| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Thursday morning, Illinois. We’ve got the ultimate list of non-political jobs that translate to politics. See READER DIGEST.
|  | CONVENTION ZONE | | | MONEY MATTERS: Democratic convention organizers have raised nearly $95 million for the Chicago event that will nominate Kamala Harris for president next week. The total haul represents a record amount raised by any host committee for a Democratic (or Republican) convention, according to organizers. The Harris factor: The host committee had nearly reached its goal of $84.7 million when President Joe Biden was still on the ticket, and donation commitments only increased after the baton was passed to Harris. Getting over the line: “We were very close to our goal before the change on the ticket and we have now exceeded our goal, which is super exciting,” said Joanna Belanger, the senior director of partnerships and donor relations for the host committee. She credited “increased enthusiasm” for Harris and “more excitement around the convention itself.” About the host committee: It’s a nonpartisan nonprofit — designed to pay for transportation, venues and other associated event expenses — which means it doesn’t have to publicly disclose its donors. One donor we know of: Gov. JB Pritzker, who early on vowed that the convention wouldn't go into debt. Putting on a convention is expensive, Belanger said. “Everything is more expensive now than it was eight years ago, which was the last time we had an in-person convention. If you look at the prices of conventions, they just have steadily increased. We still wanted to make sure to showcase the city, so it was a big undertaking.” SPEAKER LINEUPS: The program for the convention is taking shape. Along with Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Lauren Underwood are all confirmed as speakers reports the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles. Hollywood is coming to Chicago, too, for the convention, by the Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner PROTEST ZONES: The city of Chicago has granted activists permits to rally and hold a march near the Democratic National Convention, but protesters say the permit includes “outrageous conditions.” In a letter sent to the pro-Palestinain organizers, the city says, the group’s request to use Park 578 and the Field at Union Park for rallies on Aug. 19 and 22 “are granted, subject to the following conditions: no stages or platforms, portable restrooms or toilets, tents or canopies, or sound equipment may be installed by your organization.” Protesters are pushing back, saying forbidding sound equipment limits their First Amendment rights. They’re planning a press conference today on the issue with Chicago Alds. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, Byron Sigcho-Lopez and others by their side. Pro-Israel group plans a presence, too: The Israeli-American Council, which hasn’t gotten a permit to rally, plans an all-day exhibit Tuesday near the United Center called “Hostage Square Chicago.” The group’s goal: to show solidarity with Israel, showcase new creations by six Israeli artists and showcase the plight of the hostages still held by Hamas. PARTY SCENE Kicking off the week: The Human Rights Campaign is leading a series of events for the LGBTQ+ community and allies during the convention, including a "Queering Sunday" welcoming party in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood. Clubs participating: Sidetrack, Roscoe’s, Progress, Lark, Kit Kat and Hydrate. On Monday, The Human Rights Campaign will host Democratic strategists and LGBTQ+ movement leaders during the day at McCormick Place for panel conversations about “how to make an impact” and the power of equality voters this election year. Details and signups here. Also on Monday: Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC is hosting an opening night convention reception at Carnivale. Alexis McGill Johnson, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, is on the guest list along with Illinois members of Congress and appearances by comedian Rachel Bloom and Chicago Sky players. 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, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Dick Durbin, Mayor Brandon Johnson and many more special guests. In fact, word on the street (West Madison Street, to be precise) is that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be in the neighborhood and could drop by Don’t miss out on the buzziest conversations and newsworthy events hosted by POLITICO’s top reporters and editors. RSVP HERE. | | | | | | | THE BUZZ | | MAYORAL SCRUTINY: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration are facing scrutiny this week. Crain’s and the Tribune take deep dives to look at Charles Smith, a mayoral ally and businessman who has been asking for big-money donations for an organization that says it’s organizing parties for the Democratic National Convention. When money didn’t come through, events were pared down, and now there’s a question about where the money that was donated is going. GoChiLife isn’t working with the convention host committee, and it lists Eugenia Brown as an officer. “In social media posts reviewed by Crain’s, Brown has shared photos of her and Smith attending parties and traveling together, referring to Smith as ‘my love.’” Crain’s Justin Laurence reports. The smell test: “The coziness of all parties involved and the lack of transparency from the organization, which doesn’t have to publicly disclose its contributions, raises questions from reformers, but neither Smith nor GoChiLife responded directly to questions about potential conflicts,” according to the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Ray Long. The other mayoral issue turning heads: Johnson is working to oust the CPS chief executive, sources say: “Pedro Martinez’s departure, which hasn’t been finalized, could come after clashes with the mayor’s office and Chicago Teachers Union leaders over how to address a massive budget deficit and historic underfunding of the school system,” by reporters from the Sun-Times and WBEZ. State Comptroller Susana Mendoza weighed, posting on X: “Martinez was right to oppose a City Hall request that CPS take out a short-term, high-interest loan to cover the pension payment & new CTU contract. These short term high interest loans are NEVER a good idea.” If you are Mayor Brandon Johnson, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters at 11 a.m. for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's People's Agenda event — At Truman College at 7:10 p.m. for the Chicago Early Learning Workforce scholarship scholar recognition ceremony.
| | 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 | | — Congress didn’t recognize the Springfield race riot. Biden will make the site a monument: “The president, aiming to bolster his record on racial justice as he prepares to leave office in January, will sign the designation proclamation during an event at the White House with civil rights leaders and Illinois lawmakers,” reports the Washington Post’s Maxine Joselow. Leading the charge on the issue: Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin as well as Reps. Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat, and Darin LaHood, a Republican. The four Illinois lawmakers introduced legislation to create the national monument under the National Park Service. But the measure has stalled amid the gridlock on Capitol Hill in an election year. — Illinois is the fourth state to pass legacy ban: Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a law banning the use of legacy preferences in admissions at public colleges and universities, by Inside Higher Ed’s Liam Knox. — Attorney says SAFE-T Act 'failed to stop' former sheriff's deputy accused of Massey's murder, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
| | 2024 WATCH | | — FAIR DAZE: Pritzker calls Trump a 'loser' as Dems champion Harris, Walz during Governor's Day at the fair, by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick M. Keck — Dems at the fair keep the focus on reproductive and workers’ rights three months ahead of the election, by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner — Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff hits Chicago for fundraisers, by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander…. The second gentleman also addressed anti-semitism, by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez — ‘A lapse in judgment’: Cartoon in GOP newsletter bashed by suburban Democrats and Republicans, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — Kimberly Brown says she’s been endorsed by the advocacy group called CPS Parents for Buses in her bid for a seat on the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education.
| | | CHICAGO | | | — Riot Fest will return to Douglass Park this fall after ditching plans to move to the suburbs: “The festival will once again take place in North Lawndale this September. The announcement Wednesday comes two months after organizers said the fest would move to suburban Bridgeview,” by Block Club’s Quinn Myers and Leen Yassine. — CTA approves massive contract to build Red Line extension as costs top $5B: “The long-awaited project to build four new stops south of 95th Street is expected to break ground in late 2025,” by Block Club’s Mack Liederman and Maxwell Evans. — Amtrak to Johnson: 'We have significant concerns' about Greyhound stop at Union Station, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett — COMMENTARY | Being a Black woman in Chicago: “You live in an existential dichotomy of visibility and representation vs. marginalization and violence,” Alex Sims, founder of the public affairs firm APS & Associates, writes in the Triibe.
| | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Former Cook County prosecutor, two Chicago police officers charged with overtime theft, by the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm and Frank Main — Demolition begins on mammoth Sears complex in Hoffman Estates, by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson — 'One-stop-shop' DMV opens in Melrose Park with expanded business services, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout
| | | | 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 what non-political job is good training for politics. James Cappleman, the former Chicago alderman: “My social work job at the University of Chicago Medical Center was excellent training because it grounded me in the use of evidence-based, best practices that kept me focused on interventions that produced great outcomes.” Robert Christie: “Sales. If you are good at sales you have great interpersonal skills, listen well and know what the opposition is selling and the strengths and weaknesses of their sales pitch. Politics is selling policy.” Mimi Cowan: “I worked for a time as a junior high special ed assistant and we constantly reminded students to keep their hands to themselves, keep their clothes on and mind their own business. I’m not saying that could be good training for a career in politics. But I’m not saying it isn’t.” Linda Davenport: “Motherhood. Lots of crying and tantrums.” Jan Kostner of the Chicagoland Chamber: “A cocktail waitress. You had to listen, not lose your cool with customers, and think quickly on your feet.” Kevin Hall: “Sales and the ability to make a lot of phone calls helped me tremendously.” John Mark Hansen: “Anything that requires you to open yer yap: lawyer, teacher, entertainer, carnival barker.” Kevin Lampe: “Being a bartender at the Neighborhood Inn in Hoffman Estates, a Cheers-esque bar. At the time, a blue dot in a red ocean (now blue.)” Dave Lundy: “Anything in sales.” Josh Mogerman: “I delivered State Journal-Registers as a kid. A paper route teaches the importance of the grind and showing up.” Kevin P. Morris: “Restaurant server, host and golf caddie.” Jane Ruby, president of League of Women Voters Chicago: “As someone with an art background, I think the world definitely needs more artists in politics because we are creative problem solvers!” Peter Skosey, BNSF Railway government affairs executive director: “Child psychologist.” Myk Snider: “One summer, I worked for Peoria Disposal cleaning (semi-) dried waste out of sludge tankers. I learned how to separate the essential from the non-essential.” Timothy Thomas Jr.: “As a former youth basketball coach (twice Champions of the Hyde Park Biddy Basketball League), the ability to manage the expectations of players and their parents, the referees and crowd during the games, scouting opponents is a primer for any future politician.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Education, any level.” NEXT QUESTION: What’s your big tip for a freshman college student? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Emerson College Polling is out with fresh data on the presidential race — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vows to keep busing migrants north. One problem: Not enough migrants, by NBC’s Laura Strickler and Didi Martinez — Grocery price gouging to feature prominently in Harris economic plan, by POLITICO’s Meridith Lee Hill — Democrats launch new spate of abortion rights attacks, this time with receipts, by POLITICO’s Emily Ngo
| | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Roger Flahaven for correctly answering that Lewis and Clark and their team spent the winter near present-day Wood River before making their famous cross-country journey. TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois venue hosted five consecutive Republican National Conventions?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Congresswoman Judy Biggert, former state Rep. Steven Andersson, CME Group Chair and CEO Terry Duffy, ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones, Chicago Mahogany Tours CEO Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Julia Roundtree Livingston and grassroots activist and loyal Playbooker Bill Hogan. -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 | | | | |
