| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. The Spirit Halloween stores have popped up, so autumn has clearly arrived.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias talks to reporters in 2023 to support the work of Planned Parenthood and abortion-rights advocates. | Secretary of State's Office photo | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has been named the national honorary co-chair of Men4Choice, a group mobilizing men to support reproductive rights. The organization started in Illinois in 2015 and has expanded to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona — all swing states where abortion rights could play a role in the November elections. Men4Choice also is supporting get-out-the-vote efforts in Wisconsin and Michigan. Men4Choice’s goal is to motivate younger men to vote and canvas for candidates who support abortion rights — instead of allowing women to be the sole voice behind the policy. In recent weeks, Men4Choice has organized engagements with second gentleman Doug Emhoff around the country, including in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. “Men have a responsibility to be a part of this fight as allies, partners, and stakeholders,” Giannoulias explained. Last year, he crafted first-in-the nation legislation to protect the privacy and safety of women seeking abortion care by restricting the use of Automatic License Plate Readers from tracking or surveilling individuals seeking abortion care or assisting them. Oren Jacobson, Men4Choice's executive director and co-founder, said Giannoulias' “100 percent pro-choice track record … is exactly what we need as we build out this new leadership structure together in the coming months.” Or coming weeks: The November elections could hinge on what voters think about candidates’ views on abortion.
| | | THE BUZZ | | | SUING TIKTOK: Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul is part of a bipartisan group of AGs from 13 states and the District of Columbia suing TikTok, claiming the social media app is harming young people’s mental and physical health. Quoting Raoul: “American children and teenagers are in the grip of a devastating mental health crisis,” he said in a statement. “The addictive features on TikTok’s social media platform interfere with sleep and education, and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm.” The lawsuits allege that addictive features on TikTok violate both children’s privacy laws and consumer protections. Calling it out: According to Raoul, TikTok engages in “a scheme that falsely markets the platform” by promoting young users’ safety and well-being, when it actually is more concerned about profits, according to Raoul’s statement. Also filing lawsuits are New York, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington. Last year, some 42 states sued Meta, claiming the platform violated children’s privacy laws and state consumer protections. The case is still pending. While some states have passed legislation to regulate the platforms, congressional action has stalled. In July, the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act. Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a version of the bill that differs from its Senate counterpart. What that means: It’s unlikely any new law will be enacted this year.
| | WHERE'S JB | | In Japan, where he’s leading an economic delegation meeting with Japanese businesses and government officials.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over the City Council meeting.
| | Where's Toni | | At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — O’Neill Burke focuses on experience, Fioretti on migrant crime as they vie for Cook County state’s attorney: “Either candidates’ victory will bring a noticeable departure from the sometimes-contentious but unquestionably progressive reforms implemented by outgoing Democratic State’s Attorney Kim Foxx,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Hillary Clinton will be in Chicago Sunday to headline a fundraiser for Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, who’s running for reelection in the IL-13 District. Details here — Personal PAC is out with a new targeted digital ad in the 3rd District appellate court race. It calls attention to judicial candidate Kenton Skarin’s ties to Justice Clarence Thomas and the Heritage Foundation. Personal PAC, which advocates for abortion rights, has endorsed Judge John Anderson in the race. Watch it here, — A guide to Cook County judicial elections is out, courtesy of Injustice Watch.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — MADIGAN TRIAL | Prospective jurors arrive for landmark Madigan racketeering trial: “180 prospective jurors are expected to answer questions this week, beginning Tuesday with a lengthy questionnaire. In-person questioning is expected to begin Wednesday. If the full panel of 12 jurors and 6 alternates is selected in time, they will hear opening statements Oct. 15,” by the Tribune’s Megan Crepeau, Jason Meisner and Ray Long. Testifying: Alaina Hampton, whose sexual harassment claims rocked Springfield, may be one of first witnesses, by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel — MADE IN JAPAN: Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon were part of a panel discussing all things quantum at the University of Tokyo, via Welch’s social media post. — Illinois Secretary of State's office revokes five 'Oct. 7' license plates, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout — Annual report shows gains in some areas of gambling may come at others’ expense, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is on a tour of southern and central Illinois today through Friday with stops in Bloomington, Springfield, Murphysboro, Carbondale, Metropolis, Marion, Herrin and Vienna for her work heading the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. The tour will highlight economic initiatives, celebrate historical landmarks “and engage with local leaders and residents,” according to her team.
| | CHICAGO | | — MAYOR ONE-ON-ONE: Mayor Brandon Johnson went on WTTW to answer more questions about his plans for Chicago Public Schools. “I’m not going to take a passive approach to transforming our school system,” he said. Johnson rejected a question about whether replacing the school board is causing chaos, saying an “underfunded pension system created by previous administrations” is what really has caused chaos over the years. He sees borrowing money as a way to reach the transformation he desires. When it comes to schools, he said, “I’m not going to cut, fire, privatize,” via WTTW’s Brandis Friedman. — Johnson cancels 2 months of police academy classes, orders layoff lists to cut $75M: “At an emergency Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer John Roberson ordered other department heads to identify personnel cuts and to submit their proposals by Friday. The goal is to find $75 million more in savings in 2025,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and Tom Schuba. RELATED: Chicago’s $1B budget hole exacerbated by school turmoil: “Junk-rated school district projects deficit above $500 million,” by Bloomberg’s Shruti Singh. — Mailers rip on (or thank) City Council members for their positions on a proposal to ban natural gas in new construction: “A union is at least partly behind the campaign,” by the Block Club’s Madison Savedra. — Beleaguered Chicago police accountability chief says she’d like peace with cops, but truth is more important: “Andrea Kersten says criticism of her leadership stems from tension inherent to police reform,” by WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell. — Mars Wrigley candy factory the former Jackson Storage and Van Co. warehouse near landmark status, by the Sun-Times’ Abby Miller — A home that survived the Great Chicago Fire is revamped for the modern era, by Crain’s Dennis Rodkin — New book explores the life of Abe Saperstein, the Chicago dynamo who created the Globetrotters, by the Tribune’s Rick Kogan — Chicago aldermen, business leaders pledge $2.5M to revive ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, by CBS 2’s Todd Feurer and Marissa Perlman
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County tax collections tumble to a 10-year low: “The treasurer's office attributed low collection rates to the financial strain on property owners in those communities from the tax increases they saw this year. The median residential property tax bill across the south and southwest suburbs rose 19.9 percent this year,” by Crain’s Rachel Herzog. — Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard walks out of board meeting as village trustees work to address budget deficit: “Henyard showed up an hour late to Monday’s village board meeting, only to say she vetoed everything the board already voted on, and leave minutes later,” by WGN 9’s Eli Ong. — Assault case against Harvey Ald. Colby Chapman delayed after city fails to show in court, by the Tribune’s Olivia Stevens
| | TAKING NAMES | | — SPOTTED: The Illinois Lottery celebrated its 50th anniversary — yes, it started in 1974 — with a reception at Marshall’s Landing in Chicago. The party was hosted by Lottery Director Harold Mays. In the room: State Reps. La Shawn Ford and Theresa Mah, insider Liz Brown-Reeves, lobbyist Matt Glavin, former Pritzker staffers Jordan Abudayyeh and Jason Rubin, former Senate President John Cullerton, CMS Director Raven DeVaughn and Allwyn Senior VP of Government Affairs Josh Sharp. Factoid: The Illinois Lottery has generated over $24 billion for K-12 education in the State of Illinois. — GIVING PROPS: John W. Rogers Jr. will receive the Global Citizen Award from World Business Chicago next month to honor “his leadership in financial literacy, diversity and youth education through his work at Ariel Investments,” according to the group. Nadia Rawlinson (Chicago Sky) and Laura Ricketts (Chicago Red Stars) will receive the WBC Innovation Award. Michael Moskow, former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will receive the DuSable Chicago Legacy Award. And J. Christoph Lichtenfeld, a Chicago Sister Cities volunteer, is being honored as Volunteer of the Year. Details here
| | Reader Digest | | We asked about your favorite laptop shortcuts: Charles Keller: “Window's Key + L, because it usually means I'm leaving for the day. On my MacBook Air, it's Command + Control + Q.” Steve Mayberry: “Shift + command + 4--the Macbook screenshot tool — and it isn't even close. It's the best friend of anyone who works on a bunch of PPT decks.” Charlie Meyerson: “A custom Command-Shift-F keystroke” creates a shortcut that turns square bullet points red, cleans up spaces and unifies font sizes in Chicago Public Square. Jeff Nathan: “Shutting it.” Kathy Posner: “Alt + Tab (Windows). It lets me quickly switch between open applications without needing to use my mouse or trackpad.” Ezra Sergent-Leventhal: “Control Z. Learned it a few years ago and it has saved my butt many times.” Next question: Why should the Electoral College stay or go? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump thrusts hurricane response into center of 2024 campaign, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Adam Cancryn — Helene’s devastation has disrupted voting in battlegrounds, by POLITICO’s John Sakellariadis, Liz Crampton and Jessica Piper — Mitt Romney opposes Trump but he won’t get on the Harris train, by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ashvin Lad for correctly answering that the State Fair’s butter cow tradition began in 1922. TODAY’s QUESTION: What signature dish was created in the old Leland Hotel in Springfield, Ill.? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Illinois Republican Leader Tony McCombie, Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, Illinois Senate Republican Caucus Senior Legal Counsel Jack Felker, Democratic Committeeman Michael Rabbitt, Cook County Assessor Comms Director Jennifer Sanchez, Illinois legislative liaison Cory Ryan, PAWS Chicago co-founder Alexis Fasseas, Pinterest Senior Manager Tarresha Poindexter, Sun-Times City Hall City Hall reporter Fran Spielman, journalist Bill Mullen, Building the Bench Counsel Jaylin McClinton and Brian Wallach, a former assistant U.S. attorney who worked for Barack Obama and is now an outspoken advocate to find a cure for ALS. -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 | | | | |
