| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address.
|  | TOP TALKER | | |  Former President Barack Obama speaks at the 2022 Democracy Forum in New York. This year's event will be in Chicago. | John Minchillo/AP | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former President Barack Obama will headline the 2024 Obama Democracy Forum next month in Chicago to discuss “pluralism,” in which diverse communities find ways to work together in society. It’s a weighty issue that he’ll tackle just one month after a presidential election divided the country and left Democrats wrestling with their deepening disconnect from working-class Americans. Politics is off the table: Obama was an active campaigner for Kamala Harris' presidential bid, but his Obama Foundation is a nonprofit that steers clear of talking about politics. The subject of this year’s forum, however, goes to the heart of issues that drove the election — populism sweeping the country. Joining Obama at the Dec. 5 event at the Marriott Marquis Chicago will be Eboo Patel , president of Interfaith America, a nonprofit that promotes cooperation across religious faiths. Others on the speaker list: Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Layla Zaidane, who heads Future Caucus, a bipartisan organization of Gen Z and millennial lawmakers in the United States; Ainka Jackson , the founding executive director of the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation; Manu Meel, CEO of the BridgeUSA student movement; and Nika Kovač, the director of The Research Institute of 8th March, an NGO that tackles gender and economic inequalities. Here’s a full speaker list. Topics that will be addressed: “Why Pluralism Matters,” “The Power of Culture and Connection” and “How to Make Progress in Polarized Times.” For the first time, attendees will participate in hands-on workshops where they can share their experiences “and learn new tools to foster productive dialogue essential to inclusive and resilient communities,” according to the Obama Foundation. MEANWHILE … There are rural areas pushing for divorce from Democratic cities: “Across Illinois and California, more red counties that feel steamrolled by blue-led governments are trying to split off,” by The Wall Street Journal's Joe Barrett
| | THE BUZZ | | ������CITY HALL DRAMA: The co-chair of the Chicago City Council’s Progressive Caucus pushed back at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s claim to the Sun-Times that a budget deal is being brokered. “There was nothing landed on. There was no $150 million [in cuts]. There were ideas on how to bring it down without anyone agreeing to anything,” Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) told the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman on Monday. The public criticism signals the budget talks are still a work in progress. Johnson’s team had told Spielman over the weekend that it had 26 votes for a revised budget that omits the $300 million in property taxes that the City Council resoundingly rejected last week — by a vote of 50-0. Kennedy Bartley , Johnson’s chief of external affairs, told Spielman that the mayor now has the 26 votes needed on a revamped budget proposal but that negotiations are continuing. Pushback: Vasquez says the votes aren’t there — or the council would be voting. He criticized mayor’s office for indicating otherwise. More interesting: By speaking publicly about the mayor’s office, Vasquez is sending a message: He’s not an automatic ally of the mayor just because he’s progressive. If you are Eboo Patel, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | A message from Capital One: At Capital One, our affordable housing initiatives support inclusive, thriving, resident-centered communities right here in Illinois. We strive to promote individual well-being by financing both the development and preservation of affordable housing, along with services that directly respond to resident needs. From 2020-2023, we provided nearly $378 million in capital for community development across the state – primarily for safe, equitable, and quality housing to help transform resident lives. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
| | | WHERE's BRANDON | | | In City Hall at 11 a.m. for a standing press briefing — At Kennedy King College at 12:30 p.m. for job training and community hiring event — At the Hilton Chicago at 7 p.m. for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's Daniel H. Burnham Award Dinner
| | Where's Toni | | In the Cook County Building at 9:55 a.m. to preside over the Forest Preserves budget meeting — At the Hilton Chicago at 5:30 p.m. for the Chamber dinner Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | The lame duck session could reshape major policies before year's end. Get Inside Congress delivered daily to follow the final sprint of dealmaking on defense funding, AI regulation and disaster aid. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | | ELECTION FALLOUT | | | — The Trumpiest Election: “Illinois is a blue state that acted like a blue state, but it was not nearly as blue as four years ago,” said John Jackson of the Paul Simon Center for Public Policy at Southern Illinois University, via Chicago magazine’s Edward McClelland. — Illinois Dems brace for second Trump administration amid return to Springfield: “Leaders ponder options ahead of Jan. 20 inauguration,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. — Demand for abortion pills spiked in Illinois, countrywide after Trump reelection: “The wait time for phone calls to Planned Parenthood of Illinois also doubled in the days immediately after the election,” by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — MADIGAN TRIAL: ‘Magic list’ of Madigan-connected lobbyists shown to jury in ex-speaker’s corruption trial: “Federal prosecutors say Michael McClain’s list of lobbyists is powerful evidence that McClain was secretly helping a select group of former Madigan staffers, associates and allies get business — and that the speaker was aware of the effort,” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau. — Illinois’ Third House | Lobbying is so ingrained in Springfield it’s practically a branch of government, but lawmakers are reluctant to regulate it: “Unlike nearly every other state, Illinois until recently had no restriction on how soon former lawmakers could start lobbying their onetime colleagues, creating an environment that can tempt officials to legislate with an eye toward their future employment prospects rather than the public good,” by the Tribune’s Dan Petrella. — SECURITY : As we reported last week, the Illinois Secretary of State Office has ramped up security at the Capitol. In a memo issued Monday, the office explains “there were several security threats earlier this year directed at the Capitol and the Capitol Complex, including reported bomb and active shooter threats.” The full memo is here. — HIGHER-ED: Illinoisans have been tapped as Rhodes Scholars, by the Sun-Times’ Violet Miller
| | | IN MEMORIAM | | | A hero honored: Hundreds gathered Monday to pay their respects to Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, who was shot dead two weeks ago while conducting a traffic stop. “We lost a hero,” Police Supt. Larry Snelling told the mourners. Law enforcement officers stood at attention in the rain as the casket was carried, by the Tribune’s Sam Charles A helicopter circled the sky as officers carried a flag-draped casket into St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, by the Block Club’s Atavia Reed and Colin Boyle Spotted: The family had asked Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker not to attend, but that didn’t stop numerous other elected officials and notables from paying their respects. Among them were former Mayor Richard M. Daley , Cook County State’s Attorney-elect Eileen O’Neill Burke, Deputy Mayors Beatriz Ponce de León and Garien Gatewood, Alds. Jason Ervin, Marty Quinn, Andre Vasquez, Anthony Napolitano, Matt O’Shea, Anthony Beale and Peter Chico, and former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas, according to news reports.
| | | | A message from Capital One:   | | | | | CHICAGO | | — Chicago hotel owners to Kaegi: We're not doing as well as you think: The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association calls spikes in the Cook County assessor's new property valuations a threat to job creation and new investment, by Crain’s Danny Ecker. — Ballot challenges, big money, information gaps: How Chicago’s first school board elections played out, by Chalkbeat’s Mila Koumpilova — Today’s Chicago City Council regrets the infamous 2008 parking meter deal, by The Triibe’s Corli Jay — Greater Chicago Food Depository’s ready-to-eat meal program delivers Fresh, healthy food to folks in need, by the Block Club’s Francia Garcia Hernandez
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Northwestern reveals plans for new $850 million Ryan Field: “It will be the largest stadium project in college football history,” by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. — Exit interview: As a polarizing eight years comes to an end, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx looks forward to a break from the spotlight, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Madeline Buckley — More than 50,000 people came to Southland casino in first week, officials say, by Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan
| | 2025 Watch | | — Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark to run with a slate for supervisor, Tiffany Henyard, incumbent trustees yet to announce, by the Daily Southtown’s Olivia Stevens — Voters in Glen Ellyn, Warrenville will pick new leaders in 2025, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith, Alicia Fabbre and Dave Oberhelman — Long-serving mayors in Batavia, Geneva to face challengers in spring election, by the Daily Herald’s Susan Sarkauskas
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Darien woman charged with hate crime over someone wearing a Palestine sweatshirt: “She was at a Panera Bread when she allegedly confronted and yelled expletives at a man regarding a sweatshirt he was wearing with ‘Palestine’ written on it,” by WGN 9’s Andy Koval.
| | | | Policy change is coming—be the pro who saw it first. Access POLITICO Pro’s Issue Analysis series on what the transition means for agriculture, defense, health care, tech, and more. Strengthen your strategy. | | | | | | | TAKING NAMES | | — Jesse White’s tumblers are celebrating the group’s 65 years with a breakfast today. Details here
| | Reader Digest | | We asked about phone conversations you’ve overheard at the office. Clearly, the work-from-home era has made it a moot point. Next question: What famous piece of writing can you recite from memory? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump 2.0 is boosting some old economic ideas, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida, Benjamin Guggenheim and Katy O'Donnell — Super-wealthy people who campaigned for Donald Trump could get a sweet tax break, by POLITICO’s Brian Faler — Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy. What that means for travelers, by The Associated Press
| | A message from Capital One: At Capital One, we are committed to changing banking for good here in Illinois. We proudly employ more than 1,700 Chicagoans – who support this city from our offices and Cafés each day. In the last 10+ years, we’ve provided over 500 grants to nonprofit organizations in Illinois, including programs that focus on community service, education, and workforce development. Our efforts are informed by a long-standing belief that our partners—who are closest to the needs of the community—are best positioned to develop effective and sustainable solutions. Deep community relationships with affordable housing developers, nonprofit organizations, local government, and civic leaders are at the heart of our community programs. We are committed to continuing to spend with diverse suppliers operating in the state of Illinois, with over $8M in one year period spent with businesses owned by people of color, veterans, and women. | | | | | TRIVIA | | MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Stephen Rosenblat for correctly answering that Mayor Harold Washington and state Sen. Dawn Clark Netsch were in the same law school class at Northwestern University. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was both president of the Chicago Board of Education and later ambassador to France? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee senior staffer Robert Marcus, American Business Immigration Coalition Executive Director Rebecca Shi, Avōq partner Sarah Hamilton , Chicago Catholic Charities’ Comms Senior Director Ann Grelecki Anderson, activist Marie Collins-Wright, financial adviser Peter Riskind, Eight Bit Studios DevOps Engineer Meredith Elise Packham and Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne. -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 | | | | |
