| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | Happy Thursday, Illinois. Suddenly, there are just 40 days until Election Day.
|  | TOP TALKER | | SCOOP: Gov. JB Pritzker is in the process of donating more than $11 million from his campaign fund to Illinois Democrats up and down the ballot, according to the State Board of Elections and his campaign office. The goal is to keep supermajorities in the Illinois General Assembly and, maybe, allies on the Chicago City Council. From the campaign: "There's nothing JB Pritzker cares more about than electing Democrats up and down the ticket in Illinois," Pritzker Campaign Manager Mike Ollen told Playbook. "He wants to make sure people all across the state have champions for women's reproductive rights and working families in every elected office in Illinois. That's what these donations are intended to do." Democrats for the Illinois House received $3 million, and the Illinois Democratic Party got $1.5 million. The governor is still talking with Illinois Senate Democrats before a likely donation of $1 million. Pritzker wants to ensure that those resources aren't used to support senators the governor has urged to resign. Statewide candidates Kwame Raoul, the incumbent attorney general, and Alexi Giannoulias, the secretary of state candidate, each received $1 million. Raoul faces Republican Tom DeVore, an attorney notorious for filing lawsuits against Pritzker's Covid-19 mandates. And Giannoulias, a former state treasurer, faces Republican state Rep. Dan Brady. Supreme donations: The Democrats running in the two highly contested Illinois Supreme Court races — Elizabeth Rochford and Mary Kay O'Brien — each received $500,000. Courting counties: Pritzker donated $1 million to Cook County Democrats, the bluest county in the state and anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 to other Democratic county organizations across Illinois. Political orgs got some, too: The Latino Legislative Caucus and Illinois Black Caucus PAC each received $25,000. Personal PAC, which backs candidates who support reproductive rights, got $100,000. And Equality Illinois and Chicago Votes each received $10,000. Even at the ward level: Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, who two years ago ran for party chair with Pritzker's support, was given $59,000. And numerous other ward organizations in Chicago each received $5,000 to beef up their coffers for get-out-the-vote efforts. NEW POLL: The governor holds a 15-point lead over his GOP challenger, state Sen. Darren Bailey, according to a new WGN-TV/The Hill/Emerson College Polling survey of likely voters. A majority of voters, 51 percent, support Pritzker's reelection while 36 percent support Bailey. Just 5 percent of those polled say they plan to vote for someone else and 8 percent remain undecided.
| | A message from World Business Chicago: Chicago has long been heralded as the world's best transportation, distribution, and logistics, hub. The Chicago Venture Summit Future-of-Logistics will put this history on display and allow the City and World Business Chicago to show the world how Chicago is leading the way globally in capital investments for logistics tech. Join us for the city's flagship startup and venture capital conference on October 6. Learn more at ChicagoVentureSummit.com | | | | | THE BUZZ | | Dems' messaging mess: House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch defended the Safe-T Act law during a City Club luncheon Wednesday. It's the latest effort by Democrats to try to get control of the narrative around the law that eliminates cash bail starting Jan. 1. Republicans have whipped up distrust around the bill, claiming it will allow criminals to roam free. New polling indicates the rhetoric is working: The WGN survey about the governor's race (see above) also asked if respondents thought the Safe-T Act would decrease or increase crime. Nearly 48 percent said they thought it would increase crime; 11 percent said it would decrease; and 13 percent of respondents hadn't even heard of the law. "The Safe-T Act is legislation that empowers judges and removes access to money from the equation," Welch said at City Club, explaining that defendants who pose a threat will no longer be able to buy their way out through bail. The speaker said critics of the law are the same folks who want to take away women's rights, labor rights and marriage equality. One opponent is Republican Tom DeVore, who showed up at the City Club. (Attendees were expecting fireworks, but no such luck.) After the event, DeVore, who's running for state attorney general, said his criticism of the Safe-T Act is that it was hastily voted upon. ABC 7's Craig Wall has more from DeVore. Counterpoint: Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart, who was there to support Welch, reminded that there were some 90 hours of public testimony on the bill before it got the General Assembly's approval. "It's an amazing change that will make people safer," Rinehart said. "It will make survivors of domestic violence safer," so defendants can't pay their bail. Watch for Rinehart to be a more prominent voice in getting the message out. Meanwhile, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow explains why he opposes the law, via NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern, who was also at City Club. Will the law be rewritten? Welch says lawmakers are studying the law to determine if another trailer bill will be presented to tweak the law (there have already been three trailers). If there is, lawmakers would take it up in November when they meet in Springfield for the planned veto session. A state senator has also introduced a bill to refine language in the law. 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
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | On the campaign trail in McLean County to kick off early voting, which begins today.
| | WHERE'S LORI | | In Mexico promoting Chicago.
| | Where's Toni | | At Lalo's on Maxwell Street at 9:30 a.m. to announce the $71 million Source Grow Grant program for businesses.
| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | — Survivors of Highland Park mass shooting file suit against Smith & Wesson: "The sweeping effort by dozens of victims of the Highland Park shooting, anti-gun violence advocates and private attorneys announced Wednesday is the latest bid to hold gun manufacturers accountable for a mass killing despite broad protections for the industry in federal law," via Associated Press. — From the Victims: 'This time it was our family, next time it could be yours.' Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet reports
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Who Needs Townships? "Illinois has far more local governments than any other state. Many have outlived their usefulness. So why aren't we getting rid of them?" Robert Reed reports in Chicago magazine.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — Judge Elizabeth Rochford has been endorsed by Illinois NOW (National Organization for Women) PAC in her campaign for the state Supreme Court's 2nd District. — Connie Cain, Republican candidate for state rep in the 66th House District, has been endorsed by Arin Thrower, a Dundee Township supervisor and former rival in the June primary. — Former asbestos attorney seeking Madison County judgeship has fundraising advantage, via Madison-St. Clair Record
| | CHICAGO | | — Mayoral allies urge Lightfoot to scrap plans for $42.7M property tax increase: " The increase is half what the automatic escalator approved two years ago allows. But Ald. Jason Ervin, chairman of the City Council's Black Caucus, is among the mayoral allies advising the mayor to find another way," by Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — CPS advances plans for Near South high school despite opposition, threat to withhold state funding: "CPS leaders said teens travel far for school now, and population growth justifies the school. Opponents said the plan is irresponsible and lacks community input," by Sun-Times' Nader Issa, Sarah Karp and Lauren FitzPatrick. — Chicago Public Schools no longer nation's third largest district: " After 11 years of declining enrollment, CPS now serves 322,106 children, making it the nation's fourth largest district after Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which serves 324,961 students. New York City Public Schools is the largest with more than 950,000 students enrolled last fall and Los Angeles Unified School District is the second largest with more than 430,000 last year," by Chalkbeat's By Becky Vevea and Mauricio Peña. — — In Pilsen, a community effort builds to shut down Chicago's last big scrap-metal shredder, by Sun-Times' Brett Chase
| | MAYOR'S RACE 2023 | | — Chicago Teachers Union endorses Brandon Johnson for mayor, but he's not in the race yet: "Johnson, a former teacher, has been jockeying for the progressive vote with several of the declared candidates for mayor, including incumbent Lori Lightfoot, state Rep. Kambium "Kam" Buckner, Ald. Sophia King, Ald. Roderick Sawyer and activist Ja'Mal Green. The union's support is a powerful boost for Johnson, though it's unclear whether other progressive unions like SEIU will join in supporting his campaign," by Tribune's Gregory Pratt and Alice Yin.
| | | | A message from World Business Chicago:   | | | | | TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES | | — Chicago area transit systems reach pre-pandemic milestone with combined 1M weekday riders: "It's heartening to see ridership consistently increase and break records, and we're committed to continuing to improve the system," said Leanne Redden, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority, by Sun-Times' Manny Ramos. — Seventh Circuit considers whether airport security guards count as law enforcement: "Chicago approved the revocation of law enforcement status for security guards at the O'Hare and Midway airports in 2017. An appeals panel is now weighing whether the move violated the guards' due process rights," by Courthouse News Service's Dave Byrnes.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Northwestern unveils plan for Ryan Field rebuild: " The school is proposing an $800 million project to tear down the outmoded, 96-year-old Evanston football stadium and build a modern — and smaller — venue on a slightly different footprint," by Crain's Danny Ecker. — Cook County forest preserves pitch a property tax hike to voters, "Cook County property owners would be asked to pay about $1.50 more a month in taxes toward the preserves, which became a haven during the pandemic," by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Ferrara fined by OSHA for allegedly exposing workers to amputation hazards at Bellwood candy factory, by Tribune's Talia Soglin — The Tylenol murders, part 3: Chicago police zero in on a suspect, and the case claims an 8th victim, by Tribune's Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair
| | DAY IN COURT | | | 
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a rally in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2022. He's calling on the National Archivist to publish the Equal Rights Amendment as an amendment in the Constitution. | AP Photo/Andrew Harnik | — Illinois appeals dismissal of suit against U.S. archivist for refusing to certify ERA ratification: "Nevada and Illinois are appealing a U.S. District Court's dismissal of their suit against the U.S. archivist, who the states are suing for refusing to publish and certify their ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment," by POLITICO's Kelly Hooper. — Former longtime Chicago police officer faces federal indictment for alleged kidnapping, sex assault: "James Sajdak, 64, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox," by Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. — Judge: R. Kelly to pay $300,000 to victim in sex crimes case, by The Associated Press' Tom Hays
| | | | HAPPENING NOW - MILKEN INSTITUTE ASIA SUMMIT : Go inside the 9th annual Milken Institute Asia Summit, taking place from September 28-30, with a special edition of POLITICO's Global Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive coverage and insights from this important gathering. Stay up to speed with daily updates from the summit, which brings together more than 1,200 of the world's most influential leaders from business, government, finance, technology, and academia. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked for your favorite guilty pleasures from 7-11 or White Hen: Madeline Norris, The Roosevelt Group's state government relations director: "The jalapeno cream cheese taquitos from 7-Eleven are so good." Ted Cox, policy adviser: "Mountain Dew Slurpees from 7-Eleven. If only they'd do Diet Dew Slurpees there'd be no guilt." What are your favorite stops along I-57 (Your Playbook host is driving it as you read this.)? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | —Tropical Storm Ian pummels Florida, via CNN — As Ian batters Florida, Puerto Ricans fear being forgotten, by POLITICO's Gloria Gonzalez — Could a rail merger snarl the U.S. freight system? Energy Wire's Mike Lee reports — FYI, Obama didn't keep millions of classified White House documents, fact-check by The Associated Press — 'Reason to worry': Italy's Meloni holds a mirror to Trump's GOP, by POLITICO's Andrew Desiderio — Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024, by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Mary Frances Veeck, an ambassador for baseball and sounding board for the former White Sox owner, by Tribune's Paul Sullivan — Rapper Coolio, known for hit 'Gangsta's Paradise,' dies at 59, by The Associated Press
| | A message from World Business Chicago: Chicago has long been heralded as the world's best transportation, distribution, and logistics, hub. The Chicago Venture Summit Future-of-Logistics will put this history on display showing the world how Chicago is leading the way globally in capital investments for logistics tech.
"Chicago is the country's leading transportation and logistics hub. From a central location to our diverse talent pipeline and rapidly expanding tech and innovation, logistics tech companies and startups are well positioned for success here," said Michael Fassnacht, President and CEO of World Business Chicago, and Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago. "With an 802% increase in growth capital between 2019 and 2021, we're excited to host investors, corporate innovators, and founders from around the world at the inaugural Chicago Venture Summit, Future of Logistics."
Join us for the city's flagship startup and venture capital conference on October 6. Learn more at ChicagoVentureSummit.com | | | | | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Ralph Maxwell and Byron House were brothers-in-law who both became Illinois Supreme Court justices. Maxwell was elected in 1951 and died in 1956. House was appointed to replace him and was reelected in 1960, serving until his death in 1969. TODAY's QUESTION: Where in Illinois did Dred Scott live? Email skapos@politico.com
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