| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Politicians are at the State Fair today so watch for photo ops with hot dogs.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Emanuel "Chris" Welch, speaking to reporters after he was named Illinois House speaker in 2021, is one of only seven Black House speakers in the country. | Pool photo by State Journal-Register's Justin Fowler | SCOOP: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is confident that Illinois Democrats can gain more seats in the General Assembly now that Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the ticket. “It changes the election in a big way,” Welch said in an interview with Playbook. Pumped up: “We’re seeing people who are really excited and enthusiastic about the top of the ticket, and we're seeing people that now want to be involved,” Welch said of the enthusiasm that Harris has brought to the campaign so far. Looking to gain seats: The House speaker said Illinois Democrats would have done well with President Joe Biden on the ticket, too, mainly because of blue Illinois' take on former President Donald Trump. Now, Welch says, he believes Democrats could do more than hold their super majority — they could gain seats. “I do believe 78 is great, but that we can pick up more” in November, he said, referring to the 78 Democrats in the House. “We're seeing districts in play that were not in play before. We're seeing anywhere from four to six districts that are currently held by Republicans” that could pivot to Democrats in November, he said. He’s in Springfield today: Welch spoke ahead of today’s Governor’s Day at the fair — a celebration of Illinois Democrats. On Thursday, Republicans will take the stage. Convention action: Next week, Welch will kick off the Illinois delegate breakfast Monday during the Democratic National Convention. Next Wednesday, Welch is hosting Black Excellence in Bleu, a convention reception that will feature him and the six other Black House speakers in the country.
| | | CONVENTION ZONE | | | PROTEST DRAMA: A federal judge ruled against protesters wanting to extend the parade route for their march near the United Center during the Democratic National Convention, but the activists say they’re filing an emergency appeal. Sight and sound: U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood said the city can keep the route planned for the pro-Palestinian march planned for Monday. The judge said the city satisfied the First Amendment requirements that the protesters be within sight and sound of the arena. “Disappointing,” is how Coalition to March on the DNC spokesperson Hatem Abudayyeh described the judge’s decision. His organization, a coalition of 200 activist groups, wants the parade route to be lengthened to accommodate the “tens of thousands” they expect at the event. Still up in the air is whether the group can get a permit to rally at a nearby park. The protesters want to erect a staging area for speakers and performers who will be part of the demonstration — including Jamila Woods. Police response: Superintendent Larry Snelling said he’s confident that the parade route will be workable for protesters. “If everybody is doing exactly what’s expected of them and exercising their First Amendment rights, this is not an arrest situation,” Snelling said. “We want people to exercise their First Amendment rights. We will protect them while they’re doing it. But we will not guarantee someone that we’re not going to make arrests if they act violently or start to commit crimes.” More details from the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel MORE CONVENTION HEADLINES — Officials detail massive security protocol for DNC in Chicago, by NBC 5 — Some West Loop businesses to close during the convention due to ‘too many opportunities for chaos’, by the Block Club’s Francia Garcia Hernandez — How and when to watch the convention, including all the streaming options, by the Tribune’s Doug George — Happening Monday: Mayor Brandon Johnson headlines the People-Powered Policy Panel at Harold Washington Library to discuss the public banking initiative and municipally-owned grocery stores. Also on the panel: Princeton Professor Ruha Benjamin, Community Change co-President Dorian Warren and moderator Sylvia Ewing. Register here — Convention will bring increased police to the CTA, Metra — but no plans for previous stringent measures, for now, by the Tribune’s Sarah Freishtat — Some business owners and residents near United Center want nearby migrant shelter moved, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman — ‘Veep’ star Julia Louis-Dreyfus to host panel with female governors during the convention, by CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister — Barack Obama … the Musical? Former campaign staffer bringing his show to Chicago in advance of the convention, by WTTW’s Marc Vitali — About that Pod Save America party: In Tuesday’s Playbook, we included a guide to convention parties that said “Pod Save America Fest” would be at The Salt Shed on the last night of the convention. DNC insiders had informed us about the event, but a spokesperson for Crooked Media says it’s not happening, via West Wing Playbook.
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Illinois State Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. for a naturalization ceremony — At the Fairgrounds Coliseum at 5 p.m. for the Sale of Champions.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | 2024 WATCH | | — CHEWING THE FAT: Where politicians eat on the campaign trail: “Bring your appetite and bring an alder. Just don’t bring a wire,” writes Leigh Giangreco for Chicago Eater. — Kamala Harris and her many Chicago ties: The “Illinois OGs for Kamala” will throw a champagne brunch Monday to help organize support for the Harris-Walz ticket, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. — In IL-05: Wife of GOP congressional candidate helped by white supremacists during mayoral campaign: “Gabrielle Hanson, who’s married to 5th Congressional District hopeful Tommy Hanson of Chicago but lives in Tennessee, didn’t denounce the far-right extremists who supported her at an October candidate forum,” by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. Republican Tommy Hanson is challenging Democratic incumbent Congressman Mike Quigley. — School board election is shaping up as a battle between the powerful teachers’ union and its well-funded critics, by Emma Sarran Webster for Chicago magazine — Kelli Wegener has announced that she’s been endorsed by Congressmen Brad Schneider and Raja Krishnamoorthi in her campaign for McHenry County Board chair.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Illinois doubles down on tech industries in 5-year plan for business growth, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel and Andrew Adams — Residents say sheriff's resignation 'isn't enough'; call for independent investigation, by the State Journal Register’s Steven Spearie
| | CHICAGO | | — CPS pushes back against CTU contract demands, arguing they would lead to record deficits: “The union says the spending is needed for students, highlighting fundamental differences between the two sides as they try to reach a contract deal this fall,” by the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa and WBEZ’s Sarah Karp. — A first look at Chicago O'Hare's new satellite concourse as construction continues, by Caroline Tanner for The Points Guy — At the White House: Members of the University of Chicago Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy took part in a meeting with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (one of Vice President Kamala Harris' initiatives) at the White House earlier this week. The Academy’s latest cohort includes 31 students, including eight from Chicago, Aurora and Waukegan. The group also met with senior officials at the Justice Department to discuss federal investments in violence prevention.
| | TAKING NAMES | | — State Rep. Anna Moeller is one of 49 state leaders headed to Kentucky in the coming weeks to participate in a leadership development program for state government officials. The full list is here. — Mellody Hobson is out as Starbucks chair as board jettisons the CEO, by Bloomberg’s Daniela Sirtori and Crain's Staff
| | | | 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 vegetable. Eli Brottman and Patricia Ann Watson both said “Cauliflower.” We wonder why. Jessica Catlin: “My body is so simpatico with broccoli that I kept eating it throughout colon cancer treatment despite medical warnings it would be a bad idea — my body handled it just fine.” John Engle: “Corn, of course.” Bill Kresse: “Potatoes. Quoting from a meme: Potatoes make French fries, chips and vodka. The other vegetables aren’t even trying.” Carlos Jaramillo: “French Fries.” Dave Kohn: “Sweet corn! It just wouldn't be summer without it.” Kevin Lampe: “Potatoes.” Colleen O'Hare: “I can't live without broccoli microgreens from Macary Family Farm in Villa Park. There's no ‘shelf life’ because they're harvested and delivered to me on the same day.” Jerry Ostergaard: “Hard to imagine life without fresh tomatoes (Yes, we know it's technically a fruit.).” Joan Pederson: “Broccoli (must have, but usually misspell).” Ian Tobin: “My childhood self would hate me for saying it, but broccoli. Then again it's not his fault. My parents didn't know how good they are roasted.” Judith Weinstein: “The tomato. Oh wait, it’s a fruit!” NEXT QUESTION: What non-political job is good training for politics? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Biden harbors lingering frustration at Pelosi, Obama, Schumer, via POLITICO — Walz rebrands progressive wins as household realities, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr. — Trump and Harris agree on nixing taxes on tips. It’s a play for a key battleground state, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly — Wisconsin’s Senate race is set, finalizing the top battleground match-ups, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick — Report details deaths of almost 1,000 Native children at federal boarding schools, by WTTW’s Shelby Hawkins
| | ENGAGED | | — J.T. Foley, executive director of the Coalition for Fantasy Sports and former VP of government relations for Las Vegas Sands, proposed to Lauren Kirshner, political adviser to Todd Ricketts and a Republican National Committee and Scott Walker alum, on Saturday at Grimes Glen State Park in New York. Kirshner’s planned early birthday dinner with family and friends on Canandaigua Lake turned into an impromptu engagement party for the couple, who met through mutual friends. Pic ... Another pic
| | EVENTS | | — Aug. 19: Retired Gen. David Petraeus headlines a discussion at the Union League Club of Chicago. Tickets here — Aug. 19: Cheri Bustos, the former Democratic congresswoman; Ray LaHood, the former U.S. Transportation secretary; and Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times and an Illinois native, will headline a discussion titled: “Why Did a Swing State Stop Swinging?” This is a Chicago event sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Register here — Sept. 18: Martha Minow headlines a discussion: “Not Born a Democracy: How to Reclaim the Preconditions for Constitutional Self-Governance.” Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur and Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that Linda Kollmeyer was the WGN-TV host popularly known as the "Lottery Lady" in the 1990s for her role in announcing the Illinois Lottery results. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where in Illinois did Lewis and Clark spend the winter to train and prepare for their cross-country journey?
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former state Rep. Adam Brown, Nourishing Hope CEO Kellie O’Connell, JPMorgan Chase philanthropy leader Charlie Corrigan, Diversified Search Group’s Sonya Olds Som, Res Publica Group VP Kevin Owens, UBS financial adviser Jeremy Wynes and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois’ Nicole Stickel. -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 | | | | |
