| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by CVS Health | TGIF, Illinois. It's beginning to look a lot like dibs! ONE-ON-ONE: Your Playbook host will interview Gov. JB Pritzker at 11:30 a.m. today during POLITICO's annual summit of "The Fifty: America's Governors." Register here — it's free.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Jonathan Jackson filed documents with the FEC on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2022, to run for Rep. Bobby Rush's seat. | Jonathan Jackson | Jonathan Jackson has submitted paperwork to run in the Democratic primary for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Bobby Rush, according to documents filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission. Jackson told Playbook it's the next step in the process though he's not yet officially declaring his candidacy. The Chicago businessman is still talking to potential supporters about a run for Congress. He's already got the backing of his father: civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, who founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and ran for president back in the 1980s. Jonathan Jackson becomes a frontrunner in the race that already includes 16 declared candidates, including Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, who's backed by former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. The South Side district includes the Hyde Park, Chatham, Roseland and Ashburn neighborhoods. Jackson has been a behind-the-scenes player in his father's PUSH organization for years, and he also runs a construction contracting company in the Bronzeville neighborhood. That work gives him close contact to unions who he'll turn to for support.
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
The Illinois State Capitol awaits next week's return of legislators. | Photo by POLITICO's Shia Kapos | Gov. JB Pritzker will give his State of the State address Wednesday to a live audience in Springfield. The House announced yesterday that lawmakers would return to the state capitol next week for in-person meetings. It's a signal that life is returning to some normalcy. (I can hear the lobbyists cheering now!) Masks and Covid testing will be part of the routine. Because seating is limited, it's still a better bet to tune in to live streams of House and Senate floor debates. Check out the General Assembly's website. Lawmakers have been busy this week working to meet today's deadline for filing legislation. And they've been meeting remotely to plan their agenda for a legislative session that's being abbreviated to allow lawmakers to get on the campaign trail. Instead of wrapping up work at the end of May, the last day of the session is April 8. Can they do it? The answer is yes because it's a midterm election year and no one wants to get bogged down in controversial legislation before campaign season truly kicks in. It doesn't mean they aren't tackling important issues. The state Senate has been convening sessions with the entire Democratic caucus on a range of issues, including public safety, college affordability, tax relief, and economic development. The goal is to come up with a package of bills within each of those issue areas and move them forward. "Thoughtful and substantive" is how the discussions were described. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 50 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | Joining the virtual discussion for "The Fifty: America's Governors" at 11:30 a.m.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | Covid-19 Update | | — Omicron's exponential rise followed by 'exponential decay,' but COVID deaths keep mounting: "The surge is still being felt sharply in intensive care units across Illinois, which are still 88% full. And with four days left in the month, the state has suffered almost as many COVID deaths in January (2,651) as it did over the previous three months combined (2,941)," by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout. — Another Covid testing company — which got $186M from the feds — is under investigation as complaints pile up, by Block Club's Kelly Bauer | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Springfield will end the fiscal year with a $17M surplus. How the city plans to spend it: "The $179 million balanced corporate fund budget for 2023 includes no layoffs or furloughs and is 28 percent greater than last year's budget. McCarty said "a perfect storm" of events, including the influx of federal stimulus funds, will allow the city to budget for the relocation of four fire department stations. Some stations are nearly 60 years old," by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie. — Relief ahead for one Illinois family in crisis, and some hope ahead for others: "WBEZ last month reported that kids most in need can't get residential treatment. The state is responding, though advocates say it isn't enough," by WBEZ's Susie An. — BetMGM approved to offer mobile sports wagering In Illinois, Sports Handle's Chris Altruda
| | | | JOIN TODAY TO HEAR FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS AMERICA : As we head into the third year of the pandemic, state governors are taking varying approaches to public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates. "The Fifty: America's Governors" is a series of live conversations featuring various governors on the unique challenges they face as they take the lead and command the national spotlight in historic ways. Learn what is working and what is not from the governors on the front lines, REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | LEGISLATION | | VOLUMINOUS ACTION: Rep. Deanne Mazzochi is proposing legislation that would amend the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois to prevent government agencies from using "voluminous request" when replying to lawmakers — or journalists — trying to gather information. The Elmhurst Republican brought the legislation after getting the "voluminous request" response when she tried to FOIA information from the Illinois Department of Health and other agencies about the LaSalle Veterans Home, where 36 residents died in 2020 due to Covid-19. "This is happening to other members of the Republican Caucus and on the Democratic side, too," Mazzochi told Playbook. "I don't think 'voluminous request' is appropriate for legislators who are trying to do government oversight and trying to make things better for Illinois." Media would also fall under the legislation. Like legislators, "they're trying to get information out, not keep it covered," Mazzochi said. (Amen, sister.) HB5121 has been assigned to the House Rules Committee, where bills have traditionally gone to die, but under House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, those bills still have a chance to reach a standing committee for consideration.
| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | — Cook County's top judge defends bond reform, juvenile courts: "Chief Judge Timothy Evans addressed a Union League Club audience as 16-year-old suspect— who had been on probation— was ordered held without bond, charged in the murder of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega," reports Sun-Times' Andy Grimm. "That person is 16. The court's purpose in dealing with juveniles is to try to rehabilitate juveniles," Evans said, adding later, "Our job as a court is, yes, to keep the public safe, as safe as we can, but to try to rehabilitate that juvenile, to stop him or her from doing whatever the negative thing is." — Two held without bond in Little Village shooting of 8-year-old, including teen on probation for carjackings, by Tribune's Megan Crepeau and Annie Sweeney
| | CHICAGO | | — Obama center will dedicate public space to Hadiya Pendleton, teen slain days after performing at inauguration: "The naming of the 'Hadiya Pendleton Winter Garden' came one day before the nine-year anniversary of her death," by Tribune's Alice Yin. — LeClaire Courts will be redeveloped, but few former residents are eligible to return: "The Chicago Housing Authority demolished the last LeClaire building more than a decade ago as part of the billion-dollar Plan for Transformation to remake public housing in the city. LeClaire is one of the final sites to undergo redevelopment. When the teardowns began in the late 2000s, residents dispersed throughout the city," by WBEZ's Natalie Moore. — Chicago's Ukrainian Americans express support, fear for loved ones overseas amid Russia standoff, by Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos — The Fire in talks with the mayor to build a 30-acre practice facility on the Near West Side, by Tribune's Jeremy Mikula — Chicago has second highest debt of large U.S. cities, by WBBM's Mike Krauser
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas Helmer dies: "He was such a fixture," City Administrator Joe Wade said. "He relished being mayor." Journal & Topic's Tom Wessell. … From the Daily Herald: "He would fondly call our city, 'Prosperous Heights,'" 3rd Ward Council Member Wendy Morgan-Adams. Eric Peterson reports. Report: Kaegi botched Covid tax relief: "The Cook County assessor cut values based on jobs he thought neighborhoods would lose due to the pandemic. It was a wild miscalculation that worked out well for some, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, not so well for residents of a poor South Side neighborhood," by Sun-Times' Tim Novak, Lauren FitzPatrick, and Caroline Hurley. — Cook County forest preserves to review captive animal program following coyote controversy, by Tribune's Robert McCoppin
| | | |   | | | | | SMOLLETT FALLOUT | | Jussie Smollett to be sentenced March 10 in hate crime hoax: "Criminal Courts Judge James Linn ordered both sides to submit a list of witnesses expected to testify at sentencing by March 3. He also gave Smollett's attorneys until Feb. 25 to file any post-trial motions. A jury found Smollett guilty on Dec. 10 on five out of six counts of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony, alleging he falsely reported to police that he was a victim of a hate crime attack in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019," by Tribune's Jason Meisner.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sam Kukadi is running for Cook County commissioner in the 9th District. It's the seat held by Peter Silvestri, who's retiring. Kukadi has been circulating petitions the past week and has been endorsed by Local 150 Operating Engineers and Mid-American Carpenters Regional Council. Kukadi has also raised $50,000 in his bid for the open seat. Kukadi is CEO of Material Solutions Laboratory Inc. in Elk Grove Village. If elected, he would be the first Asian American to serve on the Cook County Board. — ENDORSEMENT: Democratic Rep. Sean Casten, who's running in the IL-06 congressional primary, has been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881, which represents tens of thousands of workers employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois. — ENDORSEMENT: Democratic Rep. Marie Newman, who's also running in the IL-06 congressional primary, has been endorsed by the Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600, an AFT/IFT local. Newman also won the support of the National Organization for Women PAC, Feminist Majority, and the National Women's Political Caucus.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Ex-cop Jason Van Dyke to be released from prison Feb. 3: "Laquan McDonald's grandmother calls his time served 'a slap on the wrist,'" by Tribune's Tatyana Turner — This Cook County judge gives convicts his cell number — if they complete addiction program: "Judge Charles Burns oversees the Rehabilitative Alternative Program drug court. It helps people beat addiction, find jobs, housing. It's those who backslide who keep him up at night," by Sun-Times' Frank Main. — Chicago's 'cartel wives' traveled abroad, to J.Lo Las Vegas concert with drug cash, feds say, by Sun-Times' Frank Main and Jon Seidel.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | Cook County judge tosses class actions vs ComEd over bribes to Madigan; appeal coming: "An Illinois appeals court will be asked to decide whether class action lawsuits can continue against ComEd on behalf of Illinois customers who say they have been overcharged for electricity because ComEd allegedly bribed former state House Speaker Michael Madigan to push through two laws allowing the utility to jack up its rates," by Cook County Record's Jonathan Bilyk. | | POT-POURRI | | Elgin eyeing spring for next attempt to bring cannabis dispensary to city: "This week, city council members unanimously approved the city's first cannabis business. The facility is a craft grow operation in the Elgin Industrial Park off the southeast corner of McLean Boulevard and Big Timber Road. It will sell cannabis to dispensaries, not retail customers," by Daily Herald's James Fuller.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what cuts you'd make to the state budget: Attorney Graham Grady suggests cutting back on paper and postage and using more electronic transmissions. … Former Johnston City Mayor Jimmy Dean says there are "too many assistants to the assistants." ... Playbooker Bill Hogan would eliminate spokespersons and comms staffs of all state agencies. ... And CW Strategies president Corrine Williams says "The state should cut money for spending on pet pork projects." What's your go-to Karaoke song? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — From the Archives: Remembering Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger disaster, by WBEZ's Justine Tobiasz — Rittenhouse gun hearing today in Wisconsin, by The Associated Press — Russian invasion of Ukraine could redefine cyber warfare, by POLITICO's Maggie Miller — A suicide hotline's use of data echoes Silicon Valley's privacy debates, by POLITICO's Alexandra Levine
| | Transitions | | — Bears to hire Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as new head coach: "He will become the 17th coach in team history, following the recently fired Matt Nagy," by Sun-Times' Jason Lieser and Patrick Finley. — Adren Wilson is executive director of My Brother's Keeper Alliance, announced the Obama Foundation, which works with the organization. Wilson will lead the next chapter of President Obama's "national call to action to build safe and supportive communities where boys and young men of color have clear pathways to opportunity," according to a statement from the foundation.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Tyrone 'Ty Skippy' Winfield, renowned stepper with the 'fastest feet in the land,' dead at 61: "The East Chicago, Ind., resident 'spoke with his feet,' says Antoine Carmichael, an R&B performer who records as Carmichael Musiclover. 'He was the best stepper I've ever seen,'" by Sun-Times' Maureen O'Donnell. | | EVENTS | | — Today at 11:30 a.m.: Gov. JB Pritzker will sit down with your Playbook host for virtual discussion about the pandemic, climate change and politics (we are POLITICO, after all). It's part of our series: "The Fifty: America's Governors." Register here. It's free. — Today at noon: Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman joins leaders from around the country talking about "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Infrastructure." Moderator is Alex Daugherty, author of POLITICO's weekly Transportation newsletter. Register here. It's free.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Union County Democrat Leo Driscoll for correctly answering that Vandalia has its own fire-breathing dragon. Pix! TODAY's QUESTION: Which Illinois community can fine you for mispronouncing its name? Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services.
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Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we're increasing remote access to mental health services.
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Lorraine Murphy, political consultant Collin Corbett, political consultant Tom Stapka, and Eleni Demertzis, spokeswoman for Richard Irvin's campaign Saturday: Oprah!, Cook County Board of Review's Mike Cabonargi, Greene County Dem Central Committee Chair Jimmy Naville, Medicaid Innovation Office senior adviser Julie Hamos, and author and women's advocate Rebecca Sive Sunday: former Ald. Ricardo Munoz, radio personality Maze Jackson, POLITICO alum and NBC News political reporter Natasha Korecki, and POLITICO senior editor and Peoria native Bob Hillman -30-
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