Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Yesterday was some week.
UPDATE: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Office said this morning there have been “no reports” of federal deportation efforts in Chicago. "We're in on-going check-ins" with congressional leaders and organizations on the ground, a spokeswoman for the mayor told Playbook.
The report follows President Donald Trump saying last night said the deportation plans for cities like Chicago are still on. “I don't want to say when, but it's going to happen,” he told reporters while signing executive orders in the White House Oval Office.
TOP TALKER
PRITZKER v. TRUMP, AGAIN: Just a few hours after President Donald Trump took office, Gov. JB Pritzker was on the attack, criticizing the Republican president for his plan to revoke birthright citizenship.
“That’s unconstitutional. We will not follow an unconstitutional order,” Pritzker told reporters at a MLK Jr. Day of Service event at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Chicago.
He followed up with an official statement: “This is only the beginning of the new administration's attempt to undermine the rule of law, and the people of Illinois can count on me to stand against unconstitutional actions.”
The Democratic governor criticized the Trump administration’s handling of its deportation plan targeting Chicago and said the swearing-in ceremony showcased the “oligarchs” of the corporate world instead of paying homage to everyday Americans.
“This is indicative of what you're going to see of the Trump administration for the next four years. It’s chaos,” Pritzker said.
Sounds familiar: The governor’s comments were reminiscent of 2020 when he spoke out repeatedly against Trump’s actions over the handling of the pandemic.
PRITZKER ISN’T THE ONLY ONE criticizing Trump on birthright citizenship, which means anyone born in the United States is a citizen, whether your parents are or not.
Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul pushed back at Trump’s rhetoric on the issue before Monday’s inauguration. He told Playbook that Democratic AGs "anticipated that there are going to be some battles with regards to immigration and the reaches of federal law enforcement."
Raoul said he would fight any efforts to "challenge birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the Constitution."
The issue is personal for Raoul. "I was a birthright baby,” he said. “My mother was not yet naturalized at the time of my birth. So, I'm prepared to step forward for all those citizens that might be impacted by any effort to undermine the protection of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment.”
The pope has a beef, too: Asked about Trump’s reported plans to conduct immigration raids in Chicago, Pope Francis said in an interview with Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa that “if true, this will be a disgrace … This is not the way to solve things,” via POLITICO’s Seb Starcevic.
ABOUT THE INAUGURATION ... Illinois Republicans are delighted:
Congressman Darin LaHood called it “A new day in America … filled with hope for a more safe and prosperous future.”
Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran said he was “encouraged by [Trump’s] message of unity and refocusing our government to better support everyday Americans who are struggling with high inflation and feeling less safe in their communities.”
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie called it “a day of renewal and a fresh start for our nation. Inauguration Day is not only a celebration of our democratic traditions but also a time to reflect on the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead.”
THE BUZZ
PARDON MOI: Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger received a “preemptive pardon” by outgoing President Joe Bidon on Monday. Kinzinger and other high-profile critics of President Donald Trump received the out-of-the-ordinary pardons as did members of Biden’s family. The Sun-Times has more details.
Not receiving a pardon was former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who served time for federal campaign law violations. “Of course, I am disappointed,” he said in a statement to Playbook. “Democrats had an opportunity to end colonization for thousands, if not millions of American citizens who have completed the time they were sentenced to serve. The fight for the American felon, of which I am one, must continue. ... The process must not be reserved for the privileged.”
If you are the pope, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
At Access Living of Metro Chicago at 10 a.m. to sign the Dignity in Pay Act into law
WHERE's BRANDON
No official public events
Where's Toni
At Niles North High School at 6 p.m. to provide welcome remarks at an Environmental Justice Policy Town Hall
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
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TAKING NAMES
— Smita Shat, a Chicago civic leader and founder of SPAAN Tech, had a front row seat at Monday’s official Joe Biden sendoff at Andrews Air Force Base. She joined a crowd of staffers, Cabinet members and administration appointees for the farewell. Shah was appointed by Biden in 2021 to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. “The moment was a mix of emotion and pride to be in the company of so many amazing people who served our country with dignity and honor,” she said in a statement to Playbook.
— Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation secretary, is among the winter-spring fellows with the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. Also fellowing: former Sen. Jon Tester, Trump 2024 campaign manager Chris LaCivita, former U.S. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, former White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, former chief of staff to Mitt Romney Liz Johnson, associate FEMA Administrator Justin Ángel Knighten, Russian political opposition activist Natalia Pelevina, Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah, Israeli peace activist Magen Inon, social justice artist Tonika Lewis Johnson and radio personality Charlamagne Tha God.
— Kevin McCumber, an Illinois native, has been formally appointed by U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson to serve as the clerk of the House, via a congratulatory note by Congressman Darin LaHood.
— Robert Balanoff, presiding judge of the Cook County Circuit Court's Child Protection Division, is retiring after 21 years on the bench. "In his many years on the bench, Judge Balanoff has been praised for his fairness, compassion and his handling of difficult cases." said Judge Timothy Evans. A reception honoring Balanoff will be held Thursday. Details here
— Johnna Fulcher has been crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. She represented Henry County at the recent Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention. Fulcher is a Blackhawk College student who plans to pursue a dental hygiene degree at Carl Sandburg College. She’ll reign over this year’s Illinois and Du Quoin state fairs.
— BUSINESS OF POLITICS: Esteban Rodriguez, a candidate for Cicero town president, secured a spot on the ballot for the Feb. 25 municipal election after an election judge ruled he was eligible. The nonprofit leader faces longtime President Larry Dominick.
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Reader Digest
We asked how you power through the cold.
Robert Christie: “Layers and a month in Florida.”
John Engle: “Hunker down and hibernate as best a human can.”
John Mark Hansen: “Layer.”
Charles Keller: “I power through by getting everything ready, home, car, generator. If you own a home you know.”
Marilynn Miller: “I try my best to stay in and reschedule anything that would take you out. In high school in the 1950s in Wisconsin, we had MUCH colder weather and MUCH more snow than Chicago ever sees.”
Joseph Morris: “Layers.”
Kevin Morris: “Lots of layers and a Canada Pooch jacket for our dog.”
Patricia Ann Watson: “Hand and foot warmers, face and head covered, new technology lightweight layers.”
Corrine Williams: "Book one of the dozens of ORD United Airlines flights to Florida for warmer temps, and sunny skies."
— COLUMN: Trump trying to be a good president: The most consequential presidents divided the nation — before “reuniting it on a new level of understanding,” by POLITICO’s John H. Harris
— Ramiro Hernandez is now executive director of the Tax Institute and Municipal and County Affairs offices with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Ramiro was director of government relations and public policy for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
IN MEMORIAM
— Former Cook County Judge Kathleen McGury has died. Obit here
— Mary Vallas, mom of politico Paul Vallas and Hellenic Museum’s Marianne Kountoures , has died. She was “the matriarch ‘Yiayia’” of the family, Paul Vallas wrote on his Facebook page. Mary Vallas was 95.
— Wednesday: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller holds a discussion on the "Intersection of Hate.” Details here
— Monday: The Lunar New Year celebration for the year of the snake will be hosted by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, County Commissioner Josina Morita and Chicago Alds. Nicole Lee and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth at the Cook County building at 3 p.m.
TRIVIA
MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to John Straus for correctly answering that President Ulysses S. Grant set a high jump record on horseback that stood for 25 years.
TODAY’s QUESTION: How is Hiram Revels, the first African American U.S. senator (from Mississippi), connected to Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, community activist Mike Matejka, IDFPR Legislative Affairs Director Dan Lewis, SomerCor CEO Manny Flores, U.S. Department of Treasury Senior Adviser Nahiomy Alvarez, public affairs consultant James Prescott, political fundraiser Bailey Romans and fashion designer Maria Pinto.
