute to all the veterans out there. TOP TALKER Gov. JB Pritzker greets President Joe Biden at Rockford airport Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. | Evan Vucci/AP Gov. JB Pritzker met with President Joe Biden for 45 minutes during his day crisscrossing Illinois, and a big part of their conversation was about the migrant crisis. His ask: Pritzker, who is a close ally of Biden and serves as a surrogate on the campaign trail, lobbied the president for humanitarian aid and expedited work permits for asylum seekers not covered by Biden’s “temporary protected status” actions, according to a spokeswoman. The governor also addressed the need for federal coordination to protect asylum seekers from Chicago winter. The other ask: Pritzker also lobbied for discretionary infrastructure projects statewide. Biden listened, and that’s not surprising. He has high esteem for the governor, often crediting Pritzker with helping to elect him in 2020. The urgency of it all: Pritzker’s sit-down with Biden on migrant issues comes as the city of Chicago is desperately trying to prop up housing to get migrants off the floors of police stations and the airport ahead of winter. The state continues to spend on the wrap-around services that migrants need. On Thursday, Biden flew into Rockford and visited Belvidere to celebrate a labor deal that allows the Stellantis auto plant to stay open and hire more people. After the speech, Biden flew to Midway and then was driven to the city’s West Side for a fundraiser hosted by Glen Tullman. In the room: Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former Gov. Pat Quinn. Protesters were there, too: The event was private and held in the shadow of a pro-Palestinian protest that drew well over a thousand people. Some takeaways: Biden wanted to talk American jobs in Illinois — but couldn’t escape Gaza backdraft, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and your playbook host Biden visits Belvidere to celebrate UAW victory in restarting plant, saving ‘the beating heart’ of a small auto town, by Tribune’s Robert Channick and Rick Pearson THE BUZZ CAPITOL WRAP-UP: The nuke bill passed, the Invest in Kids scholarship program fizzled and the elected school board plan needs more work. Here are the top lines: Lawmakers approve plan to allow small-scale nuclear development: “Proponents say it is a step to make the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels more reliable for customers throughout the state, while opponents warn the unproven technology comes with safety risks and the potential for cost overruns,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams. Lawmakers fail to extend private-school scholarships: “Despite continued pressure from Republicans and a constant presence around the Capitol of advocates in blue 'Save My Scholarship' T-shirts, lawmakers left town without extending the $75 million 'Invest in Kids' program providing needs-based scholarships. The five-year-old program, which produced about 40,000 scholarships, ends Dec. 31,” by The Associated Press’ John O’Connor. Lawmakers leave Springfield without final plan for Chicago elected school board: “Divisions over the city’s elected school board remain — including disagreement over how many members should be appointed versus elected next year. The issue will likely be kicked to January when legislators return for the lame duck session,” by Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. If you are Glen Tullman, 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 No official public events. WHERE's BRANDON No official public events. Where's Toni At Plumbers Hall at 6:45 p.m. for the Chicago Women in Trades gala. Before you booze it up, email me at 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.     CHICAGO — City Council OKs paid leave measure requiring 10 days off: “Chicago employers will be required to provide at least 10 days off to their full-time employees beginning next year under the city’s new paid leave law approved Thursday by the City Council,” by Crain’s Justin Laurence. — THE WATCHDOGS | Brandon Johnson wasn’t supposed to take campaign money from city contractors, but he did: “A campaign aide calls it an ‘oversight’ and says $46,500 is being returned, agreeing that the ethics rule is ‘a sound and necessary policy to ensure a fair government,’” by Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth and Tim Novak. — Anti-Defamation League condemns Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez use of controversial phrase she says is a call for Palestinian liberation, by WTTW’s Paris Schutz — Third city employee accused Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin of unethical conduct, records show, by Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt — Bill boosting Chicago Police Officers’ pensions clears General Assembly, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone and INFO VIDEO by Amanda Vinicky — Giant balloons will be back at Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade, by Block Club’s Joanna Hou TRANSITIONS — Dr. Allison Arwady takes job at top U.S. health agency to curb overdoses, suicides: “After leading Chicago through the Covid-19 pandemic, the city’s public health commissioner was abruptly fired by Mayor Brandon Johnson. She joins President Joe Biden’s administration in January,” by Sun-Times’ Brett Chase. The Trial of Edward Burke — Ed Burke trial on hold for a week after lawyer tests positive for Covid: “Burke’s trial is expected to last six weeks, until mid-December. But the slow jury selection and Covid delay now threaten to push the trial deep into the holiday season,” by WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel.   A message from the Save My Scholarship Coalition:   THE STATEWIDES — Attention, veterans: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is forming a Veterans Advisory Board to bring attention to programs and services offered by his department that benefit veterans. — Illinois lawmakers validate referendums creating mental health funding for 5 suburban townships and Will County, by Tribune’s Robert McCoppin — State Rep. Matt Hanson charged with DUI in Montgomery, by Shaw Local’s Brenda Schory 2024 WATCH — Eileen O’Neill Burke has been endorsed by the Painters District Council 14, Sprinkler Fitters and Automobile Mechanics unions in her bid to run Cook County state’s attorney. O’Neill Burke says the union support is meaningful as her late father was a labor leader with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) which is now known as UNITE HERE. — Debate watch recap: The Chicago GOP held a presidential debate watch party Wednesday at Moretti’s in Edison Park — and they took a straw poll. Nikki Haley won with 39 percent, up from 17 percent in September’s poll. Ron DeSantis got 27 percent, up from 19.5 percent in September. Vivek Ramaswamy had 24 percent Wednesday, down from 44 percent in September. Tim Scott had 6 percent Wednesday, 0 percent in September. And Chris Christie was 3 percent Wednesday, 0 percent in September. In the room: State Central Committee member Jeanne Ives, Chicago GOP Chair Steve Boulton, State's Attorney candidate Bob Fioretti and ward committee members Brian Kasal, Mike Bendas, Evan Kasal, Barry Bebart, Ammie Kessem, Laura Kotelman, Joe Tamraz and Chicago GOP Executive Director Jeff Fiedler.   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 you’ve called your alderman about.  Josh Mogerman: “One January morning, I found a dead possum frozen solid and curled around the railing to my stoop. I couldn’t reach Animal Control or Streets and San, so I called the alderman and eventually city workers pried it away.” Lisa Brasch: “I emailed Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth to thank her for regularly sending helpful alerts, most recently when the L was shut down for hours after a fake bomb was found on my block.” Robert Christie called for tree-trimming "and to get a major sidewalk crack repaired. Success on both counts.” Ray Sendejas: “I called Ald. Brian Hopkins’ office to get 'no parking' signs put up so our moving truck could park on the block.” Kim Morton: “I once called former Ald. Vi Daley office complaining about Mayor Richard M. Daley bulldozing Meigs Field.” Jeff Nathan: “I’ve called him a lot of things.” Everyone’s a comedian. Warren Silver: “City services, tree-trimming, snow-plowing and I've floated policy ideas." Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Street-sweeping, tree-trimming, potholes and permit expediting.” THE NATIONAL TAKE — How McConnell helped engineer Manchin’s exit, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Ally Mutnick — ‘No, screw him': Top Democrat balks at Tuberville push to move abortion debate to defense bill, by POLITICO’s Conor O’Brien and Joe Gould — Trump’s false election claims lurk in background as court weighs robocall case, 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.   TRIVIA THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Randy Bukas for correctly answering the Quad Cities is where the only bend in the Mississippi River where the river flows east to west. TODAY's QUESTION: Where is Little Cubs Field located?? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: Cresco Labs chief comms officer Jason Erkes, Illinois State Society’s Howard Marks, Highland Park City Manager Ghida Neukirch, Chicago Public Schools senior adviser Chuck Swirsky, Rodriguez Media Communications CEO Eve Rodriguez Montoya, Wand-TV political reporter Mike Miletich and Crain’s senior reporter Ally Marotti. Saturday: Lobbyist and former state Rep. Mike Zalewski, Illinois Department of Human Services legislative liaison Kieran Fitzgerald, ONE Northside Operations Manager Becky Wanberg, Beam Suntory Sustainability Director Ashley Bromagen and boarding school exec Will Boscow. Sunday: Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, HOPE Fair Housing Center Executive Director and former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, economist and Nobel Prize winner Michael Kremer, Health Action Alliance Executive Director Mark SooHoo, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Executive Director Susan Shulman, comms leader Patrick Hillmann and digital marketing pro Moriah Meeks. -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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