TGIF, Illinois. Don’t forget to call the moms in your life.
TOP TALKER
Illinois Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, photographed in January, is pushing the federal government for more funding to care for migrants in Chicago. | AP Photo/Erin Hooley
Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who has been a leader in pushing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to take steps to resolve the country’s immigration challenges, spoke to Playbook on Thursday about what he expects from the lifting of Title 42, a Covid-era health order that prevented asylum seekers from entering the United States.
On how we got here: “The Biden administration inherited this situation. The driving factors that have led to the surge include our foreign policy in the region, including Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. Second, I think because of Covid and the ravaging of the economies in those countries that we’re seeing new migrants. And there are climate refugees. Those are folks being displaced from their countries because they can’t make a living and it’s spreading violence in those communities.”
“And, of course, our immigration laws have made legal pathways more scarce for people coming here, and Congress’ inability to enact immigration reform has sent a clear message that the only way to get here is through unauthorized means.”
What it means for Chicago: “Just as the border communities need urgent help from Congress and the administration, cities need it as well. Chicago and New York are two prime examples, and that’s why I led a letter with my colleagues urging FEMA and DHS to provide expedited and additional funding to help address the migrants arriving from Texas and other states.”
Any feedback on the letter? “No reply yet. But we’ve been using our bully pulpit to drive that message to the White House, DHS and FEMA."
Will there actually be a surge? “We know there will be more, but we don’t know how many. People will also be turned back at the border [under Title 8 immigration rules]. So, while it’s logical to brace for larger numbers, the rate of expulsions through the Title 8 Policy may keep people out. The conversations that President Biden and Mexican President [Andrés Manuel López] Obrador have had are about Mexico taking people who are expelled and probably helping to repatriate them to their countries. It makes it harder to assume that the rate [of migrants coming to Chicago] will be exponentially large.”
BRASSY BRANDON: Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson will make a series of celebratory stops Monday morning on the way to the UIC arena, where he’ll be sworn in along with all 50 newly elected City Council members.
His team is calling it an “inauguration tour.” It’s not something that’s been done in recent memory. We defer to Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman, who would know for sure.
The 57th mayor of Chicago will keep the tradition of meeting with residents in City Hall at 2 p.m.
Another twist: In the evening, Johnson will be feted at an invitation-only gala, “The People’s Ball.” All the state’s elected officials are invited. And though a few eyebrows were raised because it’s never been done before, we expect everyone who’s anyone will attend.
If you are Annette Guzman, Playbook would like to know your take on dealing with pension payments. Email skapos@politico.com.
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bp employees in Illinois are keeping energy moving to keep America moving, too. Our team provides fuel for O’Hare flights, helps people power their cars, trades energy to keep the lights on and more. See more ways bp is investing in Illinois.
WHERE'S JB
No official public events.
WHERE'S LORI
At the Bronzeville Winery at 12:45 p.m. as part of a bus tour around INVEST South/West and Chicago Works developments.
Where's Toni
No official public events.
Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: skapos@politico.com
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CONVENTION ZONE
— The party scene: Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady MK Pritzker held a cocktail reception and fundraiser for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. About 80 guests mingled at the home of businessman Michael Sacks, who hosted the affair after it grew too much for the governor’s place. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was among notables in the room along with labor and business leaders.
— It’s been a week: “The Illinois Senate passed 142 bills Thursday, including state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen’s measure that would allow victims of digital forgeries, better known as ‘deepfakes,’ to sue perpetrators and collect damages.” The Senate is done for the week and returns Monday, via Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore.
— Bringing respect: Legislation that would allow for the burial of Native American remains on public lands heads to the governor’s desk after passing the state Senate unanimously. House Bill 3413 amends the Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act to allow Illinois to create a cemetery protected from public use on state lands for the reburial of repatriated Native American remains and materials. Currently burial of Native American remains on public lands is prohibited.
GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE.
Reader Digest
We asked what organization Barack Obama should visit the next time he’s in town.
Lisa Schneider Fabes: MAAFA Redemption Project, “offers residential support, workforce training, character development and wrap-around social services to emerging adult men of color.”
Elizabeth Grisanzio: Simply From The Heart, “works to enrich the lives of women and children with cancer.”
What do you hope to hear from Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s inauguration speech? Email skapos@politico.com
FROM THE DELEGATION
— Unity message: Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller and Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski came together with other members of the Illinois delegation to honor victims of the I-55 pile-up earlier this month and the first responders who helped. Video here
— Sen. Dick Durbin met this week with Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens “to discuss the Southwest Connector project,” according to Durbin’s team. The proposed project would establish a 60-mile, four-lane rural expressway providing access from Southern Illinois to St. Louis.
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— NEW JMART COLUMN: POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin goes inside Ron DeSantis’ campaign in Tallahassee. Fla., for this scoop-studded report.
— Generation Connie: A story about women named ‘Connie’ after Connie Chung, via New York Times
A message from bp:
The US is home to bp's largest workforce in the world, a team delivering the energy the world needs today, while increasing our investments in lower carbon alternatives for our future. See more ways bp is investing in America.
Transitions
— Ameya Pawar is now a senior adviser for the Economic Security Project, a nonprofit advocating for an Illinois Child Tax Credit. He's a former Chicago alderman.
— John W. Boyer is stepping down as dean of the College of University of Chicago, where he oversees undergrad academics and programming. Boyer is the longest serving dean in UChicago history, having served more than 30 years in the role. He will become an adviser in the president’s office.
EVENTS
— Today at noon: Peoria Mayor Rita Ali joins John Shaw of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual “Meet the Mayor” conversation about her career in education and politics and her policy agenda for Peoria. Register here
TRIVIA
THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that in 1916, Howard van Doren Shaw designed Market Square in Lake Forest, considered the first planned suburban shopping center.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Who wrote Mayor Richard J. Daley's first inaugural speech? Email skapos@politico.com
BIRTHDAYS
Today: State Rep. Kam Buckner, lieutenant governor’s office policy manager Emily Harwell, Clark Hill senior counsel and former alderman Latasha Thomas and Illinois Senate Dems senior managing editor Adrianna Pitrelli.
Saturday: State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Carrie Hamilton, Cook County Assessor Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Williams, political fundraiser Mia Phifer, Newberg Group fundraising director Emma Werden, Illinois Senate Dems comms specialist Celeste Holmes, Caterpillar Chief Strategy Officer Brian Colgan, state Rep. Margaret Croke Chief of Staff Jacqueline Duarte, broadcaster Mark Giangreco, J.D. candidate Zachary Elvove and adventurer Leslie Oddy Toepfer.
Sunday: IHA CEO A.J. Wilhelmi, Chicago Better Business Bureau CEO Steve Bernas, philanthropist Susan Crown, movie mogul George Lucas, political fundraiser Elizabeth Grisanzio and Hebrew School Principal David Schwartz.
