Mayor Brandon Johnson greets Chicago Loop Alliance ambassadors at the organization's annual meeting at Willis Tower on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO
There was an awkward moment at the Chicago Loop Alliance annual meeting Thursday when Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he was establishing a new downtown economic growth advisory committee “that will provide business leaders, organizations and key stakeholders with a direct line of communication” with his office and all of the city’s departments.
It was a big announcement, but the room stayed quiet. Johnson, who has a quick wit, looked at his notes and said, “It says insert applause here.”
That broke the ice. The crowd at Willis Tower burst into laughter and followed with applause, and Johnson went on to talk about more business-focused programs before wrapping up his speech to a standing ovation.
It was a good moment for the mayor whose relationship with the business community lately has been described as rocky, poor and non-existent, fueled in part by a referendum to hike the real-estate transfer tax on high-end properties.
But there are also complaints about business leaders feeling ignored by the Fifth Floor. The mayor now offering an open line of communication is hopeful, but isn’t that what the Chicago Loop Alliance, Michigan Avenue Mile and World Business Chicago already do?
The fraught relationship has already created upheaval at World Business Chicago, which works with the city to recruit businesses. Top executives have stepped down, frustrated that the mayor’s office isn't making business growth a priority.
Olive branch: Johnson’s speech may calm some of those concerns. The mayor said he wants to bring workers back to downtown, that he’s concerned about “the record level of commercial and retail vacancies” and he likes legislation in Springfield (predating his administration) to create a “business improvement district.” There’s also a plan to give six restaurants $250,000 each for renovations as part of a Small Business Improvement Fund.
They’re the meat and potato issues that business leaders want to talk about.
Happening today: Johnson is joining some World Business Chicago members to unveil the group's annual year-in-review report. By the numbers: Last year, 163 companies made “pro-Chicagoland decisions, resulting in 23,100 jobs and $1.87 billion in earnings,” according to a statement to Playbook.
Googling: At the Chicago Loop Alliance meeting, developers Mike Reschke and Quintin Primo updated the crowd about work to transform the Thompson Center into Google's Chicago headquarters. The building is now “100 percent empty,” said Reschke. "We will start working on the building in literally about a week or so. We'll see fencing going up soon.”
New museum: Johnson also announced plans for a new museum that will feature the Board of Trade’s history.
THE BUZZ
MONEY BAGS: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has piled up a stunning $15.3 million in campaign cash, according to the fundraising report for the last quarter of 2023.
The IL-08 Democrat has (again) surpassed his Democratic colleagues in Illinois, and he’s in an elite group of top fundraisers for House Democrats in Congress, having contributed more than $5.4 million this cycle to House Democrats.
Only Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, with $17 million cash on hand, has outraised Krishnamoorthi. It’s the kind of fundraising that fuels talk that Krishnamoorthi will one day run for U.S. Senate.
The rest of Illinois Dems:Jonathan Jackson (IL-01): $20,761, Robin Kelly (IL-02): $1.6 million, Delia Ramirez (IL-03): $363,708, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04): $202,798, Mike Quigley (IL-05): $1.1 million, Sean Casten (IL-06): $1.1 million, Danny Davis (IL-07): $819,978, Jan Schakowsky (IL-09): $826,686, Brad Schneider (IL-10): $1.1 million, Bill Foster (IL-11): 1.7 million, Nikki Budzinski (IL-13): $1.4 million, Lauren Underwood (IL-14): $1.6 million and Eric Sorensen (IL-17): $1.6 million.
If you are Quintin Primo, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
A message from McDonald's:
From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $3.2 billion to Illinois’s economy, supporting over 50,000 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Illinois generated nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.
WHERE'S JB
At Manny’s Restaurant in Chicago do endorse Congressman Danny Davis in his reelection bid.
WHERE's BRANDON
At S&C Electric at 9 a.m. to attend the Site Selection Magazine announcement — At McCormick Place at 6 p.m. to attend the Alpha Kappa Alpha 90th Central Regional Conference.
Where's Toni
Giving remarks at the Alpha Kappa Alpha conference.
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
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IN THE COURTS
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Dr. Dave Nayak, who’s self-funding his campaign for state Senate in the 20th District Democratic primary, has been sued by political consultant Maggie O’Keefe — who says the millionaire lung doctor and farm owner hasn’t paid her for the work she did on his campaign. O’Keefe is also the 40th Ward committeeperson. Nayak is in a competitive primary that also includes incumbent Sen. Natalie Toro and challengers Graciela Guzmán and Geary Yonker. Here’s the lawsuit.
Their statements: Nayak’s team called the lawsuit a “frivolous legal action by a disgruntled opportunist.” And added: “Curious timing.” O’Keefe’s attorney, Megan Lopp Mathias, said: “We seek to win cases in courts of law, not in the court of public opinion, and expect justice and fairness to prevail.”
2024 WATCH
— BIG ENDORSEMENT: Congressman Danny Davis is getting the endorsement of Gov. JB Pritzker, former Gov. Pat Quinn and fellow Congressman Jonathan Jackson.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Eileen O’Neill Burke is racking up head-turning donations in her bid for Cook County state’s attorney. Giving $100,000 each are Citadel COO Gerald Beeson, DRW’s Don Wilson, Lettuce Entertain You’s Richard Melman and businessman Craig Duchossois. Other big donors: Artisan Partners’ Daniel O’Keefe donated $236,000, Reflection Window engineering CEO Rodrigo D'Escoto gave $50,000, Boka Restaurant Group’s Rob Katz gave $25,000 and financier Lester Crown has donated $5,000.
— Switch-a-roo: O’Neill Burke also has secured the endorsement of Chicago Ald. Monique Scott (24th), who previously backed her Democratic opponent, Clayton Harris III in the state’s attorney race… Harris, meanwhile, picked up the endorsement of Ald. RonnieMosley (21st) and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
— Downstate doings: Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri is endorsing state Rep. Katie Stuart, who’s running uncontested for reelection in the 112th state House District; and former state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, who’s also uncontested in the Democratic primary. Greenwood hopes to reclaim the 114th House seat now held by Republican state Rep. Kevin Schmidt.
— IN VITRO MESSAGE: Cook County commissioners passed a resolution Thursday that safeguards “assisted reproductive technologies and in vitro fertilization.” The measure was carried by Commissioner Scott Britton. “The right to medically assisted reproduction techniques is personal for me. Thanks to IVF – and a final available embryo - I am blessed to have my son,” Britton said.
— OPA! Alex Pissios, who built Cinespace Chicago into a film-and-TV powerhouse before selling it for nearly $1 billion in 2021, has given $1.25 million to the University of Chicago’s Division of the Humanities at U. of C.’s Center for Hellenic Studies. “The gift will support the overall teaching of the Greek language,” according to the university.
— Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) delivered a floor speech honoring Tom Skilling, who is retiring this week after 45 years as a meteorologist with WGN. Watch it here
On the ground in Albany. Get critical policy news and analysis inside New York State. Track how power brokers are driving change across legislation and budget and impacting lobbying efforts. Learn more.
Reader Digest
We asked whether TV ads or direct mail influence you most:
Dr. Cornel Darden Jr.: “Direct mail. It stays with you and gives you more time to digest than a short racy TV ad. It's also easier to take a direct mailer to the poll with you. Newspaper ads are underutilized.”
Michael Lieber: “TV ads, especially negative ones, because they carry more emotional heft than negative direct mail ads.”
Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Direct mail, which in this post Shakman era has become the new, de facto precinct captain.”
NEXT QUESTION: What’s an out-of-the-box idea to get out the vote?
McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Illinois, contributing over $3.2 billion to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 38,900 Illinoisans and supporting an additional 12,800 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Illinois began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to call Chicago and Illinois our home, supporting public schools, parks and more through the nearly $700 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $2.3 million raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 23,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Illinois. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Illinois and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/il.
TRIVIA
THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that John Louis of the United Mine Workers of America had a falling out with Mother Jones. Another answer would have been UMWA’s John Mitchell, who also had a run-in with Jones.
TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the first Illinois-born person to become an honorary member of a British chivalry order? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Today: Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, former Congressman Randy Hultgren, former state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Illinois Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Jeremy Flynn, Cabrera Capital Markets real estate Assistant VP Manuel Perez, 37th Ward media affairs leader A.L. Smith, real-estate pro Meredith Meserow, vPeer CEO and President of the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition Dilara Sayeed, public policy consultant Laura Tucker, chef Art Smith, Centre College (Kentucky) marketing VP Sarah Nolan, LEARN Charter Schools Dean of Students Tavares Briggs and Tribune News Administration Editor Randy Weissman.
Saturday: lobbyist and former County Commissioner John Fritchey — who turns the big 6-0, former DuPage County Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom, BGR Group’s Commerce and Infrastructure VP Syd Terry, POLITICO’s The Recast author Brakkton Booker, attorney and WVON commentator Kimberley Egonmwan and Sidley Austin multimedia exec Jeff Hartvigsen.
Sunday: Hotel & Lodging Association CEO Michael Jacobson, Cook County Assessor chief of staff Scott Smith, Irish Fellowship Club Executive Director Kathy Taylor, photographer Diane Alexander White and caterer Jim Horan.
