| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Getting back into the groove isn't all it's cracked up to be.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Mayor Brandon Johnson is continuing his attacks on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, appearing Tuesday night on CNN to address the ongoing migrant crisis. ‘Not sustainable’: “We have a governor, Gov. Abbott, who has committed to sowing seeds of chaos,” Johnson said, adding that Chicago’s efforts to care for migrants are “not sustainable.” The mayor reiterated previous comments that the federal government should take a coordinated approach to deal with the migrant issue, including getting more asylum seekers through the judicial process. Pressed on being a welcoming city: Johnson said it simply means “that we are not going to ask local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. Gov. Abbott wants to turn local law enforcement into ICE, which actually undermines public safety.” He was referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Weekend drama: Johnson spoke after a long weekend that saw Abbott send 350 migrants to Rockford in an attempt to circumvent Chicago's new rules to fine bus companies that don’t follow procedures for dropping off asylum seekers. Suburban pushback: At least four communities are weighing proposals that would require bus operators to seek approval before they unload people, reports NBC's Daniella Silva. Abbott did the same thing on the East Coast, sending migrants to New Jersey, which was unprepared to care for them. Here’s our national take: Migrant drop-offs in N.J. and Chicago suburbs escalate border wars. Migrant money matters: Johnson is taking heat from some City Council members for pulling $95 million in Covid-relief funding to help care for asylum seekers. The mayor said last year’s budget surplus allowed him to shift the federal American Rescue Plan funds to address migrant issues, but some aldermen disagree. “We’re playing a shell game with millions of dollars, while the people of Chicago are hurting,” Ald. Anthony Beale, who’s butted heads before with Johnson, told NBC 5. “Covid relief money was supposed to go toward relief for the people of Chicago, not migrants who are migrating to our city.” Aldermen were told during small zoom calls with the mayor — eight aldermen to a call to avoid open meeting requirements. Meanwhile: Some newly arrived migrants are sleeping In city buses while waiting for shelter space, by the Block Club’s Quinn Myers, Colin Boyle and Ariel Parrella-Aureli
| | | THE BUZZ | | MADIGAN MATTERS: State Rep. Ryan Spain, a Republican from Peoria, is carrying legislation that calls for taking down any paintings of former House Speaker Michael Madigan from the statehouse in Springfield. Spain’s view: “With indictments delivered for former Speaker Madigan and a trial underway coming up this spring, I thought it was very important that we say no portrait of Speaker Madigan should be hung in the House of Representatives until such time that he may be acquitted,” he told WBEZ’s Dave McKinney. Don’t hold your breath: Madigan’s successor, Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch pushed back at the legislation. Calling it 'hypocrisy': “The only person talking about or considering a portrait for former Speaker Madigan is Leader Ryan Spain,” Welch spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll told WBEZ. “And that’s a special form of hypocrisy to talk about banning portraits while staring at one of former Gov. George Ryan, hanging in the House chamber.” About the court case: A hearing today could determine whether Madigan’s April trial on corruption charges will be put on hold. His lawyers want the case delayed until an unrelated U.S. Supreme court case is resolved because it could have implications here. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday urged U.S. District Judge John Blakey not to delay the trial, via the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. If you are Anthony Beale, 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 GirlForward in Chicago at 10 a.m. to announce $5 million in grants under the Cook County Starting Block Grant initiative. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Chicago abortion-rights and LGBTQ+ advocates submit permit application to march on day before DNC: “Advocates expressed frustration with the Democratic Party for failing to protect abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights,” by the Sun-Times’ Phyllis Cha. — Will the DNC give the West Side an economic jolt? “It’s still not clear how the seven-month-old Johnson administration will roll out a Daley-esque welcome mat, and what types of projects will be prioritized. There's also a question of who will pay for it,” by Crain’s Danny Ecker
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — About 1 percent of Illinois gun owners registered banned weapons before deadline, by My Stateline’s John Clark — New laws in Illinois expand unpaid leave for grieving family members, by WCIA’s Danny Connolly and Theodora Koulouvaris — State Rep. Matt Hanson pleads guilty to DUI. He was sentenced to 12 months of supervision, a fine, 100 hours community service, reports Shaw Local’s Brenda Schory
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Wall Street’s seismic shift propels Dallas past Chicago, LA: “Dallas saw three of Wall Street’s largest banks start on new campuses this year, cementing their bets on one of the fastest-growing metros in one of the fastest-growing states. The industry’s rapid Texas expansion since the onset of the pandemic means the area now has more finance workers than Chicago or Los Angeles, trailing only New York,” according to Yahoo Finance’s Shelly Hagan. An alderman responds: “We have to change the narrative by demonstrating that we are a business friendly city,” Ald. Gil Villegas, who chairs the Economic, Capital and Technology Development Committee, told Playbook. “Let's focus on the new quantum technology opportunities for our city and state and not allow politics to divide us.” — Mayoral fireworks: Mayor Brandon Johnson rang in the new year at an event at River Roast along the Chicago River where the city showcased fireworks. The administration wants to make New Year’s Eve on the river a regular event. Top aide Jason Lee told Playbook it’s a good way to fill downtown hotels during the winter. — Chicago Board of Ed wants cops out of public schools this fall, principals told, by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp — Chicago Skyway tolls increase to $7.20 for most cars and trucks, by the Block Club’s Monique Mulima — POT POURI: Cannabis companies drop controversial plan for weed shop at site of former Rainforest Cafe, by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Iris Martinez, the incumbent clerk of the court of Cook County, has been endorsed by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) 150 in her reelection bid. Local 150 represents thousands of construction workers in Cook County. — State Rep. Barbara Hernandez is running for re-election in the 50th District, and the Republican Party is in discussions on a possible challenge. Your Playbook host mischaracterized the seat in Tuesday’s newsletter.
| | | TAKING NAMES | | | — John Kim, associate general counsel at Edward Jones in Bloomington, has been named chair of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. Illinois Appellate Court Justice Sharon Johnson of Chicago will serve as vice chair. Amanda Hamilton of Konicek & Dillon in Geneva and Eirene Salvi of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in Chicago are commissioners
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what your Ted talk would be: Brian Bernardoni: “Why the price of a hot dog matters: When the price gets too expensive, it’s the worst sign for local neighborhoods.” Andrew Davis: “Dealing with adversity.” Lissa Druss: “Why no one should ever say, ‘No comment.’” Michael Gascoigne: “Educating people about schizoaffective disorder.” Lucas Hawley: “City Halls of America: The good, the bad and the ugly.” Sheila Black Haennicke: “Transform tragedy with the power of love.” Timothy Jackson, a government lobbyist for AIDS Foundation Chicago: “The power of making and keeping promises.” Jesus Magallon, a Chicago Police officer who works in community policing: “Creative ways to get Chicago's public agencies to work together to solve problems.” Mark Rosenberg: “Just the Facts: How to access information on the net for young people.” Patrica Ann Watson: “Establishment or Revisionist Synthesis: Latin America and U.S. relations when the chickens come home to roost.” Next question: What supplies would you need to survive in the wilderness for a month?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump, king of drama, sucks all of it out of the GOP nomination fight, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren — THE FIFTY: Why abortion doesn’t help Dems win at the ballot, by Alice Miranda Ollstein, Jessica Piper and Madison Fernandez — Harvard governing board, activists say former president was a victim of racism, by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Shirley Hill, who worked in Rep. Danny Davis’ district office, died Monday after suffering a heart attack, according to the congressman's office. “Ms. Hill has been a longtime volunteer and very valuable staff member in my district office. She will be sorely missed,” Davis said in a statement. Services are pending.
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Dan McManus has been named deputy director of external relations for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He starts Monday. McManus has been director of strategic initiatives for Sen. Tammy Duckworth. — Patricia Lopez has been hired as a Midwest columnist for Bloomberg. She was a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial writer, via Talking Biz News.
| | EVENTS | | — Jan. 9: The Executives’ Club of Chicago holds its Economic Outlook 2024 event. Headliners: KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk, Ariel Investments co-CEO John W. Rogers Jr., Kane County Cougars baseball club owner and former Deutsche Asset Management Vice Chair Bob Froehlich and columnist Terry Savage. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Josh Mogerman and Jake Girmscheid for correctly answering that Sufjan Stevens sang about John Wayne Gacy on his 2005 "Illinoise” album. TODAY's QUESTION: Who's the Springfield native whose basketball career included an NBA all-star game appearance, two all-defensive team awards and four championships? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Metropolitan Water District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, McGuireWoods consultant and former state Rep. Kent Gaffney, Illinois Democrats’ Deputy Political Director Jessica Genova, Latin teacher Nava Cohen, event planner Michelle Nicole Durpetti, wine guru Chris Mack and education leader Mike Shoudy. -30- | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | 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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