| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award | TGIF, Illinois. It's poker weekend. Wish me luck!
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, photographed here after her election in 2019, is close to announcing she's running for re-election. | Scott Olson/Getty Images | Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is going to run for reelection — she's just not yet ready to make an official announcement with all the bells and whistles. That's according to sources close to her political team and the mayor herself, who told the Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet she's intending to make it "official" sometime "soon." It's not a surprise. Lightfoot has been ramping up fundraising and hiring staffers to her political operation. She's also been meeting with community folks across the city to talk about Chicago's future now that we're (mostly?) out from under the Covid cloud. "I'm spending a lot of time going across the city, having conversations, meeting with folks and feel like I need to do that and make real reconnections that you can only really get by sitting down with people face to face," Lightfoot told Sweet during an interview in Washington, D.C. Lightfoot is there for the African American Mayors Association annual conference. "So I'm giving myself the time to do that." Nothing's official until it's official. Chicagoans remember Rahm Emanuel putting his campaign operation in place in 2018 only to step to the podium one September day and announce he wasn't running for reelection after all. He had seen the polling, and it wasn't pretty. Lightfoot isn't revealing her own polling, but anecdotally there's concern about how she's handled the city's crime problem (which is a national issue, not just a Chicago problem). It's something emphasized by Rep. Mike Quigley before he pulled his name yesterday from a possible run for mayor. And it's a subject on the minds of Ald. Raymond Lopez and businessman Willie Wilson, who have already announced they're running, and Arne Duncan, who is not getting in the race. Quigley, who until recently had a good relationship with Lightfoot, said he's staying focused on the war in Ukraine, instead. The mayor praised his work. "Congressman Quigley has been a consistent dedicated advocate for his constituents and the residents of Chicago. As we face these challenging times overseas, I respect Rep. Quigley's leadership in trying to end the war in Ukraine and his efforts to safeguard democracies across the world," she said in a statement yesterday. "I look forward to continuing to work with him and his staff to ensure that Chicago gets its fair share of federal dollars and that we continue to lift up the needs of our Chicago communities in Washington, D.C." Quigley's exit is expected to help Lightfoot keep hold of the city's North Side liberals who might have voted for the congressman. Though the mayor isn't likely to take the votes for granted. It's still early. Lightfoot didn't announce her mayoral run for the 2019 race until May 10, 2018, after she had turned down an offer to run as lieutenant governor with Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy.
| | THE BUZZ | | DEBATE DRAMA: We've yet to see all the Illinois Republican candidates for governor step on a debate stage together, though they're already at war with each other over the possibility. Last night, Republican candidates Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan told your Playbook host that they have committed to a debate sponsored by WGN News on May 24. An hour later, Richard Irvin's campaign issued a statement that he would be part of a debate on NBC 5 and Telemundo — also on May 24. While both stations planned debates on the same day, WGN may have sent out its request first (on March 14). A source close to Irvin's team said the Aurora mayor committed first to NBC 5. Bailey, Rabine and Sullivan believe Irvin is trying to dictate the terms of the race by agreeing to go to NBC 5 after not not appearing on any debate stages up until now. That station's political reporter, Mary Ann Ahern, scooped the first interview with Irvin when he announced his run for governor. Former state Sen. Paul Schimpf and attorney Max Solomon are also in the governor's race. The stations are now at a standstill to get the debates on air. Both stations would host the debates in Chicago and then air them statewide. "We're still working out the details and we haven't made an announcement," Dominick Stasi, news director for WGN told Playbook last night. And a source close to NBC 5's debate said the same, adding, "All we want to do is get the candidates on stage to debate the issues."
It shouldn't be so difficult. Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I'd like to hear from you: skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award: Nominations are open for the Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award, inspired by the service of former Senator Paul Simon, a Democrat, and former Governor Jim Edgar, a Republican. The award is presented each year to an Illinois elected official at the state or local level who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship. Help us celebrate Illinois statesmanship. Submit your nomination by June 1. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Lawn Terrace Community Room at 10 a.m. to promote the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund… At University of Illinois Chicago at 11:30 .m. to discuss construction on higher education facilities.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Highest Covid-19 case count for Illinois in two months: "The state public health department has noted that severe cases ending in hospitalization or death have remained very low — though hospital figures are now on the rise," by Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout. …Feeling the strain of a long wait for a Covid-19 vaccine for young children, parents welcome news of Moderna's authorization request, by Tribune's Madeline Buckley and María Paula Mijares Torres — SPOTTED: Comptroller Susana Mendoza joined Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine in Marseilles on Thursday. The Workers Memorial Day event honored 21 people killed while protesting the use of out-of-state workers on a federal project in Marseilles in 1932. — Gaming board moves Caliente Interactive forward for online sports betting license: "The application process was shrouded in mystery per state law as applicants for the licenses — which cost $20 million — could not be publicly disclosed by the state agency until the winning bidder or bidders were announced," by Sports Handle's Chris Altruda. — What will your electric bill look like this summer? It depends where in Illinois you live , by WTTW's Amanda Vinicky — Wet, cold weather causes hit or miss planting season for central Illinois farmers, by State Journal-Register's Zach Roth — Report Card: Illinois' roads, bridges and water systems remain subpar, but state and federal funding offer optimism, by Tribune's Clare Spaulding
| | REMAP ROAD MAP | | Fight over Chicago's ward boundaries could leave 'People's Map' out in the cold: The City Council failed to consider allowing a good-government group to edit the Latino Caucus' map that's already up for referendum. The development "sets up a potential head-to-head ballot showdown between the Latino proposal and a map favored by most of the council's Black Caucus and others," report Tribune's John Byrne and Alice Yin.
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Pritzker knocks a $29M hole in Lightfoot's re-election year budget: "Earlier this week, the Illinois Department of Revenue notified the city that the state will be withholding $29 million in sales taxes that ordinarily would go into the city treasury—the so-called local government distributive share. Instead, the money now will go to pay debt at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the agency that owns and operates Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox," by Crain's Greg Hinz. — Kaegi hits Trump Tower with big tax increase a year after slashing its taxes: "The Cook County assessor says the value of the downtown skyscraper's mostly vacant retail space is 68 percent higher than it was last year — when he lowered its value by 37 percent," by Sun-Times' Tim Novak. — Chicago Fire, Park District clash over Soldier Field sponsorship rights: "A feud over whether the soccer team's recent corporate partnership with Wintrust runs afoul of the Bears' deal at the stadium is playing out while the city considers the future of the lakefront venue," by Crain's Danny Ecker. — City's new inspector general has no intention of 'staying in her lane': "If city officials feel warm and fuzzy about the watchdog, the watchdog is probably not entirely doing their job," Deborah Witzburg told the Sun-Times Fran Spielman. — Chicago has a new U.S. marshal 4 years after previous boss resigned, by Tribune's Jason Meisner — El Milagro committed 'flagrant' violations of state labor law, according to Department of Labor. Tribune's Talia Soglin reports — DURBIN's VIEW | Loop skyscrapers must be demolished to protect safety of Dirksen federal building: "I respect the interest in historic preservation. But the Dirksen Courthouse and those who work in it have been targeted before, and security vulnerabilities around the courthouse must be addressed," writes Dick Durbin.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | 
Getty | — About a hundred people attended a fundraiser for Rep. Mary Miller at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat. Trump talked about Miller being "tough and that he likes tough people," according to a guest at the outdoor event. Trump also had a sit-down with Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey, according to a source familiar with the meeting. — Anna Valencia opens up: "I have nothing to do with my husband's business. Period," she told WGN 9's Tahman Bradley. "The last few weeks have been really tough for my husband and I, tough conversations and really some growing pains. Looking back, I should have been more careful with my personal and professional emails." — MORNING CONSULT POLL : Among registered voters in the poll, 51 percent approve of the job Gov. JB Pritzker is doing compared to 43 percent who disapprove. He's not the most popular governor running for reelection (that'd be Vermont's GOP Gov. Phil Scott) but not the most unpopular either. That latter honor goes to Democrat Tony Evers of Wisconsin, who is the only governor in the survey running for reelection viewed more negatively than positively by voters in their state. — Jonathan Jackson was endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union International during the Illinois Joint Conference in Springfield. Jackson is running for the 1st Congressional District seat now held by Rep. Bobby Rush. — Congressman Sean Casten has released his first digital ads of the cycle. The ads will run on Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Hulu through Election Day as part of a six-figure digital buy. They are the first in a series of digital ads that will address the the cost of living, climate change, gun safety, and abortion rights. — Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has been endorsed by local mayors and state legislators, including Nathaniel Booker (Maywood), Katrina Thompson (Broadview) and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17th District). Here's a list — Equality Illinois is out with its endorsements for the June 28 primary. Missing from the list: an endorsement in the secretary of state's race. — Rejecting the incumbent: The National Association of Social Workers in Illinois made its endorsements. Most interesting is its support for Kevin Olickal over incumbent 16th District state Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback , who the organization endorsed two years ago. "It was based on a lot of things including (Olickal's) policy positions but the fact Rep. Stoneback (despite warnings) still decided to hire someone who downplayed the rape and assault of young women in Evanston was a dealbreaker," he told Playbook, referring to this story — Gary Grasso, the Burr Ridge mayor and a Republican candidate in the 6th Congressional District, has released his first campaign commercial.
| | | | A message from Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award:   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Metra eyes long-delayed bridge work on Union Pacific North Line, by Tribune's Sarah Freishtat — Tireless work on murder case earns McHenry deputy honor as state's top cop, by Daily Herald's Charles Keeshan and Susan Sarkauskas — Longmeadow toll likely to be lowered, not eliminated, in absence of more state help, by Daily Herald's James Fuller
| | DAY IN COURT | | 68 bullets fired in Near North shootout, but man accused of taking part only faces misdemeanor after prosecutors reject felony charges: "Anthony D. Newman, 20, allegedly told police he opened fire "to protect himself and his wife" after the Sunday evening incident that sprayed bullets across the neighborhood," by Sun-Times' Tom Schuba.
| | HIGHER-ED | | Voting UIS faculty members express 'no confidence' in provost: University of Illinois Springfield faculty members "cited failure in leadership, including enrollment mismanagement, creating of a toxic campus climate, and alleged misallocation of university resources," by State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what got you called to the principal's office: Steven Smith has a whopper: "In high school, we weren't allowed to leave campus during the day, but two buddies and I left and drove to a local McDonalds. While we were there, a teacher walked in and saw us. He didn't know my name but knew who my two friends were. The principal called in my two friends who refused to identify me. So he gave them each three days detention for not identifying me. I then went in and gave myself up."... Former Johnston City Mayor Jimmy Dean: "I got caught in English class using Cliffs Notes for a book report." ... Patricia Ann Watson: "Fighting bullies for picking on kids. I was scared, but I did what I felt I had to do." ... John Straus: "Cut school to go to the Cubs game and got photographed there. The photo was in the Sun-Times the next day… and the principal read that paper daily." … Knox County Board candidate Brent Zhorne: "In fourth grade, I was wrongly accused of being in a group that pushed a kid off the top of a snow pile in 'King of the Mountain.' Had to write two hundred words about why I shouldn't play King of the Mountain. Refused to do it since I didn't commit the crime, so the next day I had to write three hundred words. I needed a better lawyer than myself." If you were making up a poker game based on Illinois politics, what would it be? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | JOIN US TODAY FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden says he's considering canceling 'some' student debt, by POLITICO's Michael Stratford — The House Freedom Caucus is having an identity crisis, by POLITICO's Olivia Beavers — 'Egg on our face': New York redistricting mess spooks House Dems, by POLITICO's Ally Mutnick, Sarah Ferris and Bill Mahoney — Republican who refuses to bend the knee to Trump surges in Ohio Senate race, by POLITICO's Natalie Allison — The first Black man on the White House Secret Service finally gets justice, by Sun-Times' Mary Mitchell
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Matthew Serafin has joined JPMorgan Chase, where he is part of a strategy team for the bank's emerging middle market sector. He comes from Strategia Consulting, the comms firm he launched with Lissa Druss three-plus years ago after they worked together at Serafin & Associates with his father, Thom Serafin. — Tori Joseph is director of public and media relations for Mac Strategies Group. She previously served as press secretary for the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Chicago Mayor's Office during the Emanuel administration. — Bill Cameron returns to the political scene with "Take 1," a Sunday public affairs show and podcast at WLS 890-AM at 5 p.m. Cameron was based in Chicago's City Hall before he retired last year. He was just named recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Headline Club.
| | EVENTS | | Saturday at 1 p.m.: Rep. Brad Schneider will host a "Congress on Your Corner" town hall in Wheeling. On the agenda: the economy, climate change, and the cost of health care. The event will be held at the Wheeling Village Hall. RSVP here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Chicago Building Commissioner Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that Iroquois is the county with the most farmland in Illinois. TODAY's QUESTION: What Sicilian-born Chicago boxer, and future gangster, adopted an Irish name and why? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award: The annual Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award is presented to a former or current elected state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship.
Former Governor Jim Edgar and John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, invite you to nominate an Illinois state or local elected official who has displayed this kind of exceptional leadership.
We created the Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award to shine a spotlight on remarkable public service that is taking place in our state and local communities. Please join us as we celebrate the Prairie State's best traditions. Nominate an Illinois statesperson by June 1. | | | | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Illinois Democratic State Central Committeeman Patrick Watson, conservative radio talk show host and former political candidate Dan Proft (who turns he big 5-0), Graham Media Group adviser Emily Barr and Isabelli Media Relations CEO Janet Isabelli. Saturday: Congresswoman and Illinois Democratic Party Chair Robin Kelly, attorney and former state Sen. Chris Nybo, MediaPros 24/7 President Anne Kavanagh, wellness blogger and columnist Sue Ontiveros, Edelman managing director Lindsay Walters, and DoStuff director of membership Alex White. Sunday: state Sen. Jason Barickman, businesswoman and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Illinois Retail Merchants Association CEO Rob Karr, criminal prosecutor Christopher Pfannkuche, former Ald. Ike Carothers, CNN agencies unit producer Liz Stark, consultant Lisa Acker, and Joe Seliga, the co-lead of Mayer Brown's government practice and infrastructure investment ream, who turns the big 5-0. -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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