| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. We're getting to that point in winter where temps in the 30s seem balmy.
|  | TOP TALKER | | SAY WHAT? The Indiana General Assembly is considering legislation that would adjust that state’s borders to include Illinois counties that have voted to secede — a move that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch calls “a stunt.” How it started: “We saw that in the November election, seven counties in Illinois voted to secede or look at some form of secession so we’d love to have conversations with them about joining our state,” Indiana Republican House Speaker Todd Huston told Playbook. It’s a good fit, says Huston. “There’s a lot of alignment on the economic front where those communities are and what Indiana is. We think this makes sense. We think Indiana is a great place to live,” he said. “There are a lot of big advantages from a taxation standpoint and fiscal responsibility and stability.” Yeah, but ... does Indiana have anything akin to "the Bean," the horseshoe sandwich or the Bears? (OK, maybe not the Bears.) Eye roll from Springfield: “Speaker Welch’s focus is on doing work that will raise wages for families, create opportunities for students, entrepreneurs and innovators and unite people across Illinois — not on partisan stunts intended to divide people,” spokesman Jon Maxson said in a statement to Playbook. About November: Seven Illinois counties voted in favor of exploring secession. The rural counties of Iroquois, Calhoun, Clinton, Green, Jersey, Madison and Perry all voted to examine "the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state and to seek admission to the Union as such." Looping in the Illinois counties would require a constitutional process for redrawing Indiana’s state boundaries. And Illinois would similarly have to craft legislation to allow such a move. There is some precedence: West Virginia effectively separated from Virginia — over the Civil War. The Indianapolis Star said, “It's unclear" what the political appetite would be for Illinois to relinquish some of its counties. Our response: It seems clear as day. Not likely.
| | THE BUZZ | | Chicago suffers credit downgrade following agency warning over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget: “A downgrade isn’t only a reputational hit; it could also increase the city’s cost to borrow money for long-term projects like Johnson’s $1.25 billion housing and development bond, which is slated to go to market early this year,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Alice Yin. Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the move, saying “the S&P report focuses on the fiscal challenges we face, but it does not accurately reflect our fundamental economic strength and the steps we’ve taken to address legacy issues,” according to a written statement, via Crain’s Justin Laurence. If you are Brandon Johnson, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | At the Harold Washington Library at 10 a.m. to launch a new online portal to centralize behavioral health resources for Illinois youth and families
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over the City Council meeting
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — New bill would raise the age for mandatory road tests for Illinois seniors to 87: “Under the just-introduced proposal (Senate Bill 91 and House Bill 1226), Illinois would increase the age for mandatory behind-the-wheel driving tests from 79 to 87. The proposal also creates a mechanism for relatives to report family members of any age they believe are unsafe drivers,” by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky. — MADIGAN TRIAL: In contentious cross-examination, prosecutor accuses Madigan of not telling ‘the whole truth,’ by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel — Illinois House adds pension panel with budget shortfalls growing, by Bloomberg’s Shruti Date Singh — Illinois Shelter Alliance calls for $100M state funding boost to fight homelessness, by Atmika Iyer and the Medill Illinois News Bureau in Capitol News — Illinoisans may be able to file federal taxes for free; state announces Apple ID licenses, by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting in Capitol News — Voters in April will weigh merging Sangamon County recorder, clerk offices, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie
| | CHICAGO | | — DEEP DIVE | Donald Trump’s mass deportation pledge could test Chicago’s immigrant protections: “Public records requests show Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker teams met last month to talk about ‘Shelter Raids,’ indicating they think the city-state’s new single shelter system for migrants could be one of the target areas for ICE activity,” by the Tribune’s Alice Yin with Dan Petrella and A.D. Quig. — United Center owners reveal new details of planned 1901 Project: “The initial phase, which would include a 6,000-seat, theater-style music hall built on a parking lot next to the arena's southwest corner, would tentatively be completed by 2028, according to the presentation,” by Crain’s Danny Ecker. — SCOOP: Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez discusses his firing and ongoing CTU negotiations, by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Andrea Guthmann — Chicago Teachers Union files grievance over wage theft, pressures CPS for contract settlement, by the Tribune’s Ikram Mohamed — U.S. Supreme Court hears appeal by former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Supervisor Tiffany Henyard sues two Thornton Township trustees over meeting absences: “The lawsuit says continued lack of quorum has prevented Thornton Township from conducting important business and meeting requirements laid out in the Illinois Township Code. In recent weeks, the township has had to reduce, and in some cases cease services, due to lack of insurance coverage for employees, buildings and vehicles, Henyard said,” by the Daily Southtown’s Olivia Stevens. — RTA proposes universal fares, more trains, cost cuts to counter merger plan, by the Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke — Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly announces major deal at state of village address: “The village is moving the eyesore Cook County highway maintenance facility,” by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson.
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Tim Ozinga has resigned as Republican state central committeeman for the 1st Congressional District, according to a statement from Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi. Ozinga resigned from his state legislative seat last year. — Election finance reports a mixed picture in south suburbs; Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard paying own way in bid for 2nd term, by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | — Jesse Jackson Jr. has been tapped to host the afternoon drive show for WVON, Chicago’s Black talk radio station. The Jesse Jackson Jr. Show will air Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Jackson has made periodic appearances on WVON but this is his first foray into broadcasting. … WVON has also named Cleopatra Draper as its midday host, filling the slot held by the venerable Perri Small, who recently retired.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what one question all Cabinet members should be asked during confirmation hearings. James Cappleman, the former alderman: “When did you change your position on a political stance due to some new information you learned from someone who does not share your political beliefs?” Christopher Deutsch: “Which demands greater loyalty, the Constitution or POTUS?” Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg: “Will you maintain an apolitical civil service of experts in your department?” Lucas Hawley: “Is your allegiance to the American Republic and democracy or to the office of the president?" Lynne Huston: "Do you see AI helping or hindering what the administration wants to do?" Charles Keller: “Do you play golf and if so what is your current handicap?” Ed Mazur: “Who should the Bears hire as their next head football coach?” Marilynn Miller: “How do we know you'll carry through what you say you will?" Mary Kay Minaghan: “Did you have any part in producing Project 2025?” Kathy Posner: “How will you ensure that your personal beliefs or political affiliations don’t compromise your obligation to uphold the laws?" Dennis Rendleman: “Will you obey your oath to the Constitution and refuse a presidential order that could be contrary to the law and the Constitution?” Steve Sheffey: “Who won the 2020 presidential election?” Patricia Ann Watson: “What would your confirmation mean to you and what should it mean for us?” Brent Zhorne: “As a Monty Python, ‘What’s the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?’ Only those who answer back with the question, ‘African or European?’ should be confirmed. If you can’t have fun with the process, what damn good is it?” Next question: What’s the strangest place you've seen a coyote? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Duckworth, other female senators grill Defense nominee Hegseth on his objections to women in combat: “Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth told Pete Hegseth he was “wholly unprepared” to be confirmed as defense secretary: ‘You’re not qualified, Mr. Hegseth, you’re not qualified,’” by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. Hegseth struggles to answer Sen. Tammy Duckworth's question about ASEAN countries, via CNN — Durbin pays tribute to Biden on Senate floor, via YouTube — Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) was reappointed as chair of the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — By targeting Hegseth, Democrats open a path for Gabbard, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin — Jack Smith’s final say: Takeaways from the special counsel’s report, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney — Trump inauguration ‘potential target’ for threats, agencies warn, by POLITICO’s Chris Marquette and Betsy Woodruff Swan — Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration, via your Playbook host
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Executives' Club CEO Margaret Mueller announces departure, by Crain’s Brandon Dupré — Dan Vosnos is now senior director of development at the National Down Syndrome Society. He was director of advocacy and development at GiGi's Playhouse. — Timothy Payne and David Diorio join BakerHostetler’s Chicago office as partners in the Labor and Employment Practice Group and as members of the Immigration team. They were at Sidley Austin.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — Former Circuit Judge Robert Boharic 'pursued everything to the fullest,' by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman
| | EVENTS | | — Friday: The Muslim Civic Association is celebrating Muhammad Ali Day with state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, activist and daughter of Ali Maryum "May May" Ali and bodybuilder Khosal Azami. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Pat McCann for correctly answering that Our Lady of the Angels fire on Dec.. 1, 1958, when 92 children and three nuns were killed, led to Chicago and Illinois fire codes being strengthened to include fire doors, sprinklers and fireproof building materials. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where and when was Illinois’ first community college started? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Axel Springer’s Mathias Döpfner, retired Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans, Instacart Public Policy Manager Kelley Foxx, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Executive Director Erik Rankin and Ascension Health Chief Advocacy Officer Julie Mirostaw. And belated greetings to Bryan Traubert, who celebrated Tuesday. -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 | | | | |
