A convention switcharoo

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln
May 29, 2024 View in browser
 
Illinois Playbook

By Shia Kapos

Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. A round of applause for state lawmakers who finally passed the state budget for the next fiscal year and wrapped up their work just as the sun began to rise. Details in Statewides.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will share all the details during Playbook Live at the Hideout on June 6! Tickets here

TOP TALKER

The Democratic National Committee plans to virtually nominate President Joe Biden ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago.

The Democratic National Committee plans to virtually nominate President Joe Biden ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

BLAME IT ON OHIO: The Democratic National Committee now plans to have President Joe Biden nominated in a “virtual roll call” before the Democratic National Convention kicks off Aug. 19 in Chicago.

The president still plans to take the stage at the United Center along with Vice President Kamala Harris, but they will have already been nominated — a move to get on the Ohio ballot ahead of that state’s Aug. 7 deadline for certifying candidates. POLITICO’s Lauren Egan has the details here

The pivot isn’t new for Democrats. In 2020, their convention proceedings were held virtually because of the pandemic. Some of the programming was such a hit that they have planned on bringing it back. Who can forget the calamari from Rhode Island?

The last live roll call Democrats held to nominate a presidential candidate was in 2016, reports the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet.

It means the convention will lose some of its luster, according to the Tribune’s Rick Pearson.

But Democrats insist spirits won’t be dampened: “We are excited to welcome delegates and guests to the convention, … The proceedings at this year’s convention will include time-honored traditions of conventions past while building on the success of our innovative 2020 convention programming,” convention spokesperson Emily Soong said Tuesday in a statement.

The convention will still be in-person and feature the traditional seating of delegates on the floor of the United Center and in-person acceptance speeches from Biden and Harris.

New elements were already in the works before Tuesday’s announcement.

Minyon Moore, the chair of the Democratic National Convention, told POLITICO last week that a greater portion of the convention would be viewed virtually.

“You will still see those delegates on the floor, and you'll see them cheering” with their “funny hats, vests and buttons,” Moore said. “You'll see all the dynamics of a traditional convention taking into consideration the world has changed quite a bit as we want to make sure everyone can see it. Whether you're at home, whether you're online, or whether you're in the hall.”

Bill Daley’s take: “There is energy from just coming together,” the former White House chief of staff who’s been to his share of conventions said in dismissing a question about a low-energy event. “These are thousands of dedicated Democrats who believe in Biden/Harris and want to tell the world — and they have a strong dislike for [Donald] Trump. It will be a unanimous motion with one name put forward.”

CONVENTION ZONE

ON THE MAP: The U.S. Secret Service and the Chicago Police Department are still pulling together the perimeters for the secured area for the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention.

The big reveal: Maps and boundaries will be unveiled the week of July 22, Anthony Guglielmi, the chief of communications for the Secret Service, told members of the media in an online information meeting Tuesday. Protest zones will be announced later.

It’s a lengthy process: Law enforcement officials have been working for a year to determine where the boundaries for credentialed guests will be around the United Center. Similar planning is happening around McCormick Place, where daytime meetings will be held. The convention is expected to draw 50,000 officials, delegates and guests. Protesters will add a whole other level of activity to the city.

On determining boundaries: “It’s not just something the Secret Service does in conjunction with the Chicago PD. There is a lot of community input that goes into this plan,” said Guglielmi, who is also a former CPD spokesman. “We have to make sure that we get this right. We have one chance to get it right.”

To explain his point: Guglielmi pointed to last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco, where a senior center was within the perimeter. When officials realized that Meals on Wheels delivers daily to the center, they tweaked the boundary so as not to interrupt that service. Those “in the weeds details” are a “real big piece” of security plans.

RELATED

CTA could provide up to 250 buses for use during the DNC. Will that leave enough for regular bus service? “The head of the union that represents bus drivers says he anticipates having enough staffing for both the DNC and regular scheduled bus service. But designating buses for the convention has some advocates concerned. ‘Pulling CTA operators from their regular routes to a specified task that doesn’t serve all of Chicago is of tremendous concern,’ said Kyle Lucas, with the transportation advocacy group Better Streets Chicago,” by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat.

Young Black women serve in Democratic National Convention media roles, by Erick Johnson for The Crusader

If you are U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com

WHERE'S JB

No official public events.

WHERE's BRANDON

At Emmett Street and Kedzie Avenue at 9 a.m. to attend the Milwaukee Streetscape Groundbreaking — At the Hyatt Regency at noon for the Chicago Police Department Annual Recognition Ceremony.

Where's Toni

At The University Club at 11:30 a.m. to give welcome remarks and participate in a panel as part of the Neighborhood Housing Services 50 Fund: Chicago Civic Leaders Summit — At the Hilton Orrington in Evanston at 1:45 p.m. for the Hospitality Hires North event.

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email  skapos@politico.com

 

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THE STATEWIDES

— BUDGET APPROVED! In early morning vote, Illinois House approves $53.1 billion state budget bolstered by $750 million in tax hikes: “Democrats [who control the House] struggled to marshal the votes necessary to pass the tax increases needed to bring their spending plan into balance. Three votes were taken before the package passed by the bare minimum number of votes,” by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner, Olivia Olander, Olivia Stevens and Dan Petrella.

How it went down: “While seven House Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the main budget bill, party leaders managed to keep the deal on track despite a last-minute lobbying push from banks, airlines and credit card companies against a late-breaking move to eliminate transaction fees charged on sales tax and tips, a provision meant to soften the blow for retailers, who are getting a tax hike as part of the overall budget plan.”

Lawmakers move to pause – then further regulate – carbon dioxide pipeline development:Deal brokered by governor’s office also creates state funds for training first responders,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams.

Senate President Don Harmon says he accepts Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pledge not to close schools: “This is a business based on trust,” by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner

— A GOOD TAKE: Democrats needed three tries to pass $1.1 billion revenue plan just before 5 a.m.: “Gov. JB Pritzker says he’ll sign the plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, which spends about $400 million more than what he requested in his February budget address,” by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki.

CHICAGO

New O’Hare satellite concourse renderings show rebuild plan, but questions remain: “The rebuild calls for replacing Terminal 2 with a new Global Terminal and adding two satellite concourses. But many questions remain about the timeline, cost and design of the delayed expansion project,” by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.

— WSJ’s take: Chicago to offer most generous subsidies in U.S. to save its downtown: “Local politicians and developers struggle to revitalize the city’s office district,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Peter Grant. What the city’s doing: “urning obsolete office space into apartments and hotels.”

At least 150 Chicago schools set to lose staff next school year, by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin and Mila Koumpilova

Bronzeville unveils community solar power micro-grid array to provide electricity in emergencies, by ABC 7’s Mark Rivera

Chicago Fashion Week will turn the city 'into a runway' this fall, the Sun-Times’ Amy Yee

TV writer returns to Chicago with the third installment of a trilogy about the Red Summer of 1919, by WBEZ’s Mike Davis

COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS

Deal would create governing body for emergency dispatch consolidation in Lake County, by the Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak

Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo celebrates 50 years as Director Sue Wahlgren prepares to retire, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith

Frankfort again closes downtown street for al fresco dining, adding parking, by the Tribune’s Michelle Mullins

TAKING NAMES

— Sonni Choi Williams is being named president of the Illinois State Bar Association, becoming the first woman lawyer of color as well as the first lawyer of Asian/Korean descent to be elected to the statewide volunteer position. Williams is the city attorney for Lockport and replaces attorney Shawn Kasserman, whose term ends next week.

 

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Reader Digest

We asked where you like to bike:

Eli Brottman: “Chicago's Lakefront Trail.”

Randy Bukas: “The Jane Addams Trail in Stephenson County and the Tunnel Hill Trail in southeastern Illinois.”

Tim Butler: “A 40+ mile loop around the Springfield area that includes the Sangamon Valley Trail, Wabash Trail, Interurban Trail, and East & West Lake Shore Drive.”

Jim Cavallero: “Along the lakefront.”

Gail Purkey: “Madison County bike trails, whenever I get the chance.”

Patricia Ann Watson: “Spring Lake Trail or The Fox River Trail.”

NEXT QUESTION: When did you see a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) event?

THE NATIONAL TAKE

Trump says he won’t ‘ban’ birth control. Here’s what he may do instead, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein Megan Messerly

— THE FIFTY: AI is shockingly good at making fake nudes — and causing havoc in schools, by POLITICO’s Dana Nickel

The Cohen ultimatum: Trump’s fate may rest on which version of the fixer jurors buy, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney, Erica Orden and Ben Feuerherd

Transitions

— Drew Moran is now chief development officer at Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry. He's been with the nonprofit for nearly 11 years, most recently as director of institutional partnerships.

EVENTS

— June 6: State Rep. Theresa Mah, Chicago Ald. Nicole Lee and representatives from Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin’s offices headline a fundraiser for the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community. Details here

TRIVIA

TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Illinois is where the first West Point graduate, Ensign George Ronan, was killed in action in the Battle of Fort Dearborn during the War of 1812. Ronan Park in Chicago is named in his honor.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who created the world's only Hippie Memorial?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Highland Park Council Member Anthony Blumberg, Gilda’s Club Chicago CEO LauraJane Hyde, University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt and comms consultant Kevin Lampe.

And belated greetings to Marcus Jordan of the Illinois Indiana Iowa Fair Contracting Organization. His birthday was Tuesday.

-30-

 

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Shia Kapos @shiakapos

 

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