| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. And enjoy the weekend.
|  | CONVENTION ZONE | | | | 
Jaime Harrison, Democratic National Committee chair, watches as preparations are made before the upcoming Democratic National Convention, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. | Alex Brandon/AP | ON YOUR MARK, GET SET: The staging area for the Democratic National Convention was unveiled Thursday, one week ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris's speech accepting her party’s nomination as president. From the Tribune’s Dan Petrella: “We’ve been working for over a year to build the figurative, and now literal, stage for our party and our nominees,” Alex Hornbrook, executive director of the Democratic National Convention Committee, told reporters during the unveiling. “It’s been a long journey, but we’re so glad that the stage is finally here. It’s built, and it’s ready for showtime.” Spotted at the unveiling: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Convention Chair Minyon Moore, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison and United Center CEO Terry Savarise.
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Crews put on the finishing touches to the outside of the United Center on Wednesday, Aug.14, 2024. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO | Over at Wrigley Field, Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton joined thousands of convention volunteers Thursday to honor the work they’ll be doing over the coming days. Pic! Pritzker also sat down for a few convention preview pieces with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki and CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe. We’ll be watching Johnson and Pritzker as they take the convention stage next week. MORE CONVENTION ACTION HIJINKS: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had some fun on X at the expense of Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago pizza. Watch party for Kamala Harris' DNC nomination acceptance planned at Soldier Field: “For those who can’t get into the United Center to watch Harris accept the Democratic nomination, non-profit GoChiLife is planning a watch party at Chicago’s football stadium,” by the Sun-Times’ Katie Anthony. History: The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s half-century at conventions: Landmark speeches and presidential bids helped reshape a party, by the Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington Column: Chicago convention history is hardly conventional, by the Sun-Times’ Neil Steinberg PROTEST ZONE Poor People's Army plans to march at the convention — but not ‘to cause a ruckus’: “The Philadelphia-based group was granted a permit to march during the Democratic National Convention on a technicality. The city of Chicago failed to respond to the application within its own 10-day deadline,” by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn How police handle the protesters: “Look for how police respond to trouble at protests and how neighborhoods beyond the convention are policed, experts say,” by WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell. Here’s a list of the protests, via Sun-Times PARTY SCENE On Sunday: Sean Tenner, committeeperson for Chicago’s 46th Ward and a former D.C. resident, is hosting an event for the D.C. delegation. Special guests are Virginia Ali, the 90-year-old founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, and her daughter, Vida Ali. On the menu: Chicago deep dish pizza (from Gino’s East) and Chicago Tavern Style Pizza (from Si-Pie PIzzeria in the 46th Ward) with Ben’s Chili Bowl Half Smoke topping. Details here. Party Pivot: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who’s recovering from a knee injury that’s put him in a cast, has canceled the Sunday convention event he had planned. Giannoulias will attend a Tuesday event sponsored by the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State. Details here Monday: The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois is hosting a convention night fundraiser for state Sen. Ram Villivalam. Also expected to stop by are Reps. Mike Quigley and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Details here
| | | | DROP BY THE CNN-POLITICO GRILL AT THE DNC! Chi-Town Playbookers, this is your moment! Join us at the CNN-POLITICO Grill just steps from the United Center for daily events and live programs. Featuring an all-star lineup of the most influential Democrats including Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the Honorable Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Dick Durbin, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Gov. Josh Shapiro and many more special guests. Don’t miss out on the buzziest conversations and newsworthy events hosted by POLITICO’s top reporters and editors. RSVP HERE. | | | | | | | THE BUZZ | | FAIR DAZE: It was Republicans’ turn to show off their stuff at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday. They have an energetic new leader in GOP Chair Kathy Salvi and they’re just returned from a boisterous National Republican Convention marked by a message of unity. It’s a new day for Republicans in Illinois as they openly support early voting, recognizing that that’s helped give Democrats a boost. "We will work hard to bank as many pre-Election Day votes as possible, and overwhelm the Democrats with Republican votes because the political party that votes for weeks and months will mathematically beat the party that only goes for one day," Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said, via ABC 7’s Craig Wall. They face an uphill battle against Democrats, but they aren’t backing down from the fight. Hitting at Dems: “We are dealing with a party who wants to destroy small business, hurt our most vulnerable and make families feel that they need to be reliant on government for everything,” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said of Democrats. “How did they do that? We let them. We got lazy. We believed the lie that our voice and our vote does not matter, but it matters,” by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. Breaking records: Lil Wayne broke an attendance record Wednesday for a concert at the Illinois State Fair with 15,427 attendees. That surpasses the 2011 Jason Aldean concert that saw 15,329 for the show. If you are Alex Hornbrook, Playbook would like to hear from you, and we’re OK to go off the record. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At Soldier Field at 8 a.m. for a Chicago Police Department helicopter press conference.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Traffic may 'grind to a halt' after transit COVID-19 grants run out, RTA warns: “On the one hand, the state could increase transit spending to reach the “regional transit” model. On the other, commuters could see their travel times nearly double if the state does not commit more tax dollars to public transit,” by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Banks sue Illinois over ban on some credit card swipe fees: “The first-of-its-kind law, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed as part of the state budget in June, would eliminate interchange fees on the portions of a credit or debit card transaction that are attributable to sales taxes and gratuities. The law also imposes new restrictions on how banks and other payment processors use the data generated from credit card transactions,” by POLITICO’s Michael Stratford. — Corteva settled with farmworkers sprayed with pesticides in Illinois, by Investigate Midwest’s Jennifer Bamberg
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago's deadbeat migrant landlords get millions from City Hall despite tax troubles, other government debts: “Remo Polselli went to prison for cheating on his federal taxes and then has had more tax problems with the IRS. Yet City Hall has spent $28 million to shelter migrants at two buildings owned by the Michigan landlord, the Sun-Times found. He’s one of two shelter landlords getting tax money despite owing the government,” by the Sun-Times’ Tim Novak and Robert Herguth. — Mayor says he wants a CPS leader who will fight for more funding as fate of current CEO hangs in the balance: “The mayor Thursday seemed to contrast his schools vision with the more fiscally conservative approach of the CPS CEO, who his administration is taking steps to push out, WBEZ and the Sun-Times reported this week,” by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. — Parking meter payoff for NASCAR cost Chicago $600K over two years, by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan — Former Ald. Ricardo Munoz sentenced to 7 more months in federal prison after DUI arrest, by the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Illinois comptroller stops some state payouts to Dolton, threatens fines: “Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she is immediately suspending what are called ‘offset’ fund payments to Dolton for the village’s failure to turn over annual financial reports to her office,” by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan. — World’s steepest dive coaster planned for Six Flags Great America, by the Daily Herald’s Madhu Krishnamurthy — Niles Mayor George Alpogianis' restaurant, Kappy’s American Grill, was ranked 15th out of the top 28 diners in the U.S. by “Eat This, Not That,” a national nutrition website. Kappy’s was the only restaurant in Illinois to make the list.
| | | | 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 for your tips for freshman college students. Eli Brottman: “Don't take too many classes; take some time to have fun, meet new people and explore new things.” Eileen Censotti: “Call or text your parents every few weeks and let them know you’re alright.” Eileen Dordek: “Expect to be a little lonely. Finding your people, your footing and developing time-management takes time.” Susan Evans: “College is a time for growth, so step out of your comfort zone and try new activities, classes, events and be open to meeting all kinds of people. (And call your mom, don’t just text her!)” Marty Green: “Go to class, show up to class on time, answer questions in class, do extra credit that is offered and make sure the professor knows who you are.” Ashvin Lad: “Don't be ashamed to seek help from your professors for assignments. It's their job to make sure you understand the material.” Carol Lampard: “Just go to class. It will make your life easier.” Jim Lyons: “Respect your professors. They love what they do.” Ed Mazur: “Become acquainted with as many different people and their views as possible both during and after classes.” Elliot Regenstein: “On the first day in your dorm, bring homemade cookies, leave your door open and offer a cookie to anybody who stops by.” Jason Rosensweig: “Seize your education. Andy Shaw: “Remember to show your appreciation for your parents’ college investment by studying at least as hard as you’re partying.” Steve Smith: “Take a lot of writing classes. It is critical to be able to write clearly and precisely.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “Practice moderation at the all-you-can-eat dormitory dining hall to prevent the ‘Freshman 15’ weight gain.” NEXT QUESTION: What one thing would you encourage Democratic convention visitors to do while in Chicago? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Campus protesters ramp up plans for fall, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr., Bianca Quilantan and Rebecca Carballo— First-name basis: Harris is leaning into ‘Kamala,’ by POLITICO’s Myah Ward — Trump says he’s ‘entitled to personal attacks’ on Harris, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Natalie Allison — ‘The guy is ambitious’: How Walz got on Harris’ radar — and onto the 2024 ticket, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein, Elena Schneider and Meredith Lee Hill
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Jen Daulby is now CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. She was chief of staff for former Congressman Rodney Davis.
| | | TRIVIA | | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kristin DiCenso for correctly answering that the Chicago Coliseum, which was in three Chicago locations over the years, hosted five Republican National Conventions (in 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916 and 1920). TODAY’s QUESTION: What food was popularized by the 1946 Illinois State Fair?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Chicago Vice Mayor and Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, Illinois Appellate Court Judge Cynthia Cobbs, former state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, Illinois Teachers' Retirement System Public Relations Director Janelle Gurnsey, BNSF Railway government affairs exec Peter Skosey, Illinois Democratic Party Digital Manager Valeria Ruiz and Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director Ashley Wheater. Saturday: State Rep. Michelle Mussman, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Pat Stanton, Chicago Board of Elections Public Information Director Max Bever, Chicago House nonprofit CEO Michael Herman, nonprofit consultant and former congressional aide Daniel Penchina, former United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek and former Paul Simon Policy Institute Director Mike Lawrence. Sunday: Political and nonprofit consultant Kevin Conlon, Federal Reserve Bank President Austan Goolsbee, Community Food Navigator Comms Managing Director Nick Davis and former government affairs director Scott Cisek. -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 | | | | |
