Johnson pushes back against critics

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln
Oct 15, 2024 View in browser
 
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By Shia Kapos

Happy Tuesday, Illinois. Election Day is three weeks away.

CHECK IT OUT: POLITICO’s live blog, politico.com/2024 , runs every day to Election Day and features scoops, Q&As and winners of the day.

TOP TALKER

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, photographed ahead of the Democratic National Convention, talked to POLITICO about his tenure.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, photographed ahead of the Democratic National Convention, talked to POLITICO about his tenure. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

PLAYBOOK Q&A: Mayor Brandon Johnson aggressively defended his tenure in an interview with POLITICO. We talked about the pushback he’s received over handling Chicago School Board decision-making and the future of ShotSpotter.

“There are people who might have some trepidation around how bold our vision is,” Johnson told your Playbook host, pointing to big investments in affordable housing, declines in violence and investments in small business, among other accomplishments. “There are individuals that are having a tough time adjusting. But for the masses in the city of Chicago, they’re very much aligned with the vision.”

Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What do you say to critics on your views about ShotSpotter, the Chicago School Board and your City Hall hiring?

“For all of those families who are looking for affordable homes, they're not criticizing us at this moment. They're saying, ‘We appreciate the investments that you're making, because for too long in this city, we have nibbled around the edges and we've kept the status quo.’ And so as we move and turn this in the right direction, there are individuals that are having a tough time adjusting into it, but for the masses in the city of Chicago, they're very much aligned with the vision.”

What do you say to people who think you’re doing the bidding of the Chicago Teachers Union?

“I understand that as mayor of the City of Chicago that there will be forces who will attempt to create narratives around me that are inflammatory and, in some instances, an attempt to degrade my leadership. I'm doing the bidding of the people of Chicago who voted for me, and I’m fighting to make sure that families have fully funded, well-rounded schools in their community. I didn't realize that in the 21st century that people still find that offensive.”

Is it frustrating, though, to have idealistic goals come face to face with budgetary realities?

“I think about Chicago's history. If you're an immigrant — an Irish immigrant, Italian immigrant, a Polish immigrant — was it idealistic to cross the shores to come to Chicago with the hope of a better life, versus looking at the realities that if you, when you got here, that that would not be something that you could achieve overnight — was that idealistic? ... Was it idealistic for an immigrant or a descendant of slaves to believe [in a better life] even though the reality in front of them meant that they would be met with severe opposition and trepidation?”

You've said the state needs to step up, but the way the funding mechanism works in Springfield, it would require all school districts to get that boost. Are you having conversations with Springfield about finding a different way?

I don't know anyone in Springfield that believes that we've done enough for education for our state. …That's why the state needs to be here for us. I believe they know what their responsibilities are. They don't need a reminder from me.”

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has proposed TIF surplus funds to help address school budget issues. Is that something you’d support?

“I've always already committed to doing that. He didn't come up with that. There are multiple taxing bodies where TIFS could be beneficial. So, that's never been anything that anybody had to lobby for.”

RELATED

ON POLITICO: School board fracas highlights Chicago mayor’s turbulent tenure: “Brandon Johnson is enduring a bruising series of controversies less than two years into his tenure,” by your Playbook host.

The root of the CPS drama is a lack of money, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman, Sarah Macaraeg and Ikram Mohamed

CTU faces lawsuit by member who wants the union to open its books on how it spends dues, by Center Square’s Greg Bishop

Opinion: Schools CEO Pedro Martinez deserves credit for working with lawmakers, writes state Rep. Fred Crespo in the Sun-Times

THE BUZZ

SCOOP: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) is out with a splashy new ad ahead of the Nov. 5 election, where she’ll face Republican James Marter, an entrepreneur.

The battleground: Underwood narrowly survived the 2020 reelection and did better in 2022. And recent redistricting gave Underwood even more breathing room by bringing in parts of Democratic Will County.

The Naperville Democrat is campaigning hard nonetheless — maybe in part to prepare for the future.

Underwood is seen as a rising star — she got a coveted speaking position at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago — and as someone who could one day run for U.S. Senate. Her “More Than Hope” ad is here.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) has released her BootsTV ad in her bid for reelection. The Peoria Democrat faces Republican Joshua Loyd and Independent write-in candidate Bradley Horges Jr.

If you are Pedro Martinez, 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 Health Professional Building at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the launch of Stroger Hospital’s ION Robotic Navigational Bronchoscopy platform — At the Cook County Building at noon to celebrate National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com

BUSINESS OF POLITICS

— BOSSING THE BALLOT:  Illinois’ arcane election rules turn politics into a blood sport where only the most powerful and savvy survive: “The system grants incumbents an inherent advantage over neophytes who are new to the arcane balloting rules,” by the Tribune’s Joe Mahr, Ray Long and Malavika Ramakrishnan.

2024 WATCH

— HILLARY CLINTON was in Chicago over the weekend for a fundraiser for Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and a sit-down with Sen. Tammy Duckworth to talk about the former secretary of state’s new book: “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love and liberty.” The two discussed a range of issues from the upcoming elections, to foreign relations (especially Russia) and to internet and tech safety. Pic!

Cubs owner Todd Ricketts on Trump: “President Trump was in good form,” Ricketts said after a private dinner at New York’s Trump Tower. “We left more emphatic than ever to help get him back into the White House,” via The New York Times.

— House Speaker Mike Johnson will headline a fundraiser Sunday in Peoria with Congressman Darin LaHood for Joe McGraw , who’s running in the IL-13 District against Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen. Details here

— Republican candidate Bob Fioretti has been endorsed by the Italian-American Political Coalition in the Cook County state’s attorney race.

What to know about the property tax relief question on the ballot, by the State Journal-Register’s Patrick M. Keck

Illinois officials battle misinformation to protect integrity of November election, by WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg

THE STATEWIDES

Michael Madigan's friendship with alleged fixer could be tested during their corruption trial, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel

Future of Chicago-Area public transit hangs in balance as state lawmakers wrap up hearings on agency funding and oversight, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg

Loss of prison would be latest blow to downstate Lincoln, a town christened with watermelon juice by Old Abe himself, by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner

CHICAGO

Avian enthusiasts try to counter the deadly risk of Chicago high-rises for migrating birds, by The Associated Press’ Erin Hooley and Teresa Crawford

Prosecutors say former Loretto CEO accepted $770K In bribes to funnel millions to companies, by the Block Club’s Kelly Bauer

Vandals deface Chicago’s Lincoln statue with red paint and graffiti, by WGN 9’s Alonzo Small and Micah Materre

— TAKING NAMES: Nobel Prize in economics awarded to University of Chicago professor and two others, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick

COOK COUNTY

— 2025 WATCH: Cicero President Larry Dominick faces competition in next year’s election. Nonprofit leader Esteban Rodriguez is heading a ticket to challenge the longtime town president, and candidates are lining up to challenge Dominick’s allies, too. Rodriguez is executive director of Corazón Community Services. They held a presser over the weekend. Posted here

SPOTTED

— Congressman Danny Davis, Ald. Walter Burnett and state Sen. Lakesia Collins were among the notables who came out for the groundbreaking of a performing arts facility that will benefit BandWith Chicago, a nonprofit that supports band programs. Block Club’s Michael Liptrot has the details.

— IN D.C.: Illinois small-business leaders Michelle Mekky of Mekky Media Relations, Bill Rossi of Rossi Enterprises and Melissa Bercier of Couch Clarity flew to Washington, D.C., the other day as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council to give their inputs on the stakes for small businesses in the upcoming congressional debate about the tax cliff.

Reader Digest

We asked when you ran the farthest.

Clem Balanoff: “I have run 11 marathons all after age 55.”

Judith Erwin: “The 1991 Chicago Marathon ... 26.2 miles and it was hard! Thus, my only marathon.”

Donna Gutman: “I ran a half marathon in Chicago.”

Kevin Hall: “I ran 26.2 miles and not a step further twice — in Nashville in 2010 and St. Louis in 2016.”

Henry Haupt: “In the early 2000s, I would run the IDOT trail from Rochester to IDOT and back — about a 10-mile run.”

Ashvin Lad: “Oct. 13, 2019, ran and finished the Chicago Marathon.”

Kevin Lampe: “I did a 10K, 10K years ago.”

Stephen Sadin: “Thirty miles before tapering to marathon-running, of which I have finished 10 (but not for a few years).”

 Tom Schlenhardt: “Have run two ultramarathons, 31 miles (or 50K).”

Keith Staats: “31 miles at the Howl at the Moon run in Danville a few years ago.”

Timothy Thomas Jr.: “48 blocks (or 6 miles) as a teen for a matter of the heart.”

Kevin Waco: “A marathon once about 20 years ago.”

Next question: How do you shift from summer to fall? Email skapos@politico.com

THE NATIONAL TAKE

Arab American PAC forgoes presidential endorsement, by POLITICO’s Emmy Martin

Harris warns Trump is out for ‘unchecked power’ during Erie rally, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper and Meredith Lee Hill

Trump claims Fox News ‘has totally lost its way’ after the network announces it will interview Harris, by POLITICO’s Greta Reich

WEDDING BELLS

— Terry Cosgrove, the former head of Personal PAC, and Robert Ruggero took a break from campaigning in Wisconsin on Friday to tie the knot. Supreme Court Justices Mary O'Brien and Joy Cunningham officiated. They're planning a celebration after Election Day. Pic!

IN MEMORIAM

— William “Bill” Archer , a legend in Chicago’s music and sports worlds, has died. He was 71. He led Bill Archer’s Big Bear Band at Soldier Field and was musical director for the Bulls, via his obit.

TRIVIA

FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Scott Wiseman and John McCabe for correctly answering that the Bears wear blue and orange because owner George Halas wanted to emulate the colors of the University of Illinois football team.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What U.S. president spoke at Chicago Heights Bloom High School?  Email skapos@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Robert Harris, Allstate CEO Tom Wilson, Sen. Tammy Duckworth State Director Loren Harris, former RNC Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte, Comptroller’s Office Assistant Policy Adviser Ted Cox, Firstup co-founder Jim Larrison, Society Group’s Jeremiah Green and Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette columnist Jim Dey.

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