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| By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning. And happy birthday, Illinois — 206 never looked so good.
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TOP TALKER | | TWILIGHT ZONE: Chicago’s 50 City Council members are pulling all-nighters trying to come up with a budget. “It feels a lot like college,” said Ald. William Hall of the late-night budgeteering. “It’s fun but thank God for my Starbucks account.” The effort seems to be uniting council members on the left and right who a year ago were sticking to their own cliques — and, at times, sticking it to each other. Now, they’re coming together to nail down a budget after a few ideas floated by the mayor got a thumbs-down. It’s kumbaya out of desperation. The mayor and City Council must agree on a budget by Dec. 31 or risk city government shutting down — that means garbage service, pot-hole repairs and tree-trimming, among other services, would be put on hold. ”To tax or not: Hall, a mayoral ally who chairs the Revenue Committee, believes the council needs to return to raising property taxes in accordance with the Consumer Price Index, a practice that started in 2021. Last year, Johnson chose to skip the property tax increase tied to inflation. The mayor's latest proposal is for a $68 million tax hike, reports the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. Aldermen are putting their heads together to study the mayor's proposal and look for revenue alternatives while not cutting jobs. The mayor calls it "participatory budgeting." Not everyone likes it: “The real concern is that there is a deficit of confidence and trust in what the administration is presenting,” said Ald. Andre Vasquez, who sits on the council's progressive caucus. “A number of us want to ensure that there has been due diligence done regarding finding efficiency so that there is a balance to the budget.” Vasquez is also proposing legislation that requires the mayor to present a budget proposal in September, to avoid the last-minute scramble that’s going on today. The chaos is creating a strong council: Ald. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas says aldermen have been pushing back for months against the mayor, rejecting his canceling of the ShotSpotter gun-detection technology and calling for a hearing for the Chicago Public School Board. “He doesn’t know how to collaborate,” said Villegas, making a dig at Johnson proclaiming himself “collaborator in chief.” It’s the City Council that's pulling together and collaborating instead, Villegas said. Ald. Raymond Lopez worries “the clock is working against us.” And Ald. Silvana Tabares says there are discussions about whether “squeezing taxpayers is a worthy sacrifice to keep the mayor happy.” Another view: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, criticized aldermen opposing any property tax-hike, saying they’re “feigning outrage about a proposal that now is less than 10 percent of what they hiked on us in 2015.” In other words, the council is still divided. RELATED Chicago plans $806M bond refinancing amid budget standoff: “The city is expected to borrow $679.7 million of sales-tax-backed debt and $126.6 million of bonds tied to its general obligation pledge on Dec. 5. Proceeds will be used to refinance outstanding debt to save money and help close back-to-back shortfalls,” by Bloomberg's Shruti Date Singh ‘ More on the budget and personnel issues, by NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern Plow the Sidewalks’ pilot left out of city budget, angering disability rights advocates, by the Block Club’s Quinn Myers
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THE BUZZ | | PARDON MOI: Gov. JB Pritzker and other Democrats who might angle for a presidential bid in four years have been silent on President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter. Lips sealed: Pritzker and Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear of Kentucky declined to weigh in or did not respond to POLITICO’s requests for comment on the pardon. What it means: They’re side-stepping the opportunity to break with — or defend — Biden. It’s not an issue that’s going away. Our full story: Top Democrats steer clear of Biden’s pardon A few Illinois politicos were more willing to talk: “It sets a terrible precedent for presidents in the future to blanket pardon, not just family members, but anyone," said former Congressman Rodney Davis after attending an Illinois Chamber of Commerce event in Oak Brook on Monday. "Voters who said the No. 1 issue was a threat to democracy because in their minds Donald Trump was going to upset the norms of government, how do they reconcile this?" said Davis, a Republican who is now head of government affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, a Democrat who was at the same event, addressed a question about pardons for those charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, saying, “I don’t see how that has anything to do with Hunter Biden being pardoned.” After leaving the stage, Bustos said, “What father wouldn’t want to help his son if he is in a position to do so? As the mother of three boys, I would do all that is possible to give them a better life. He did what most dads would do. He reacted as a father.” Bustos is now a partner in the national public affairs and lobbying firm Mercury. RELATED Biden just gave Trump a new pardon playbook, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Betsy Woodruff Swan If you are Hunter Biden, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
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WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
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WHERE's BRANDON | | At the Chicago Hilton at 6:30 p.m. for the China General Chamber of Commerce U.S.A. – Chicago annual gala
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Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Health Professional Building at noon to launch the Cook County Health’s inaugural doula program Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | |
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BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Separated by 31 votes: Sangamon County Recorder Josh Langfelder files for recount in razor-thin loss to Republican challenger Frank Lesko, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie — Could St. Clair County flip red like Madison County? The GOP is optimistic: “The closeness of some races, in addition to the GOP picking up state legislative seats in the last few elections in more rural parts of the county, have Republicans in the Metro East hopeful they are gaining ground,” by St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer.
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| THE STATEWIDES | |
— MADIGAN TRIAL | Burden of 'poof?' Defense grills Solis on tax fraud, prostitution they say could make deal with feds disappear: Jurors in Mike Madigan’s racketeering conspiracy trial heard allegations Monday of tax fraud, bribery, prostitution and campaign law violations as defense attorneys began their long-awaited cross-examination of FBI mole Danny Solis,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Matthew Hendrickson and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney — Pritzker announces first secretary for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie — 'A travesty:' People react to deputy in Massey shooting being freed from jail, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
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CHICAGO | | — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he didn’t know about allegations against ex-comms director: The mayor blamed his office’s handling of harassment complaints against the former aide on what he called a flawed disciplinary process he “inherited” at City Hall, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan. — Happening today: Two women who were fired and put on the city’s “do-not-hire” list after complaining about mistreatment by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team are off that list and plan to talk about the incident in a press conference today. Watch for Alds. Scott Waguespack and Gilbert “Gil” Villegas to discuss a plan for more transparency around the “do-not-hire” list. — Nearly two-thirds of CPS principals and assistant principals want to keep CPS CEO: “Nearly 700 administrators urged the current board to keep him,” by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. — SPOTTED: Gov. JB Pritzker touring the Obama Presidential Center, which is still under construction. Pics!
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COOK COUNTY | | — As she is sworn in, State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke decries violence and pledges new detention policy: “Today is not about me. It is about the belief that safety and a fair criminal justice system are not mutually exclusive,” O’Neill Burke said. “We can have both and we will.” She was sworn in by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham. In the crowd: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, former Mayor Richard M. Daley and former State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, by the Tribune’s Madeline Buckley. Pic! — New clerk of Cook County courts pledges to reform office best known for scandals, errors: “The clerk’s office is the front door to our justice system,” said Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos. “I pledge to keep that door open for everyone, not just for those who know how to navigate the system,” by the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm. — Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele attends meeting remotely after DUI arrest, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig
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Reader Digest | | We asked whether superstores represent all that’s good — or bad — about capitalism Kristopher Anderson: “Theoretically, it doesn’t make sense to buy meat and tires at the same location, but it speaks to the success of capitalism: streamline the process and provide convenience to the consumer.” Lucas Hawley: “All that is good. Choice, selection, competitive prices, etc. It is the first thing every foreign friend asks me to take them to for the last 14 years.” Charles Keller: “All that's good. It forces other retailers to compete or die. Life is about change, and if you don't keep up you get left behind.” Matt Messbarger: “All that's wrong, 90 percent of the time — although Amoeba Music in Los Angeles is uniquely great for music fans. (Full disclosure, I used to work there.).” Lisa Wagner: “This is not an either-or question. Capitalism is the greatest force for human advancement, and it has lifted more people out of poverty than anything else. By turning our backs on capitalism per se is to turn our back on people.” Patricia Ann Watson: “All that’s wrong. Beauty is in relationships with shopkeepers and small onshore manufacturers.” Next question: If you were president, would you pardon your son or daughter, delinquent as they may be? Email skapos@politico.com
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THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Lots of ideas for a Ukraine peace plan, but the sides remain far apart, by POLITICO’s Veronika Melkozerova and Hans von der Burchard — Pro-immigration group launches a political arm to combat Trump’s agenda, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward — Unions score major win in Wisconsin with court ruling restoring collective bargaining rights, by The Associated Press
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IN MEMORIAM | | — Former Schaumburg Township trustee Diane Dunham, wife of Schaumburg village trustee, dies, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — Cook County Circuit Court Judge Martin C. Kelley has died. Obit here — Frank Nitikman, attorney and Lyric Opera supernumerary, dies at 84, by Bob Goldsborough for the Tribune
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EVENTS | | — Today at 6 p.m.: State Reps. LaShawn Ford and Camille Lilly headline a panel discussion put on by the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. Details here
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TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Andy Shaw for correctly answering that Illinois’ own William C. Hooker first patented the spring-loaded mousetrap. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Chicago corporation counsel who later helped start the law firm that would later hire Barack Obama? Email skapos@politico.com
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Political consultant Lance Trover, comms consultant Neal Ungerleider, Stomping Ground Strategies Senior Media Manager Olivia Goethals, screenwriter Lyn Vaus and journalist Meg Hilling. -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 | | | | |
