| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. We’ll be at the City Club luncheon today interviewing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
|  | TOP TALKER | | SEVEN WEEKS TO GO: The presidential candidates aren’t doing much to drive turnout in Illinois, a state they know will go blue. With that in mind, the Illinois General Assembly has passed three nonbinding ballot measures to help rev up voter interest. Otherwise, down-ballot candidates are on their own to get their messages out — and that costs money. We’ll be watching to see how much their respective parties help out in the home stretch. Here are the Illinois House races we’re watching. Financial numbers are based on the most recent quarterly reports (ending in June, I’m afraid): District 45: This is an open seat after state Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass decided not to run. Democrat Martha “Marti” Deuter, with $208,759 on hand, faces Republican Dennis Reboletti, with $108,629. The seat represents parts of Cook and DuPage counties. District 51: Democratic state Rep. Nabeela Syed has $673,510. She faces Republican challenger Tosi Ufodike, who has just under $70,000. Ufodike is taking a page from Syed’s 2022 campaign notebook and knocking on a lot of doors in the district, which covers the northwestern suburbs. Republicans’ messaging: Syed is too liberal for the district. District 52: Republican state Rep. Marty McLaughlin has $132,576 on hand. He faces Democratic challenger Maria Peterson with $329,544. This suburban district north and west of Chicago supported Joe Biden in 2020. District 76: With Democratic state Rep. Lance Yednock deciding not to seek reelection, this seat is open. Democrat Amie “Murri” Briel has $332,381 on hand, and Republican Liz Bishop has $108,888. The district is south and west of Chicago. District 79: Republican state Rep. Jackie Haas has $74,893, and Democratic challenger William “Billy” Morgan has $115,547 in this south suburban contest. District 82: Republican state Rep. Nicole La Ha has $124,616 on hand and faces Democratic challenger Suzanne Akhras, with $105,484. District 104: Republican state Rep. Brandun Schweizer has $91,822 for this central east Illinois district. He was appointed last year after state Rep. Mike Marron stepped down. Schweizer faces Democratic challenger Jarrett Clem, who has $428,699. District 114: Republican state Rep. Kevin Schmidt, with $69,885, is trying to hold on to this downstate seat previously held by his Democratic challenger, LaToya Greenwood, who has $505,797. Greenwood also had a good financial warchest in 2022 but still lost the race. She held the seat from 2017 to 2023. RELATED Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi says give down-ballot races ‘a chance,’ She called for an end to “dangerous rhetoric’ after the apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | CALLING THEIR BLUFF: Watch for Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other fellow Democrats to speak on the Capitol steps ahead of their latest effort to pass Duckworth’s Right to IVF Act. Smooth move: This renewed effort comes after Donald Trump pledged free IVF treatments to all Americans if he’s elected president, news that has angered some Republicans. Democrats see it as a chance for Senate Republicans to pass what Duckworth calls her “pro-freedom, pro-family legislation,” though Republican opponents aren't expected to change their minds. In June, Senate Republicans blocked the Right to IVF Act, which would require health insurers to cover IVF. If you are Marty McLaughlin, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over the Cook County Forest Preserves meeting. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — Casten’s GOP rival defends Trump, Vance on debunked claims about migrants eating pets: “Sixth District hopeful Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn also blamed crime in Chicago and elsewhere, as well as the spread of communicable diseases, on immigrants,” by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. — SPOTLIGHT: POLITICO’s Eugene Daniels is among reporters who will question VP Kamala Harris today in Philadelphia at an event organized by the National Association of Black Journalists. Harris’ appearance follows Donald Trump’s NABJ appearance in Chicago on July 31. Watch live at 1:30 p.m. — Endorsements: United Working Families, an independent political organization, is out with its endorsements for the Chicago School Board: Ebony DeBerry (District 2), Jason Dónes (District 3), Karen Zaccor (District 4), Aaron “Jitu” Brown (District 5), Anusha Thotakura (District 6), Yesenia Lopez (District 7), Felix Ponce (District 8), Lanetta Thomas (District 9) and Rev. Robert Jones (District 10).
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — State Fair announces record-breaking attendance for 2024: “More than 773,000 were in attendance over 11 days at the state fair, which broke 2023’s record by more than 66,000,” by WCIA’s Danny Connolly. — The White Sox host state lawmakers to play on a pop-up field at the 78, where the team wants to build a stadium: The developer is mum on who attended, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout. — ‘People who should be held are being held’: Pretrial Fairness Act marks first year this week, by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello and Susan Sarkauskas
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Madigan's 'bandits' comment barred from trial again: “ U.S. District Judge John Blakey, prosecutors and defense attorneys reviewed logistics and evidence for the Oct. 8 trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and his longtime confidant, Michael McClain,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. — Trial in the works: Both sides rest after jury sees emails from Speaker Madigan’s son in bribery trial of ex-AT&T boss, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Long
| | CHICAGO | | — Q&A: Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman addresses anticipated shortfall, hiring freeze and city services: “Our main funding source for most of our operations is our corporate fund. Our corporate fund is actually supporting a lot of operations that actually sit on other funds as well. We’re looking at a number of things to ensure our fees are properly calibrated to support the cost of the service that they’re providing. We’re also looking at what costs are that we can hedge against,” she said, via WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Abena Bediako. — CPS five-year plan aims to get more kids to attend neighborhood schools: “The plan did not call for specific changes to selective enrollment, magnet, or charter schools ... the plan does seek to bolster resources for neighborhood schools “with an intentional focus on disinvested communities,’” by Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin and Mila Koumpilova. — Rules Committee backs Burnett as chair of City Council's Zoning Committee: “Ald. Walter Burnett, the Council’s vice mayor and longest-serving member, offered to 'take one for the team' and accept the Zoning job after Mayor Brandon Johnson was unable to get the votes for his first choice, progressive firebrand Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Rev. John Harrell, founder and president of Black Men United, has written to Jack Lavin, CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, calling out the business group for opposing the data residency bill. The proposed ordinance is designed to help create data centers on the South and West sides. It’s set to come up in Wednesday’s City Council meeting after passing out of committee last week. Here’s the letter — ShotSpotter fight continues as detection system’s days in Chicago dwindle, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig — City officials moved unhoused people into a Gold Coast shelter for the DNC. Now, they’re closing it, by the Block Club’s Mack Liederman — Chicago's National Public Housing Museum teaming up with the Smithsonian for conversations and events focused on race, by the Sun-Times’ Erica Thompson
| | COOK COUNTY | | — Michael Jordan's Highland Park mansion finally under contract after 12 years on market, by CBS 2’s Adam Harrington and Chrissy Amaya
| | SPOTTED | | — WHAT A MATCH: Nearly a thousand women — and a few men — gathered for the Chicago Foundation for Women fundraiser. Sheli Rosenberg, a principal at Roselin Investments and an advocate for nonprofits, pledged to match each donation that came into foundation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. In attendance: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, City of Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Chicago Ald. Angela Clay. The 39-year-old group’s co-founders Sunny Fischer, Marjory Craig Benton and Iris Krieg were also there, along with new CEO Keenya Lambert and board chair and businesswoman Jessica Sohl.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what one thing instantly makes your day better. Denise Barreto: “Sunshine, pure and simple.” Matthew Beaudet: “My dogs wagging their tails at me.” Jeremy Custer: “When I hear my kids running to the front door when I get home and yell ‘Hey Dad!’” Lissa Druss: “When somebody calls just to say hello (the title of Phil Rock’s book: Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello).” Mike Gascoigne: “Talking to my Mom. She is the most cheerful person I know.” Jim LaCognata: “My Dogs. They are always there for me no matter what.” Dave Lundy: “An empty seat next to you on an airplane.” Jim Lyons: “Walking my dog . She loves it, and I see my neighbors.” Ed Mazur: “A steaming hot cup of black coffee.” Mariynn Miller: “Obama's smile. Melts my 90-year-old heart.” Joe Moore: “Waking up next to my wife, Barbara.” Joan Pederson: “My beloved waking up.” Kathy Posner: “When Alexa tells me that my Amazon order has been delivered.” Tara Price: “Piper, my 9-pound, almost 15-year-old chihuahua. She’s a total vibe.” Gail Purkey: “Solving the Wordle puzzle in three (or fewer!) tries.” John Straus: “FaceTime with my grandsons, ages 7 and 15 months!” Patricia Ann Watson: “Watching the forest critters go about their day.” Next question: What national or world event most impacted your life? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump called for ‘unity’ after the first assassination attempt. Not this time, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky, Meridith McGraw and Alex Isenstadt — ‘The most complex, dynamic and dangerous threat environment I’ve experienced,’ by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan, Kyle Cheney and Natalie Allison — Harris meets with Teamsters as union nears endorsement decision, by POLITICO’s Nick Niedzwiadek
| | EVENTS | | — Wednesday: After School Matters hosts its annual gala. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Illinois Gov. Frank Lowden’s bid for president in 1920 was blocked by Chicago Mayor William “Big Bill” Thompson, who disliked the governor. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who hosted the first poetry slam and where? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | State Sen. Mike Halpin, Democratic National Committee Host Committee Comms Director Natalie Edelstsein, Synapticure co-founder Sandra Abrevaya, Edelman Smithfield U.S. President Katie Spring, Brightpoint CEO Mike Shaver, TransUnion Market Strategy Senior Director Tracey Lazos, comms consultant Grace Vargas and former Bulls Coach Phil Jackson. -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 | | | | |
