| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Good luck to all the marathoners! PROGRAMMING NOTE: We’re off Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day but will be back in your inbox Tuesday.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, seen in a mayoral candidate forum in 2023, wants another police station in his district. | Erin Hooley/AP | THEY MEET AGAIN: Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) is weighing in on the effort to transform the Midway Flight Facility into a police station, and in doing so he’s butting heads with Mayor Brandon Johnson. The city wants to use the facility as a warehouse, even though Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation that transfers the land to the city for $1 for the purpose of making it a police station. “As the population in our area has grown, the 8th District Police station needs additional support to improve safety and response times. We have a quarter of a million residents in a 23 square mile area, 84 schools, and many people passing through the district,” Garcia said in a statement that urges the mayor to reach an “agreement that respects the will of the people” on the issue. City’s take: Chicago COO John Roberson recently told the Block Club that the facility can’t be turned into a police station since it’s so close to Midway airport. Not buying it: Garcia, who sits on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he respects the city’s concern, but added, “We have been in communication with the Federal Aviation Administration and understand the land use is permissible with continued collaboration and guidance.” This isn’t the first time Garcia and Johnson have wrangled. Last year, the two progressives faced off in the first round of the mayoral race. Garcia later endorsed Johnson in the final leg of the contest. Garcia will join a dozen other lawmakers Saturday to call attention to the issue and urge Johnson to add another police station. Joining him will be state Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar (22nd), state Sen. Mike Porfirio (11th) and Alds Marty Quinn (13th), Jeylu Gutierrez (14th), Ray Lopez (15th), David Moore (17th), Derrick Curtis (18th) and Silvana Tabares (23rd), and other community leaders.
| | THE BUZZ | | BEARING DOWN IN ENGLAND: George McCaskey says the Bears have three chances left to build a downtown stadium, the Tribune’s Colleen Kane reports from across the pond. The long game: “There’s a veto session in November, there’s a lame-duck session in January and then there’s a spring session right after that. So at some time in one of those sessions, we’re going to have to have some sort of enabling legislation to allow the project to move forward,” McCaskey told reporters at Bears headquarters at Hanbury Manor outside of London, where the team is preparing for a clash with Jacksonville. Clock still running: State funding to help the Bears build a stadium has so far been a nonstarter for Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers. But the clock has not run out yet. If you are John Roberson, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | | In London, where he’ll join World Business Chicago and Choose Chicago for meetings with business and government officials to “foster economic growth and international collaboration, and drive tourism.”
| | 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 | | — Candidates in 59th House District discuss public safety: State Rep. Daniel Didech, a Buffalo Grove Democrat who is seeking his fourth term, faces Republican Chris Henning, an attorney from Mundelein, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky. — State House hopefuls Katz Muhl, Behr differ on immigration and SAFE-T Act but align on gun control: Democratic state Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl and Republican Daniel Behr are running for the North suburban 57th state House District. Both live in Northbrook, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. — Congressman Eric Sorensen campaign released a new TV ad featuring Roald Zvonik, a 98-year-old WWII Navy veteran from Moline, who contacted Sorensen for help receiving medals he earned for his service, but was never presented. Watch here — Former Sen. Mark Kirk endorsed Cook County state’s attorney candidate Bob Fioretti. Kirk, who served as a congressman from the North Shore before being elected to the Senate, said Fioretti “will enforce the law as it is written, stand up for law enforcement, and speak for the victims of violent crime.” — Voters consider ballot questions on reproductive health, tax reform, election interference: “Results are nonbinding, but lawmakers may consider them when proposing policy,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — 5 more jurors added in Madigan corruption trial, but judge again warns of slow pace: “A total of eight people — five women and three men — have been empaneled in two long days of questioning, leaving attorneys not quite halfway to choosing their 12 jurors and six alternates. Opening statements, which initially were scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, likely will be delayed by at least a day or two, and late in the day Thursday (of next week),” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau.
| | CHICAGO | | — CPS chief Pedro Martinez says he didn’t want to fight the mayor or quit: ‘I love this job’: “I always supported the mayor because he was the person that said, ‘We need to invest more in our schools,’” Pedro Martinez said in an interview with the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa. — A look at new Board of Ed members and what their appointments mean for CPS parents and children: “Two of the six may have other residences outside of Chicago, but when asked, city officials denied that any appointees lived outside of the city,” by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman, Ikram Mohamed and A.D. Quig. — Unpacking the ShotSpotter debate, by The Triibe’s Corli Jay — Parade tension: Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative has issued a statement criticizing plans for Monday’s Columbus Day Parade. The Native American group says it does not support Columbus Day and accused the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans of giving the “wrong impression” that Native Americans support the event just because one group, the Native American Guardian Association, is participating. — Broadway in Chicago CEO Lou Razin calls city the “Silicon Valley” of theater, by WBEZ’s Mike Davis — PAWS Chicago welcomes 21 dogs rescued from Tennessee shelter in path of Hurricane Helene, by the Sun-Times’ Cindy Hernandez
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Preckwinkle’s $9.9B budget proposal funds violence intervention, pauses guaranteed income program, by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky Preckwinkle seemed to send a message to others who are pulling together municipal budgets: "This year’s $9.9 billion balanced budget and our strong financial position aren’t by chance. They are the product of smart policies year after year. We avoid using one-time revenues for recurring expenses, don’t borrow more than we need, and don’t spend more than we have,” she posted. — Southland casino tentative set to open Nov. 11, Homewood mayor says, by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan
| | SPOTTED | | — LIKE OLD TIMES: Former Mayor Richard M. Daley and his brothers, Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley and former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, were among the guests at the 11th Ward Democratic Organization fundraiser at the Morgan Arts Complex earlier this week. The Daleys go way back in the 11th Ward. Their father was the ward committeeman until his death in 1976, and the former mayor then took over the position before passing the baton to his brother, the county commissioner. Also at the party: Ald. Nicole Lee, who represents the 11th Ward, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Commissioners Alma Anaya, Michael Scott Jr. and Kevin Morrison, and former Judge Eileen O’Neill Burke. — A win for well-being: Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood, City of Chicago Policy Chief S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby, state Rep. Sonya Harper, Ald. Ray Lopez and Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug were on hand for the Thresholds Center for Mental Wellbeing – South ribbon-cutting Thursday. The event marked Thresholds' expansion of mental health, substance use and coordinated health services on the city's South Side.
| | | Reader Digest | | | We asked how Chicago Public Schools might raise revenue. Michael Burton: “Divert some of the CDOT budget, which has tripled since 2020 to $1.5 billion, to help shore up CPS. Progressive transportation policies such as intentional non-maintenance of some of the city’s 4,000 miles of roads, could promote traffic calming and help cover the CPS budget shortfall.” Bill Finucane: “The only way is to close under-enrolled schools.” Bryce Harris of Universal Gaming Group: “Legalize VGTs (Video Gaming Terminals) and devote the city's share of the take to the schools.” Mark Michaels: "TIF money is a good answer since the program has been robbing school districts of tax revenue around the state for years. Passing the Fair Tax amendment and expanding sales taxes to high end services in the city and state is the ultimate solution." Jeff Nathan: “Chicagoans are already taxed out. A better solution exists on the expense side of the ledger. Closing underutilized school buildings and eliminating a bunch of administrative jobs makes more sense.” Mark Peysakhovich: “A tax on hemp products currently being sold in Chicago could bring in tens of millions of dollars annually for education.” Andy Shaw: “Refinance debt, consolidate underused school buildings, rent empty ones to charters, cut bloated bureaucracy, use excess and unnecessary TIF dollars and limit teacher raises.” Warren Silver: “Illinois needs to join 30 other states, the District of Columbia and the federal government in adopting a progressive income tax so the state can fully fund public schools, as is its obligation under the State Constitution.” Chris White: “Tax freight in warehouses and trains.” Next question: When was the farthest you’ve ever run? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Tammy Duckworth is being honored by the Women’s Leadership Training Academy during its annual Trailblazers fundraising event Oct. 17. Details here — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi shadowed home child-care provider Maria Esther Hurtado on Tuesday to call attention to the work of child-care providers and the challenges they face. The event was organized with SEIU Healthcare. One of Krishnamoorthi’s tasks: Reading “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” Pic!
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Obama: Black men have ‘excuses’ for not supporting Harris, by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker — Why Harris isn’t talking about Biden’s accomplishments, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida — Speaker slams door on Congress returning for disaster aid, by POLITICO’s Andres Picon — Senate Republicans to save millions of dollars on ads — thanks to the FEC, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick, Jessica Piper and Madison Fernandez
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Janyce Eviston for correctly answering that the origins of Kukla, Fran and Ollie puppets go back to a marionette theater that was part of a Depression-era WPA/Chicago Park District project. TODAY’s QUESTION: Why are the Bears' colors blue and orange? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Rep. Ryan Spain, former state Sen. Pat McGuire, longtime Democratic leader and former Palatine Township Committeeman Matt Flamm, social impact leader Felicia Davis Blakley, comms consultant and former spokeswoman for Adam Kinzinger Maura Gillespie and actress and screenwriter Joan Cusack. Saturday: U.S. State Department public affairs exec Stephanie Sutton, Treasurer’s Office public affairs deputy chief of staff David Clarkin, U.S. District Court judicial law clerk Darrius Atkins, 27th District state Senate candidate Tom Schlenhardt and broadcaster Ryan Chiaverini. Sunday: Matteson Village Trustee Adam Shorter III, staff assistant for Sen. Tammy Duckworth Adam Sachs, City Club of Chicago Chair Emeritus Ed Mazur and Revv co-founder and former White House digital officer Gerrit Lansing. Monday: Cook County Circuit Court Judge Tiana Blakely, former state Rep. Patti Bellock, Illinois press secretary for Sen. Tammy Duckworth Grace Christin, Verros Berkshire Chief of Staff Bill Kouruklis, Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition State Director Liliana Scales, Fenway Strategies founder and former Obama speechwriter Cody Keenan, Brightpoint COO Mario Perez, Shore Capital Partners VP of Business Development Matthew Brandys and Crain’s reporter Danny Ecker. -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 | | | | |
