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| By Shia Kapos |
Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Today’s forecast: summer.
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 | TOP TALKER | |
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Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence in Washington last year. | AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool |
It’s been 10 years since Congresswoman Robin Kelly was elected, helped in part by billionaire Michael Bloomberg who supported her gun-control views. Days after Kelly took office, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot dead while walking in a park in the city’s Kenwood neighborhood. From then on, Kelly’s mission in Congress was defined. The IL-02 Democrat has sponsored dozens of bills and resolutions focused on gun control and public safety and requested more than $750 million in community violence intervention funding. It’s been a disappointment that more progress hasn’t been made, but Kelly keeps trying, she told POLITICO in an interview focused on gun control and police reform. “We’re not as far along as we hoped. It’s been 10 years. But it’s not stopping us,” Kelly said. More than symbolic: This week, she’s honoring Hadiya with the “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” resolution that encourages people to wear orange, the color hunters wear for safety. Kelly hopes it promotes awareness of gun violence and serves as a reminder that people are not targets. Earlier this month, Kelly teamed up with other lawmakers to introduce legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to study the dangers of unfair and deceptive marketing and advertising by the gun industry. No bill is a cure-all, Kelly said. “We can pass legislation like the things I want to see passed, but we also have to get to the root causes. We have to invest in young people and neighborhoods and mental health.” And there’s the problem of access to guns. “It’s so easy to buy a gun," Kelly said. "When I was younger, you argued and maybe it went to a fistfight, but people didn’t say, ‘I’m going to get my gun’ or just pull out a gun they had on them. That didn’t happen.” Along with marking the death of Hadiya, Kelly talked about another somber anniversary: the murder of George Floyd three years ago. Has the country changed since then? “It depends on who you are and your philosophy,” Kelly said. “Killings are still going on. And there’s a lack of trust of the police.” It’s an issue that hits close to home for Kelly, who has family members who work in law enforcement. “There's nothing worse for a good cop than a bad cop," she said. "I don’t think we’re much farther along.” Especially disappointing, Kelly lamented, is Congress’ failure to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. “It doesn’t mean we won’t keep trying.” — THE FIFTY | He prosecuted George Floyd’s killer — and he’s still searching for answers: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison discusses policing, politics and how to prevent cops from killing more people.” A Q&A with your Playbook host.
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| | THE BUZZ | |
| Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller is among conservative lawmakers rejecting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's deal with President Biden to raise the debt ceiling. "This deal does not contain anywhere near the CUTS and policy changes we need in order to stop Joe Biden's war on the American people,” Miller, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said in a statement. Nuts and bolts: The deal reached over the weekend would raise the nation’s debt ceiling for nearly two years and thus avoid a government debt default. It’s a compromise that Miller and many other conservatives aren’t willing to swallow. The House is expected to vote today, and the Senate must act before the June 5 deadline. They won’t be easy votes. The Senate is bracing for last-minute conservative demands on the debt deal, report POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Daniella Diaz Why the nation’s banks will lose even if Biden avoids default, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida
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| WHERE'S JB | |
At West Side Christian Church in Springfield at 10 a.m. to give remarks at Medal of Honor ceremony. — At University of Illinois Springfield at 11:30 a.m. to discuss FY24 budget investments. — At the International Prep Academy in Champaign to also discuss the budget.
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| WHERE's BRANDON | |
At City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over the City Council meeting.
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| Where's Toni | |
At the Cook County Building at 10:30 a.m. to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Thank you for reading Illinois Playbook! Drop me a line sometime: skapos@politico.com
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| DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. |
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| THE STATEWIDES | |
— Illinois Supreme Court to hear case on legality of 2 consolidated pension funds: “The decision by the state's Supreme Court follows the February ruling by an Illinois appellate court that the consolidated funds, the $9 billion Illinois Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund, Peoria and the $7.2 billion Illinois Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, Lombard, are constitutional,” by Pension & Investments’ Rob Kozlowski. — VETO SESSION: The Illinois General Assembly has posted its schedule for the veto session. The House and Senate will return to Springfield Oct. 24 -26 and Nov. 7-9. — Landmark Muslim bills on their way to becoming laws: “One requires halal/kosher foods be made available at public facilities and another provides Muslim imams access into prisons for chaplaincy,” by Daily Herald’s Madhu Krishnamurthy. — Studies show Illinois most at risk from brain-damaging lead in water, but Florida getting bigger cut of $15B EPA fund to replace pipes, by Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne
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| 2024 WATCH | |
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes is set to announce today that he’s running for the Illinois Supreme Court seat that opened up when Justice Anne Burke said she would retire. If he were to win, Reyes would be the first Latino justice on the state’s highest court. The open seat has drawn controversy since Burke announced her exit. The court made an interim appointment, naming Joy Cunningham, then an appellate judge, to the seat. Cunningham is African American. Latino community leaders voiced concerns that the court didn’t name a Latino to the position instead. Cunningham’s term runs through Dec. 2, 2024. — Darren Bailey endorses Donald Trump for president, via Crain’s Greg Hinz
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| CHICAGO | |
— Mayor stands by top cop after most violent Memorial Day weekend in 7 years: “That level of violence — the most shooting victims since 2016 — was “intolerable,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and David Struett report. — Migrants at Wright College shelter hope to soon depend on themselves: ‘We want to work’, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo and Fran Spielman. — Ald. Ray Lopez said migrants were causing TB outbreaks, but public health officials say there’s not a single case, reports Illinois Answers Project’s Manny Ramos — After community input, search for new Chicago police superintendent enters new phase, by Tribune’s Sam Charles — City Council to vote today on making outdoor dining permanent, by WGN 9’s Brónagh Tumulty and Peter Curi
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| COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | |
— Former Robbins police chief files lawsuit against mayor, village for wrongful termination: “David Sheppard alleges in a lawsuit [that] Mayor Darren Bryant interfered with police work including storage of evidence, hiring of officers and how to handle investigations,” by Daily Southtown’s Alexandra Kukulka. — Beginning of the end: Demolition crews arrive at Arlington Park, via Daily Herald — Highland Park alum Gary Sinise bringing Lt. Dan Band to city’s July 4 day of remembrance, by Lake County-Sun’s Steve Sadin
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| DAY IN COURT | |
— Neighbor of Mayor Brandon Johnson accused of killing woman, hiding body in alley, by Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson — Former Chicago cop charged with pinning Park Ridge teen to the ground last summer to stand trial Monday, by Pioneer Press’ Caroline Kubzansky
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| 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. |
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| Reader Digest | |
We asked what TV finale you’ll never forget. Janice Anderson: "Sopranos."
JP Fyans: “Yellowstone will definitely be my answer in a short time.” Michael Gascoigne and Patricia Ann Watson: "Lost." Graham Grady, John Lopez and Barry Tusin: The original "Fugitive." Lucas Hawley: “Supernatural.” Mark Heffington, Janet Mathis, Alison Pure-Slovin, John Straus and Phil Zeni: "M*A*S*H." Robert Kartheiser: “'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'" and the never-ending group hug.” Michael Lieber: “'Newhart,' where he wakes up to the unmistakable voice of Suzanne Pleshette, his wife from ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ and realizes the whole ‘Newhart’ series was just a dream.” Crystal Olsen: “Six Feet Under.” Kathy Posner: “Big Bang Theory.” Magen Ryan: “Gilmore Girls." I had just started my internship on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and Rory went off to report on his campaign in the finale. I cried like a baby!” Steve Sheffey: “The final minute of the last episode of 'The Odd Couple' is perfect.” Where’s the best spot for outdoor dining? Email skapos@politico.com
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| THE NATIONAL TAKE | |
— Ron DeSantis starts throwing some uppercuts at Trump, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison — White House press shop adjusts to proliferation of AI deep fakes, by POLITICO’s Eli Stokols and Lauren Egan — Ramaswamy fires consultants who worked simultaneously for LIV golf, by POLITICO’s Caitlin Oprysko and Hailey Fuchs
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| TAKING NAMES | |
— House Speaker Kevin McCarthy headlines the Lake County Republican Federation spring gala in Lincolnshire. Details here — State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is leaving downstate Champaign and has bought a home in Chicago ahead of he and his wife having twins. His wife works in Chicago. Frerichs explains all that in a column in the News-Gazette, after columnist Jim Dey accused the treasurer of moving up north to further his political career. Frerichs pushed back, writing: “It is unfortunate that Jim Dey mocks me for making this decision to support my wife and our family. … It feels as though he wants to Make America Great Again by reverting to a time when women were expected to sacrifice their careers for their husbands,” via the News-Gazette.
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| IN MEMORIAM | |
— William Brandt, influential Democrat, corporate restructuring pioneer, dies at 73: “Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said, ‘Bill was always a no-bulls---, honest and direct sounding board — whether we agreed or not,’” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet.
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| | TRANSITIONS | |
| — Alexis Smyser-De Leon is now policy and zoning director for Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th). Smyser-De Leon was comms director for state Rep. Will Guzzardi's district office. — Lyndsey Wajert is now an associate on the litigation team at Vedder Price in Chicago where she will work on media, IP, and privacy issues. She most recently was an associate at Mandell Menkes. — D'Angelo King has been promoted to be senior director of operations at Esperanza Community Services in Chicago.
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| | EVENTS | |
| — Saturday: State Rep. La Shawn Ford will join bikers to raise $50,000 for By The Hand Club For Kids to benefit after-school programming. Details here
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| TRIVIA | |
TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congratulations to Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that 13 primary interstate highways pass through Illinois. And h/t to Andy Shaw for noting there also are 11 auxiliary highways. TODAY’s QUESTION: Which two Illinois-born diplomats served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James (Great Britain)? Email skapos@politico.com
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY | |
40th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe, Equality Illinois Public Policy Director Mike Ziri, Pillars Fund co-founder Kashif Shaikh, Relm Insurance’s Sophia Zaller and Chicago Council on Global Affairs Editor Julie Moos. -30- |
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