| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. The November elections are 147 days away.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Former President Barack Obama thanks workers at the Obama Presidential Center on Monday, June 10, 2024. | ABC 7/screenshot | REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Former President Barack Obama made a Chicago swing Monday to tour the site of his Obama Presidential Center, which hit a milestone — the museum building has reached its final height of 225 feet. “I wasn't sure it was ever going to get done,” Obama told the work crews at the site, according to a transcript from his foundation. Along with examining the handiwork, Obama thanked the crew. “The professionalism, the hard work, the willingness to be out here when it's freezing cold, the sacrifices, all of you've made to make this happen is something that I could not be more grateful for and appreciative,” he said. More praise: “A lot of times we take it for granted, but that's what built this country. That's what built this community. What all of you do makes everything else possible. So, I just want everybody to know that I see you, and hopefully for decades to come, every time people come by here they're going to be seeing a little bit of your work,” Obama said per the transcript. Construction is about half-way done, according to the Obama Foundation. No selfies, please: The former president stuck around to shake hands with each of the workers but asked that they not do selfies — “otherwise I will never leave,” he said. After the site visit, Obama took part in a private event with WNBA player Candace Parker and Titus Ervin, a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance program participant. Also joining: Obama Foundation's CEO Valerie Jarrett and Executive VP Michael Strautmanis, Senior VP of the center’s construction Lori Healey and board members Broderick Johnson and Marty Nesbitt. It was a milestone moment, via ABC 7’s Leah Hope
| | THE BUZZ | | DOBBS REVERBERATIONS: Planned Parenthood of Illinois has seen abortion-care patients from 41 states across the country since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. Out-of-staters: “We used to have about 3 to 5 percent of our abortion patients come from out of state and now about a quarter of our abortion-care patients come from out of state,” Jennifer Welch, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois, told Playbook. What’s behind the numbers: “They’re coming from states that have banned or highly restricted abortion care, forcing patients to travel sometimes very long distances to get the care that they need,” Welch said. Border boom: The Planned Parenthood of Illinois health centers located in border towns have seen the highest percentage of out-of-state patients, said Welch. We first wrote about that last year. The biggest surge has been at the center in Waukegan, which sees a large number of Wisconsin patients; Carbondale, which opened in December and has seen patients from Tennessee, Kentucky; and Champaign, which gets patients from Indiana. Zeroing in: The Carbondale Health Center has seen 90 percent of its abortion patients come from 16 different states — mainly from Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Missouri, according to the organization. Handling the flow: Welch says the Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the Chicago Abortion Fund, which also offers services, can handle the influx. But it's costly. Planned Parenthood of Illinois has spent $3.6 million in financial assistance for travel, food and lodging for many patients who can’t otherwise afford to get their care. “It’s expensive, but we’re committed to it,” Welch said. If you are Valerie Jarrett, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Uber: Are roads safer with Uber?
Research has found that ridesharing options like Uber prevented more than 600 drunk driving deaths in a single year.* That’s because Uber drivers are the ultimate designated drivers, helping people get home safely so they never have an excuse to drink and drive. *Source: Review of Economics and Statistics | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | In Canada on a trade mission.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Kehrein Arts Center at 8:10 a.m. for the West Side United Annual Convening — At 6201 S. Laramie Ave. at 11:30 a.m. for the United Business Association of Midway Meeting — At St. Bartholomew Catholic Church at 5:30 p.m. for the opening of a family shelter for new arrivals.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland at 10 a.m. to tour the opening of the St. Bartholomew family shelter for new arrivals — At St. Bartholomew Catholic Church at 5:30 p.m. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | | | CONVENTION ZONE | | — FRIENDLY SKIES: United is adding nearly 200 new flights to Milwaukee and Chicago this summer to make travel to the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention easier for attendees, according to an announcement scooped by POLITICO’s national Playbook team. For the Democratic convention, United will fly its largest Chicago O’Hare schedule since 2019, with more than 530 flights per day on peak days. There will be 38 additional flights between Chicago O’Hare and DCA and more than 80 added flights from Albany, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose and Seattle. Flights are expected to be available starting today. For the Republican Convention, United is increasing its Milwaukee routes by 75 percent — or 72 flights. — Suburban police gearing up for political conventions, too: They are expecting more visitors and protesters, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | — MONUMENT MEETING: The U.S. Interior Department held a community meeting in Springfield on Monday to discuss the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act sponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. The measure would create a national monument to memorialize the event that Duckworth describes as “a searing, horrific incident that galvanized the creation of the NAACP” and is of “cultural and historical importance” to the state, according to a statement. — New initiative to expand gender-affirming care across Illinois, by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez. — Former Chiara Center in Springfield to become trade school focused on traditional Catholic education, by the Illinois Times’ Scott Reeder
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — DEM PARTY BOOST: Illinois Democratic Party Chair Lisa Hernandez and Finance Chair Charles Smith hosted prospective members of the party’s new finance committee. The InvestBlue initiative was announced earlier this year as a vehicle to expand the party’s funding base and to provide members with “exclusive access to VIP events, a channel of communication to party leadership and insight into strategic planning,” explained a party insider. Mayor Brandon Johnson and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch attended. Also spotted: Valentine, Austriaco and Bueschel law firm co-founder Aurora Austriaco, Show Strategy CEO Glenn Charles Jr., Globetrotters CEO Ajay Shah, Purpose Brand CEO Diane Primo, Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Pat Devaney, GMA Construction Group President Cornelius Griggs, SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley and the governor's senior political adviser, Mike Ollen.
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Johnson casts doubt on permanent casino in River West: “I think that one’s still to be determined, to be perfectly frank with you,” Mayor Brandon Johnson told the Sun-Times Editorial Board on Monday, referring to Bally’s plan for a $1.7 billion permanent casino along the Chicago River, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — LATE-BREAKING: Feds want 10 years in prison for ex-Ald. Edward Burke, saying he was ‘no novice’ when it came to corruption, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long — Mayor opposes 8 p.m. downtown curfew for minors, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — CPS, CTU to hold first-ever contract negotiation session open to the public Friday, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson — NEW EXHIBIT: Mike Royko is the subject of a new exhibition, “Chicago Style: Mike Royko and Windy City Journalism,” at the Newberry Library from June 20 through Sept. 28. Details here — Lula Cafe is Chicago’s sole James Beard Restaurant and Chef award winner for 2024, by the Tribune’s Ahmed Ali Akbar, Kayla Samoy and Lauryn Azu
| | TAKING NAMES | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has donated 34,000 documents and archival material to Loyola University, where she’s now featured in the Women and Leadership Archives. Pappas, who earned a doctorate in counseling and psychology from Loyola in 1976 before going on to earn a law degree, has been treasurer since 1998. A video features her accomplishments in the office. Watch it here — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton joined a panel of elected leaders at the "Gun Sense University" conference Monday in Washington, D.C., to discuss gun safety champions in all levels of government. The event was hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. Pic!
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Ribfest faces a hazy future, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith — New VNA Health Center at former Aurora school called a ‘significant milestone,’ by the Aurora Beacon-News’ Steve Lord — Southwest suburban residents plead guilty in Jan. 6 case, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
| | POT-POURRI | | — Colorado’s weed market is coming down hard and it’s making other states nervous: “A messy assortment of factors has led to the pioneering industry’s struggles. A supply glut caused weed prices to plummet in the wake of the pandemic. The spread of cheap, largely unregulated intoxicating hemp-derived products further heightened competitive pressures. And marijuana remains federally illegal, subjecting operators to sky-high taxes and costly regulations,” by POLITICO’s Mona Zhang.
| | | | JOIN US ON 6/13 FOR A TALK ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE: As Congress and the White House work to strengthen health care affordability and access, innovative technologies and treatments are increasingly important for patient health and lower costs. What barriers are appearing as new tech emerges? Is the Medicare payment process keeping up with new technologies and procedures? Join us on June 13 as POLITICO convenes a panel of lawmakers, officials and experts to discuss what policy solutions could expand access to innovative therapies and tech. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever dined at: Adam Gypalo: “Noma in Copenhagen before they announced they were closing.” Tammy Hansen: “The main dining room at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Jackets and collared shirts for the men, dresses or evening suits for women.” Carlton Hull: “Ocean Prime.” Bob Kieckhefer: “Locke-Ober in Boston, now long gone.” Charles Keller: “Spiaggia (not Cafe Spaggia) in 2011 for my wife's birthday.” Ed Mazur: “Le Taillevent in Paris, France.” Gail Purkey: “Arzak (3 Michelin stars) in San Sebastián, Spain.” Andy Shaw: “Alinea. Needed a magnifying glass to see the tiny portions but the bill, sadly, was so large Mr. Magoo could have read it.” Steve Smith: “La Tour d’Argent in Paris. It's 400 years old and overlooks Notre Dame. I had the duck and was presented with a card saying I had been served the 1,545,145 duck in the history of the restaurant.” Barry Tusin: “Tru. The walls were unadorned white so only the food would be the center of attention.” Art Wimmell: “Everest. The food, wine and ambiance were fantastic.” NEXT QUESTION: What presidential library have you visited? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The next phase in the House GOP power struggle is beginning, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick — Trump gets hit by both Dems and his own supporters on abortion, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren, Megan Messerly and Lisa Kashinsky — Under siege, 3 world leaders say: Bring it on, by POLITICO’s John F. Harris and Alexander Burns — Fired female execs go after top K Street firm, by POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman and Megan R. Wilson
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Tovia Siegel has been named director of organizing and leadership at The Resurrection Project, starting later this summer. She's been the campaign director for the Healthy Illinois Campaign, which advocates for undocumented immigrants.
| | | IN MEMORIAM | | | — Civil rights leader James Lawson Jr. dies at 95: “The pastor was a close adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and an advocate of nonviolent protest,” by The Associated Press.
| | | | A message from Uber: How Uber reduces drunk driving
Every year drunk driving accidents kill over ten thousand people in America. But with Uber available in most cities in the U.S., there’s never an excuse for choosing to drive drunk.
Research shows that options like Uber help prevent drunk driving deaths, saving more than 600 lives in a single year, according to the Review Economics and Statistics. That’s why Mothers Against Drunk Driving has partnered with Uber to continue to stop drunk driving before it happens.
Learn more | | | | | EVENTS | | — Wednesday and Thursday: Olive-Harvey College Senior VP Brandon Nichols will be a panelist (Thursday) at the White House’s Initiative for Black Americans Power Up Summit at Malcolm X College. Also on the panel: Monique Toussaint, senior adviser for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Circuit Court Judge John Curry for correctly answering that Camp Wood (Dubois) and the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers is the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the famous U.S. political figure who acted in an intercollegiate drama festival at Northwestern University in 1930?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Lake County Democrats Chair and former state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash, former state Rep. Cal Skinner Jr., entrepreneur and senior adviser to the governor Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg, Terminal Getaway Spa CEO Marko Iglendza, Holistic CEO Tom Alexander, governor’s office deputy chief of staff for comms Jason Rubin, GOP political consultant Nick Klitzing and civic leader Maria Smithburg. -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 | | | | |
