| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by The Regional Transportation Authority Of Northeastern Illinois | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. Temps are rising and so are the spirits.
|  | TOP TALKER | | NEW THIS MORNING: The four contracting companies that will build out the United Center’s staging and backdrop for the Democratic National Convention have been selected. The winners: McHugh-Powers UC (a joint venture between McHugh Construction and Powers & Sons Construction Co.) will serve as construction manager. Populous is the event architect. Hargrove + Show Strategy is event manager. And Show Strategy is the exposition services provider. Show is the first Black-owned firm to serve as prime contractor for this scope of work, according to organizers. All the firms have a Chicago-area presence and will subcontract with local firms, according to a spokeswoman. Why they were hired: The Chicago Host Committee and Democratic National Convention Committee looked at experience, reliability, costs, ability to meet a deadline and relationships to the Chicago area. Union activity and a dedication to working with women and minorities was also a plus. Good timing: The selection comes just as top officials with the Biden campaign and Democratic National Party are arriving in Chicago this week to tour the United Center along with media folks from around the country. The big reveal: Convention officials will announce the location of the stage in the United Center. Expected on hand for a walkthrough with media: Convention Chair Minyon Moore, Dewey Square public affairs group’s Andre Anderson, White House senior advisers Anita Dunn and Jordan Finkelstein, Biden campaign adviser Meghan Hays and DNC Deputy Executive Director Roger Lau. Delivering opening remarks: Convention Executive Director Alex Hornbrook, Host Committee Executive Director Christy George, senior director of comms Matt Hill and Media Logistics Director Peter Velz.
| | THE BUZZ | | FILE AWAY: Statewide office holders aren’t running for office this year, but they’re still raising money. Here’s what the 2023 final quarter numbers show: Gov. JB Pritzker plugged $12 million into his account, spent $1 million and has $11.1 million on hand. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton raised $57,181, spent $67,000 and has $295,000 in the bank. Atty Gen. Kwame Raoul raised $354,000, spent $97,000 and has $941,000 cash on hand. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias raised $606,000, spent $29,000 and has $1.6 million cash on hand. Treasurer Mike Frerichs raised $144,000, spent $58,000 and has $798,000 in the bank. Comptroller Susana Mendoza raised $311,521, spent $39,000 and has $579,000 in the bank. — Speculation: 10 pols who could replace Dick Durbin when he decides to retire, by Chicago magazine’s Edward Robert McClelland If you are Andre Anderson, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from The Regional Transportation Authority Of Northeastern Illinois: Transit is critical to improving air quality and health outcomes for our most vulnerable communities – but the system is facing a $730 million operating shortfall starting in 2026. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has developed a 2024 legislative agenda to increase support for sustainable transit funding that can foster regional collaboration, improve access to jobs, lower emissions, and grow ridership. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At Wieland in East Alton at 10:30 a.m. to announce new investments — At Ellis Elementary School in Belleville at 12:30 p.m. to showcase Smart Start investments in early childhood education.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (gasp!) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | JOIN 1/31 FOR A TALK ON THE RACE TO SOLVE ALZHEIMER’S: Breakthrough drugs and treatments are giving new hope for slowing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. But if that progress slows, the societal and economic cost to the U.S. could be high. Join POLITICO, alongside lawmakers, official and experts, on Jan. 31 to discuss a path forward for better collaboration among health systems, industry and government. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | MIGRANT MOVES | | — SCOOP: Emails show mayor, city officials were notified about sewage, roaches and illnesses at a migrant shelter 2 months before a boy there died: “The emails also raise questions about how the administration has monitored conditions at migrant shelters and the city’s oversight of outside vendor Favorite Staffing, which manages day-to-day operations at migrant shelters,” reports WTTW’s Paris Schutz. — Chicago isn’t opening any more migrant shelters for now, citing budget constraints, by the Block Club’s Mack Liederman
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Lawmakers clear path for assault weapon registration rules: “The legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted along party lines Tuesday to let the rules go into effect, ending months of negotiations and debate between supporters of the law and gun rights advocates,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — Illinois businesses must share ownership details under new federal law, by the Sun-Times’ Isabel Funk — Illinois saw the most tornadoes in the U.S. in 2023: 120, up from 39 in 2022, by the Sun-Times’ Phyllis Cha — In the Capitol: The Elm City Roastery coffee station pop-up is back. The station is located on the second floor near the Secretary of State’s Office.
| | | 2024 WATCH | | | — Congressman Mike Bost’s campaign has released its second TV ad in his reelection campaign. Titled “Secure America,” the ad zeroes in on the border crisis. — State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat, has been endorsed by LPAC, a super PAC that supports lesbian candidates and advocates for LGBTQ and women's rights issues. Details here — David Nayak just gave himself $100,000 in the race for state Senate in the 20th District Democratic primary. Nayak is self-funding his race. He faces incumbent state Sen. Natalie Toro and fellow challengers Graciela Guzmán, Jason Proctor and Geary Yonker. — The Chicago Federation of Labor is out with its endorsement list. It's neutral on an interesting race. Details here
| | | | A message from The Regional Transportation Authority Of Northeastern Illinois:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Brutal cold claims four lives, but Chicago area hospitals don’t see rise in weather-related problems, by the Sun-Times’ Audrey Hettleman — It's so cold, Teslas are struggling to charge in Chicago, by NPR’s Bill Chappell — Hilco to pay $12M in botched demolition that covered Little Village in dust, reports the Tribune’s Adriana Pérez
| | SPOTTED | | BELTWAY FUN: On a chilly afternoon right before temperatures plummeted, Erika Poethig and Ray Sendejas, opened their Lincoln Park home to a power crowd. Their “Melange and Mingle” had a Beltway feel. And there’s a reason. Poethig, executive VP for strategy at the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, until recently worked advising the White House on housing issues, and Sendejas was in the U.S. Treasury and is now with the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Chicago. The couple used to entertain in D.C. and picked up right where they left off in Chicago, hosting a regular soiree. The latest party featured a grazing menu of Middle Eastern delicacies (the baklava was terrific). The chit-chat was just as rich, focusing on everything from politics to higher education, the environment and housing. In the mix: Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt, former state Sen. Heather Steans, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Jean Franczyk, Elevate climate group’s CEO Anne Evens, MacArthur Foundation's Tara Magner and Debra Schwartz, the Civic Committee’s Derek Douglas, Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Kristin Faust, Pritzker Pucker Foundation’s Valerie Chang, Corporate Coalition of Chicago’s Brian Fabes, Schreiber Philanthropy’s Whitney Smith, Civic Consulting Alliance and former CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld and Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability Adam Gross.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Evanston determines order for next round of reparation disbursements: “A total of 453 direct descendants, those who are related to Evanston residents who were at least 18 years old and lived through racially harmful housing policies from 1919 to 1969, were given a randomly generated number that was then listed in a spreadsheet and randomly sorted to place determined their place in line to receive funds,” by the Pioneer Press’ Alex Hulvalchick. — Why Roselle is seeking home rule authority on the March ballot: “Roselle would be able to enact a local sales tax and a local gasoline tax paid by residents as well as visitors to help fund infrastructure projects,” by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith. — Wheeling Fire Chief Mike McGreal retires, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Civil Rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. are the Gentle Warrior Awardees at the Feb. 24 gala benefiting the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. Details here — The Center for Effective Government has announced its Civic Leadership Academy 2024 Cohort. Among the participants are Cook County Chief Medical Examiner Ponni Arunkumar, City Colleges Strategic Initiatives Director Aziza Darwish, Chicago Public Schools Business Diversity Executive Director Teena Lorie Harris, Obama Foundation Development Director Sali Mahgoub, Chicago Department of Transportation Policy Director Mary Nicol, Cook County State’s Attorney Chief of External Affairs Eugenia Orr, Chicago Transit Authority Diversity Programs Director JuanPablo Prieto, Illinois Alliance for Safety and Justice State Director Aditi Singh, Chicago Public Schools Student Protections Executive Director Brian Thompson Jr., Cook County Public Health Programs Deputy Director Gina Massuda Barnett and Cook County president’s office deputy comms director Cara Yi. Here’s the full list
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what you listen to while working: Rosemary Caruk: “Minnesota Public Radio's ‘The Current’.” Michael Gascoigne: “A variety but today is Lady Wray’s album ‘Piece of Me.’” Lucas Hawley: “The Hill's ‘Rising’ podcast.” Charles Keller: “Ben Shapiro and Joe Rogan.” Sinhue Mendoza: “In the dead of winter when it's cold and cloudy, I listen to old WGN Cubs broadcasts and envision myself in the sun soaked bleachers of Wrigley Field in summer.” Marilynn Miller: “When I’m working around the house, it’s relaxing piano music — a Roku streaming channel from IHeart Radio.” Chuck Eastwood and James Scalzitti listen to 93 WXRT. Next question: What is your go-to office lunch?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump’s win in Iowa shows big strengths and hidden warning signs, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper and Steven Shepard — Senate GOP to Mike Johnson: Seriously, take a border deal, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett — Tax breaks for parents, businesses possible in last-minute deal, by POLITICO’s Brian Faler and Benjamin Guggenheim
| | TRANSITIONS | | — José Ochoa is now president and CEO of the National Museum of Mexican Art. He succeeds Museum founder, President and CEO Carlos Tortolero, who retired last month. Ochoa was president of the ChiArts Foundation of the Chicago High School for the Arts. — Austin Brown is now counsel to the Democratic National Convention Committee in Chicago. He was an associate in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis and is a Hillary Clinton alum. — William “Will” Dorsey is now vice practice group leader of Blank Rome’s corporate litigation group. He’s been with the firm since 2019.
| | A message from The Regional Transportation Authority Of Northeastern Illinois: Communities that have access to high-quality public transit also have better health outcomes – lower rates of asthma, and respiratory and cardiovascular issues. And communities in the Chicago region with the poorest air quality tend to be home to people of color, with larger populations of children and less economic opportunity. Transit is critical to improving air quality and health outcomes for the region’s most vulnerable populations – but the system is facing significant challenges brought on by decades of underfunding and made worse by the pandemic. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has a plan and clear legislative priorities that, if enacted, will improve service and grow ridership, lowering emissions and creating healthier communities. Pledge your support for transit today. | | | | | EVENTS | | — Feb. 17: Historian and author Nigel Hamilton is the featured speaker at this year’s Abraham Lincoln Birthday Banquet, via the Abraham Lincoln Association. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that the hottest day in Illinois was July 14, 1954, in East St. Louis when temps hit 117 degrees. TODAY's QUESTION: What big sporting event did Abraham Lincoln attend in Illinois in 1849? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former first lady Michelle Obama (who turns the big 6-0!), Cook County Judge Abbey Fishman Romanek, Mason County Democrat Jay Briney, comms consultant Kelley Quinn, Talman Consultants marketing director Liane Adduci and Edelman senior VP Katherine Wiet. -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 | | | | |
