Triple threat: Moore, Sawyer, Lebed team up

Nov 30, 2023

Good Thursday morning, Illinois. We’re in Milwaukee today checking out Fiserv Forum, where the GOP Convention will be held next year. It’s gonna be a scene.

TOP TALKER

Joe Moore, left, Fred Lebed and Roderick Sawyer have launched MLS Public Strategies public affairs firm.

Joe Moore, left, Fred Lebed and Roderick Sawyer have launched MLS Public Strategies public affairs firm. | MLS Public Strategies photo

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Three political veterans have teamed up to start a new lobbying firm. Former Chicago Alds. Joe Moore and Roderick Sawyer and public affairs pro Fred Lebed have launched MLS Public Strategies LLC — short for Moore, Lebed, Sawyer — a firm that will provide “tailored government affairs advice and advocacy services” to politicos, businesses, nonprofits and trade groups.

All three are notable names in Illinois and Chicago political circles.

Moore was an alderman for 28 years and before that an attorney in the city’s Law Department. He most recently has been lobbying for government contractors, affordable housing developers, retailers and retail and housing provider associations.

Sawyer served on the City Council for 12 years and was its Black Caucus chair. The youngest son of the late Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer, he's also an attorney specializing in real estate, business and municipal law and earlier this year made a run for mayor.

Lebed was assistant state comptroller and later deputy chief of staff and director of intergovernmental affairs for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. For the past 24 years, he’s led a consulting practice focused on healthcare issues.

Their pitch: “We know how government officials and administrators think and what it takes to convince them to reach a desired result,” Lebed said in a statement announcing the new firm.

The Trial of Edward Burke

HEAD-TURNER: A witness used the term “very corrupt” during testimony Wednesday, prompting the former alderman’s attorneys to vehemently object. Now U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall is considering whether to grant a mistrial.

The Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel have the story.

The “c” word was uttered during questioning about the “Chicago way of doing business.”

How it popped up: “When Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur explained that she did not expect Amtrak executive Ray Lang to make the comment at issue, Kendall quickly asked the veteran prosecutor, ‘What were you expecting him to say?’” according to Seidel and Woelfel.

It’s serious: The judge called for written briefs today from lawyers on both sides.

In other testimony: ‘If Ald. Burke asked you questions it could be terrifying,’ via WTTW’s Heather Cherone

If you are Ray Lang, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com

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WHERE'S JB

The governor’s schedule wasn't provided today, and his team didn’t immediately respond this morning about his whereabouts.

WHERE's BRANDON

At Roosevelt University at 10 a.m. for the annual Mansfield Lecture.

Where's Toni

No official public event.

Before you turn your calendar, email at skapos@politico.com

2024 WATCH

— Jerry Evans, a Republican, has been endorsed by former Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar in his bid for the 11th District congressional seat held by Democratic Rep. Bill Foster.

— Maria Peterson, a Democrat, has been endorsed by Teamsters Local Union 301 in her bid for the Illinois House seat in the 52nd District. The seat is held by incumbent Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin.

— Michael Zink has announced his bid for judge in Cook County’s 20th Subcircuit. Zink is a partner at Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells, where he focuses on tenants’ rights and independent landlord support.

THE STATEWIDES

— TRAIN OF THOUGHT: State Rep. Kam Buckner is urging transportation officials to modernize procedures so that riders on Metra Electric trains can also use South Shore trains. “Many Chicagoans have stood on the platform of our Museum Campus, watched a South Shore train pull up, open the doors, and been told by the conductor they are not allowed to enter that train to ride,” he wrote in a letter to leaders of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) and Metra Metropolitan Rail. “I have had that exact experience. The doors close and they are left at the station, waiting for the next Metra train.”

Looking at legislation: Buckner, who is passionate about rail transportation, said he’s considering filing legislation that will require outbound trains on the South Shore Line to pick up riders at all stops. He sent similar letters to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) about his concerns. Letter here

— Study finds Illinois, other Midwestern states behind on renewable energy: “In Illinois, almost 20 percent of generated electricity comes from wind and solar as of March 2023. [That] pales in comparison to states such as Iowa, South Dakota and Oklahoma that are each generating more than 50 percent of their electricity from solar and wind,” by the Daily Herald’s Jenny Whidden.

— Illinois grape growers prepare to take on the invasive spotted lanternfly after first sighting this fall, by the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson

— ‘Muffler Man’ statue in village of Atlanta will now be part of a giants museum, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie

CHICAGO

— City Council is tightening public access amid a slew of chaotic meetings: “In recent months, alderpeople have been accosted, received threats and security has had to clear council chambers on more than one occasion,” by WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel.

— Johnson proposes historically large pay raises for police: "Rank-and-file salaries could add more than $200 million to police budget under new offer,” by the Better Government Associaton’s Geoffrey Cubbage.

— Biden EPA proposes requirements for utilities to remove toxic lead water pipes within a decade; Chicago likely to get more time, by the Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne

— Protesters in Brighton Park speak out against migrant camp as construction begins, by the Tribune’s Alysa Guffey

— Rogers Park residents form tenants union over bedbugs, maintenance complaints. Building manager says problems addressed, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg

DAY IN COURT

— Black utility workers in lawsuit allege they face discrimination while working at Peoples Gas: “Nearly a dozen former and current Peoples Gas workers allege that the utility company racially discriminated against Black employees in the Chicago area, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit,” by the Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón.

TAKING NAMES

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Lori Healey has joined the board of World Business Chicago. In her day job, she’s senior VP and executive project officer for the Obama Presidential Center. Others joining WBC’s board include: Chicago Bears CFO Karen Murphy, Jenner & Block partner Wade Thomson and BDT & MSD Partners merchant bank’s Ashish Lal.

— Former Congressman Rodney Davis, a Republican, headlines a discussion with Massachusetts official Jim Montgomery, an Illinois native, at Harvard University. Topic: “Can Republicans and Democrats who were classmates and political opponents be friends in today's polarized environment?” Years ago, the two former college classmates competed in the Taylorville mayor’s race. Montgomery won. Details

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Reader Digest

We asked what primary matchup you’re watching:

Michael Gascoigne: “I’m interested to see what happens with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib after learning Hill Harper was offered millions to run against her.”

John Lopez: “I'm watching the 11th Congressional District primary between eight-term Congressman Bill Foster and progressive challenger Qasim Rashid, both of Naperville.”

Anna McKinley: “I think I'm joined by many other downstate Democrats anxiously waiting to see Congressman Mike Bost and former state Sen. Darren Bailey duke it out. At the same time, terrified of what they will say next.”

Dale Sachtleben: “The Bost vs. Bailey primary in IL-12 where two MAGA followers will be fighting for superiority in a R+26 District.”

Timothy Thomas Jr.: "The 7th Congressional Democratic primary."

For tomorrow, When did your car get towed?

FROM THE DELEGATION

— Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) is scheduled to drop his first bill today. It’s aimed at strengthening civil rights accountability at the United States Department of Agriculture.

— Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the House Floor to call for continuing aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia. Video here

THE NATIONAL TAKE

— Henry Kissinger, diplomat who helped to reshape the world, dies at 100, by POLITICO’s David Cohen

— Trump calling for Obamacare’s replacement has lit a fire under Biden’s slow burn campaign, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Adam Cancryn

— Court filing reveals Rep. Scott Perry’s vast web of contacts in bid to reverse 2020 election, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney

TRANSITIONS

— Chris Lowery has started his own government affairs and political consulting shop, Chris Lowery Consulting. Lowery was the floor manager for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and regional political director in the House Dems campaign operations.

— Jennifer Rosato Perea is stepping down as dean of DePaul University’s College of Law to become the managing director of accreditation and legal education for the American Bar Association, effective June 1. Her last day at DePaul will be May 18.

EVENTS

— Dec. 8 and 9: The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is holding a two-day policy summit with business leaders, community partners and subject matter experts. NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson is a headliner and Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will be honored. Brunch is Dec. 9. Details here.

TRIVIA

WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Roger Flahaven and Graham Grady for correctly answering that there were no casualties in the 1889 shipwreck of the David Dows.

TODAY's QUESTION: What were Midway International Airport’s previous names? Email skapos@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Cook County Board press secretary Nick Mathiowdis, PR pro Nick Harkin, Johnson & Johnson state government affairs director Michael Reever, who turns the big 4-0, and a belated birthday greetings to state Sen. Natalie Toro. She celebrated Wednesday.

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