| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | TGIF, Illinois. Congrats on surviving dry January!
|  | TOP TALKER | | PLANE TALK: Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back at President Donald Trump’s controversial comments Thursday blaming diversity policies for the horrific midair crash that left 67 passengers dead near Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. “Times of tragedy should be focused on mourning the victims and getting answers to their loved ones, … Donald Trump is unfit to lead during moments of crisis like this,” Pritzker said. His full statement is here. The governor also ticked off eight questions for the Trump administration, including: “Did Elon Musk play a role in the removal of the former FAA director who had bipartisan support?” Pritzker speaks with some authority as Illinois is home to one of the busiest airports in the country, a talking point for future campaigns. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Equally outraged: Congresswoman Robin Kelly called Trump’s words “dangerous, racist and ignorant — simply un-American." And Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Black Hawk pilot, called it "an attack on those pilots,” via CBS News. "How dare the commander in chief of the greatest military on the face of the earth attack the soldiers that just died last night by implying that they were not qualified to do their jobs," said Duckworth, who sits on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and was briefed on the crash by the NTSB. Trump’s comments on diversity follow an executive order calling on government agencies to examine diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the private sector, via The New York Times. RELATED In Chicago: White activists are suing Bally's over the casino offering a limited IPO to women and minorities: American Alliance for Equal Rights — which is tied to the organization that landed the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision halting affirmative action in higher education — argues that Bally’s and government officials “have stacked the deck against” their white clients, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout
| | THE BUZZ | | GAME OF THRONES: State Sen. Dan McConchie’s exit from the Illinois General Assembly has kicked off a fierce political battle to take his place, with concerns about nepotism and party unity. The application process starts today, and interviews will be conducted next week behind closed doors. The vote will be public. The process: The five Republican district committee members who will select the next 26th District senator each have a “weighted” vote based on the number of ballots cast in their county during the last election. The 26th includes a large part of Lake County and some smaller areas of Cook, McHenry and Kane counties. That means Keith Brin, the Lake County Republican chair, has more than 55 percent of the vote, so he’ll make the call on the next senator. The drama: “I am not prejudging anyone. I intend to vote for the best candidate, though I will certainly consider the recommendation of Dan McConchie who was elected three times to that seat,” Brin told Playbook. Here’s the rub: McConchie has endorsed Joe Salvi, the 30-year-old son of Illinois Republican Chair Kathy Salvi. Joe is an attorney in his family’s firm. Some in the party see Kathy Salvi’s son getting an appointment as a huge conflict, though it wouldn’t be new. Democrats have done this sort of appointment for years. Brin insists “no Salvi” has contacted him pushing Joe Salvi for the position — not Kathy Salvi and not Al Salvi, a longtime GOP operative. Also interested in the job: State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, who along with serving as a representative in the 52nd District has served as village president of Barrington Hills. His announcement is here. “We’re going to look at strengths, weaknesses, and their thoughts on representing the district,” Brin said. “They need to be able to run in 2026. It’s one of the most competitive seats in the entire state.” Indeed: In 2022, McConchie won the seat by 385 votes. If you are Elon Musk, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Amazon: Since starting in a part-time role at an Amazon fulfillment, Caleb has worked his way up to become a senior project manager. "This has always been my goal — I just never thought I would achieve it so early in my career," he said. Learn more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com Thank you to Edelman for letting me blather on during the Edelman Trust Barometer panel on why the (news) media matters.
| | | | Power shifts, razor-thin margins, and a high-stakes agenda. We’ve transformed our coverage—more reporters, more timely insights, and unmatched policy scoops. From leadership offices to committee rooms, caucus meetings, and beyond, our expert reporting keeps you ahead of the decisions that matter. Subscribe to our Inside Congress newsletter today. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — MADIGAN TRIAL | Jury finishes first full day of deliberations without reaching verdict: “So far the only communication from the jurors has been about scheduling — and office supplies. Shortly before noon Thursday, they sent a note to the judge asking for more highlighters, sticky notes and white-out,” by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau and Ray Long. — Advocate Health Care to close all clinics inside Illinois Walgreens: “The 47 Advocate Health Care urgent care clinics spanned the Chicago area, with locations across the city and multiple suburbs,” by NBC 5’s Francie Swidler. — For first time in 92 years, Walgreens suspends quarterly dividend amid financial struggles, by the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker — Companies that participated in the slave trade could face new rules in Illinois under proposal, by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky — Letter carrier's campaign for Rockford City Council raises federal Hatch Act concerns, by the Rockford Register Star’s Jeff Kolkey
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke requests commutation, reducing prison sentence: “President Donald Trump's administration can grant or deny Burke's petition,” by NBC 5’s Rose Schmidt and Mary Ann Ahern.
| | CHICAGO | | — Johnson team pitches new hemp business license to a skeptical City Council: “The city has yet to unveil a comprehensive regulatory framework to address concerns about where intoxicating hemp products are manufactured and how they are sold — despite resisting efforts at the state level that some argued would create a de facto ban on hemp gummies, vapes and other products with delta-8 and delta-9. These products have grown in popularity because of their relative availability and lower price compared to legal marijuana,” by Crain’s Justin Laurence. — Obama Presidential Center subcontractor sues over cost overruns, alleges discrimination: “A federal lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges one of the main firms involved in managing the construction of the Obama Presidential Center racially discriminated against one of the project’s African American-owned local subcontractors, leaving them $40 million in the red and at risk of bankruptcy,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Taxpayers are out more than $30M on University of Illinois' scuttled South Loop project, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Novak — CPS CEO says he can't 'imagine a need for a strike' — despite unresolved disputes with CTU, by the Sun-Times’ Nader Issa — How schools are responding to increased immigration enforcement: training staff, convincing families it’s safe: Chalkbeat’s Reema Amin and Samantha Smylie — Chicagoans advised to delay showers, curb water use to prevent sewer overflows and basement backups, via NBC 5 — THIS BITES: Art Institute's elaborately displayed tooth, thought to belong to John the Baptist, turned out not to, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth
| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT | | | 
Melissa Harris and Mary Schmich have brought Studs Terkel's “Division Street: America" to life. | Sarah Kammerer | NEXT CHAPTER: Studs Terkel would have enjoyed the scene at the Harold Washington Library earlier this week. A few hundred notables from the media and civic scenes nibbled on salad and kabobs to celebrate the launch of “Division Street Revisited,” a new seven-part podcast inspired by his “Division Street: America.” The book profiles ordinary people talking about their hopes and dreams in the 1960s. It had an impact on Melissa Harris, a former Tribune columnist who now heads the marketing company M. Harris & Co. in Chicago. She approached Mary Schmich, another former Tribune columnist, about doing a podcast that revisits the family members of the people featured in Turkel’s book. They enlisted Pulitzer Prize winner Bill Healy to lead production and journalists Cate Cahan and Mark Jacob weighed in too. Full circle moment: Schmich took the stage with Alex Blocker, the great-grandson of one of the people featured in Terkel’s the book. Also spotted: Lever for Change Board Chair Julia Stasch, Tribune Managing Editor Phil Jurik, Chicago Public Media Chief Content Officer Tracy Brown, Chicago Community Trust’s Tracy Baim, Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation’s Valerie Chang, Pritzker Traubert Foundaton’s Cindy Moelis, journalists Alex Kotlowitz, Pam Zekman, Peter Kendall, Louise Kiernan, Stacy St. Clair, Christy Gutowski and political reporter Gregory Royal Pratt. The series airs Mondays at 6:30 p.m. on WBEZ 91.5 and is nationally distributed by PRX. Apple Podcasts has also featured it this week.
| | | | A message from Amazon:  
| | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Cook County state’s attorney to push for prison sentences in machine gun cases, by the Tribune’s Madeline Buckley — Thornton Township board 'deeply disturbed' over brawl during meeting attended by Tiffany Henyard, by the Sun-Times’ Mohammad Samra
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what alarm or music you wake up to. James Cappleman, the former alderman: “To a very gentle vibration from my iWatch.” William Kresse: “To an alarm that speaks to me. It says ‘Wakey, wakey sleepy head. It's time to get up!’ It's hilarious, and it works! No falling back to sleep after that!” Ashvin Lad: “The Office" theme song. Ebony Scott-Anderson: “I wake up at exactly 5:02 a.m. to the sound of an alarm that sounds like all hell breaking loose. It’s very effective.” Steven McKenzie: “On weekdays it’s J.S. Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze (Cantata No. 208). On weekends it’s Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 — on a mandolin to get ready for the wild weekend.” James Scalzitti: “Music. First, something gentle, like 'Fragile' by The Cure, or Clannad. Then something loud by The Cult or Oasis gets me out of bed. On Premier League football weekends, I wake up with a rousing Everton Football Club song: 'Spirit of the Blues'.” Michael Stokke: “News on WJBC.” And Eric DeBellis shares this: “My grandmother used to wake up to Rush Limbaugh. She kept her clock-radio across the room, forcing her to get up and walk, all ticked off, to turn it off. Bizarre ritual for a child to witness.” Next question: What's an old book you'd like to hear on a podcast and who should read it? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | New Year. New Washington. New Playbook. With intensified congressional coverage and even faster delivery of policy scoops, POLITICO’s reimagined Playbook Newsletter ensures you’re always ahead of the conversation. Sign up today. | | | | | | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Years of warnings came before D.C.’s air tragedy, by POLITICO’s Oriana Pawlyk — John Thune is caught in the crossfire of Trump’s trade war, by POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill and Jordain Carney — DNC ‘Scream night': Democrats get shouted down by their own activists over climate change, by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider and Brakkton Booker
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Hector Villagrana is now associate director of government affairs at the Roosevelt Group and Reyes Kurson. He has a long career working for the Chicago City Council, Cook County and state government and most recently was a chief of staff for state Rep. Lisa Hernandez. — Erin Henkel is now a communications and media adviser at Druker, Yadgir & Haupt, a comms and public policy consulting firm. Henkel most recently worked in the secretary of state's press office and earlier had stints with the Illinois Farm Bureau and as a statehouse reporter.
| | | | A message from Amazon: Amazon has created more than 40,000 full- and part-time jobs in Illinois with free skills training programs and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.
"When I was trying to choose between two jobs, my mom said: 'It's a job with Amazon. You'd be stupid to say no.' I never looked back," said Caleb, one of Amazon's employees.
See the impact. | | | | | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to John Engle for correctly answering that Gov. Richard Yates Jr. was born in Jacksonville, Ill., making him the first governor born in Illinois. TODAY’s QUESTION: What campaign stunt did Gov. James Thompson get called out for as "buffoonery”? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Cook County Judge Laura Ayala-Gonzalez, City of Chicago Project Coordinator Marty Malone and Four Star Initiatives CEO Tweed Thornton. Saturday: State Sen. Willie Preston, Illinois Department of Transportation Director of Legislative Affairs Aaron Gold-Stein, Kirkland & Ellis’ William S. Singer, former legislator John Millner, former McLean County Board member Hannah Beer, Chicago State University external affairs VP Erin Steva, Chicagoland Apartment Association Executive VP Mike Mini, political analyst Charles Lipson, Burdick Consulting Group President Meaghan Burdick and communications strategist Miguel Ayala. Sunday: Former state Sen. William Peterson, former state Rep. Bob Pritchard and former congressional aide Patrick Doggett. -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 | | | | |
