PRITZKER’s new hire — RAUNER’s MENDOZA-PALOOZA — BISS’ rollout Presented by Facebook

By Natasha Korecki ([email protected]; @natashakorecki) with Kristen East ([email protected]; @kristenicoleast)

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois.


THE BUZZ — Illinois Playbook scoop: J.B. Pritzker has hired Anne Caprara — who served as executive director of Priorities USA, the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC — to help lead Pritzker’s exploratory efforts for governor. Caprara would move to campaign manager if he decides to run, a Pritzker source confirmed.

“She managed a multi million-dollar budget and a professional political staff focused on the 2016 Presidential election,” Caprara’s bio on Huffington Post says. “Before coming to Priorities, Anne served as the Vice President of Campaigns at EMILY’s List. In 2014, Anne was political director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, helping to oversee Senate races in 33 states. In 2011 and 2012, Anne served as the DSCC’s Deputy Political Director, covering all Senate races east of Wisconsin.”

TAKEAWAY — The billionaire (named by Forbes just Monday as among the wealthiest in Illinois — and the world) is looking in and outside of Illinois to recruit who the top campaign strategists in the nation. But is Pritzker already moving too slowly in this race? While Pritzker announced an exploratory committee last week via an email statement, he’s remained quiet. Each week, another candidate either enters the fray or trumpets a populist platform that threatens to steal his thunder. The danger he faces is becoming viewed as too Clintonesque, presuming that because of his access to money, the race is his.

IT’S US AGAINST THEM — On Monday, state Sen. Daniel Biss announced his campaign for governor over a Facebook Live session (watch here) calling on residents to take back their government and restore a system controlled by the wealthy and entrenched political insiders. Biss may be the first to position himself as adamantly anti-Bruce Rauner — and anti House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Illinois GOP was quick to say Biss was a loyalist to Madigan. Biss noted he sponsored legislation in the Senate placing a 10-year limit on legislative leaders. He also said this: “I’ve been clear for a long time that Madigan’s been there too long.” As we told you on Monday, he’s the fifth Democrat to formally enter the primary race.

BISS ROLLOUT — His main issue: change the constitution so Illinois has a graduated income tax, requiring residents to pay based on their wealth, rather than the current flat tax. This is a centerpiece progressive issue, and one that even the right-leaning Civic Federation said the state should consider to dig itself out of massive financial hole. However, even if that plan is successful, it will take time; something Biss said he recognizes and will address. He also directly attacked Rauner for initially not weighing in and then being too vague on the Affordable Care Act repeal and its affect on Illinois.

SPEAKING OF PROGRESSIVES — Word is that Illinois House Dems will start moving pieces of legislation in Springfield this week that are part of broader progressive package: $15 minimum wage; corporate tax loopholes; safeguards to reproductive rights; and anti-President Trump measures. On Monday, state Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) led a news conference on Monday highlighting corporate tax loopholes — which he said pays out $1 billion to major corporations. Guzzardi (speaking in English and then in Spanish) asked that Illinois curb tax perks to the state’s largest businesses. Watch it here: Facebook Live

FIRST LOOK: The Illinois Policy Institute is out with a new poll that tracked how people felt about various issues. The telephone survey was of 600 likely voters and, according to the IPI, 64 percent identified as moderate or liberal and 42 percent as Democrats. (Cross tabs with information on region, age, sex and race of those surveyed, was not provided).

Some takeaways: 67 percent of those polled supported “a permanent property tax freeze that could only be broken by a local vote.” The IPI, a conservative think tank closely aligned with Rauner, also highlighted this: “Roughly 1 in 2 likely voters support reforms related to subjects Illinois lawmakers have long considered ‘untouchable,’ including proposals that would give local governments more power to better negotiate union contracts and wages for infrastructure projects.”

What had the strongest support? (78 percent) agreed that current state workers should be given the option to leave the pension system and enroll in a 401K-style retirement savings plan. See the survey

ANOTHER EMANUEL WITH WHITE HOUSE ACCESS — “An architect of the ACA is trying to influence Trump as GOP works to level the law,” by Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin and Amy Goldstein: “When bioethicist and oncologist Ezekiel Emanuel met with President Trump at the White House on Monday, the session revealed publicly what has been happening privately for months: A trusted ally of former president Barack Obama and chief architect of the Affordable Care Act is trying to help steer how Republicans take it apart. With the administration and GOP leaders in Congress working to rewrite the landmark 2010 law — and Democrats displaying little appetite for negotiating with them — Emanuel appears to be one of the only members of his party with a seat at the table. Monday’s meeting was Emanuel’s third in-person conversation on health policy with Trump since the November election.” Story here

Not already a subscriber to POLITICO Illinois Playbook? SIGN UP HERE We welcome your tips, events, announcements. Send to [email protected] or @natashakorecki

**** BRACKETS ****

Playbook Pool Update: The standings are tight as we head into the Sweet 16! Joe Incollingo (Massachusetts) has 108 points and has called 42 of 48 (88%) games correctly, UNFORTUNATELY he also picked Villanova to win it all. Oops! Alexandra Acker-Lyons (California) currently shares the top spot on the leader board with 108 points, with an 85% success rate, and she picked UNC to win it all. NOT BAD! Chicago’s WGN Radio Host, Roe Conn, is also tied for 1st with 108 points and an 83% success rate and has Purdue picked to win the Championship. Over on the VIP board, Conn sits in the top spot, but ABC’s Jon Karl is close behind with 104 points, followed by a three-way tie for 3rd place between POLITICO President Poppy MacDonald (prize ineligible), California State Treasurer John Chiang, and Cook County Illinois Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. California’s John Burris, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis, DC’s Charlie Spies, Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz, and former Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady are within eye shot. See how you stack up here , and good luck heading into the games this weekend! Our next update will be once the Final Four are determined.

STATE/STATEHOUSE

BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS — “The richest people in Illinois,” by Chicago Tribune:

Ken Griffin, $8 billion

Sam Zell, $5 billion

Jay Robert (J.B.) Pritzker, $3.4 billion

Other Illinois billionaires

COURT REFUSES CASE ON STATE PAYCHECKS — “Illinois Supreme Court won’t take up state employee pay case,” by the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke: “The Illinois Supreme Court will not immediately decide whether state employees can continue to be paid without a state budget in place. The court on Monday denied a request by Attorney General Lisa Madigan to directly take up the case and bypass taking it to a state appeals court first. Madigan's office did not have an immediate comment on the ruling. Gov. Bruce Rauner has been sharply critical of Madigan's lawsuit over state employee pay and accused her of trying to force a government shutdown … Madigan's office said the matter will now be appealed to the Fifth District Appellate Court. That could delay indefinitely a final resolution of the case.” Story here

MENDOZA-RAUNER SECTION (will this become a permanent feature?)

— “Mendoza: Gov. Rauner stashing money for potential government shutdown,” by CBS Chicago’s Craig Dellimore: “The finger-pointing has gotten almost surreal. At an appearance at the City Club of Chicago on Monday, Mendoza said Rauner has been ‘squirreling away’ money in special funds, in anticipation of a state government shutdown.” Story here

— “Mendoza, Rauner in bitter fight over state finances,” by Crain’s Chicago Business’ Greg Hinz: “The bitter feud between Gov. Bruce Rauner and one of the state's top two financial officers turned positively toxic today with a new round of charges between Rauner and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. In a speech to the City Club and comments to reporters afterward, Mendoza charged that Rauner is prepared for the state to collapse financially if he doesn't get his way on the budget and has begun squirreling away hundreds of millions of dollars in ‘special funds’ to protect his political back.” Story here

— “Rauner, Mendoza again blame each other for the state budget stalemate,” by Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne and Kim Geiger: “Democratic state Comptroller Susana Mendoza kept up her attacks on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday, saying he has failed to fulfill his duties and has left Illinois "in the midst of the worst fiscal crisis in its history." And Rauner again accused Mendoza and other Democrats of working toward a government shutdown to "force a tax hike." The two officials have been locked in an acrimonious public back-and-forth since Mendoza beat Rauner-appointed Leslie Geissler Munger in a special election for comptroller last fall. The comptroller nodded to that dynamic early in her remarks to the City Club of Chicago on Monday.” Story here

— “Rauner vs. Mendoza latest front in political battle at Capitol,” by Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia: “She's an ambitious former House lawmaker who was serving as Chicago city clerk and won with the backing of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, the governor's chief political nemesis … Bickering once contained to the stalemate between Rauner and the Democratic-controlled legislature now has tentacles at all levels of government and serves as a preview to the 2018 campaign in which both are seeking re-election to their respective offices.” Story here



CHI-TOWN NEWS

— “A sports museum for Chicago?” by Crain’s Chicago Business’ Lisa Bertagnoli: “Two nonprofit execs have teamed up to launch a sports museum in Chicago. American Sports Museum will use sports as "bait" to teach children and adults about all sorts of topics, from history and biology to physics. It will also contain expected sports museum memorabilia, such as equipment and apparel from famous athletes. Mark Lapides, former chief marketing officer at Adler Planetarium, will be CEO of the new nonprofit organization. Roger Germann, principal and chief strategist at consultancy Four Lions Strategies in Chicago, is the project's senior adviser. ” Story here

— “Andy Shaw: Time for leaders to walk the walk on Chicago reform talk,” by Better Government Association’s Andy Shaw: “Our approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement, criminal justice and poverty eradication in Chicago and Cook County are in desperate need of repair and reform. That was breaking news this year to a prominent tweeter in Washington D.C. but not to those of us who live with the fallout every day. And confronting the challenges got more complicated when unanticipated changes in leadership at the national and local levels drastically altered the playing field, especially as it relates to police reform. Out are key officials at the Justice Department who were drafting a consent decree to enforce police reform in Chicago.” Story here

— “Ald. Deb Mell’s office burglarized on NW side,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Ashlee Rezin and Mitch Dudek: “Ald. Deb Mell’s 33rd Ward office in the Albany Park neighborhood was burglarized early Monday on the Northwest Side, police said. About 3:25 a.m., the male suspect broke in through a glass pane front door at the ward office at 3001 W. Irving Park Rd., authorities said ... ‘It doesn’t feel great, but it happens,’ Mell said at her office later Monday.” Story here

— “I remember West Side love,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ John Fountain: “I’m so West Side I can remember the new morning song of birds, spilling sweetly through my second-floor bedroom window after a serene city night uninterrupted by gunfire. I can still taste the fresh morning breeze. Still touch childhood memories of splashing through an icy, gushing fire hydrant amid a cacophony of joy on a hot summer’s day. Still — after all these years — feel West Side love. I’m so West Side I remember the music of the Isley Brothers, “drifting on a memory…” The smoke of backyard grills across K-Town, billowing into sun-drenched blue skies, the aroma of barbecue ribs teasing seductively.” Story here

-- “2 key figures in underground comics with Chicago ties have died,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Maureen O’Donnell: “Two seminal figures of the underground comics movement, both with strong ties to Chicago, have died within 11 days of each other. Artists Mervyn ‘Skip’ Williamson and Jay Lynch helped make the Chicago Seed underground newspaper a ‘crossroads between the East Village Other and the Berkeley Barb,’ said Art Spiegelman, an underground cartoonist and creator of ‘Maus,’ the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize. “These two were very important pioneers, and it put Chicago on my map,” Spiegelman said.” Story here

— “Cook County Board member cashes in on video gambling boom,” by Better Government Association’s Casey Toner: “Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri, who for years moonlighted as village president of Elmwood Park, took on a new side job in 2013 — as a sales agent for a video gambling firm that, months later, began installing poker and slot machines in the west suburb. Silvestri — an attorney who makes $85,000 a year as a county commissioner — says he made thousands of dollars in commissions off that deal. And he was later aided in a second deal when his successor in Elmwood Park blocked a rival company from opening a gambling parlor, which allowed Silvestri’s firm to put machines in the same location.” Story here

— “WATCHDOGS: More fed gun cases, but Chicago trails other cities,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Mick Dumke, Jon Seidel and Frank Main: “In his final days as U.S. attorney, Zachary Fardon declared that, as Chicago has faced a surge in violence not seen in two decades, his office had made gun crimes a top target. “Last year, this U.S. attorney’s office prosecuted more gun cases than we have in any year since 2004,” Fardon said before resigning Monday as part of a Trump administration purge of top prosecutors nationwide. “So anyone who suggests that we haven’t stepped up and stretched our resources to fight and help tamp down on gun violence is sorely mistaken.” It’s true that federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois opened 105 weapons cases in the year that ended Sept. 30.” Story here

AROUND THE COLLARS

— “‘Everybody’s freaking out’: Challenger ends half-century political dynasty,” by Chicago Tribune’s Robert McCoppin: “When a tea party conservative defeated a 24-year officeholder in last month's Republican primary, it ended one of the longest-running political dynasties in the Chicago area, spanning three generations over about half a century. The office at stake — the Algonquin Township Highway Department … has been controlled by Commissioner Bob Miller's family since the 1960s.

“… He lost the seat despite the backing of much of the political establishment in McHenry County, which is dominated by Republicans ... [Gasser’s] highest-profile support came from controversial former Congressman Joe Walsh and conservative radio host and political funds coordinator Dan Proft. Proft’s McHenry Times newspaper, one of 19 conservative papers he publishes around the state, provided critical coverage of Miller, and Proft said Gasser's victory ... was 'a big deal.' 'It sends the message that you can go up against the political establishment ... and win.'” Story here

TRUMP TROUBLES

— “FBI’s Trump-Russia probe knocks White House on its heels,” by POLITICO’s Shane Goldmacher and Matthew Nussbaum: “The White House was knocked on the defensive Monday ahead of its biggest week yet on Capitol Hill as FBI Director James Comey confirmed the existence of an active investigation into Russia’s meddling in the presidential election, including whether there was any coordination with now-President Donald Trump’s team. The dramatic revelation, made at a hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, dragged the Trump administration yet again back into uncomfortable territory just as it had hoped to highlight the smooth rollout of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, who began his confirmation hearings across the Capitol on Monday.” Story here

— “Spicer digs in after FBI confirms Russia probe,” by POLITICO’s Louis Nelson: “The mere presence of an investigation into ties between the presidential campaign of Donald Trump and the Russian government does not indicate that such connections actually exist, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday, reacting to the first public disclosure from the FBI that it is looking into the Kremlin’s interference in last year’s election. While the presence of an FBI investigation into Russian election meddling and ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials had been the source of much reporting, bureau director James Comey confirmed Monday that the investigation does, in fact exist.” Story here

— “At Neil Gorsuch hearing, parties strike different notes,” by Wall Street Journal’s Jess Bravin: “Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch opened Monday with clashing visions of the Constitution and the political events that have kept the vacancy open for more than a year. Senate Republicans framed President Donald Trump’s nominee, a George W. Bush appointee to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, as a reassuring figure who would work to restrain what they saw as the greatest threat to the constitutional order, a judicial branch run amok.” Story here

— “Facebook just made it harder for you to share fake news,” by The Telegraph’s Mark Molloy: “Facebook has started to roll out a new tool in its war against fake news which facts check the stories you post, although it doesn’t yet appear for everyone. Mark Zuckerberg vowed to tackle the fake news controversy after the social media site was criticised for becoming a breeding ground for the spreading of misinformation. Some Facebook users in the United States have reported seeing a pop-up window appear when an article is disputed by third-party fact checkers.” Story here

— “6 ways the Republicans’ proposed health care bill could impact Cook County,” by Chicago Magazine’s Geoff Hing: “Potential changes to America’s health care system are moving fast. Early this month House Republicans released the American Health Care Act, which lays out changes to health care policy as part of their promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. On Monday, the Congressional Budget Office released its analysis of the impacts of the legislation. Last week, even without a CBO score, the bill passed out of two House committees, and yesterday it cleared a key hurdle in the House’s budget committee.” Story here

— “Philadelphia’s Cinco de Mayo festival is canceled amid fears of an ICE raid,” by The Washington Post’s Avi Selk: “Every year, as the weather warmed, hundreds of people would transform a lot in south Philadelphia into a frenetic reenactment of their ancestors’ glory: the great battle of May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army defeated French invaders. Revelers would squeeze onto the grass between low-slung apartment blocks, dancing beneath a colorful explosion of muskets, flags, feathers and masks. No one reenacted the subsequent battle of 1863 — when the French came back, won and occupied Mexico. This year, they won’t be celebrating anything. After immigration raids across the country and reports of White House deportation plans, Philadelphia’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration has been canceled.” Story here

DIS & DAT

— “‘Biking while black’: Chicago minority areas see the most bike tickets,” by Chicago Tribune’s Mary Wisniewski: “As Chicago police ramp up their ticketing of bicyclists, more than twice as many citations are being written in African-American communities than in white or Latino areas, a Tribune review of police statistics has found. The top 10 community areas for bike tickets from 2008 to Sept. 22, 2016, include seven that are majority African-American and three that are majority Latino. From the areas with the most tickets written to the least, they are Austin, North Lawndale, Humboldt Park, South Lawndale, Chicago Lawn, West Englewood, Roseland, West Garfield Park, New City and South Chicago.” Story here

— “Agreement reached in Chance the Rapper child support case,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito: “It’s a wrap. In the basement of the Daley Center, without the Grammy-winning celebrity present, lawyers for Chance the Rapper and the mother of his toddler daughter Monday signed off on a legal agreement that ends a prolonged tussle over child support. Lawyers for both sides were effusive in their praise for how Chance and the mother, Kirsten Corley, came to an agreement.” Story here

EVENTS Courtesy of IntelligentEvent (@Chi_Intellevent)

WEDNESDAY — Trump: The first 100 Days - AM560 - This one-night event brings together some of the sharpest political minds, as they attempt to dissect the first 100 days of the Trump administration. The event will feature AM 560s Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, Dan Proft, and Joe Walsh discussing and debating the trajectory of the Trump administration. It will be a fast-moving, entertaining, and informative conversation that will help to make clear the road ahead for President Trump and the nation.

THURSDAY — Ellen Alberding, President The Joyce Foundation - City Club of Chicago - SOLD OUT - As President and Board Member of the Joyce Foundation, Ellen Alberding oversees the charitable distribution of $48 million annually from assets of $950 million. Under her leadership, Joyce has gained national prominence with a grant portfolio rooted in the core belief that communities are stronger when they share benefits broadly.

— Tailwinds and Headwinds: The Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy — Chicago Council on Global Affairs — Robert S. Kaplan, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas talks monetary policy with Michael H. Moskow, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

WHERE’S RAHM? Announcing that the city is “brokering the sale of four vacant buildings on South State Street in the heart of the Loop Retail Historic District — including two historic high-rises. The now-vacant buildings were acquired by the federal government in 2005 and are currently maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA), which has determined they are no longer needed.”

WHERE’S RAUNER? Morning press conference in Springfield on cyber security.



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