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| By Shia Kapos |
Good Thursday morning, Illinois. The Democratic National Convention is in Chicago in 25 days. BIG SPEECHES: President Joe Biden spoke to the country on “passing the torch,” and a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on staying the course.
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 | TOP TALKER | |
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Gov. JB Pritzker, delivering remarks ahead of President Joe Biden speaking in Chicago last year, is on Kamala Harris' short list for vice president. | Evan Vucci/AP |
VEEP-O-MANIA: Gov. JB Pritzker indicated Wednesday that he’s being considered for vice president by Kamala Harris’ campaign, saying he couldn’t comment on “private conversations” when he was asked whether he was being vetted for the position. But what if Harris asks? “I love being governor of Illinois,” Pritzker told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I'd be reluctant to make a change, but it'd be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president.” Add it to the buzz: CBS News reports Pritzker is among 12 names on a short list for VP. It seems a long shot for the Illinois governor to be chosen as a VP over someone from a swing state such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. But Pritzker brings a lot to the table: He is a talented attack dog in pushing back against GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. It also doesn't hurt that immense wealth — he's the heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune — could prove useful in an expensive presidential campaign. He wins either way: Pritzker has been a regular of late on national news outlets, showing what he can do to promote Harris and attack Trump. The exposure on CNN and MSNBC helps introduce the governor to a national audience — that’s important if he runs for higher office down the road or is possibly picked for a Cabinet position in a potential Harris administration. Showing his stuff: On Wednesday, Pritzker criticized Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance on his abortion stands opposing reproductive rights. “There is a growing sense that JD Vance just doesn't stand where most Illinoisans and most Midwesterners stand," Pritzker said in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. He threw out some zingers: “Donald Trump seems to be drifting away from his own nominee because he's had so many weird views,” the governor said. “He [Vance] has had the worst launch since Sarah Palin so I'm not sure if Donald Trump is going to frankly throw him off the ticket and pick somebody else because he's been just terrible on the stump.” RELATED JACKED-UP: Chicago Mayor BRANDON JOHNSON gave his full-throated support for Kamala Harris during a speech Wednesday at the American Federation of Teachers convention in Houston. “Transformation means having Kamala Harris in the White House to ensure that a woman is in charge to take control of this jacked-up situation in America that only a Black woman knows how to solve.” Watch the clip here DNC gives would-be Harris rivals 3 days to declare: “The timeline approved by the convention rules committee could also push Harris to pick a running mate in the next week,” by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider. Bill Daley, the Chicago political veteran, gives his take on a VP running for president. Daley was chair of former VP Al Gore’s campaign when he ran for president, via Politico’s West Wing Playbook. It’s unanimous: The Illinois Democratic Party announced Wednesday that its delegates voted unanimously to support Harris as the party’s 2024 presidential nominee. If you are Al Gore, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
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| WHERE'S JB | |
At Northwestern’s Pritzker Law School at 9 a.m to keynote the Cannabis Law Institute's Program. — At the Secret Service Chicago Field Office at 11:30 a.m. for the Democratic National Convention security briefing. — At an undisclosed location at 1 p.m. to announce a new business investment.
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| WHERE's BRANDON | |
| At the Democratic convention security briefing at 11:30 a.m. — At Steelworkers Park at 1 p.m. for the PsiQuantum quantum campus announcement. — At Truman College at 6 p.m. for a budget roundtable discussion.
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| Where's Toni | |
At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over the County Board meeting. — At the governor’s 1 p.m. presser announcing a new investment. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
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| CONVENTION ZONE | |
— Brandon Johnson says he’s ready for the convention, messy as it might be, by Jasmine Wright of NOTUS — Black businesses are looking to benefit from the Democratic convention in Chicago, by the Triibe’s Corli Jay — Cook County officials opening new court facility, clearing judges’ schedules ahead of possible mass arrests at Democratic convention, by WTTW’s Matt Masterson
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| BUSINESS OF POLITICS | |
— Business leaders form political action committee to 'cut across party lines': Notable names from Chicago’s business scene want to advance their “long-term, systemic civic priorities” for the city and state. Among the bigwigs: Steve Koch, an investment banker who was deputy mayor under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Derek Douglas, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club; and Jesse Ruiz, an attorney and former deputy governor for education in Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — 2024 WATCH: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is endorsing Jerry Evans for Congress in IL-11.“Speaker Johnson’s endorsement comes on the heels of recent polling that shows a competitive race” between Evans and incumbent Democrat Congressman Bill Foster for the suburban Chicago district, Evans’ team said in announcing the endorsement.
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| | THE STATEWIDES | |
— Ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Michael Madigan wants counts dismissed due to SCOTUS ruling: “Paul La Schiazza’s attorneys asked the judge to toss key bribery and conspiracy counts in the indictment, order the government to turn over grand jury minutes, and limit the statements of alleged co-conspirators that can be introduced at trial,” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner. — Men in Stateville Prison fear ongoing poor conditions, threat of heat a month after man dies in custody, by WTTW’s Blair Paddock and Brandis Friedman — A step-by-step look at how law enforcement’s visit to Sonya Massey’s home went so wrong, by CNN’s Eric Levenson — As rare black bear sightings spark excitement in southern Illinois, IDNR says keep a safe distance, by Capitol News’ Molly Parker — Public safety on Illinois mass transit is highlighted during Senate hearing, by the Center Square’s Kevin Bessler
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| CHICAGO | |
— Covid-19 rising again in Chicago, but experts urge precaution — not panic: “The Covid-19 test positivity rate in Chicago for the week ending July 19 was 9.8 percent, up from 7.6 percent the previous week. Hospitalizations also have increased, but not quite at the same rate, officials say,” by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather. — Portillo’s argues that structure of the National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional: “Portillo’s filings come after labor board officials issued a complaint against the fast-expanding hot dog giant earlier this month, alleging it violated labor law before and after a union election at its Addison food preparation facility last year,” by the Tribune’s Talia Soglin. — Chicago Park District updates public participation rules for board meetings: “Attendees now have a deadline to register to speak and can request language interpreters for meetings,” by the Sun-Times’ Layla Brown-Clark.
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| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | |
| — Laptops possibly containing confidential information on criminal cases stolen at Cook County courthouse: “Between three and five computers were thought to have been stolen late Monday, sources said. At least one murder trial has been disrupted,” by the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson, Tom Schuba, Frank Main and Andy Grimm. — Cook County Treasurer says $22M in automatic refunds to be divvied among property owners who overpaid 2023 property taxes, by WGN 9’s Michael Johnson — On this day in 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Winnetka.
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| The space economy is already woven into our lives in ways we don't always appreciate, creating a global backbone for communications, media, data, science and defense. It's also becoming an increasingly competitive zone among nations - and a venue for complex and important public-private partnerships. Join POLITICO on July 30 for a conversation about what Washington needs to understand is at stake – which sectors of the global economy see their growth arc in space, and what the role of government leaders is in both growing and regulating the explosion of orbital ideas. REGISTER HERE. |
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| TAKING NAMES | |
— Byron Trott, the Chicago businessman, gives top colleges $150M for rural recruitment, by Bloomberg’s Janet Lorin — Ken Griffin bought a Stegosaurus. Will he give it to the Field Museum? Crain’s Brandon Dupré reports
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| Reader Digest | |
We asked where they know your name. Stella Black: “Ann Sather's.” Eli Brottman: “Multiple vendors at the XMarket in Uptown.” Robert Christie: “Capital Grille Chicago.” Andrew Davis: “The Dearborn — in part, because I write about Chicago cuisine.” Russell Lissau: “Original Bagel & Bialy in Buffalo Grove, which is my de facto office many mornings.” Dave Lundy: “Gene and Georgetti.” Jim Lyons: “Bartolini's in Midlothian.” Ed Mazur: “Tufano's Vernon Park Tap.” Catherine Mini: “Sushi-san at Willis Tower. I know staff members Alex, Melissa and Hugo by name, too.” Kathy Ryg: “Gideon Welles in Lincoln Square (Full disclosure, it’s owned by my son-in-law!)” Marc Schulman: “Piccolo Sogno. Owner Chef Tony Priolo is focused on his customers and giving each one a great experience.” Kevin Lampe and Andy Shaw: The Billy Goat Tavern. Mike Lieber: “The Pit & Tap in Wilmette.” Stephen Sadin: “Norton's in HIghland Park.” David Schwartz: “Milt's BBQ for the Perplexed. We ordered from them every week when there was no indoor dining.” Ray Sendjas: “Tony's Burrito Mex at Belmont and Damen.” Alison Pure-Slovin: “Shallots Bistro and Emma’s Bagel Cafe, both in Skokie.” Steve Smith: “Carlucci's.” John Straus: “Le Tour in Evanston.” Jim Terman: “BBQ Pit Restaurant in Highland Park.” Chris White: “Roma's at 93rd and Commercial.” Scott Wiseman: “Whiskey River Bar and Grill in Glenview.” NEXT QUESTION: When did you walk out on a speech? Email skapos@politico.com
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| FROM THE DELEGATION | |
Nyet on Netanyahu: The Illinois Congressional delegation split on attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth didn’t go. And neither did Reps. Delia Ramirez (IL-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-03), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Sean Casten (IL-06) or Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). Attending the speech: Democratic Reps. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Danny Davis (IL-07), Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Bill Foster (IL-11). Davis said it was a matter of showing respect for the country of Israel. The entire Illinois GOP delegation was in attendance: Mike Bost (IL-12), Mary Miller (IL-15) and Darin LaHood (IL-16).
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| THE NATIONAL TAKE | |
— Wednesday’s Oval Office address highlighted why Democrats believed he needed to step aside, by POLITICO’s John H. Harris — The GOP doesn’t want to talk about abortion. Harris wants to make them, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly and Alice Miranda Ollstein — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggles to gain traction amid unification on both sides, by POLITICO’s Brittany Gibson and Ben Schreckinger
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| TRANSITIONS | |
— Patrick Pfingsten has been named host of “Springfield Morning News” on 92.7 WMAY. He’s a former political consultant who writes “The Illinoize” newsletter.
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| | EVENTS | |
| — Today at 3 p.m.: Former Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell will be at a meet and greet hosted by Dr. Tariq Butt of Access Community Health Network and nonprofit consultant Kevin Conlon. Mucarsel-Powell is a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Florida against Republican Sen. Rick Scott. Details here — Today at 5:30 p.m.: A fundraiser for Assistant Illinois Majority Leader Mattie Hunter will be hosted by lobbyists Darren Collier and John R. Daley. Details here — Sunday: A grassroots LGBTQ+-organized fundraiser for Kamala Harris. Details here
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| TRIVIA | |
WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Circuit Court Judge John Curry for correctly answering that 1976 was the last presidential race when neither major party's ticket contained the names Bush, Clinton or Biden. Gerald Ford and Bob Dole v. Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. TODAY’s QUESTION: "What do Carol Fox, Ardis Krainik, William Mason, and Anthony Freud all have in common?
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY | |
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, Rep. Chuy Garcia’s district outreach director María Velázquez, Schwalb Realty Group Executive VP Joyce Wippman, BRick Partners co-founder Karen Muchin and MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepulveda’s Environmental Policy and Comms Director Rolando Favela. -30- |
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