| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | | TGIF, Illinois. It’s four days to Election Day. Vote.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
President Joe Biden talks with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at Chicago O'Hare in 2022. | Andrew Harnik/AP | THE BOSS: Toni Preckwinkle doesn’t always make headlines, but she’s one of the most powerful people in Illinois politics, leading the Cook County Board and its $9 billion-plus budget. Maybe more importantly, she heads the Cook County Democratic Party. It's there that she's leaving her mark. Preckwinkle was a guiding force in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson getting to City Hall, and she has mentored Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and numerous others. Doing the unthinkable. After a bruising loss in the 2019 Chicago mayor’s race to Lori Lightfoot, Preckwinkle could have slinked away from Democratic politics. Instead, she stuck with it. Her strategy: “She decided to step back, look at what she had and use what she had to show her power. That she was just as powerful as Lori Lightfoot, if not more,” veteran political strategist Delmarie Cobb told the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch. Their story with Preckwinkle interview: Preckwinkle flexes her political muscle as she backs Democrats in Tuesday’s election. Cobb has known Preckwinkle for 20 years and is now helping her guide Mariyana Spyropoulos' campaign for Cook County circuit court clerk against another powerful Democrat: incumbent, Clerk Iris Martinez, a Latina lawmaker who went sideways with Preckwinkle for not kissing the ring. In Martinez' corner today: Lightfoot. What Preckwinkle realized: “She didn’t have to flex her muscles publicly,” Cobb said of Preckwinkle’s decision to stay in politics after her mayoral loss. “She could go behind the scenes, use the tools she had at her disposal as the Cook County Board president and as the chair of the party, and still continue to amass power and to wield power.” That power is on display in the Cook County state’s attorney race. Should Clayton Harris III edge out Eileen O’Neill Burke in the much-watched contest, it will be in great part because of Preckwinkle's support. She introduced the little-known attorney to voters and featured him on the County Democrats’ palm card, a flier that tells residents how to vote. Preckwinkle's biggest challenge: getting people to the polls. RELATED — Cook County offers to chip in on food costs for migrants, approves delay to paid-leave mandate for schools, parks, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig — HUGE: Cook County approves $17M settlement for Jackie Wilson, exonerated in 1982 cop killings, by the Tribune’s Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair.
| | THE BUZZ | | Can Democrats make 2024 the abortion election? Gov. JB Pritzker and his fortune are going to try: “Pritzker is the deepest-pocketed and most politically aggressive, but he is, of course, far from the only Democrat with national ambitions putting abortion rights at the top of their priorities list,” writes New York magazine’s Gabriel Debenedetti. Pritzker hasn’t just been sending money. Before addressing the Virginia Democrats, he spoke to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, notes Debenedetti. “I worry a great deal about the moment that we’re in because things that felt untouchable and sacred are suddenly vulnerable. First, it was abortion and emergency contraception. Now, it’s IVF. Tomorrow, it will be birth control. A few days ago, conservative activist Chris Rufo suggested it was time to ban recreational sex. I do truly invite Republicans to attempt to make that illegal. As a policy plank, I believe that will rank right up there in popularity with killing puppies and outlawing Disney World.” If you are Juliana Stratton, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Learn how we’re delivering the future of health care. More here. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | No official public events.
| | | Where's Toni | | At Pescatore Palace Restaurant and Banquet at 11 a.m. for the 16th District Women's Power Brunch created by Commissioner Frank Aguilar. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | Easily connect with the right N.Y. State influencers and foster the right relationships to champion your policy priorities. POLITICO Pro. Inside New York. Learn more. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — MIXED MESSAGE: In a hotly contested western suburban state House race, outgoing state Rep. Kelly Burke is raising eyebrows for a letter she wrote endorsing Rick Ryan, her pick to succeed her. Burke tells voters Ryan has “deep roots in our community” and that he’s a candidate that “we can trust.” And without naming Ryan’s opponent, Sonia Anne Khalil, Burke refers to the campaign as “outsiders” and “people outside the district pushing their own candidate.” The phrases are seen as racial microaggressions given Khalil, who has lived in the district her whole life, is Arab American. The 36th District covers the Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos Hills communities. Burke called the claim “desperate,” saying she's talking about outside political influences similar to what she faced in her own 2010 race. “Rick has been working in the district for 20 years, and he’s being supported by leaders from within the district.” His opponent is sending out mailers featuring Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and former County Clerk David Orr, “who don’t even live in the district.” Her letter, she told Playbook, makes “a clear distinction” between the candidate vs. her supporters. — Chicago referendum: The Bring Chicago Home referendum that would raise a one-time tax on high-end home sales to help raise funds to combat homelessness, has received some congressional endorsements. U.S. Reps. Delia Ramírez (IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Danny Davis (IL-07) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) are backing the measure. — On the attack: Teamsters Joint Council 25 has paid for a mailer opposing the election of Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez for Democratic committeeperson in the 33rd Ward. The mailer reads: “Her radicalism, hateful speech towards the Italian and Jewish communities in Chicago, and inability to work amicably with colleagues make her unfit to serve.” It’s a reference in part to tweets she made last summer. Check out The Buzz. Rodriguez-Sanchez is challenging Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez for the position. — State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, who defeated a veteran lawmaker two years ago, now has a challenge of his own, by Landmark’s Bob Skolnik
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1B revenue proposals: “The governor proposed raising $200 million by upping the tax rates paid by sportsbooks to 35 percent from 15 percent. … Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, one of the architects of the original sports betting legalization plan, questioned the logic of the move. ‘Wouldn't it make more sense to keep this under the capital fund, so that we fully fund the projects that we've been trying to get out the door?’ he asked.” Capitol News' Jerry Nowicki reports. — Illinois Arab, Muslim and Palestinian leaders send a letter to the White House on why they don’t want to meet, via POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and your Playbook host — Fewer Illinois residents using payday lenders after state crackdown, study finds, by the Sun-Times’ Amy Yee — TIPPING SURVEY: Many tipped restaurant employees in Illinois are fine with the status quo, according to a recent survey. “A strong majority of tipped employees (87 percent) agree that the current tipping system works well for them and does not need to be changed,” according to the survey of 281 restaurant workers. Read it here — Madison County judge finds Illinois’ lawsuit venue limit law unconstitutional: “The law limits where people can sue the state alleging constitutional violations from state laws or executive orders to just Cook and Sangamon counties,” by the Center Square’s Greg Bishop.
| | | | A message from CVS Health:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Daley family mourns passing of eldest member, Patricia Daley Martino — who stressed ‘faith, family and fun’: “The daughter of one mayor and sister to another, Mrs. Martino “had extraordinary experiences,” the Rev. Kenneth Velo said. “And yet ... she was ordinary. She was down to earth,’” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Waukegan city clerk charged with misconduct, misapplication of funds: “Janet Kilkelly is accused of illegally giving thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that were applying for liquor and gambling licenses,” by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather
| | | TAKING NAMES | | | — A REAL DISH: The hospitality industry showed up in full force on Wednesday night at Hubbard Inn to support Ald Bennett Lawson (44th). In the room: former Ald. Tom Tunney, Ald. Bill Conway, Illinois Restaurant Association’s Sam Toia, Third Coast Hospitality’s Sam Sanchez, 8 Hospitality’s Carmen Rossi, the Democratic National Convention’s Claudia Chavez, Harry Carey’s Grant DePorter, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago’s Pat Doerr, JAM Productions’ Jerry Mickleson, Lettuce Entertain You’s Jay Stieber, the Blackhawks’ Danny Wirtz, Vaughan Hospitality’s Kevin Vaughan and Billy, Amy and Clodagh Lawless of The Gage and The Dearborn. — Jeremey Neitzke, a Chicago native and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has been nominated by President Joe Biden be the U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho in South Africa.
| | | | JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked when you first felt like an adult: Ron D. Abrams: “In 2nd grade when my teacher gave me the key to our classroom and I was in charge of opening up for my class in the morning — probably because I was already taller than her.” Marshall Hatlee: “When I got excited by an email telling me that my credit score had improved.” Charles Keller: “When I was 10 and my 52-year-old mother told me I'd need to ‘grow up’ faster because she and my father might not be around much longer. Dad died four years later. Mom lived till 91.” Jeff Nathan: “When my dad gave me a beer. I was 14 or 15.” Joe Platt: “When I started calling the house I grew up in ‘my parents’ house’ instead of just ‘my house.’ It was kind of sad at first!” Kathy Posner: “When I was 16 and my father died and I had to take over many adult responsibilities.” John Straus: “When my parents divorced and I involuntarily became the 15-year-old man in the house.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “When I held our first born in my hands ... went from newlyweds playing house to being in the real world in that instant.” Patricia Ann Watson: “When I held my newborn son.” Steve Weiss: “When I was 21 and started teaching in Pilsen, knowing I was responsible for people other than myself.” NEXT QUESTION: Is there an ethnic holiday you’ve adopted?
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Prosecutors say Trump’s New York criminal trial could be delayed, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — Congress’ TikTok bill faces a massive hurdle, via POLITICO — Republicans are worried as the Ohio Senate primary breaks out into an all-out brawl, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick and Burgess Everett
| | WEDDING BELLS | | — Josh Mark, chief of staff to Ald. Matt Martin, and Naomi Johnson, co-executive director of Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, were married at Chicago’s City Hall on Wednesday with family and friends on hand. Pic!
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Learn more. | | | | | EVENTS | | — Wednesday: Coffee talk with Ruth Reiner and Kevin Conlon of Conlon Public Strategies and Kevin Davis from Erie Health Systems. The subject: office atmosphere. Wintrust is hosting. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan and Ashley Urisman for correctly answering that the Cubs beat the Mets 6-4 for the first night game at Wrigley Field. It happened a day after a Cubs night game was rained out (on 8-8-88). TODAY's QUESTION: Who sculpted the eagle atop Chicago's Illinois Centennial Monument, which was dedicated in 1918? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: S-3 Public Affairs exec Kate Dickens, Crown Family Philanthropies Director Wendy Platt Newberger, CPS teacher and journalist Craig Newman, Heartland Alliance policy guru Kim Drew, Simple.fi Sales Director Apryle Babish and journalist Rogers Worthington. Saturday: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Sen. Linda Holmes, M+I Realty Group’s Michael Weber, DGSherpa founder Riccardo Reati and Columbia College adjunct professor Gail Sonnenfeld. Sunday: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Wayne Township Supervisor Randy Ramey, congressional candidate and former state Sen. Darren Bailey, Invariant exec and former U.S. Senate policy adviser Joe Bushong, political consultant Chris Shaffer, lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich, public affairs pro Larry Farnsworth, real estate guru Kathleen Weiss Boyle, judicial law clerk Jake Leahy and journalist Maureen O’Donnell. -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 | | | | |
