| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Thanks for your patience this week as convention coverage has hogged the news. We appreciate you sticking with us. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Illinois Playbook is taking its annual end-of-summer hiatus starting Monday. We’ll be back on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | That’s a wrap: After accepting the nomination for president Thursday night, Kamala Harris embarked on the campaign trail buoyed by the energy of the Democratic National Convention. Chicago hopes for a similar boost in showing the world it has finally surpassed concerns about the 1968 convention — that the successful 1996 convention wasn’t able to shed. To the great relief of city and state leaders, protests were prolific but largely peaceful. Migrants didn’t arrive in busloads, as the Texas governor threatened. And though there were arrests, violence didn’t consume the events of the week. We asked Mayor Brandon Johnson if he had been worried about how the week might go: “I don’t know what worrying gets you. So, I don’t really live in that space,” he replied. Talking up Chicago: Johnson spent the week visiting with state delegations and talking to mayors and other elected officials who were in town for the convention. “They wanted to talk about how they love the city,” said Johnson, who was happy to engage — to the point of talking so much, he had a raspy voice. “People are grateful we had it here,” he said. “They are excited about the direction of our city.” Johnson credited the work of his administration and the City Council with tamping down any disruptive protests that could mirror the events of 1968 when police used nightsticks and tear gas on protesters demonstrating against the Vietnam War. Chicago had held a perfectly peaceful Democratic convention in 1996, but that didn’t stop the hand-wringing over 2024. 'Victory' for the mayor: “When you consider everything people worried about from the beginning, [Police] Superintendent Larry Snelling has done a heck of a job. And for the mayor, it’s a big victory,” said public affairs consultant Thom Serafin as he waited outside of the arena floor of the United Center on Thursday. The Trump problem: Democrats in Chicago blame some of the city's reputation anxiety on Donald Trump, who perpetually attacks Chicago’s reputation, especially on issues related to crime and immigration. “We’ve put on a world-class convention for the world to see. Whatever Donald Trump has to say about this city, I think we’ve proved this week that they’re not true,” said political affairs consultant Ron Holmes as he headed into the United Center ahead of Harris’ convention speech. “Chicago has shown up.” CONVENTION HEADLINES Harris embraces patriotism, savages Trump in acceptance speech, by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider, Holly Otterbein and Eugene Daniels Harris could become the first woman president. But she didn’t say that in her speech, by POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy Former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan campaigns for Kamala Harris at DNC, by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner Adam Kinzinger tries to convince his fellow Republicans to vote for Harris, by your Playbook host Q&A: GOP’s Kinzinger explains why he’s speaking at Democratic National Convention, by WGN’s Ben Bradley and BJ Lutz Krishnamoorthi weaves China expertise into Trump attacks, by your Playbook host Gov. JB Pritzker on touting his billionaire status at the DNC, via interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper PROTEST ZONE: On final night of DNC, Chicago police and determined protesters have differing views of success, via the Tribune The scene at Trump Tower, by POLITICOs Adam Wren Illinois first lady MK Pritzker revels in Chicago DNC vibe: 'The whole place just feels of feminine energy!' The Sun-Times’ Michael Sneed reports Harris' speech watched by sorority sisters at South Loop bar, by WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang SOME FUN STUFF Govs. JB Pritzker and Wes Moore get along famously over some Chicago hot dogs, by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker and Lisa Kashinsky Jon Stewart assures 'Daily Show' crowd of Chicagoans that he still hates deep-dish pizza, by the Sun-Times’ Darel Jevens ‘The Late Show’ offers the Kamala Shuffle, with h/t to the Bears, via video Pritzker and the governors who like Malort, via The Washington Post’s Dylan Wells
| | THE BUZZ | | SUITE HOME: Michael Reinsdorf and Danny Wirtz, owners of the United Center, found themselves as unofficial greeters to high-profile guests stopping by their lower-level suite at the United Center during the convention. Spotted: Former President Bill Clinton, Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Warner, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Govs. Gavin Newsom and Katie Hobbs, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, filmmaker David Geffen, actor Rob Reiner and Bill Daley, John Daley and former Mayor Richard M. Daley all made a b-line to the Reinsdorf-Wirtz suite before heading to their own convention viewing spots. If you are Richard M. Daley, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | Follow ongoing storylines on how the election will shape policy debates beyond 2024. Our nonpartisan insights prepared our subscribers to navigate a changed political landscape. Learn more about POLITICO Pro. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At 121 North LaSalle Street for a post DNC press conference with the U.S. Secret Service, the Office of Emergency Management & Communications and the Chicago Police Department
| | 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 | | — Abrupt transfers for Stateville prisoners begin as officials rush to comply with a federal court ruling: “Incarcerated men were set to start being moved out Thursday to prisons around the state,” by WBEZ’s Charlotte West CHICAGO. — DNC speakers tout big plans for manufacturing, while Chicago remains slow to rebound: “Manufacturing jobs in the Chicago area have been slower to return to pre-pandemic levels than they have nationally, data show,” by WBEZ’s Amy Qin, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Andjela Padejski.
| | | Reader Digest | | | We asked when you were so tired you dropped. Jo Johnson: “The 1997 veto session. I was working on the electric deregulation legislation. There’s a picture somewhere of me with Walter Payton who was visiting the Senate where I was pretty much asleep standing by him.” Russell Lissau: “This past Sunday night, after spending three days exhibiting in artist alley at Fan Expo Chicago in Rosemont. I came home, showered and passed out.” We’re skipping a question here today and will have a new one when we return on Sept. 3.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Democratic pollsters have a warning about Kamala Harris’ lead, by POLITICO’s Steven Shepard — Divided Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to prevent some Arizonans from voting in presidential election, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Arkansas Supreme Court blocks abortion measure, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: The state has owned and operated the DuQuoin State Fair since 1986. We’re skipping a question here, too, and will have a new one when we return on Sept. 3. Happy trivia, folks!
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, former state Sen. Dale Righter, Brunswick Group partner Patti Solis Doyle, Premium Cigar Association’s Richard Chalkey, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health & Human Services Ryan Croke, Equity Collaborative founder Chasity Wells-Armstrong, comms consultant Joyce Winnecke, civic leader Carol Prins, PR and media consultant Shawn Taylor and journalists Charlie Madigan and Meribah Knight. Saturday: Calumet City Mayor and state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, Chicago lawyer and politico Gery Chico, JUF President Lonnie Nasatir, Mercury Public Affairs Managing Director Zach Koutsky, Res Publica Group Managing Partner Julia Sznewajs, Township Officials of Illinois exec Brad Ruppert, lobbyist Andrew Herrera, comms specialist Galia Slayen, Ascent Strategy Group CEO John Diglas and jewelry guru Diana Rodi Hall. Sunday: Chicago Principals and Administrators Association President Troy LaRaviere, Illinois Democratic Party Operations Director Eric Litz, Chicago Transit Authority Director of Administration Doug Kucia, Assistant State’s Attorney Jane Wasserman, Loyola University Faculty Information Systems Manager Sam Bernstein, deputy governor to then-Gov. Jim Thompson Jim Fletcher, Silver Lining Foundation founder Sandy Goldberg, fundraiser Brenna Walsh and POLITICO reporter Gary Fineout. Monday: Chicago Ald. Matt O’Shea, Macoupin County Democratic Chair Pam Monetti, former Highland Park Councilman Adam Stolberg, Cozen O’Connor member Darren Collier, Illinois Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Lisa Gardner, FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing’s Steve Tomaszewski, Summit Council member Jeff Wilhite and pathologist and former reporter John Biemer. Aug. 27: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, former DuPage County Board member Greg Hart, lobbyist John R. Daley, Jenner & Block attorney and Playbook trivia master Gail Morse, policy and comms strategic adviser Rich Goldberg, Illinois Health and Hospital Association comms VP Amy Barry, Lieutenant Governor’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Director Yaacov Delaney and POLITICO Deputy Managing Editor for Policy Darius Dixon. Aug. 28: Former Ald. Roberto Maldonado and former American Bar Association President Mary Smith. Aug. 29: State Sen. Dale Fowler, Circuit Court Judge Nichole Patton, IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto Jr., Technology and Manufacturing Association President Steve Rauschenberger, women’s activist Hedy Ratner, Zurich North America Diversity and Equity manager Roberto Sepulveda and Ald. Michael Rodriguez’ Constituent Services Coordinator Vianey Dominguez. Aug. 30: J Street Public Affairs exec Adam Didech. Aug 31: State Sen. Paul Faraci, Chicago Ald. Michael Rodriguez, City Club of Chicago CEO Dan Gibbons, Edward Jones financial adviser Todd Stonewater, Cisco Global Comms Senior Manager Anne Klingeberger, and POLITICO Cannabis Editor Paul Demko. -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 | | | | |
