| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Good Monday morning, Illinois. Let’s make it a good one.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Gov. JB Pritzker, speaking at the Illinois State Capitol in February, is headed to Canada on a trade trip. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP | Gov. JB Pritzker is headed to Canada today for a trade mission. But before his trip, he keynoted the Wisconsin Democratic State Convention on Saturday. His speech energized the partisan crowd, calling Donald Trump “a racist, sexist, misogynistic narcissist who wants to use the levers of power to enrich himself and punish anyone who dares speak a word against him.” It was old fashioned politicking, with phrases Pritzker has used in Illinois since Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The line that got the biggest applause was about the blue wall: “Here’s the thing that people from the coasts might not understand about Midwestern Democrats,” said Pritzker, a surrogate for Joe Biden’s campaign. “We will be Midwest. Nice to you while we Midwest beat you.” Calmer in Canada: Pritzker will stick to business on the trade trip, where he’ll keynote the 2024 U.S.-Canada Summit on Tuesday. His focus is on electric vehicles (EVs), technology and quantum, industries the governor wants to “build out” in the coming years, according to a statement about his trip. Pritzker’s dance card is full: In Toronto, he’ll attend meetings and roundtables, including a visit to MaRS Discovery District, which is North America's “largest urban innovation hub.” In Montreal, he’ll tour Lion Electric. The company’s Joliet facility is considered “the largest all-electric U.S. manufacturing facility dedicated to medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle production,” according to Pritzker’s team. Also making the trip: Intersect Illinois Board Chair John Atkinson, who says he hopes to forge “stronger relationships that will help facilitate investment in Illinois,” according to the governor’s office statement. Others joining the journey: Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, First Assistant Deputy Gov. Claire Lindberg, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards and Deputy Director of Government Affairs Nancy Huynh, among other staffers and interested business leaders (who are paying their own way, according to the governor’s office). A Canadian hat tip: Consul General of Canada in Chicago Madeleine Féquière praised Pritzker’s Canadian visit. “The scale of annual trade between Illinois and Canada provides over 86 billion reasons for Gov. Pritzker to visit Canada. I am excited to welcome him to Toronto and Montréal to build on the vital connections between Canada and his state,” she said in a separate statement to Playbook. SIDENOTE BEARS V. PACKERS HUMOR: During his Wisconsin speech, Pritzker compared today’s political climate to the Packers v. Bears rivalry. “We can spend the entire off-season debating coaches and quarterbacks and kickers and draft picks and play calls. But when we get on the field, we all have one goal — winning. Losing is not an option." Heard from the crowd: “For us!" The Packers have a 10-game winning streak over the Bears.” Pritzker’s response: “Oh, we're gonna get you this year.”
| | | CONVENTION ZONE | | | — Democratic National Convention poised to drive up hotel room rates this summer — even more than Lollapalooza: “Lollapalooza is typically the busiest hotel weekend of the year for Chicago. But a Sun-Times search shows average daily hotel room rates during the Democratic National Convention may be nearly $50 higher during its four-day stint in Chicago. Average rates during NASCAR’s race here in July trail those two events,” by the Sun-Times’ Abby Miller. — DEEP DIVE | ‘This will not be 1968.’ Chicago police prepare for Dem National Convention as whole world watches once again: “ “Our response as a Chicago Police Department will be a lot more deliberate … a lot more controlled because our officers are being trained in the best way possible to respond to any level of civil unrest,” said Police Superintendent Larry Snelling,” by the Tribune’s Dan Petrella, A.D. Quig and Sam Charles. — No ‘calamari comeback’? The squid chef from Democrats’ 2020 convention says he’s a Trump backer, by The Associated Press’ Will Weissert — Milwaukee-based retail giant Kohl’s says ‘No’ to sponsoring Republican convention events, by CNBC’s Brian Schwartz
| | | | 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 | | Heading to Canada for a trade mission.
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the Austin Community Health Hub at noon for a groundbreaking — At the Lyric Opera at 5:45 p.m. for the James Beard Awards.
| | | Where's Toni | | | At the Cook County Health Professional Building at noon to announce the recipients of over $44 million in grants through the Stronger Together: Building a More Equitable Behavioral Health System in Cook County Initiative. 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. | | | | | | | SPOTLIGHT | | — Northwestern is so busy it’s cutting back on scheduling patients for induced labors: “The move comes as Northwestern has decreased beds for new and expectant mothers and added beds for others, like patients undergoing surgery,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch,
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — Chair of Illinois Democratic Party floats state law granting work permits to immigrants: “Rep. Lisa Hernandez declined to give a timeline on any proposal, which she says could authorize more than 400,000 undocumented immigrants to work,” by WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona-Maguigad. — With soy products booming, Illinois farmers have their eyes on clean, green innovation: “The Illinois Soybean Association is leading an effort to spur the development of soy-based products that are increasingly used as a cleaner and more sustainable replacement for petroleum,” by the Tribune’s Shanzeh Ahmad. — Illinois to consider the ‘Future of Gas’ in unprecedented regulatory proceeding: “The undertaking originally grew out of rate-case decisions that the commission doled out to Illinois’ four major gas utilities — Ameren Gas, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas — in November. After slashing the utilities’ requested rate hikes by a combined total of $240 million, the regulatory body directed its staff to develop a plan for the sweeping proceeding,” by the Daily Herald’s Jenny Whidden.
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez under fire for social media post many consider antisemitic: At issue: the use of the word “Zionist,” by NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern. — Black Chicago drivers more likely to be stopped by police than to get traffic camera tickets, study finds, by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat — Country’s first documented gay rights organization started 100 years ago in Old Town: “Henry Gerber founded America’s first documented gay rights organization in a boardinghouse at 1710 N. Crilly Court in Chicago,” by the Tribune’s Ron Grossman. — Historic Jewelers Building to be sold, possibly converted under new owners: “The Prime Group and CRG — the real estate development arm of Clayco — are behind the joint venture,” by the Sun-Times’ Abby Miller. — CPS did not violate state law in moving to take over Urban Prep, appeals court rules, by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin — For the foodies: The James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards will be livestreamed on Eater tonight starting at 5:30 p.m. Watch it here — Name change: The Chicago Southland Black Chamber of Commerce has changed their name to the Greater Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce. The group’s Juneteenth event is next week. Details here
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — OPINION: ”Chicago’s leftist mayor, is struggling: Incompetence rather than ideology is what’s hurting him”: After Mayor Brandon Johnson got booed at a Chicago house music festival, The Economist had this to say: “The mayor’s unpopularity is a lesson to insurgent politicians everywhere. You may think that, as with house music, you can’t go wrong. But if you claim to be leading people to the promised land, reality will eventually percolate in. At the next election, don’t be surprised if the voters tell you to move your body out of office,” by The Economist’s Daniel Knowles.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Pro-Palestinian protesters walk out of Northwestern commencement, by the Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos — OPINION | Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, fellow officials say their city is the ideal choice for the Bears: “Aurora will move now on a magnificent domed stadium that benefits everyone. We have properties ripe for development and incentives that are unmatched. Fans won’t be reading about stalled negotiations or potential lawsuits if the Bears choose Aurora,” write Mayor Irvin, state Sen. Linda Holmes, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez and Naperville Township Assessor Matt Rasche in the Chicago Tribune.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Illinois Appellate Judge David Ellis renews love for writing in new mysteries, by the Daily Law Bulletin’s Grace Barbic
| | | | 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 how you you’ve gotten out of a funk: Matthew Beaudet: “I call my kids. Just hearing their voices reminds me that my life is great.” Larry Beaumont: “I joined the Coast Guard.” Carlton Hull: “Plan a five-day vacation to Las Vegas!” Chris Kolker: “Run on the treadmill.” Mike Matejka: "Go down to the basement and run my vintage Lionel electric trains." Ronald Michelotti: “The worse it gets, the more I need baseball, even with the way the locals have been playing.” Dennis A. Rendleman: “Listening to the music of George Gershwin always cheers and de-funkifies.” Mark Rosenberg: “Chocolate.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Spending three hours every morning at the Union League Club athletics facility.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever dined at? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden tries to stop the Democratic bedwetting about his reelection, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren and Elena Schneider — Trump embraces harsh immigration rhetoric during Las Vegas rally, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard — Unaired footage shows chaos, anger of congressional leaders amid Jan. 6 evacuation, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney and Kyle Cheney — Sen. Chris Coons, a top Biden ally,believes his border executive order will get struck down, Q&A by POLITICO’s Ryan Lizza
| | | | 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 | | | | | TRANSITIONS | | — Jack McNeil starts this week as legislative director for Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen. He's been digital director for the Illinois Senate Dems Fund and just graduated from DePaul Law School.
| | | TRIVIA | | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Mayor Lori Lightfoot was in office in 2020 when architect Jeanne Gang finished the St. Regis Chicago, believed to be the world’s tallest residential building designed by a woman. It is 101 stories and stands 1,198 feet tall. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where is the memorialized starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former first kid Sasha Obama, Circuit Court Judge Dominique Ross, former state Sen. Jim Oberweis, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, Congresswoman Mary Miller’s Chief of Staff Ben DeMarzo, Bowman Consulting’s Brian McPartlin, political consultant Eli Brottman, Cook County Commission on Human Rights Chair Sufyan Sohel, AJ Capital Partners HR Manager Marissa Schanbacher and Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg. -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 | | | | |
