| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos and Samantha Latson | | Presented by |  | | | TGIF, Illinois. Your Playbook host is easing up a bit next week for spring break, so Reader Digest and Trivia will be on hold until April 8. I’ll still be at the Hideout Thursday talking to state Sen. Robert Peters. Join us for the good vibes! Tickets here
|  | TOP TALKER | | CONVENTION ZONE: The Democratic National Convention is tweaking Republicans over the brouhaha involving NBC dumping former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel as a contributor. Here’s why: The RNC is considering restricting NBC’s access to this summer’s Milwaukee convention as a result of the incident, reports my POLITICO colleague Alex Isenstadt. “We are taking a hard look at what this means for NBC’s participation at the convention,” said Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for the RNC and the Trump campaign. “Our priority is making sure this is a world class event that allows President Trump to feature his message and vision in a fair way.” An NBC spokesperson declined comment, reports Alex. What the Democrats have to say: “NBC will always be welcome at the @DemConvention in Chicago!” Democratic Convention Spokeswoman Emily Soong posted on social media.
| | THE BUZZ | | BIDEN MOURNS ROCKFORD: President Joe Biden spoke out against violence again, this time after a stabbing rampage in Rockford in which four people, including a 15-year-old, were killed and seven injured. “Jill and I were horrified to learn of the brutal attack,” Biden said in a statement, referring to the first lady. “Families across America want the same thing: the freedom to feel safe in their community… This tragic event is a reminder that we must continue to ensure that our police and first responders have the support they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.” According to the Rockford Register Star: The suspect in the killing spree “told police that he became paranoid after smoking marijuana that may have been laced with another drug,” reports Jeff Kolkey. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara called the killings a “random and senseless act of violence.” As victims names were made public, the mayor relayed information about 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb at a press conference, saying, she died “saving her sister and her friend and protecting them from further harm.” State Rep. Maurice West said, “It’s going to take the community to heal the community,” via social media. In the three years he’s been president, Biden has issued dozens of similar mournful statements, often focused on the need for enhanced gun laws because so many crimes involve such weapons. In the case of Rockford, it’s a reminder of the range of violence first responders must face. If you are Ronna McDaniel, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Amazon: As the largest job creator in the U.S. Amazon is committed to helping their employees thrive with benefits starting day one and free, on-the-job skills training. When MJ started at an Amazon fulfillment center, “health care started on day one for me and my kids,” she said. See the impact of comprehensive benefits. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | In California to promote Illinois’ film industry.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | No official public events.
| | | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — IT’s NOT OVER ‘TIL IT’s OVER: Eileen O’Neill Burke sustains lead over Clayton Harris for state’s attorney as last remaining votes are running short: “Chicago and Cook County election officials tallied just 276 Democratic ballots in the race Thursday as the window for Harris to overtake O’Neill Burke appears to be closing. She leads by 1,623 votes, a margin that’s barely budged all week,” reports the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. Next steps: “On Wednesday, Harris’ campaign said it would wait until next Tuesday — the last day for mail ballots to be counted — to decide its next steps. If Harris continues to lag behind O’Neill Burke, his options would be to concede defeat or ask for a recount to double-check the accuracy of the final results, which is a costly and time-consuming option with uncertain results,” writes A.D. — Pritzker sends Cook County Democratic Party $250K ‘to turn out voters’ in November: “The funds will help target a big problem for a city opening its doors to President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Convention in August. Just 17.94 percent of registered voters in suburban Cook County and 25.7 percent of registered voters in Chicago voted in the March 19 primary,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Pritzker reappoints IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau, but senators want more reform after payroll scandal: The reappointment of Alicia Tate-Nadeau is causing a bit of a fuss for senators who “want more answers from the agency head over a payroll scandal that cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — Illinois Republicans challenging the state’s vote-by-mail law. But appellate judges seem skeptical of their arguments: “A federal appeals panel in Chicago signaled skepticism toward Republican efforts to scuttle an Illinois law that allows for mail-in ballots to be counted up to two weeks after an election,” by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Despite $1B cost, mayor open to helping develop area around proposed new Bears stadium on lakefront: “Mayor Brandon Johnson did not commit to spending a specific amount of public money to lakefront infrastructure improvements, but vowed that whatever public money is invested, it must be committed to creating more housing and jobs and ‘a sustainable, clean economy,’” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Mayor Johnson backs Ald. Sigcho-Lopez in flag-burning controversy: Mayor Brandon Johnson put his foot down on Thursday making it “clear he has no intention of dumping a member of his City Council leadership team for appearing at a rally outside City Hall where an American flag was burned,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Aldermen push for more transparency and tracking of migrants that Chicago evicts from shelters, by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan — Former Signature Room workers awarded $1.5M in back pay, benefits, by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn and Jessica Ma — New acting HUD secretary uses Chicago appearance to tout Biden green energy plan, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin
| | | | A message from Amazon:   | | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County Courts have seen ‘mostly smooth’ transition after elimination of cash bail, new report finds: “According to findings from the Civic Federation and the League of Women Voters of Cook County, the Pretrial Fairness Act has worked as intended during the first six months of its implementation,” by WTTW’s Matt Masterson. — Northwestern seeks Evanston’s OK to use existing lakeside field on campus for 2024 football season, by the Tribune’s Alex Hulvalchick — North Chicago alderman facing felony charges wants to discuss matter with City Council, but not in public, by Lake County News’ Steve Sadin — Arlington Heights chamber boss forms exploratory committee for possible mayoral run in 2025, by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek
| | DAY IN COURT | | — A gun charge filed amid George Floyd unrest in Chicago is dismissed amid controversy: “Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will ‘inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities,’” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel, Frank Main and Tom Schuba.
| | SPOTTED | | — Bushra Amiwala, who serves on the Skokie School Board, hosted her annual iftar Thursday. The event drew 325 attendees, including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who drew big applause for calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, state Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Kevin Olickal. The event supports the Muslim Civic Coalition, co-founded by Dilara Sayeed and Reema Kamran, who were also in attendance.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what made you sick as a dog: Matthew Beaudet: “Double pneumonia in 2003 took me out for weeks. I dropped to 150 pounds and had to use a cane to get around.” Whitley Tee: “Norovirus that I picked up at a Greektown eatery. My dining companion and I both got demolished by it.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Strep throat many years ago brought home by my then 5-year-old.” And hugs to the reader who asked that her name not be revealed after recalling the horrific time she had to carry a dead fetus for two months in a hospital. It caused infection and blood clotting and happened under “old anti-abortion laws that prevented doctors from removing the dead fetus. When my doctor walked me to the elevator the day I went home, he said he was so happy to be able to do it because he didn't think I was going to make it.” PROGRAMMING NOTE: Your Playbook host is slowing down next week, so we won’t feature Reader Digest until April 8. THE QUESTION FOR THAT DAY: How do you get back in the groove after a vaca?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump has lots to say about everything — except the Baltimore bridge collapse, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren — The fight to flip the House just got harder for Dems. And they have New York to blame, by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro — Fallen crypto titan Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years, by POLITICO’s Declan Harty
| | WELCOME TO THE WORLD | | — IT’s (ANOTHER) GIRL! Secretary of State Alexi and Josephine "Jo" Giannoulias are the proud parents of baby Mila. She’s daughter number four for the Giannouliases, and dad says he couldn’t be happier.
| | | Transitions | | | — Matt Janes is executive director of the Illinois Republican Party. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and had worked with state Rep. Mike Coffey, the Illinois House Republicans and former Congressman Rodney Davis. — Shaun McCabe, former executive director of the Illinois Republican Party, has joined OnMessage, a political consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va.
| | | | A message from Amazon: Amazon fulfillment centers create on average 3,000 local jobs with comprehensive benefits and free technical training so hourly employees get the support they need to succeed. Amazon’s local investment in cities and towns across the U.S. helps employees and whole communities thrive.
Learn how Amazon supports employees and their communities. | | | | | EVENTS | | — May 9: Tom Homan, the former ICE Director under President Trump to speak during GOP Lincoln Day dinner, by State Journal Register’s Patrick M. Keck
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet, Timothy Thomas Jr. and John Straus for correctly answering that Francis “Chick” Hearn was the Illinois native sportscaster who coined the term “slam dunk.” TODAY’s QUESTION FOR APRIL 8: Who was the pro-wrestling star known to protect his classmates against bullies at his Illinois high school? PROGRAMMING NOTE: Your Playbook host is slowing down next week ,so Trivia questions will be on hiatus until April 8.
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Ald. Anthony Napolitano, former White House press secretary now Bully Pulpit Interactive partner Robert Gibbs, Endeavor Co-CEO Ari Emanuel, SDI Presence co-founder and rabid Loyola alum Jack Hartman, Impact for Equity finance Managing Director Sally Gonzales, Secretary of State Executive Assistant Angel Alicea, CTA Coms Director Tammy Williamson Chase, University of Chicago economist Roger Myerson, content strategist Casey Wian and former POLITICO columnist Roger Simon. Saturday: Ald. Angela Clay, former state Rep. Avery Bourne, Chicago Dowel Co. President Paul Iacono and comms specialist Omari Prince. Sunday: Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, former state Rep. Josh Harms, former state Rep. Charles “Chuck” Jefferson, Ariel Investments founder John Rogers Jr., Madison County grant manager Philip Lasseigne, former Choose Chicago CEO Lynn Osmond, Latino Caucus Foundation Executive Director Oswaldo Alvarez, Planned Parenthood of Illinois Public Policy Senior Director Rianne Hawkins, YL Communications’ Jamie Weil, author Alex Kotlowitz and arts entrepreneur Richard Weinberg. -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 | | | | |
