Brandon Johnson hits back

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

May 13, 2024 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by  Good Monday morning, Illinois. The aurora borealis was all the scene in central Illinois, via CI Proud. TOP TALKER Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses security issues for the upcoming Democratic National Convention during a press conference March 6, 2024. | Erin Hooley/AP PLAYBOOK Q&A: Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back at critics who say he’s not doing anything to avoid chaos at the Democratic National Convention this August in Chicago. Top of mind: “Keeping people safe and protected is something that is a top priority for me,” Johnson told Playbook in an interview Saturday before he joined convention organizers to mark the event’s 100-day countdown. “Look, I'm working with local law enforcement, including our police department, the Secret Service to ensure that the convention is peaceful and safe. And yet it still has to be full of energy and vibrancy that ultimately propels President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris back into the White House,” the mayor said. Our interview has been edited for length and clarity: What’s the biggest challenge in putting on a successful convention? Dispelling myths, he said. “Homicides or shootings are down certainly, but there's still work to be done. I'm confident that the beauty of the soul of Chicago will be on full display.” You started your first year having to handle the migrant crisis. What is the plan for addressing it during the convention? “You’re already seeing a strong coordination between administration brought together and state and county resources. We don’t have a single person in our airports or our police stations right now. [And] not one bus has arrived in the city of Chicago since December. They’re going to the suburbs because the governor of Texas is not interested in any type of coordinated response. We have an operation that has been built around people's humanity, and we're going to continue to use the full force of government while still making critical investments in Chicago.” During your trip to Springfield last week, did you get a sense lawmakers might be willing to give an inch on the Bears or Chicago Public School students? Regarding school funding: “The state of Illinois recognizes that the algorithm or the funding formula that they voted on [in 2016] shows the people of Chicago are owed $1.1 billion. So that's just a fact. Now whether or not they decide to provide the city of Chicago what they deserve. I mean, that that's something that I'm going to continue to push for. But that really comes down to leadership in Springfield to determine whether or not the largest school district state of Illinois deserves its just right.” Regarding the Bears: “The proposal that the Bears have put forward provides public benefit and public use. It would build a dome stadium that gives public benefit and public use with billionaire dollars and visitor dollars [i.e. hotel taxes]. This stadium would not only be built by billionaires and visitors, it would be publicly owned. If someone thinks we can do better than 72 percent of it being financed by ownership and the other 28 percent with visitors, they should speak now.” One idea: “With the Inflation Reduction Act, there are countless opportunities for us to redo our infrastructure and do it, you know, in a sustainable way. And those infrastructure dollars that I'm calling for from the federal government, we will be applying for. It's not just about the lakefront. It's for the neighborhoods as well.” How is your relationship with the governor? “Look at what we've done together. I can't control how people characterize it, but I can tell you, the governor is going before the General Assembly requesting $182 million for this migrant mission. The governor made a commitment to the stand up shelters. I asked him to do it. He said yes. So this is the stuff that we have done together, you know. People can characterize it however they want, but the fact of the matter is, we've gotten work done, and we've done it together.” Can you talk about the stress of the job and how you’re handling it? “It's humbling to serve in this capacity. It has only been one year. I’m 100 percent certain that my first year in office is more substantial than any other administration's, from passing a sub-minimum wage ordinance to abolishing debt to expanding paid time off. There are the United and American Airlines deals. We're building affordable homes downtown. We've already had 100 affordable homes and another 700 are in the works. We've responded to the unhoused. We passed the largest bond deal in the history of Chicago to build homes and create economic development.” And personally, he added: “I'm riding my bike, eating healthy, and my wife and I are celebrating 26 years of marriage in a month.” The mayor’s been on a publicity blitz ahead of his taking the oath of office May 15, 2023. In a Tribune story headlined: Former activist grapples with being the boss, Johnson further addressed the migrant crisis, upheaval in the City Council and controversial votes: “I’m also proud that the city of Chicago led the way the beginning this year of passing a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza,” he said. “And I’m so grateful that I got a chance to vote to break the tie,” the Tribune’s Alice Yin, Jake Sheridan and A.D. Quig report. THE BUZZ Donald Trump, speaking at a 2007 news conference on construction progress of his hotel, has drawn scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP TRUMP’s CHICAGO PROBLEM: He may owe $100M from double-dip tax breaks, audit shows: “A previously unknown focus of an IRS audit is a dubious accounting maneuver that effectively meant taking the same write-offs twice on a Chicago skyscraper,” according to The New York Times’ Russ Buettner and ProPublica’s Paul Kiel. From the story: Trump’s 92-story hotel tower has been a “vast money loser.” A report by the Internal Revenue Services says the former president went too far in trying to get some tax benefits from his losses and “in effect wrote off the same losses twice.” If you are Donald Trump, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com   A message from Amazon: Abel turned a job at Amazon’s Rockford, Illinois fulfillment center into a transportation career, thanks to Amazon Career Choice. As the largest job creator in the U.S Amazon is committed to helping their employees thrive with benefits starting on day one and free, on-the-job skills training. See how Amazon empowers employees.   WHERE'S JB At the Lawndale Christian Health Center at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate Medicaid redetermination efforts. WHERE's BRANDON At Malcolm X College at 11 a.m. for a Crossing Guard Appreciation Ceremony. Where's Toni No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com   THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists. Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY.     CONVENTION ZONE — Chicago City Council Public Safety chair wants details of convention transportation plan: “Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) plans to hold City Council hearings to find out how many CTA buses will be shuttling delegates to and from the United Center, whether dedicated bus lanes will be used and whether the transit agency will be able to recruit enough employees without ‘adjusting service,’” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — 100-day countdown: Democratic Convention organizers kick off a week of civic action in neighborhoods across the city, via Fox 32’s Dane Placko — ‘We have a right to conduct a convention,’ too, says Democratic Convention Chair Minyon Moore in response to protests, by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — In Milwaukee: GOP escalates fight with Secret Service over convention protesters: “A cadre of senior GOP officials had a lengthy argument with Secret Service officials in Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon. … The Republicans repeatedly pushed the agency to widen the perimeter so that a prominent city park about a quarter-mile from the arena could not be used by the city for a designated protest zone,” by The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — State Rep. Mark Walker appointed to vacant Illinois Senate seat: He'll replace Ann Gillespie as the state senator for the Northwest suburbs’ 27th District, Democratic Party officials decided Saturday, by the Daily Herald’s Charles Keeshan. — Next up: Here's the weighted vote each committeeperson has to fill Walker's 53rd District House seat, via Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore — Raja Krishnamoorthi clocked out TikTok. Can he dominate a Senate run? Crain’s Leigh Giangreco questions Krishnamoorthi’s “likability” while also noting he’s a powerhouse fundraiser. — Chicago political wonks consider how Middle East war might impact the presidential race, by Derrick Blakley for Center for Illinois Politics THE STATEWIDES — Illinois could be the next state to curb ‘captive audience meetings’ on labor issues at work: “Measure that would prohibit employers from holding mandatory meetings with anti-union messages for employees,” by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander. — State 'intends' to keep Logan Correctional Center open during proposed rebuild, by Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore — Illinois State Police investigation into bomb threats at two state buildings results in arrest, via WSJD — MEDIA MATTERS: LGBTQ+ newspaper opens new brick and mortar in Springfield, by News Channel 20’s Kaira Willis   A message from Amazon:   CHICAGO — Boeing delivery delays are hitting Chicago ahead of busy summer travel season: “Southwest Airlines is slashing the number of flights it will offer out of O’Hare by 33 percent, according to data from aviation firm Cirium,” by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat. — U. of C. study shows cops at high risk of misconduct also at elevated risk for off-duty trouble, by the Tribune’s Caroline Kubzansky — Moms of missing refuse to give up searching and hoping, by the Sun-Times’ Mohammad Samra — City domestic violence shelters frequently ran out of beds in 2023, according to new report, by the Tribune’s Caroline Kubzansky — Chicago transit ridership rebounding slower than other cities across the country, by WBEZ’s Amy Qin DAY IN COURT — Judge orders ‘pink slime’ publications to remove voters’ personal information: “A Lake County judge has given the company that publishes far-right websites and flyers designed to look like newspapers until 5 p.m. Monday to remove some personally identifiable voter information it publicly posted earlier this year,” by the Tribune’s Rick Pearson. — Class action over mandatory meditation, 'Hindu rituals' In Chicago public school proceeds, by Patch’s Jonah Meadows   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE.     Reader Digest We asked how you both celebrate and honor Memorial Day: We didn’t get any feedback, but we know flags and poppies are a good way to honor loved ones and picnics celebrate life. NEXT QUESTION: What was your first job out of high school? DELEGATION — Congresswoman Lauren Underwood  is now the top House Democrat in charge of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, a policy focus she sought since she came to Congress five years ago. “You can really have an impact. People understand the work at home. We keep the country safe,” says Underwood, who unexpectedly rose to the top Democratic spot on the Appropriations subcommittee after former ranking member, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, was charged with accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, via POLITICO’s Budget & Appropriations newsletter. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Bob Menendez corruption trial, Round 2: Prosecutors have ‘compelling’ narrative, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman and Ry Rivard — Trump, escalating attacks at rally, says Biden is ‘surrounded by fascists,’ by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Myah Ward — National Dem strategy worries state abortion-rights leaders, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly and Alice Miranda Ollstein — OPINION: Why not handle the migrant crisis at the border with a new Ellis Island? Former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno writes in the Sun-Times Transitions — James Hartmann is now a managing director at Mercury Public Affairs in Illinois. He has been chief counsel to the Illinois House speaker.   A message from Amazon: Amazon is committed to helping their employees and the communities where they operate thrive with free on-the-job skills training and prepaid tuition benefits. Abel completed a trucking program through Amazon Career Choice to start working in transportation. Now he’s using the tuition benefits. “Amazon is paying for me to go to the school,” he said. Learn more.   EVENTS — Tuesday: The Dave Caucus Party is back with musical guest: the Boat Drink Caucus band (Illinois Senate President Don Harmon plays guitar). Details here TRIVIA FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Andy Shaw for correctly answering that the ice cream sundae was so named after Evanston religious leaders protested naming the treat being named for the "Sunday" Sabbath. So, distributors changed the spelling to “Sundae.” TODAY’s QUESTION: What summertime party staple did Leo Hulseman invent? HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Carrie Hamilton, Cook County Assessor Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Williams, Chicago Housing Authority Development Director Ahlam Khouri, state Rep. Margaret Croke Chief of Staff Jacqueline Duarte, political fundraiser Mia Phifer, Newberg Group Fundraising Director Emma Werden, Illinois Senate Dems comms specialist Celeste Holmes, Caterpillar Foundation Chief Strategy Officer Brian Colgan, broadcaster Mark Giangreco, summer associate Zachary Elvove and adventurer Leslie Oddy Toepfer. And belated greetings to Ertharin Cousin, former head of the United Nations World Food Programme, who celebrated Sunday. -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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