Was ceasefire vote really a win?

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Feb 01, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by Happy February, Illinois. Biden’s money machine, Trump’s legal bills and other takeaways from 2024 money race, via POLITICO TOP TALKER Mayor Brandon Johnson’s progressive allies are savoring victory after the City Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for a cease-fire in the Middle East. The council then voted 23-to-23 on the resolution, leaving Johnson to break the tie — and making Chicago the largest city in the country to pass a ceasefire resolution. The dramatic vote will go down in City Hall history as one to remember. But there will always be an asterisk by it: Johnson told two of his top lieutenants to “take a walk” before the vote if they were going to vote no, according to the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and Sophie Sherry. Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., who also served as vice mayor, and Ald. Stephanie Coleman, the assistant president pro tempore of the council, left the chamber. Had they voted on the resolution, it would have failed. Burnett declined to comment, and Coleman didn’t return a request for comment. Also absent from the vote were Ald. Pat Dowell and Ald. Emma Mitts. Chicago Alds. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez, left, and Daniel La Spata talk to City Clerk Anna Valencia ahead of the vote. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO Take-aways: Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez, who carried the resolution with Ald. Daniel La Spata, said she was “very proud and happy” for the Palestinian community. Ald. Debra Silverstein, who opposed the resolution, said she was “disappointed” in how the mayor handled the vote by failing to bring aldermen together to work out a compromise. What's next: Now the council is more divided than ever. Here’s how they voted ON POLITICO’s HOME PAGE: Ceasefire vote reveals deep divisions among Democrats, by your Playbook host ALSO FROM CITY COUNCIL — Judge halts all proceedings before Chicago Police Board after City Council again delays vote on what cases can be heard in private: “During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Johnson’s allies used a parliamentary maneuver to push back a vote on whether cops facing dismissal or suspensions over one year can choose to have their cases heard by an arbitrator instead of the police board,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and Tom Schuba. THE BUZZ TRIBUNE GOES ON STRIKE: More than 250 Tribune Publishing employees in Chicago and across the country are refusing to work today to protest the deadlock in negotiations with Alden Global Capital. The one-day walkout affects most of the company’s suburban papers, including the Daily Southtown, Naperville Sun and Aurora Beacon News, as well as the Orlando Sentinel and Morning Call in Allenton, Pa., among others. Tribune employees have been fighting corporate owners for five years in an effort to protect their wages and other benefits. Today’s walkout is the single largest coordinated action taken against Alden, which purchased Tribune Publishing in 2021. It’s also a first for Chicago: “There’s never been a newspaper strike in Chicago,” veteran journalist Rob Warden told the Sun-Times. “It’s never happened.” Employees are protesting a proposal that gives Alden the ability to eliminate the company’s 401k match and for refusing to give across-the-board pay increases. Most reporters haven’t seen raises in more than five years — even while the cost of living has risen in Chicago, according to reporters. “We see these as very reasonable requests to preserve our ability to earn a livelihood doing journalism in Chicago and across Illinois,” Tribune political reporter Dan Petrella told Playbook. “We’re not looking for the moon and stars. But we’re fighting to preserve our 401k match and wages to keep up with inflation or attempt to, and to make sure that people in our newsroom are paid fairly regardless of race or gender.” Zoom rally with Tribune journalists today at 9:30 a.m. RSVP here. If you are Heath Freeman of Alden Capital, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com   A message from Amazon: Amazon combines comprehensive benefits with free skills training to help hourly employees learn and earn more. Drew used one of Amazon’s free, on-the-job training programs while working at a fulfillment center. “Now I’m an IT specialist,” he said. Learn about career advancement opportunities at Amazon.   WHERE'S JB At the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago at 11 a.m. to unveil an anti-violence initiative. WHERE's BRANDON At the UIC Forum at 8:45 a.m. to attend the Blacks in Green Communities Technical Assistance Center kickoff — At the South Shore Cultural Center at 11 a.m. for the anti-violence program. Where's Toni At Union Station at 9:30 a.m. to mark the launch of the Access Pilot Program that expands reduced price transit access to low-income folks. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com   CONGRESS OVERDRIVE: Since day one, POLITICO has been laser-focused on Capitol Hill, serving up the juiciest Congress coverage. Now, we’re upping our game to ensure you’re up to speed and in the know on every tasty morsel and newsy nugget from inside the Capitol Dome, around the clock. Wake up, read Playbook AM, get up to speed at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report, and fuel your nightly conversations with Inside Congress in the evening. Plus, never miss a beat with buzzy, real-time updates throughout the day via our Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     CONVENTION ZONE — SEE YOU TONIGHT: Your Playbook host will hit the stage with CHRISTY GEORGE, the executive director of the Democratic National Convention’s host committee, at the Hideout. Send questions for Christy or your Playbook host and we’ll tackle them on stage. Email at skapos@politico.com. Here’s how to attend (Let me know if you’re coming so I can give you a shout-out!) 2024 WATCH — Objectors to Trump's primary candidacy appeal to courts after Board of Elections decision: "A prompt ruling from this court, to allow sufficient time for further appellate review in advance of the looming ballot deadlines, is of the utmost importance," the appeal reads, via the State Journal Register’s Patrick M. Keck. Here’s the filing — City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is being endorsed by Alds. Jeanette Taylor and Chris Taliaferro in her bid for Congress in the IL-07 District. — Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) has been endorsed by the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois in his re-election bid. — State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid has issued an updated Latino endorsement list in his reelection bid for the 21st District seat. Comptroller Susana Mendoza is not on the list. Rashid’s team said she was mistakenly included on Wednesday’s list. Mendoza’s team confirms she hasn’t endorsed. — Sonia Anne Khalil has been endorsed by SEIU Illinois State Council in her bid for state representative in the 36th District Democratic primary. — Eileen O'Neill Burke has been endorsed by the Southland Black Chamber of Commerce in her bid for Cook County state's attorney. — Planned Parenthood of Illinois is out with its endorsements for the primary. THE STATEWIDES — Developers eyeing new White Sox stadium at The 78 meet with state Democratic leaders: “Developers did not ask for state money, but instead said they want the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to rearrange existing bonds,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — Illinois farmers are in D.C. advocating for a new farm bill, by WBEZ’s Lauren Frost. CHICAGO — CPS principal files police report saying Chicago Teachers Union president made ‘very concerning’ comments: “William Hozian, principal of Stevenson Elementary School at 8040 S. Kostner Ave., reported that Stacy Davis Gates spoke to attendees at a union meeting and said, ‘In talking to my Stevenson brothers and sisters, I told them they should punch their principal in the face,’” reports WTTW’s Paris Schutz. — Latest shooting kills one CPS student, wounds two others in Edgewater: ‘It has to end, the harm and the chaos,’ by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez. — Chance the Rapper playing Bridgeport’s revived Ramova Theatre, by the Block Club’s Joe Ward.   A message from Amazon:   SPOTTED — Circuit Court Judge Celia Gamrath’s campaign hosted a fundraiser for her appellate court race Wednesday. Guests packed the house at Hubbard Inn. Spotted: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, attorney Tony Romanucci, Democratic Committeeman Paul Rosenfeld, Ald. Timmy Knudsen, Ald. Bill Conway, Commissioner Larry Rogers, Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan, Deputy Secretary of State Hanah Jubeh, insider lobbyists Nick and Anthony Jackson and John D'Alessandro and too many lawyers to count. TAKING NAMES — Playing Carnegie Hall: Dimitrios Dallas, senior project manager for Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office, and Peter Kourkouvis, an attorney who clerked in the office’s legal department, performed earlier this week in a concert salute to the late Greek composer Dinos Konstantinidis. Dallas played bouzouki and lyre and Kourkouvis played soprano saxophone.   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 what song you can sing by heart: Matthew Beaudet: “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin. “Gotta love a lyric ‘sing and cry Valhalla, I am coming!” Javier Gloria: “Blessings” by Chance the Rapper (featuring Jamila Woods). Lucas Hawley: “Boston” by Kenny Chesney. Mark Heffington: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee." Mark Huddle: “You Never Even Call Me By My Name” by Steve Goodman Steven McKenzie: Michigan State University Fight Song. Joe Moore and Judith Weinstein, both know Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” by heart. Jeff Nathan: "Toot, Toot, Tootsie" by Al Jolson. Brent Pruim: “You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra. David Schwartz: “Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof.” Scott Simon: A little-known song from Calamity Jane (1953) “I Just Blew In from the Windy City.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel Steven Smith: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by the Who. James Straus: “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. John Straus: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Taxman” by the Beatles. NEXT QUESTION: How do you overcome stage fright? THE NATIONAL TAKE — White House escalates attacks on House Republicans for border deal impasse, by POLITICO’s Jennifer Haberkorn — Why Taylor Swift Is Making Conservatives Crazy, by POLITICO’s Rich Lowry — House passes $78B tax bill in rare bipartisan vote, by POLITICO’s Benjamin Guggenheim Transitions — Jonathan (Jon) Ksiazek is a partner in Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s labor and employment practice group. He was with the law firm Robbins DiMonte. — Rianne Hawkins has been promoted to senior director of public policy and advocacy for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and Planned Parenthood of Illinois. She was director.   A message from Amazon: 80% of employees reported skills training is one of their top priorities according to a survey by Workplace Intelligence. But many don’t have access to the programs and opportunities they need to advance their careers. That’s why Amazon has committed $1.2 billion to free technical training and prepaid tuition, so all of their employees have the opportunity to learn and earn more. See the impact.   EVENTS — Sunday: Arne Duncan hosts a conversation on criminal justice reform with Clayton Harris, Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney; former state Sen. Heather Steans; Chicago CRED Policy Director Leo Smith; state Sen. Robert Peters; and state Reps. Kam Buckner and Tracy Katz-Muhl, among others. Details here — March 1: DNC Chair Minyon Moore headlines Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s “Women in Power” fundraiser for Democrats for the Illinois House. Details here TRIVIA WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mark McCombs for correctly answering that in 1985, J. Val Klump, a scientist at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, was the first person to reach the bottom of Lake Michigan. TODAY's QUESTION: Who’s the serial killer who placed marriage ads in local papers to lure their victims? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Sen. Willie Preston, Illinois Department of Transportation Director of Legislative Affairs Aaron Gold-Stein, Kirkland & Ellis’ William S. Singer, founding member of Center for Illinois politics and former legislator John Millner, Chicago State University external affairs VP Erin Steva, Chicagoland Apartment Association Executive VP Mike Mini, Bridge Legal senior intake specialist Hannah Beer, political analyst Charles Lipson, 14th Street Strategies’ Meaghan Burdick and congressional comms director Miguel Ayala. -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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