Dems hard at work … party-planning

May 30, 2024

Happy Thursday, Illinois. Our block party permit has been approved. Summer has begun.

TOP TALKER

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A Cubs game and events at the Navy Pier and the Salt Shed will be some of the big draws for attendees at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Gov. JB Pritzker is hosting one of the larger parties, though his team isn’t yet confirming where or when.

Events are being held around the city, with big events planned for Navy Pier and The Salt Shed — the site of the old Morton Salt factory on Elston Avenue on Goose Island. The Art Institute of Chicago is also expected to hold a gathering in conjunction with the convention.

Tickets to a Chicago Cubs v. Detroit Tigers game are in demand. The National Democratic County Officials (NDCO) is among groups hosting convention attendees for the Aug. 22 game at a Wrigleyville rooftop, according to an event list being sent out by political consultant Liz Nicholson.

Why it matters: In addition to the serious work of approving a platform and elevating President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the convention is known for its party scene. And it appears Chicago will deliver.

Here’s what we know:

Aug. 18: Illinois Delivers, a nonpartisan group organizing hospitality events, is planning a welcome party for Illinois delegates at The Royal Sonesta Chicago hotel, according to Tim Drea, who is leading the organization. (See full hotel list here.)

Aug. 19: On the first official day of the convention, Illinois Delivers is planning a post-gavel reception for Illinois delegates and other Illinois “stakeholders” at Midwest Coast Brewing.

Aug. 20: Molson Coors is hosting a reception for NDCO at the company’s Chicago headquarters from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 21: NDCO is hosting a reception for members and other power players at Athena Restaurant in Greektown from 3 to 5 p.m.

Aug. 22: On the last day of the convention, a Unidos U.S. Latino Leadership Happy Hour is being planned for Barrio on Kinzie Street, a person from the group told us.

Aug. 23: The day after the convention, a volunteer appreciation party is in the works. Location and time is TBD.

Others working on party plans: Congressman Danny Davis, whose district includes the main venues of the convention — McCormick Place and United Center — and state Rep. Bob Morgan, who’s working with the Everytown for Gun Safety advocacy group on an event.

RELATED

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The volunteer application process has been launched by the host committee for the Chicago Democratic National Convention.

By the numbers: Convention organizers say they need 12,000-plus volunteers to put on the show, which kicks off in 81 days.

Why it's important: “Our volunteers will play a major role in helping us show off the best of what our city has to offer, and are excited to staff this convention with folks that reflect the true diversity of Chicago,” Christy George, executive director of the Host Committee, said in a statement.

What they’ll do: Volunteers will give directions, assist with event check-in, serve as ushers and even provide transportation for credentialed guests and dignitaries. Here’s how to sign up

— SAFETY UPDATE | ShotSpotter says it has offered to install tech around United Center ahead of the convention: “Mayor Brandon Johnson canceled the contract with ShotSpotter earlier this year, but then agreed to extend it into the fall,” by ABC 7’s Craig Wall.

THE BUZZ

WRAPPING IT UP: Gov. JB Pritzker praised the work of state lawmakers Wednesday after they nailed down a budget for the coming year in a drawn-out legislative session. “It was a great budget, and the fact that there are some who disagreed on aspects of the budget is just a function of what Will Rogers once said, which is, ‘I don’t belong to an organized party. I’m a Democrat.'" Pritzker told reporters. Here’s the governor’s Budget Summary.

— Pritzker defends his revenue choices — and responds to Republican criticism that more taxes are coming: “Well, they’ve been saying this every year that I’ve been in office, and it hasn’t been true,” Pritzker told reporters, by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.

— A child tax credit, an Early Childhood Department, and more money for K-12 schools are all part of the budget, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie

— Lawmakers pass bill to expand reporting of sexual abuse in health care settings following Tribune investigation, by the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker and Emily Hoerner

— Potpourri: Lawmakers leave Springfield without regulating delta-8, other hemp products: “That means the mind-altering products will be unchecked for yet another summer in Chicago and beyond,” by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout.

— Thumbs-up language access: The Language Equity and Access Act SB3762, which requires state agencies to make sure language translation and interpretation is available, passed and is headed to the governor.

— No action on gun bill: Lawmakers declined to take action on Karina’s Bill SB2633, which would strengthen the law to protect domestic violence survivors from firearms.

If you run The Salt Shed, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com

WHERE'S JB

No official public events.

WHERE's BRANDON

At the Roseland Mental Health Center at 10:30 a.m. for a press conference on the rollout of the city's Mental Health System Expansion — At Rainbow Push Coalition at 6 p.m. for the Rev. Walter "Slim" Coleman memorial.

Where's Toni

No official public events.

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

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KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION

— Progressive groups squeeze Durbin over judicial ethics: “Judicial activist group Demand Justice and nearly two dozen other progressive organizations are dialing up the pressure on Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for an investigation into the latest ethics black eye for the Supreme Court involving Justice Samuel Alito’s flag-flying proclivities and Chief Justice John Roberts’ handling of the court’s recent ethics controversies.” Scoop by Politico Influence's Caitlin Oprysko and Daniel Lippman.

SPOTLIGHT

— Biden’s Black voter troubles are setting off alarm bells, by POLITICO’s Eugene Daniels and Lauren Egan

— SPOTTED: Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul was in Philadelphia on Wednesday with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Black leaders from across the country for a Black voter outreach event. Pic!

CHICAGO

— The DOJ is suing Live Nation. Here’s what that could mean for music in Chicago: “The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, calling the company a ‘monopoly,’” by WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons and Max Lubbers.

— WORK FROM HOME TRENDS: A new report by Volcker Alliance examines the potential economic impact and outcomes for America’s biggest cities if the “work from home” (WFH) trend continues. Here’s an interesting nugget: “Chicago had 4.4 million workers in 2022 and a WFH percentage increase of nearly 12 percentage points, from 5.7 percent in 2019 to 17.4 percent.” Here’s the full study, titled: “Doom Loop or Boom Loop: Work from Home and the Challenges Facing America’s Big Cities.”

— Federal judge won't step down in Jon Burge lawsuits: “Lawyers for the city said U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings had a conflict because he signed onto a report about torture by Chicago police. Cummings says city lawyers did not try to remove another judge — who once prosecuted Burge,” by the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm.

— Research finds more than a third of shootings each year happen in summer — and in a small geographic region of the city, by Crain’s Leigh Giangreco

COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS

— Accused Highland Park parade shooter appears in court as 2nd anniversary of attack nears: “For the first time since the attack, the city of Highland Park will hold its July 4 parade this year. The city held a march along the route in 2023 instead of a traditional parade,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett.

— Jim Garrett, longtime leader of Southland tourism bureau, to step down after 28 years, by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan

— Oberweis Dairy purchased by Winnetka-based private equity firm in bankruptcy auction, by the Sun-Times’ Amy Yee

DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE.

Reader Digest

We asked about your WWE experiences:

Larry Bury: “Growing up outside NYC, I went to a lot of the old WWF events and saw many of the old-time greats. Most memorable was seeing a young Hulk Hogan defeat Gorilla Monsoon at Madison Square Garden in 1980.”

Jo Johnson: “I cheered for Macho Man against Hulk Hogan at the height of Hulkamania, watched Cody Rhodes work the crowd, and met Bobby Lashley in the hotel lobby after the show. I love WWE!”

Luis Narvaez: “In the early 2000s, WWE came to then-Assembly Hall now State Farm Center in Champaign. It was great to see so many fans from East Central Illinois in attendance!”

Christine Walker: “Not my jam, although the Capitol often resembles a WWE ring.” Ba dum tss.

NEXT QUESTION: What summer party are you looking forward to most?

THE NATIONAL TAKE

— After 5 hours and 2 cryptic notes, Trump jury fails to reach quick verdict, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Ben Feuerherd

— Trump’s pollsters think they can spin any verdict in his favor, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren

— Democrat-on-Democrat tension builds in New York over Israeli war crimes bill, by POLITICO’s Jason Beeferman

TRIVIA

WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mark McCombs for correctly answering that Bob Moomaw created the world's only Hippie Memorial in Arcola, Ill.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who introduced an ordinance to ban foie gras in Chicago?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Neil Malone, CEO of the Three Rivers Association of Realtors, and leadership development consultant Amisha Patel.

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