A lean budget buffet

Presented by McDonald's: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Feb 08, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by McDonald's Happy Thursday, Illinois. Another one bites the dust in the presidential race, via POLITICO. TOP TALKER The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO PASS THE GREMOLATA: Gov. JB Pritzker hosted House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and their chiefs of staffs and budget teams, including the newly named House Budget Director Endra C. Curry, for dinner earlier this week at the governor’s mansion On the menu: Roasted chicken with root vegetables and fried onion gremolata, with a mandarin orange and olive oil cake with royal icing for dessert. “A friendly dinner,” is how one insider called it. Pritzker enjoys engaging with lawmakers away from the negotiating table. Building relationships over a meal can make it easier to work together down the road. The camaraderie will be important this year. The three top leaders (known as the three tops!) are in for a tough battle as they start negotiating the state budget. Revenues are flat — higher than last year but not up much as lawmakers hoped — and demands are still great. Issues that will create tension: The ongoing migrant crisis. Welch established a working group to figure out what the needs might be to handle it. And there are proposals for a statewide child tax credit and too fund a statewide free meals program for school children. (More on those proposals below.) There are also ongoing expenditures such as payments toward pensions that the Pritzker administration has been trying to stay ahead on. State lawmakers will wrap up their week in Springfield today and then work behind the scenes before returning to the Capitol on Feb. 20, ahead of Pritzker’s State of the State address. ALSO AT THE CAPITOL — Proposal for statewide child tax credit: “State Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr., D-Chicago, filed the most recent proposal Wednesday. House Bill 4917 sets a lower threshold at $300 per child starting in 2025 and then have an inflation-adjusted amount in subsequent years,” by the State Journal Register’s Patrick M. Keck. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Watch for state Rep. Maurice West of Rockford and state Sen. Laura Ellman of Naperville, both Democrats, to file bills today pushing for more funds for Illinois students to receive free breakfast and lunch at schools. They are urging the state to find $209 million to the Healthy School Meals campaign that the General Assembly passed last year — but didn’t appropriate money behind it. The program would address children in the suburbs, exurbs and downstate. California and Michigan are among states already serving two hot meals a day to students. — State Rep. Kam Buckner introduces bill that would ban single-family zoning in most Illinois cities: “The bill’s single-family zoning ban could cripple a key tool of Chicago politicians: aldermanic prerogative,” by Crain’s Leigh Giangreco. — IN MEMORIAM: State senators paid tribute Wednesday to James “Pate” Philip, who died in November. Senate Minority Leader John Curran detailed Philips accomplishments, from working in the House to eventually becoming Senate president. Current Senate President Don Harmon credited redistricting under Philip with creating the district Harmon represents today. And Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford drew chuckles with a story about joining on to a bill Philip supported bill and forever being ribbed for supporting Republicans. THE BUZZ TRUMP’s BALLOT DRAMA: Former President Donald Trump is still on the ballot in Illinois. But a Cook County judge ruled Wednesday that challengers can move ahead with their legal effort to get him off. Some background: Last week, the Illinois State Board of Elections rejected the challenges, kicking the case to the local courts to decide. More details from WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. Happening today: The U.S. Supreme Court will consider challenges to Trump getting on the ballot in other states. That could also have an impact on Trump getting on the Illinois ballot since the arguments are the same. It goes to Jan. 6, 2021: At issue is whether Trump’s actions that day disqualify him from holding the presidency because the 14th Amendment bars anyone who’s "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the country from holding federal office. — 6 key questions in Supreme Court fight over Trump’s ballot eligibility, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Meet the lawyers arguing the Trump ballot case at the Supreme Court, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — Democrats are nowhere to be seen ahead of 14th Amendment SCOTUS case, by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro and Anthony Adragna — Durbin calls for Clarence Thomas recusal in the case, by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus — Big Brains: Will Baude, the University of Chicago professor who helped build the first argument that Trump is ineligible for office under the 14th Amendment, headlines the latest Big Brains podcast. If you are the governor’s chef, Playbook would like the recipe for your orange and olive oil cake. Email skapos@politico.com   A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $3.2 billion to Illinois’s economy, supporting over 50,000 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Illinois generated nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.   WHERE'S JB No official public events. WHERE's BRANDON No official public events. Where's Toni At Malcolm X College at 1 p.m. to give remarks at the Safer Foundation's policy conference. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE.     CONVENTION ZONE — One-on-one with Minyon Moore, chair of this year’s Democratic National Convention addresses concerns that Black voters are feeling ignored by the Democratic Party. “You can never discount what a person feels but we have to be clear about what we’ve accomplished,” she told WVON’s Perri Small and Rufus Williams. Moore ticked off accomplishments, including President Joe Biden appointing the first Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, pushing to invest in HBCUs and seeing unemployment at its “lowest in 50 years” in the Black community. Her advice: “Get involved” in politics after elections. “So often we elect [candidates] and go away. We have to stay involved with local communities.” Listen here — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The latest requests for proposal for the Democratic National Convention are for transportation services. During Convention week, the Democratic National Convention Committee will set up a transportation system that shuttles credentialed guests among the United Center, McCormick Place and contracted hotels. Details here 2024 WATCH — DEBATE tonight at 7 p.m.: Cook County state's attorney Democratic primary candidates will debate for an hour: It’s sponsored by the League of Women Voters Chicago with ABC 7, Univision and League of Women Voters of Cook County. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Eileen O'Neill Burke is being endorsed by Democratic Committeewoman and Ald. Debra Silverstein, Ald. Peter Chico and Ald. Brian Hopkins. — QUOTE OF THE DAY:"I considered him an ass, but never a threat,” Congressman Mike Bost said of fellow Congressman Matt Gaetz stumping for Darren Bailey, via POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers. — Maria Peterson’s campaign for state representative in the 52nd District has been endorsed by Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia  and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. With no primary, Peterson is looking to incumbent face Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin in November. — Primary voter guide, by WTTW. — Candidate questionnaires, by the Sun-Times and WBEZ. CHICAGO A proposed White Sox stadium would be located alongside the Chicago River. | Related Midwest photo — GET THE PICTURE: A South Loop Sox park could potentially yield billions of dollars in economic impact for Chicago, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Bally’s Chicago bucks trend with casino revenue gains in January, while new hotel plan remains under review, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick — Mayor must decide on whether to keep shotspotter: Debating the pros and cons are former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson, Ald. Brian Hopkins, researcher Robert Vargas and police accountability expert Freddy Martinez. WTTW’s Brandis Friedman moderates. — Pritzker Military Museum & Library closing Chicago location, retreats to Wisconsin, by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather   A message from McDonald's:   COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — County property tax bills misstated Chicago’s pension debt by more than $37B: “First-installment tax bills mailed last week listed Chicago’s unfunded health care and pension debt as $37,271,645 — billions of dollars less than the city actually owes,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Dolton shooting suspect was free awaiting murder trial: “A little-known provision of the SAFE-T gives people on electronic monitoring more freedom. It’s meant to allow them to take care of basic necessities without being tracked in real-time,” by WGN’s Ben Bradley. — Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s remarks on cease-fire draw protest from Islamic advocacy group, by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan — 33 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested outside Niles manufacturing company, by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez POT-POURRI — Missouri legalized recreational marijuana a year ago. What it means for the Metro East: “ The added competition across the river has meant a noticeable drop in sales tax revenue. Collinsville, for example, saw a 38 percent decrease from 2022 to 2023,” by St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer TAKING NAMES — Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly was in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to talk about “how federal efforts can help support the agency,” according to Duckworth’s team. — William J. Quinlan received an award of excellence from the St. Ignatius Law Society on Wednesday at its annual luncheon at the Union League Club. Quinlan, a former general counsel to the state of Illinois, is a partner in the Quinlan Law Firm and board president for Lawrence Hall and a member of the Cook County Health Foundation board of directors.   YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics.      Reader Digest We asked for your favorite Lincoln art sightings in Springfield. A Capitol statute shows Abraham Lincoln just before he left Illinois for Washington, D.C., in 1861. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO Shawn Healy: “The Lincoln statue in front of the Illinois Capitol.” John Straus: “The Knox College for Lincoln mural at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.” Joe Moore: “The bust of Lincoln in front of his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery. I remember rubbing his nose for good luck during my 8th Grade field trip.” NEXT QUESTION: If money were no object, what would your dream car be? THE NATIONAL TAKE — Loyalty is a one-way street in Donald Trump’s GOP. Just ask Ronna McDaniel, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison and Meridith McGraw — Senate Republicans officially block foreign aid bill with border changes, by POLITICO’s Ursula Perano — Could Taylor Swift tilt Florida blue? It’s Democrats’ wildest dream, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard   A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Illinois, contributing over $3.2 billion to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 38,900 Illinoisans and supporting an additional 12,800 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Illinois began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to call Chicago and Illinois our home, supporting public schools, parks and more through the nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $2.3 million raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 23,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Illinois. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.   EVENTS — March 8: The Chicago Department of Law is hosting an open house for outside counsel opportunities. Deadline to apply is Feb. 23. Details here TRIVIA WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Jim Montgomery and Ashvin Lad for correctly answering that Al Capone’s favorite mayor was two-term Mayor William “Big Bill” Thompson, who ran the city when the mobster was growing his empire. TODAY's QUESTION: Who’s the former Taylorville mayor who was also a  nominee for governor and served as an Illinois Supreme Court justice? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Comms pro Henry Haupt, Illinois Automobile Dealers Association Executive Director Joe McMahon, former Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman, CPA and political candidate Peter Gariepy, Salesforce VP Matt Jaffe and Community Media Workshop co-founder Thom Clark. -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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