| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. We’re waiting for news on the veepstakes. PROTEST ZONE: The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is less than two weeks away, and protesters and city officials have yet to agree on a route for the largest demonstration happening during the event. At issue: Activist organizers say they expect “tens of thousands” of protesters to march “within sight and sound” of the United Center on Monday, Aug. 19, the first day of the convention. But the route they’ll take outside of the security zone is still in question. The city has issued a route, but protesters say it’s too short and that a few streets are too narrow, which could create bottlenecks and chaos. They want to extend the route to include a few more blocks on wider streets. “This is in [the city’s] best interest as well,” March on the DNC spokesman Hatem Abudayyeh told reporters. Here’s how he explains it. The two sides were in court Monday over the disputed route, but no decision was issued. U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood set another hearing for Aug. 13, days before the convention starts. More about the ongoing court battle, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel is here, and the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan is here. In the big march: The March on the DNC 2024 protest group is an umbrella organization for hundreds of smaller activist groups from across the country — including from Michigan, which has a large Arab community. Chicago has the country’s largest Palestinian community. There are other demonstrations planned throughout the week of the convention, including a pro-abortion rights protest on Michigan Avenue on Aug. 18; a Chicago pro-Palestinian protest on Aug. 21; and a second (smaller) March on the DNC protest on Aug. 22. Also hoping to secure a permit is the Israeli American Council. The pro-Israel organization is considering meeting on a private lot if we can’t secure a permit. And there’s a First Amendment zone: The city is setting up a free speech platform for activists or anyone who wants their voice heard. The platform will be located in or near Park 578 (at 1919 West Maypole Avenue.), according to the Department of Transportation. Apply here. MORE FROM THE CONVENTION ZONE At a tense time in American politics, hospitals prepare for convention: They've been developing "plans and practicing for influxes of patients should violence erupt or disaster strike,” by the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker. Why Chicago has a long history of holding political conventions: It’s “centrally located,” says John Mark Hansen, University of Chicago political science professor, in a conversation with Rick Kogan on WGN. Chicago has a history of making history at conventions, by Crain’s Steven Strahler
|  | THE BUZZ | | MORE REFORMS: Gov. JB Pritzker is signing into law two measures that remove barriers for individuals who have served prison or jail time In the cards: Senate Bill 2803, which speeds up the process to obtain a free state identification card, was championed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. His office will administer the ID cards. Sponsoring the legislation were state Sen. Chris Belt (57th) and state Rep. Justin Slaughter (27th). Why it matters: “We take our IDs for granted, but for people leaving jail, it’s an essential tool for reentry to perform everyday tasks and increase the likelihood of successfully building a productive life,” Giannoulias told the Sun-Times Mitchell Armentrout. The governor has already signed into law the RESET ACT, or Rehabilitation Expungement Streamlining and Empowerment for Transition Act. That measure was led by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office along with the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. The new law speeds up the process to file for expungement, which hindered defendants' ability to secure jobs, housing and education, according to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office. If you are Chris Belt, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: STOP CREDIT CARD CHAOS IN ILLINOIS! A new Illinois law will disrupt credit card processing for millions across the Prairie State, impacting consumers, small businesses, and tipped workers. It creates costly challenges for small businesses and reduces convenience and privacy for consumers. Repeal the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act now to protect Illinois small business owners, consumers, and workers. For more information, visit guardyourcard.com/Illinois. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Women’s Justice Institute at 10 a.m. to sign the returning citizens identification access bill.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | On King Drive at 12:30 p.m. to attend the South Side Sanctuary ribbon cutting.
| | Where's Toni | | At Robinson Woods-South at 9 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to celebrate renovations on the Forest Preserves' Des Plaines River Trail. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — ALL JOKING ASIDE: Gov. JB Pritzker took part in the “Comics for Kamala” fundraiser on Monday alongside Nick Offerman, Ben Stiller, Kathy Griffin and others. The governor kept his humor self-deprecating. “I am a little nervous about being in the mix with all these incredibly funny individuals,” Pritzker said. “I just want you to know I got on because I'm sitting around waiting for my call to be vice president. My phone hasn’t rung for at least a couple of days now, but I’m hoping I get that call.” The event went on to raise more than $460,000. — Groundbreaking transgender candidate Colton Baumgartner runs for Granite City mayor: “If elected, she would be the first openly transgender mayor in Illinois, according to Equality Illinois,” by The Telegraph’s Jill Moon. — Joe Severino is running for Congress in IL-10 as a write-in candidate, via his statement.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Former sheriff's deputy charged with murder thought Massey 'was going to kill me,’ by the State Journal Register’s Steven Spearie — Sonya Massey’s family is pushing for a change in state law after her death, but policymakers aren’t so sure, by WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal — Pritzker signs legislation ending Illinois grocery tax in 2026, by CBS 2’s Todd Feurer — Exonerees share stories at Illinois police trainings aimed at preventing wrongful convictions, by ABC 7’s Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, Tom Jones and Chuck Goudie
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Developers behind Thompson Center revamp buy former Cboe headquarters in the Loop: “An affiliate of real estate firms Prime Group and Capri Investment Group plan to turn the property into a data center,” by the Sun-Times’ Abby Miller. — 'Take Back the Block' initiative spreads through Chicago neighborhoods, via Fox 32 — New Damen Green Line Stop opens after years of delays, by the Block Club’s Mack Liederman — Bud Billiken Parade is Saturday: here are details and some history, by the Tribune’s Kori Rumore — How ‘Oscar from Chicago’ wound up playing drums with The Killers at Lollapalooza, by Block Club’s Gwen Ihnat
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County assessor misclassifies hundreds of properties, missing $444M in one year alone: “The under-assessments can hurt homeowners in at least two significant ways. [Some] people have to pay more than their fair share in property taxes when others pay less,” by Illinois Answers Project’s Alex Nitkin, the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Illinois Answers Project’s Cam Rodriguez. — Municipalities, organizations prepare for possible increase in migrants during Democratic convention, by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Who is Jay Fisher Jr.? He’s a former Illinois state senator who competed on “Jeopardy!” last month, winning three games and $31,200. Fisher is notable in Illinois legislative history for serving a mere 22 hours when he was appointed to succeed former state Sen. Michael Connelly in the then 21st Legislative District on Jan. 7, 2019, during the lame duck session. At the time, Fisher was chair of the Lisle Township Republican Organization. Since 2022, Fisher has been the government relations manager for the Academy of General Dentistry in Chicago. He told Playbook that he’s trying to determine whether he served the shortest tenure in Illinois history. Sounds like a Jeopardy question!
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked how you get along with neighbors on your block. Hilary Denk: “We’re close, and it’s strange to be an older couple now — 26 years goes fast!” Lissa Druss: “Wonderful because I live in the world of village President Skip Saviano and everything is wonderful in Elmwood Park!” John Fritchey: “I know the names of about 20 of the dogs in my neighborhood — and about five of my neighbors.” Jim Lyons: “For the most part, great.” Michael Marsh: “Occasionally, I pick up trash left by my neighbors.” AmySue Mertens: “I closed on my first home four years ago. My block didn't have an annual block party, so I organized one. Now, we invite three blocks, and everyone pitches in.” Marilynn Miller: “I live in a 55+ community of 104 units in Crest Hill, and I can happily say I now have the best friends of my entire life of 90 years. Our ‘Gazebo Gang’ meets every day weather permits, and we joyously gab the evening away.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “Skokie is a wonderful place to live as neighbors can be seen outside visiting with each other. As a widow, I can honestly say that I am never alone as my neighbors watch over me.” John Straus: “My wife and I are friends with six couples in our condo building which we call our NORC, a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.” Michael Synowiecki: "We have great relationships. Most families, like ours, go to Old Saint Mary’s." Timothy Thomas Jr.: “As a Block Club officer and elder statesman, skillfully mediating conflicts comes into play.” NEXT QUESTION: When did you realize you had entered adulthood? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — IT’S OFFICIAL: Harris is now Democratic presidential nominee, by The Associated Press’ Seung Min Kim — Market sell-off puts Democrats on edge, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly, Adam Cancryn and Elena Schneider — As Trump fumes, Republicans wince at ‘public nervous breakdown,’ via POLITICO’s politics team
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: STOP CREDIT CARD CHAOS IN ILLINOIS!
In less than one year, a new law will create credit card chaos for millions of Illinois consumers, small business owners and workers who rely on tips. The law changes how your credit card is processed and has never been done anywhere in the world. The end result is windfall for corporate mega-stores paid for through costly operational hurdles for small businesses and a loss of convenience and privacy for consumers who could have to pay tax and gratuity with cash.
There’s still time to protect Illinois small business owners, consumers and workers by repealing the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act now! For more information, visit guardyourcard.com/Illinois. | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Tonantzin Carmon is now special assistant to the president for economic policy at the White House National Economic Council. She was a fellow at the Brookings Institution and is a former staffer of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel. — Brett Robinson, Buffalo Grove’s administrative services director has retired after a 38-year career with the village, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky — Kiera Ellis is now VP at Rise Strategy Group. She has just wrapped up her master’s in public administration at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in New York. Earlier, she worked in the comms shops for the Illinois Democratic Party, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Allison Schraub for correctly answering that Terry Teele was the longtime confidante tapped by former Mayor Richard M. Daley to lead transformation efforts on Chicago’s West Side ahead of the 1996 Democratic National Convention. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who were the first Chicago Bears to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, former state Rep. Kathy Ryg, lobbyist and former state Rep. Terry Steczo, Lyft Public Policy Manager Arielle Maffei, Thames Strategies CEO Cory Thames, Cook County Clerk’s Veterans Services Director Brian Cross, Vedder Price Associate Lyndsey Wajert, architecture writer Blair Kamin and Mike Milstein, the Chicago Police Department’s deputy director of community policing. -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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