| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. The political roller coaster is just getting started. BREAKING LAST NIGHT: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he’ll visit Chicago on Wednesday to attend the National Association of Black Journalists convention. NBC 5 has the details,
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Actor Jeff Bridges, photographed at a reunion of "The Big Lebowski," is all in for Kamala Harris. | Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Universal Studios Home Entertainment | SO MANY DUDES: Gov. JB Pritzker, actor Jeff Bridges and some high-profile politicos headlined the “White Dudes for Harris” Zoom call last night to show their support for Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Bridges set the tone of the evening, referencing his signature line from “The Big Lebowski.” "I'm white. I'm a dude. And I'm for Harris,” he said on the call. “I’m excited, man. The fact that Joe passed the baton so beautifully and Kamala is our girl. A woman president. How exciting!” The three-hour plus discussion lived up to the movie’s famous line, “A dude abides,” a reference to embrace tolerance. Pritzker said, “I gotta be honest, when I'm invited to an event with the name like, ‘White Dudes for Harris,’ it doesn't usually sound like something I would join, but this is a terrific cause.” He went on to pitch for Harris and to poke — sometimes humorously — at Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance and couches. More than $3.5 million was raised from the call that included nearly 30 speakers and drew more than 150,000 viewers. Also on the line: Govs. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and some actors who played politicos, including “The West Wing’s” Bradley Whitford, a Wisconsin native who joked that the gathering was “like a rainbow of beige.” What it means: The calls are further evidence of the vice president’s apparent ability to raise money for a campaign that’s less than two weeks old and will require massive spending to overcome Trump's polling strength. Check out our home page story. RELATED ‘He’s got the Midwest grit, the Midwest sensibility’ | Why Tim Walz is suddenly in the hunt for VP: “The Minnesota governor is a rapidly emerging veepstakes contender. Some rural Democrats say it’s about time,” by POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill and Elena Schneider. As Harris races to make VP pick, Pritzker's complex financial portfolio could take time to vet, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet Roy Cooper bows out of veepstakes, via POLITICO Kamala Harris has an Illinois connection: “When Harris was just a toddler, her family moved to Champaign, where they lived for a year in the late 1960s. Her parents, fresh out of their Ph.D. programs, had both secured jobs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It was in Champaign that Harris’ younger sister, Maya, was born,” by the Tribune’s Sylvan Lebrun.
| | CONVENTION ZONE | | — Damen Green Line stop opens Aug. 5, in time for the Democratic National Convention: “The $80.2 million stop near the United Center is opening more than seven years after plans were announced,” by Block Club’s Melody Mercado. — Who’s funding the Dem convention? The full list of political contributions to the nonprofit host committee won’t be available until about two months after it’s over, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — United Center neighbors brace for restricted access, traffic, police — and confusion, by the Block Club’s Francia Garcia Hernandez — Taft High School student's artwork to be featured at the Dem convention, by the Sun-Times’ Erica Thompson If you are Jeff Bridges, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At Navy Pier at 9 a.m. to attend the Chicago Police Department graduation and promotion ceremony — At Harold Washington Library at 5:30 p.m. to attend the Youth Budget Roundtable.
| | | Where's Toni | | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | Pro Briefing: Kamala Harris and the World. What we expect on foreign policy and trade. Join POLITICO Pro for a deep-dive conversation with our specialist reporters about the vice president’s approach to foreign policy. Register Now. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — In IL-17: GOP candidate Joe McGraw is named a ‘young gun’ while Congressman Eric Sorensen shows fundraising lead: “The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is naming McGraw, a retired judge, to its Young Guns program. It provides mentorship and other support to candidates in districts deemed competitive,” by WGLT’s Eric Stock and Tim Shelley.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Federal law thwarted Chicago’s attempt to sue gun makers. But now it has a new strategy: The city sued Glock Inc., the international gunmaker’s United States subsidiary, saying it's “manufacturing pistols with designs that encourage modification and failing to make changes that would protect the public.” The city says two suburban retailers “misrepresent” the Glock pistols “by marketing them as safe products despite awareness they can be easily converted into unsafe and illegal automatic guns, the city claims,” according to ProPublica’s Vernal Coleman. — Sheriff asks for forgiveness, declines to resign following Sonya Massey shooting, by the State Journal Register’s Steven Spearie — Pritzker signs measure to expand abortion coverage, combat Black maternal deaths, by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. — Feds swat argument that Supreme Court saves Madigan: 'This dog will not hunt,’ by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel
| | CHICAGO | | — Pritzker says it would be ‘near impossible’ to get Bears stadium deal done this fall: “If there was a proposal put on the table that could get done, you couldn’t actually get it done, probably, during the veto session and would have to wait until next spring,” the governor said, referring to the year’s final legislative session in November, during an unrelated news conference in Chicago, by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander. — Chicago workers cottages gave immigrants access to homeownership: “The cottages’ modest design provided entry-level homes after the Great Chicago Fire. Attempts to preserve them now reflect the ongoing struggle for affordable housing,” by Bloomberg’s Zach Mortice. — Bus rapid transit a possibility in Chicago but still a long way off, transit officials say: “As a growing chorus of City Council members pushes for dedicated bus lanes on the city’s most popular routes, transit officials pumped the brakes on expectations of seeing true bus rapid transit anytime soon while emphasizing smaller efforts being taken to speed up buses,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Say cheese-cake! In honor of National Cheesecake Day, Eli’s Cheesecake has teamed up with J.P. Graziano Grocery to debut a cannoli cheesecake. It combines Graziano’s cannoli and Eli’s “creamy ricotta, candied orange peel and bittersweet chocolate chips,” says Eli’s Marc Schulman. They’re giving out free slices in front of Graziano’s from 11 a.m. to noon while supplies last. Eli’s will be giving out cheesecake slices around the city as well. Details here
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — State Rep. Daniel Didech suggests “bad faith diversion” by Wheeling township leaders on mental health funding, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky — Waukegan City Clerk seeks dismissal of 15-count indictment against her, by the Lake County News-Sun’s Steve Sadin — Lion Electric’s Joliet plant operating significantly below capacity as U.S. and Canadian subsidies lag, by the Tribune’s John Lippert — New Glen Ellyn Dist. 41 Superintendent Jeffrey McHugh shares priorities, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith
| | SPOTTED | | Labor of love: Brian Shanahan’s, railroad coordinator for the International Association of Machinists, held his annual summer party at his home in Mokena over the weekend. Spotted: Congress members Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson; Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle; state Sens. Meg Loughran Cappel, Mike Hastings and Celina Villanueva; state Reps. Natalie Manley, Matt Hanson, Dagmara Avelar, Eva-Dina Delgado and Norma Hernandez; Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant; Cook County Commissioners Kevin Morrison and Alma Anaya; and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Daniel “Pogo” Pogorzelski.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about your favorite high-protein meal. Suzie Bassi: “Steak!” Vince Brandys: “Steak and eggs with a side of avocado and jalapenos.” Eli Brottman: “Brown rice and lentils, with lots of vegetables.” Mike Gascoigne: “Yogurt. I’m trying to reduce my meat intake.” Jim Lyons: “BBQ baby back ribs.” Ed Mazur: “Myrna Mazur’s homemade lasagna.” Marilynn Miller: “What else? A top quality, rare filet mignon.” Ashley B. Urisman: “The bison filet at RPM Steak is excellent. But when I'm cooking for myself this Turmeric-Black Pepper Chicken With Asparagus from the NYT Cooking section, is my go-to. I like to sub out chicken breast for the thighs, to keep it higher in protein and lower in fat.” NEXT QUESTION: What out-of-the-box club needs to be created? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — How Kamala Harris can bury the ghosts of 2020, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago — Biden administration cautiously navigates Venezuela election fallout, by POLITICO’s EricBazail-Eimil — FBI: Trump has agreed to interview about assassination attempt, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Senate Republicans largely brush past Vance's 'childless cat ladies' comments, by POLITICO’s Ursula Perano and Jordain Carney — Democrats may have a real chance to reform the Supreme Court, by POLITICO’s Ankush Khardori
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Preeti Chalsani, has been named the inaugural chief quantum officer, for the state of Illinois. Chalsani will be responsible for working closely with leaders within Illinois’ science, technology, innovation, government and economic communities. She starts Aug. 14. Earlier, Chalsani was director of industry partnership for the Chicago Quantum Exchange in a joint position with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. — Brad Spirrison is now corporate engagement lead at Discovery Partners Institute, where he'll focus on AI, climate technology, food innovation and insurance technology. He founded the Grown In cannabis-industry newsletter, which will continue as a cannabis industry events company under new management.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Janice Glenn, who had a “long and successful career as a travel agent to the rich and famous,” has died. She is survived by her son, Michael, daughter, Laurie Glenn, a Chicago public relations strategist, and grandson, Daniel Fredrick Glenn. Her obit is here.
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Dave Dahl for correctly answering that the 1920 Republican National Convention was notable because it was the first Republican convention to allow women as delegates. H/T to those who also noted that the phrase “smoke-filled room” originated during the 1920 Republican convention when a reporter described the scene of power brokers meeting at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago to nominate Warren G. Harding president. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who worked for Mayors Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel and also advised Barack Obama before he became president?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Rep. Dan Swanson, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former state Rep. Mike Tryon, former Ald. Deb Mell, veteran board member Cynthia Santos, journalist and former foundation leader Cornelia Grumman, Chicago Police spokesman Don Terry, Northwestern University Associate Dean of External Affairs Roderick Hawkins, World Business Chicago marketing VP Andrew Hayes, Willkie Farr & Gallagher Legal Recruiting Manager Kendra Abercrombie, LBH Chicago Project Director Lauren Cvengros, Durbin alum and American Petroleum Institute comms VP Ben Marter and WBEZ reporter Kristen Schorsch. -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 | | | | |
