POLITICO Illinois Playbook: 'We don't fear a referendum'

Jan 31, 2022

Good Monday morning, Illinois. After 12 consecutive days of sub-freezing weather, we are about to hit 32 degrees today, folks.

TOP TALKER

After months of public bickering, the Black and Latino caucuses had a substantive debate Sunday about how they might find compromise in redrawing the city's 50 wards, a task that's required with each new census.

What we learned: Each caucus is using different calculations to determine how to apportion the wards. Ironically, they both want to see 16 Black wards, but because each side does not recognize the other's formula, they are discounting each other's numbers. Make sense?

The bigger debate: The Black Caucus wants to keep the Latino Caucus at 14 seats in the Council. But given the huge population gains of the Hispanic community, the Latino Caucus insists the next city map allow for 15 Latino seats.

Most white alderpersons, meanwhile, have aligned themselves with the Black Caucus, likely because it's their best shot at holding onto their own territory.

City lawmakers kept it civil Sunday and agreed to look at the handful of major sticking points that keep the two sides from agreeing on a citywide map. The two maps — the one supported by the Black Caucus and the other drawn by the Latino Caucus — are aligned on about 74 percent of the city and at odds over the rest.

Why this debate matters: If they can't agree on one map, then voters will get to decide in a referendum. It's something lawmakers generally are skittish about because they lose control.

Though Ald. Silvana Tabares, who supports the Latino Caucus' Coalition Map, told council members during Sunday's live-streamed meeting, "We don't fear a referendum."

That prompted a quick retort from Ald. Michelle Harris, a Black Caucus member who heads the Rules Committee overseeing the process: "For the record, Michelle Harris don't fear a referendum," either.

That leaves the council pretty much where they were last week. There likely will be more meetings leading up to May 20, the last day before a referendum campaign kicks in in advance of the June 28 election.

RELATED

— A blow-by-blow of Sunday's meeting, by WTTW's Heather Cherone

— Video clips from the Sunday's hearing, by ABC 7's Leah Hope

— Supreme Court accused of ignoring judge's TRO against Madison County subcircuit law, by Madison-St. Clair Record's Steve Korris

THE BUZZ

PARTY POOPER: A change to an Illinois ethics law preventing fundraising while state lawmakers do business in Springfield is having some far-reaching ramifications.

It used to be that Mondays — the day before the legislative session begins each week — were left open for fundraising. But that was changed in January with the new law that says lawmakers "may not hold a political fundraising function on any day the legislature is in session or the day immediately prior to such day."

The law has expanded to also apply to executive branch officeholders — such as comptroller, treasurer, secretary of state or even governor — and candidates running for those positions.

And the law isn't just for action in Springfield, either. "It restricts fundraising during sessions of the General Assembly, regardless of county." So no fundraising parties in Chicago during legislative days either, folks.

It's creating a challenge for everyone in a year that's already put candidates in a bind as they try to gather petition signatures in the dead of winter.

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com

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WHERE'S JB

At Auditorium Theatre at 11 a.m. for a naturalization oath ceremony hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

WHERE'S LORI

At 4300 W. Roosevelt Road at 1:30 p.m. to announce the winning team for the INVEST South/West Roosevelt & Kostner Development.

Where's Toni

No official public events.

Covid-19 Update

Latest Covid-19 surge is subsiding. What happens next? "Is the goal still to 'stop the spread' of Covid-19? Or, are we transitioning to a new pandemic phase? Dr. Allison Arwady's answer pointed to the latter," by WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel reports

THE STATEWIDES

— Illinois residents could get $1B in tax relief under Pritzker's election-year budget: "Under the plan the governor is proposing, a 1 percent sales tax on food would be suspended for a year starting in July, and a planned increase in the state sales tax on gasoline due to kick in then would be blocked from taking effect. If Illinois lawmakers approve his proposal, property tax rebates of as much as $300 would come from Springfield later this year, the first time checks of that ilk have poured out of the state treasury on such a mass scale in more than two decades," by WBEZ's Dave McKinney.

… Pritzker seeks to burnish Illinois's newly won fiscal reputation: "When Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his fiscal 2023 budget proposal next week, his aim will be to show taxpayers, investors and legislators that the state's financial gains are here to stay. … The improved finances allowed officials to pay years of backlogged bills and better investment returns helped the state reduce its unfunded pension liability for the first time since 2017. It's been a dramatic reversal for the state with the lowest credit rating," by Bloomberg's Shruti Singh.

— SCOOP | Regulators reward Nicor with record rate hike despite utility's cost over-runs,' 'extraordinary spending': "The four members of the Illinois Commerce Commission who voted to approve the utility company's third rate hike in four years — three of them appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker — shrugged off concerns about 'extraordinary spending' raised by the Attorney General's office," by WCIA's Mark Maxwell. WITH VIDEO

— New program to provide education, employment for adults with developmental disabilities, by Tribune's Tatyana Turner.

— Biden calls for release of Illinoisan taken hostage in Afghanistan: "Mark Frerich's younger sister Charlene Cakora, who lives in Lombard, has been waging a campaign for her brother's freedom, fearing he will be forgotten," reports Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet.

— Illinois changed its controversial 'felony murder rule.' Here's who the reform left behind, by Injustice Watch's Rita Oceguera and Chloe Hilles

— Prisoners wrongly used to wash cars, shine shoes for IDOC employee fund, says government watchdog, by Tribune's Jeremy Gorner

LEGISLATION

An app for business: Democratic Illinois state legislators in both chambers earlier this month introduced the Freedom to Subscribe Directly Act , legislation that would give app developers the legal right to do business directly with their customers rather than having to work through Apple and Google's payment systems. State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, who represents part of Chicago, told POLITICO she believes the legislation could help build out Illinois' tech sector," Via POLITICO's Morning Tech newsletter.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The New York Times treatment: Lori Lightfoot promised to change Chicago. Crises keep piling up: "The highly public, acerbic dispute with the teachers this month was characteristic of Ms. Lightfoot's stewardship of Chicago. In nearly three years marked by a pandemic, soaring rates of violence and frequent labor battles, Ms. Lightfoot has shown herself to be a blunt orator and an unflinching negotiator.

"But her lofty campaign promises to 'bring in the light,' reduce violence and overhaul governance in America's third-largest city have repeatedly run up against an overwhelming news cycle, decades of inertia and her uncanny ability to make political enemies," write the Times' Julie Bosman and Mitch Smith.

CHICAGO

— With fewer office workers and some major retailers closed, what's next for downtown Chicago? "Old office buildings could be converted into housing. Michigan Avenue is looking beyond retail to more experiential options. Local businesses might have more chances to expand downtown. In one sign of that change, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago recently moved into an old Adidas store on the fourth floor of Water Tower Place. Adidas is now located elsewhere in the mall," by Tribune's Sarah Freishtat and Lauren Zumbach.

— Lightfoot rejects chief judge's claim that courts make communities safe and call for collaboration: "Lightfoot said that would not be possible until Evans acknowledges the courts' 'part in making Chicago neighborhoods less safe,'" according to a statement from the mayor's office, via WTTW's Heather Cherone.

— Watchdog says waste, alleged hiring scheme plagued mosquito abatement board, calls on members to resign: "The Cook County's Office of the Independent Inspector General concluded that all the members of the board of the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District shouldn't have their appointments renewed," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba and Mitch Dudek.

— Refugees drive West Ridge's growing Asian population: "Rohingya refugees are drawn to West Ridge not by the proximity to work, but rather by the neighborhood's diverse culture, as well as its access to social services," by Sun-Times' Manny Ramos.

— Illinois politicians meet in Chinatown to call attention to Asian hate, by ABC's Stephanie Wade

COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS

— Fritz Kaegi defends Covid-related assessment changes: The Cook County assessor is pushing back against a Sun-Times story that says his office "botched" Covid relief efforts. "Using financial markets and neighborhood unemployment as benchmarks, we created a data-driven, systematic way to measure estimated declines in housing values. Real-time market data was used to measure the effects on commercial property. That process was transparent and fair, and anyone can read about how we made these determinations" on the county's website, Kaegi wrote on Medium.

— Cook County Judge Raúl Vega is retiring under a cloud of allegations: "The former top judge of Cook County's domestic violence court will retire with a lifetime pension, despite accusations from women in his courtroom that he mistreated them," by The Reader's Kelly Garcia.

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.

CAMPAIGN MODE

— Rep. Sean Casten is reporting $1.6 million in his campaign account going into a contentious Democratic primary to hold on to the 6th Congressional District, according to filings with the FEC.

— Jonathan Jackson makes it official. "I have been fighting for working people my entire life and am dedicated to social and economic change," he said in a statement released Friday about his bid for Bobby Rush's 1st Congressional District seat. "As a businessman, college professor and activist, I have been on the forefront of the struggle for civil and human rights."

… Side note: "Jackson lives in Jackson Park Highlands, and his street was rezoned by one block out of the 1st district boundary. He plans to relocate within the 1st district," according to his statement.

— Ken Griffin's huge donation to the GOP: The Chicago billionaire and CEO of the giant hedge fund Citadel, "has cut a $10 million check to the Congressional Leadership Fund. Griffin wants to support female, minority and veteran candidates for the House in 2022. CLF, of course, is the House Republican super PAC, which raised $65.5 million in 2021," reports Punchbowl.

— North Barrington's Malgorzata McGonigalhopes to unseat Rep. Mike Quigley, by Daily Herald's Russell Lissou

— Meet the 3 D's and 2 R's running in the newly drawn 13th Congressional District, by State Journal-Register's Andrew Adams

— Arin Thrower, a former producer of the Golf Channel in Florida, has launched her campaign for state representative in the 66th District, which encompasses portions of Kane and McHenry counties.

— Normal Town Council member Scott Preston will run for Illinois House as a Republican, by WGLT's Ryan Denham and Eric Stock

— Ashley Hunsaker launched her campaign for state representative in the 113th District, encompassing portions of Madison and St. Clair counties. Hunsaker is CEO of HTS Coatings LLC, a thermal spray, machining, and grinding company she has run alongside her husband since 2015.

— State Rep. Keith Wheeler announced he is running for reelection to the Illinois House's 83rd District. Wheeler is serving his fourth term.

— ENDORSEMENT: Plumbers Local Union 130 UA announced it's endorsing Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court's 2nd District. Plumbers Local Union 130 UA has over 6,100 members in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois.

— ENDORSEMENT: Anna Valencia, who's running for secretary of state, has added several collar county elected leaders to her "Women for Valencia" roster, including: Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson, state Reps. Michelle Mussman, Maura Hirschauer, Janet Yang Rohr and Kathy Willis, DuPage County Board members Paula Deacon Garcia, Mary Ozog and Sheila Rutledge, and Lake County Board members Sandy Hart and Gina Roberts.

BUSINESS OF POLITICS

Billionaire politicians may be the future: "If Illinois is any indication, it's becoming more and more expensive to become an elected official," writes Chicago magazine's Edward McClelland.

CORRUPTION CHRONICLES

Ex-state Rep. Luis Arroyo's defense in federal case reveals politicians appeared before grand jury: "None of the newly identified public officials are charged with crimes or accused of wrongdoing, but the Arroyo motion, filed on Saturday, gave a hint at the length to which federal prosecutors have gone to investigate a far-reaching corruption case," by Tribune's Ray Long and Jason Meisner.

DAY IN COURT

— Police slow to make reform progress since the shooting of Laquan McDonald, experts say: "[T]he pace of reforms remains slow, stymied by a resistant department, an antagonistic police union and leadership that has fielded criticism for checking boxes rather than pursuing meaningful reform, critics say — all while the city is still notoriously violent and still seeing police misconduct cases," by Tribune's Paige Fry and Madeline Buckley.

… Community organizers say Jason Van Dyke's sentence not long enough, by Tribune's Stephanie Casanova

— Former inmate loses latest effort to convince federal prison officials to approve gender confirmation surgery: "Cristina Nichole Iglesias says she's been trying for years to have the surgery, even filing a federal lawsuit," by Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito.

Reader Digest

We asked for your go-to karaoke song: Attorney Hart M. Passman says his "Ring of Fire" rendition "always brings the house down. I even sang it to my wife at our wedding!" … 40th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Maggie O'Keefe goes for the Four Non Blondes' "What's Up," which she sang on her 25th birthday with a band she used to be in. … Simon Wiesenthal Center's Alison Pure-Slovin sings "Sweet Caroline."... And Enza Raineri goes for a classic: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

How did you make ends meet during your poorest days? Email skapos@politico.com

DELEGATION

— Durbin 'hopeful' Supreme Court nominee will get bipartisan support: "Critics of the pledge to nominate a Black woman should 'look back at history,'" via ABC News.

— House Dems launching three climate task forces: "Reps. Sean Casten and Raja Krishnamoorthi, both of Illinois, will co-chair the Power Sector Task Force, which will draft legislation aimed at achieving President Biden's ambitious clean energy goals, building on the provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law," via the Washington Post.

THE NATIONAL TAKE

— The Jan. 6 panel's on a hot streak against Trump World. Now what? POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Nichols Wu report

— The 3 Republicans to watch as Biden picks his SCOTUS nominee, by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine

— House Democrats pivot to economy in search of next legislative win, by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris

— Red America's favorite sport is at war with its fans, by POLITICO's Derek Robertson

— Kyle Rittenhouse gun from Kenosha shootings to be destroyed, by The Associated Press

TRANSITIONS

Charlie Chamness has been promoted to be legislative director for Rep. Mike Quigley. He most recently was legislative assistant for Quigley.

IN MEMORIAM

Dick Duchossois, the longtime owner of Arlington International Racecourse, dies at age 100: "Inducted into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga Springs, New York, in 2019, he will be remembered as one of the giants in Chicago sports history, and his monument was the Arlington International Racecourse, the lavish state-of-the-art racetrack he built and renamed after its famous predecessor, Arlington Park, was destroyed by fire on July 31, 1985," by Tribune's Neil Milbert.

… From Crain's Steven Strahler: "Though a big GOP donor, Duchossois rankled even Republicans like Jim Edgar with his lobbying. 'Let me just say, he's a very strong advocate for what's best for Arlington,' the former governor told the Sun-Times in 1999. "There's nothing wrong with that, but in the end, there's more than just Arlington." Duchossois acknowledged to the Tribune in 1995, "I'm not a good politician."

TRIVIA

FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to government relations consultant Janelle Rau-Clauson for correctly answering that you can be fined $5 for mispronouncing Joliet as Jolly-it.

TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the first African American to serve as the commissioner of the Chicago Public Library? Email skapos@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Laura Ayala-Gonzalez, Catholic Charities Chicago marketing director Marty Malone, and Four Star Initiatives CEO Tweed Thornton.

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