O’Neill Burke pivots to November

Presented by Archer Daniels Midland: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Apr 01, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos and Samantha Latson Presented by Happy April, Illinois. We’ve finally turned a page on the primary. TOP TALKER NEW ERA: Eileen O’Neill Burke came out the winner Friday in the Cook County state’s attorney race against Clayton Harris III, signaling a shift in how the office will address criminal penalties after seeing a spike in recent years in carjackings and retail theft. It follows a pivot by big blue cities across the country, according to a recent POLITICO story. “I said throughout this campaign that I would continue to push forward on the urgent work of criminal justice reform. That remains my commitment,” Harris said in a statement after the race was called. With a contest so close, it’s hard to say it’s exactly a mandate for change. Still, O’Neill Burke enters the November general election in a strong position as she faces Republican Bob Fioretti and Libertarian Andrew Charles Kopinski in the final race to succeed outgoing State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. Happening today: O’Neill Burke hasn’t given interviews yet, but she’ll address supporters at a rally this morning at the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 hall. Toni Preckwinkle is already behind her: O’Neill Burke and the Cook County Board president and Democratic Party leader who endorsed Harris already exchanged support. Preckwinkle congratulated O’Neill Burke, saying she “looks forward” to working with her on “ensuring that our criminal justice system serves every resident.” And O’Neill Burke responded that she looks forward to working with Preckwinkle, too. Their posts are here. How the race wrapped up: Harris conceded Friday after The Associated Press had called the race for O’Neill Burke. She edged Harris out by a mere 1,556. It’s a slim margin, but still too large to try to challenge in an expensive recount. The small margin is surprising, too, given O’Neill Burke outspent Harris with the help of large donations from local business leaders. A big question: Did Republicans who crossed over in the election give O’Neill Burke the win? We’ll find out in the coming days. But some research shows more Republicans voted in Cook County in 2024 (69,408 ballots) than they did in 2020 ( 58,117 ballots cast). And in Chicago, 40,773 Republicans cast ballots for the March 19 primary, compared to 21,552 Republicans in 2020. That means Republicans voted for Republican candidates, not in the Democratic primary. The cool thing: O’Neill Burke and Harris both ran strong campaigns and were able to disagree in debates without debasing each other. Harris gave a classy concession. Campaign managers were gracious, too. Don Black, who ran O’Neill Burke’s campaign: “Clayton and his team are whip smart, tireless, badass & all the things you wish the opposing campaign wasn’t. They have a lot to be proud of today,” he posted on social media. And Alaina Hampton reminded that they’re all on the same Democratic team: “I’m proud to have worked w/ Clayton Harris on his campaign for State’s Attorney. I’m most proud of how both our campaigns supported the integrity of the ballot counting at @ChicagoElection for 10 days. Congrats to Eileen O’Neill Burke. Wishing her success in the Nov. election!,” she posted. RELATED — How Burke could take on Foxx's legacy as state's attorney: “On retail theft, O’Neill Burke has marked a stark departure from both Foxx and Clayton Harris. Foxx had raised the felony prosecution threshold for shoplifters from $300 to $1,000, a policy critics slammed as an incentive for smash-and-grabs. As state’s attorney, Burke said she would uphold the $300 threshold,” by Crain’s Leigh Giangreco. THE BUZZ BREAD AND BUTTER: Gov. JB Pritzker’s political operation just transferred $500,000 into the Illinois Democratic Party’s coffers ahead of the November general election. It’s a trend: The donation follows the $250,000 one he made to the Cook County Democratic Party. The funding will help the party boost voter turnout and excitement ahead of the election and as Chicago welcomes President Joe Biden and the national party for the Democratic National Convention this summer in Chicago.   A message from Archer Daniels Midland: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can create thousands of jobs in downstate communities, helping to strengthen small towns and rural areas while creating corridors of opportunity throughout the state. These projects can provide Illinois a path to decarbonize without deindustrializing, meeting our climate goals while also drawing new investment to our state. Learn more.   WHERE'S JB At mHUB Chicago for the Bloch Tech Hub event at 9:30 a.m. to give remarks at mHUB Chicago, 1623 West Fulton Street. WHERE's BRANDON At the Lawson House YMCA at 30 West Chicago Avenue at 9:30 a.m. to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, where the Chicago chief homelessness officer will make a public announcement. Where's Toni No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com   Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more.     SPOTLIGHT Pritzker and other elected officials celebrated Easter and recognized Transgender Day of Visibility, which both fell on Sunday. “On #TransDayOfVisibility, I stand firmly with you in a state where everyone can be who they authentically are,” Pritzker wrote on X. “Here in Illinois, you’ll always have a home that sees you, accepts you, and respects you.” Biden issued his pannual proclamation acknowledging the day, adding that the “Department of Justice has taken action to push back against extreme and un-American State laws targeting transgender youth and their families.” Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth also denounced “bigotry and hate” on their social accounts. “Many Republican legislators are forcefully pushing a cruel campaign to dehumanize and villainize our trans friends and neighbors,” Durbin wrote. “That bigotry and hate cannot stand.” “This #TransDayofVisibility, we reject senseless hate and celebrate all of the transgender and non-binary Americans who enrich our nation,” Duckworth wrote. 2024 WATCH — Rick Ryan just got a $10,000 donation from the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7 in his bid to win the 36th House District seat currently held by state Rep. Kelly Burke, who is not seeking reelection. Ryan won the March 19 Democratic primary against the more left-leaning Sonia Khalil. Ryan now faces Republican Christine McGovern Shanahan, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. —  Democrats hope Biden could get a boost from down-ballot races under Wisconsin’s new legislative map, by the Tribune’s Thomas Beaumont and Scott Bauer   A message from Archer Daniels Midland:   THE STATEWIDES — After federal cuts, Illinois rape crisis centers ask state for help: ‘It’s essential that services be there’: Advocates at sexual abuse crisis centers across Illinois wrestle with intense pressures stemming from “crushing workloads, stagnant wages and unsteady job security,” by the Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington. — State spends $73M to protect Illinois’ only undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline: “Breakwater structures at Illinois Beach State Park aim to mitigate erosion,” by Capitol News’ Cole Longcor. CHICAGO — Could ShotSpotter be kept in some wards? Alderpeople to debate proposal: The Committee on Police and Fire will debate today if local alderpersons can decide to maintain ShotSpotter in their designated wards, by the Block Club’s Quinn Myers. — With logjam over police discipline broken, Snelling faces early leadership test, by the Tribune’s Sam Charles   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Calumet City leaders spar as Ald. Monet Wilson accuses Mayor Thaddeus Jones of disabling her email account, by the Daily Southtown’s Hank Sanders — Glencoe to consider adopting home rule government, by the Pioneer Press’ Daniel I. Dorfman DAY IN COURT — Avalon Regal Theater owner sues city, South Side Ald. Michelle Harris: Jerald Gary says officials are trying to undermine his ownership of the legendary Bronzeville theater, by the Block Club’s Maxwell Evans. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump’s VP search is starting to get serious, by POLITICO’s Meredith McGraw, Natalie Allison and Burgess Everett — Key Bridge collapse a national economic catastrophe, Maryland’s governor says, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity — Sunday marks both Easter and the Transgender Day of Visibility. Cue the culture war, by POLITICO’s Olivia Alafriz and Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing   A message from Archer Daniels Midland: ADM’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions can play a critical role in decarbonizing Illinois industries, including aviation, manufacturing, and agriculture. CCS can also boost the economies of downstate communities, providing thousands of jobs and new investment opportunities. Read more.   EVENTS — Thursday: A discussion on the Illinois pension situation will feature state Sen. Robert Martwick, Better Government Association’s David Greising and Illinois Policy Institute’s Bryce Hill. The Tribune’s Ray Long will moderate. The event is sponsored by the Public Affairs Committee's State and Local Government Subcommittee. Details here HAPPY BIRTHDAY MWRD Commissioner Cam Davis, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center CEO Dan Hostetler, Klarna head of strategy Natalia Brzezinski, Sen. Bill Hagerty’s deputy chief of staff Julia Hahn, Tempus Labs’ Senior Products Manager Caity Moran and entrepreneur Jimmy Lee.   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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