| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | It’s Wednesday, Illinois. Let's hold each other tight.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, left, listens as CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. President speaks to reporters Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Forest Park, Ill. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP | SHOCKING DETAILS have emerged about how four people were killed while sleeping on a Blue Line train in the early morning hours of the Labor Day holiday. Heading to court: A man identified as Rhanni S. Davis will appear before a judge today on charges he murdered four train passengers in what Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx told reporters was a “horrific, heinous and inexplicable” act of violence. It’s seldom we write about crime at the top of Illinois Playbook, a newsletter you’ve come to recognize for its focus on government and politics. But this isn’t just any crime. It’s senseless. Authorities say no one was robbed. And there appear to have been no arguments leading up to it. At least some of the victims are believed to be homeless, and that goes to an issue that matters in government. State lawmakers are already having conversations about what led to the shooting. That victims were sleeping on the train signals that “additional resources” are needed to support “the challenges that we face at CTA in the village” of Forest Park and the broader area, said Dorval R. Carter Jr., president of the Chicago Transit Authority, during an evening press conference with Foxx, Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and law enforcement officials. Not a CTA problem: “You’re not going to solve homelessness, drug addiction or mental health on CTA. You need to solve it in the communities where it exists, and that requires resources to go way beyond anything that the village can provide by itself or CTA. And I'm committed to continue to find the resources to do that,” Carter said. The mayor agrees: “We’ve been addressing homelessness for a long time because there are encampments in the village right near the train line,” said Hoskins, who told Playbook he hopes the case brings attention to homelessness and the need for addiction prevention programs. Talking to state lawmakers: The mayor met Tuesday with state Reps. La Shawn Ford and Camille Lilly to talk about potential funding for resources. “There are a lot of really good people in Forest Park. We're a progressive community," Hoskins said. "Many of our residents understand that addressing homelessness on a large scale comes with costs, and these residents are prepared to share in the costs.” ‘Systemic failures’: The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness called the shootings a societal problem: “We cannot write this moment off as a tragic, isolated incident, but must acknowledge it is the direct result of the systemic failures which have led to over 68,000 people in Chicago alone experiencing homelessness,” the organization said in a release. Read more: The shooting was the first multi-victim homicide to occur on a CTA train in at least 30 years, notes the Tribune in a four-bylined takeout of the case More about the case: Officials are calling it a random attack, by Block Club’s Alex V. Hernandez and Charles Thrush
| | CONVENTION ZONE | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Obamas, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and all the big Democratic names who appeared at the Democratic National Convention are featured in a wrap-up video of last month’s DNC. The video is going out nationally in another effort to keep Democrats’ energy up ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Watch it here If you are Hillary Clinton, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | At the UIC Forum at noon for the Chicago Public Schools Annual Safe Passage Rally — At Harold Washington Library at 2 p.m. for the One Book, One Chicago launch event.
| | | Where's Toni | | | No official public events. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — SPOTTED: Lobbyist Ben Lazare hosted a fundraiser Tuesday in Logan Square for Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, joined by surprise guest House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. Guests included lobbyists Donnie Sturino, Brian Daly, Chris Lowery, power lobbyist couple Matt O'Shea and Sarah Kuhn O'Shea, Thresholds Senior VP Heather Donnell and Superior Ambulance Service VP Kim Godden. — Ellen Rosenfeld, who’s running for the Chicago School Board’s 4th District seat, has added Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Mike Quigley to her list of endorsements. — Former Ald. Joe Moore is holding a fundraiser Thursday for Whitney Fox, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida's 13th Congressional District, where he rents a home during the winter. Fox faces conservative Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The New York Times features the race here. And details about the fundraiser are here.
| | SPOTLIGHT | | — ANALYSIS: GOP-tilted websites showed where Illinois judges live despite a law that protects their privacy: “The sites published home addresses of most of the state’s voters, including prosecutors involved in public-corruption cases, prominent Illinois-based actors, Chicago sports luminaries and several billionaires,” scooped WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and Matt Kiefer. From the story: “Finding someone on an LGIS website and matching them up on internet archive sites takes a matter of a few computer keystrokes and, in less than a minute, their specific home addresses can be found.” About LGIS: It operates local news websites that critics have derided as politically one-sided ‘pink slime’ operations. LGIS is being sued by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul for allegedly breaking state election law by publishing privileged voter information held by the State Board of Elections and that was accessible only to registered political committees.”
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — State law banning concealed carry on public transit ruled unconstitutional: “Limited ruling applies only to plaintiffs; both sides considering next steps,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — Rarely before seen Abraham Lincoln-related images now available to public, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie — Banks push for quick end to Illinois law reducing credit card processing fees, by Crain’s Mark Weinraub — Sonya Massey was subject of 911 call hours before shooting, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
| | CHICAGO | | — BLAME ELON: No, armed Venezuelan migrants did not take over a Chicago apartment building: “Elon Musk and some prominent right-wing social media accounts widely circulated claims that dozens of migrants with guns and motorcycles “took over” a South Side apartment. The claim was bogus, police, neighbors and the area’s alderperson said,” by Block Club’s Maxwell Evans — Summer 2024 in Chicago was one for the weather record books — not for heat but for tornadoes, by WTTW’s Patty Wetli — Billionaire Crown family sells pizza maker Miracapo to private equity firm: “Buyer Brynwood Partners is adding to its portfolio of Chicago-based food operations, which its chairman says now accounts for 1,500 jobs,” by the Sun-Times’ David Roeder
| | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | | — Mount Prospect passes ethics ordinance tightening conflicts of interest; trustee says it unfairly targets him, wife: “Trustee Augie Filippone, an attorney, has refrained from voting on matters involving clients. However, one time he refrained from voting, when the board was considering a zoning petition, he informed Mayor Paul Hoefert he had a professional conflict and left the board dais. Moments later, he and his wife, Trisha Chokshi, were at the podium before the board serving as the petitioner’s attorneys,” by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky. — In Ravinia v. Ravinia, both sides bury the hatchet — and the brewery name: “The brewing company will roll out a new name and new brand, according to a joint statement from the two parties. The festival will be ‘providing assistance during the transition,’ the statement said,” by Crain’s Jack Grieve.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked how you’ll be hitting the campaign. Matthew Beaudet: “Working the Native American vote, especially in the swing states, including our neighbors in Wisconsin.” Jessica Catlin: “Along with canvassing in Arizona and Wisconsin, I’m coaching political staffers on self-care and endurance — two things that haven’t been synonymous with campaigns but are imperative for excellence!” Terry Cosgrove: “Up to Wisconsin as often as possible knocking on doors with Operation Swing State to help Kamala Harris win.” G. A. Finch: “Canvassing in Wisconsin.” John Howell: "Because I’m no longer a member of the 'mainstream media' and was fired a year ago from WLS Radio for being too 'anti-Trump,' I will be volunteering and donating to a presidential candidate for the 1st time since 1980. Can you guess which one?" Carol Lampard: “Hand-writing postcards to voters in Michigan encouraging them to vote.” Ed and Myrna Mazur: “We will be contacting all our friends, especially those in red states, to vote and to talk with their neighbors. The ‘rolodex’ will be humming away.” Mark Rosenberg: “I am registering Wisconsin voters in Milwaukee with the Milwaukee Voter Project.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Fracture means I can’t canvas, so phones and donations.” Next question: When did you know you had turned a corner after having surgery? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — The GOP is actually better off if Kamala Harris wins: “To dominate the country once more, Republicans need to hasten the move to a post-Trump party,” by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin. — THE FIFTY: Republicans pushing Christianity into public schools are hitting resistance — even in red states, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury and Juan Perez Jr. — Democrats target Trump’s muddled abortion message, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard — Harris campaign, DNC, announce unprecedented down-ballot spending, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper
| | Transitions | | — Noureen Hashim-Jiwani has been named first deputy of policy for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Hashim-Jiwani was director of gender-based violence and health policy in the mayor’s office. — Dulce Guzmán is now executive director of Alianza Americas, which advocates for organizations that help migrants from Latin American countries. Guzmán has been with the organization since 2020, most recently as deputy director of institutional development. — Ali Olszeski is now a partner with Faegre Drinker’s litigation group. She previously was a partner with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. — Eric Fuglsang is a partner in Quarles & Brady’s real estate practice group. He was a partner with Levenfeld Pearlstein. It’s a full-circle move for Fuglsang, who previously had a stint with Quarles & Brady.
| | | EVENTS | | | — Thursday: The 40th Ward Democrats are hosting a 2nd District School Board Forum. Live and live-streaming details here. — Sept. 10: Non-profit Ida’s Legacy is holding a Debate Watch Party. Details here — Sept. 11: Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police, will headline a discussion titled "Crime, Guns & Solutions: What Are We Doing to Stop the Flow of Illegal Guns in Illinois?" Also on the panel: ATF Chicago Special agent in Charge Christopher Amon and University of Chicago Crime Lab Program Director Kim Smith. The event is part of a series by The Joyce Foundation. Details here — Sept. 12: Illinois Senate President Don Harmon headlines a miniature golf fundraiser for state Senate Democrats. Details here — Sept. 19: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch holds his annual fundraiser with Terisa Griffin performing hits from Earth, Wind & Fire. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that a crib tender is a person who lived on one of the off-shore water intake cribs in Lake Michigan atop the tunnels that carry drinking water to filtration plants. TODAY’s QUESTION: Of the many diagonal streets recommended in the 1909 Plan of Chicago, which one was actually built? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, Chicago Plan Commission member Fran Grossman, Diversity MBA Media CEO Pamela McElvane, Illinois Attorney General Counsel Kim Janas and former talk show host John Howell. -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 | | | | |
