| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Nothing else matters today as Russian troops have entered Kyiv.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Republican Rep. Mary Miller used her statement on Ukraine to praise Donald Trump. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo | Conservative Rep. Mary Miller is something of an outlier within the Illinois delegation on Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Unlike her colleagues — Ds and Rs alike — Russian aggression has made her wistful for the Trump days. She praised former President Donald Trump, whom she visited earlier this week in Mar-a-Lago for a candidate forum, issuing a statement about Russians crossing the southern border and condemning "Green New Deal policies" in Congress that haven't passed. Miller said in her statement she misses the "peace through strength" policy of the Trump administration, and she blamed President Joe Biden for a "disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan" (while a messy exit, for sure, the timing was dictated by Trump). "None of this would be happening if President Trump was still in the White House," according to Miller's statement. "I will continue to pray that God watches over the people of Ukraine." Miller's statement underscores how Trump — who praised Putin's "genius" earlier this week — continues to drive a wedge within the Republican Party, this time about Ukraine. While most Republicans blasted Putin's aggression and welcomed Biden's sanctions (even if they've urged for stiffer punishments), Miller and others aligned with Trump took a softer view. Rep. Rodney Davis, Miller's opponent in the June 28 primary, calls Putin a "thug." "I join the free world in strongly condemning Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people need our prayers, and they need our support through tough sanctions on Russia. Thugs like Putin only respond to strength. Now is the time for severe economic consequences," Davis tweeted. Miller, a freshman from Oakland, and Davis, a five-termer from Taylorsville, are facing each other in the newly drawn 13th Congressional District. She trails Davis in fundraising, but has Trump's endorsement. Davis is backed by county Republicans throughout the district and won a sizable donation from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's Take Back the House 2022 PAC.
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Protesters gather outside of Saints Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP | UKRAINE HEADLINES — Putin was playing Biden all along, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi. — Great-grandson of a Ukrainian refugee, Pritzker denounces Russian invasion, warns of potential cyberattacks on Illinois, by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout — Concern in Chicago is emotional in the wake of Russia's invasion, by Tribune's Olivia Olander and Angie Leventis Lourgos — 'This is an existential battle for democracy,' via Sun-Times' Mitch Dudek — Chicago companies brace for repercussions from Ukraine invasion, by Crain's Ally Marotti.
| | THE BUZZ | | There's a fluke in Illinois that allows some elected officials to run for office even if they've been convicted of a crime, while others are banned from ever getting on the ballot. State Rep. Curtis Tarver II wants to fix that with a bill he's proposing in Springfield. Right now, an elected state official can be convicted of anything but election fraud and still be able to run again for a state constitutional office. That means Tom Cullerton could run for the Senate seat he just resigned from after pleading guilty in an embezzlement case. The same for former state Rep. Luis Arroyo, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Meanwhile, municipal officials — folks elected to city or county positions — can never run for a municipal office again if they've been convicted. Former Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, who was just found guilty of filing false federal income tax returns, can't run for elected office in the city. Though he could run for a state seat. "It makes no sense," Tarver told Playbook. He says Illinois is the only state that bans you from running based on the office as opposed to being found guilty of a crime. He's filed a bill that would make it clear that no elected official at any level of government could seek re-election if they've been convicted. The bill is in the House Election and Ethics Committee. The Blago factor: Disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in a different category altogether. He can't run for office again because he was impeached and booted over corruption charges that sent him to prison. Donald Trump commuted his sentence two years ago, and now Blagojevich is suing the General Assembly saying he wasn't given due process in the impeachment trial. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: skapos@politico.com
| | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
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| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — BGA INVESTIGATION: Pritzker trust bought stock in a top Illinois contractor after he was elected governor: The governor's representatives say the blind trust is set up specifically to shield Pritzker from decisions about his portfolio, and that he is precluded from communicating with the trustees. But ... "The investment in Centene — which collected more than $2.6 billion from state Medicaid contracts in the first half of 2021 alone — demonstrates the pitfalls of a blind-trust arrangement that still leaves the nation's richest governor open to potential conflicts of interest," reports Better Government Association's David Jackson. — SCOOP: Kyle McCarter, ambassador to Kenya during the Trump administration and before that an Illinois state senator, is considering running for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma, where he now lives. Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe is expected to announce his retirement in the coming days, report POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Olivia Beavers. — Elgin signs $84,000-a-year deal with lobbyist Dan Shomon in effort to secure state, federal funds, by Elgin Courier-News' Gloria Casas
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | —Rep. Chuy Garcia announced yesterday he's endorsing Gov. JB Pritzker for governor. Not a surprise, especially given the governor doesn't have a primary. Here's the video —ENDORSEMENT: Gilbert Villegas has picked up endorsements from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241 and City Council colleague Sue Sadlowski Garza in his bid for the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. Sadlowski Garza, the alderman who chairs the council's Workforce and Development Committee and a former Chicago Teachers Union area VP, said Villegas "has integrity, is committed to getting the job done right, and is tenacious." —Boykin makes it official: Attorney Richard Boykin, a former Cook County commissioner who also served on Capitol Hill, officially kicked off his run for president of the Cook County Board on Thursday with a press conference at the South Loop Hotel. "It's time for real change," he said in a statement, taking a swipe at current Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Issues Boykin hammered on: violence, taxes, and affordability. Joining him at the kick-off: Campaign chair, Dorothy Gaters , the winningest high school basketball coach in Illinois, and retired Cook County Sheriff Kenneth Jones, among others. — Joliet firefighter seeks state Senate seat: Eric Mattson Mattson, who also is president of the union that represents Joliet firefighter supervisors, is a Democrat circulating petitions in 43rd District, reports Shaw Local's Bob Okon. — Michael Rabbitt, Democratic candidate for state representative of the 15th House district has been endorsed by the 40th Ward Dems and Committeeperson Maggie O'Keefe, The People's Lobby, Northside Democracy for America, and 39th Ward Neighbors United.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | —State revenues $4.6B higher for current fiscal year than initially projected: Spending habits during Covid-19 sparked the growth "because Illinois taxes goods, but not most services, so the redistribution of spending correlated directly to a rise in sales tax revenue. As well, unemployment benefits are taxable by the state, and many individuals who collected enhanced federal benefits saw greater income levels than before the pandemic," by Capitol News' Peter Hancock. — States are revamping reading instruction. Illinois is just catching up: "In Illinois, where curriculum is largely a matter of local control, there's no centralized tracking of how districts teach children to read or recommended curriculum list. But there's growing recognition that some schools across the state — and even some campuses in large districts like Chicago — are clinging to debunked methods," by Chalkbeat's Cassie Walker Burke —Pritzker's gas tax relief plan faces opposition: "Officials from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois said pausing the scheduled increase could have long-term consequences that could endanger funding for future transportation projects," by Capitol News' Peter Hancock. — Mobile Museum of History coming to Springfield to educate on Black experience, by State Journal-Register's Tiffani Jackson
| | LEGISLATION | | —Illinois wine industry pushes to change Prohibition-era distribution law: "We make really good wine in the state of Illinois, and we're not allowed to self-distribute a single gallon." Tribune's Robert Channick reports — A nod for the Jelani Day bill: The measure "would require a coroner or medical examiner to notify the FBI when human remains are not identified within 72 hours of discovery," by ABC 7. — Senate advances bill to allow online hearings for orders of protection, by Capitol News' Grace Kinnicutt — Legislation would help family of slain DCFS investigator, by NPR Illinois' Sean Crawford — Republicans propose legislation to 'empower' parents of— schoolchildren, via IOCI Radio
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | —Guaranteed income pilot program will use lottery to pick 5,000 recipients of $500 monthly checks: " Lightfoot announced Thursday that the program will launch in April. Applicants must live in Chicago, be at least 18 years old, have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19 and meet income guidelines," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. —INVESTIGATION: Plowed snow sends drivers flying off expressways: "One day last winter, Kevin Ramos flew off I-355 and survived the 22-foot fall onto busy Lake Street. Other drivers have been killed in these rare but terrifying 'snow ramp' vaulting accidents around Chicago and elsewhere," by Sun-Times' Stephanie Zimmermann and Lauren FitzPatrick. — Fire Department ambulances once again taking patients to Insight Hospital after being turned away for a year: "Those ambulance rides stopped about a year ago — in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic — during a dire nursing shortage in the ER of the Bronzeville hospital, formerly known as Mercy Hospital," by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Arbitrator sides with city on cop vaccinations: "Mayor Lori Lightfoot hopes at least some of the roughly 2,800 Chicago police officers who remain unvaccinated will now get their shots, leaving fewer officers subject to suspension or firing," by Sun-Times' David Struett and Fran Spielman. — Police Board votes to fire cop who threatened former recruit when she dumped him for intimidating police academy classmates: "You thought you were going to throw me under the bus. I'm taking you with me," the jilted officer said in a text message, threatening also to report his ex-girlfriend's family to immigration officials. Sun-Times' Tom Schuba reports. — Park District's lifeguard abuse scandal has cost taxpayers nearly $330,000, by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos | | DAY IN COURT | | — Desperate for loans, Patrick Daley Thompson put hundreds of thousands in campaign cash in crooked Bridgeport bank: "Documents subpoenaed by prosecutors and other public records reflect a growing desperation as he tried to quadruple the amount of money he was borrowing from Washington Federal Bank for Savings," by Sun-Times' Tim Novak and Jon Seidel. — Former Washington Federal vice president pleads guilty in massive embezzlement case: "He is the highest-ranking officer to be convicted in the ongoing investigation into the 2017 collapse of Washington Federal Bank for Savings, which also ensnared former Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson," by Tribune's Jason Meisner. — A top suburban prosecutor blames Waukegan police for a boy's false confession, by WBEZ's Chip Mitchell
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what hackers purchased on your credit card: Oh what a party the scammers had. Patricia Ann Watson says hackers purchased a multi-year gym membership in Florida and a catered party in the UK "all on the same day.".... Chris White: Disney World tickets… Timothy Thomas Jr.: 50 pairs of Michael Jordan Air Nike shoes…. Bridget McCarte: two $200 Target gift cards.… Gail Purkey: $4,500 worth of welding equipment…. Alex Wood: $700 in purchases with the National Rifle Association.… Kathy Posner: $550 for shoes at Shoe Carnival. "It turns out my card had also been used for $2,500 at Saks and $4,500 at Bloomfield but those purchases didn't send a red light. Cheap shoes did!"... And Ashvin Lad got an alert for a $423.94 transaction to ToolBarn. The credit card company said "we know anything related to travel, restaurants, sports, and entertainment are in line with your spending history. Buying tools or home improvement merchants are not." What do we do today that we'll laugh about 10 years from now? Email skapos@politico.com
| | DELEGATION | | Rush joins in introducing new legislation to extend the term of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board: A bill that would "bring justice to civil rights cold case victims and families" was authorized and signed into law by former President Donald Trump in 2019, but board members weren't nominated until last year. The new legislation extends board members' terms so they can address cold cases.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | —House Dems step up investigation into Trump's handling of sensitive records, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu and Kyle Cheney —Gabbard's message to CPAC: Can't we all just get along? POLITICO's Tara Palmeri reports — Biden faces another global crisis. This one resonates differently at home, by POLITICO's Christopher Cadelago — 3 former cops convicted of rights violations in George Floyd killing, by The Associated Press
| | TRANSITIONS | | Andy Morimoto, director of research at the Paulson Institute and a policy fellow at the Institute's Green Finance Center, has been named a member of the class of 2022 for Aspen Strategy Group's Rising Leaders Program.
| | EVENTS | | — Sunday at 11 a.m.: Republican Sen. Terri Bryant will hold a luncheon fundraiser at DuQuoin American Legion. Contact kwills62950@gmail.com or 618-534-4787. — Sunday at 4 p.m.: Democratic state Rep. Terra Costa Howard will hold court for her virtual Mardi Gras Party fundraiser. RSVP here
| | IN MEMORIAM | | Jose L. and Magdalena Castilleja, hardware store owners who helped build La Villita, died four days apart: "Part of a generation of Mexican immigrants who arrived in the early 1970s, they lived above their store, El Tornillo, at 3735 W. 26th St. and were 'beloved folks in the neighborhood,' U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia said," by Sun-Times' Maureen O'Donnell.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Sharon Rosenblum for correctly answering that Joseph Leiter was the Chicago millionaire who for a time was the largest individual holder of wheat in the history of the grain trade before it all came crashing down in the late 1800s. "The Pit" (a novel) is based on his story. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the former Cub who won eight regular-season games pitching for the Mets in 1969? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Sen. Cristina Castro, state Sen. Napoleon Harris III, Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Martinez, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Durbin Senate aide Stacie Barton Hackler, Dover Consulting's Abby Lerner, and broadcaster Tsi-Tsi-Ki Félix. Saturday: Ald. Daniel La Spata, former state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, Aurora aldermanic Chief of Staff Rich Jacobs, consultant Malcolm Weems, political fundraiser Suzy Brown, and PR pro Ximena Larkin. Sunday: Rep. Adam Kinzinger, former state Rep. Coy Pugh, nonprofit leader Sara Albrecht, attorney Ted Tetzlaff, and cannabis lobbyist Trevian Kutti. -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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