| | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | | Presented by |  | | | Good Thursday, Illinois. It's a somber day as we watch and pray for news out of Washington. BREAKING OVERNIGHT: ‘Nothing short of a nightmare': Jet, helicopter collide near Reagan National Airport, by POLITICO’s Oriana Pawlyk and Sam Ogozalek
|  | TOP TALKER | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. JB Pritzker and a handful of fellow Democratic governors conferred with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last night, urging him to get his caucus in line to push back at President Donald Trump’s actions and appointments, according to a person familiar with their call. Our story is here. What they talked about: The governors want Senate Democrats to be more forceful in responding to Trump on policy and appointments. The New York Times said the meeting was tense. And an aide to Schumer separately described the meeting as a conversation about the Trump administration’s executive orders, “his erratic policies” and the impacts that is having on states. Getting to the point: Pritzker and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey were most outspoken about Senate Democrats needing to step up and stay unified against some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, a few of which have seen bipartisan support. Easier said than done: Schumer said he can’t force all Senate Democrats to oppose every Trump nominee but he could unite the caucus to oppose certain high-profile appointees, according to the Times story. Also on the call: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (chair of the Democratic Governors Association), Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Feeling the brunt: The Democratic governors impressed on Schumer that their states are on the front lines feeling the greatest impact of Trump’s executive orders, including plans for withholding federal funds, according to the person familiar with the call. Schumer, a New York Democrat, arranged the call, and Pritzker helped coordinate it. The governors weren’t shy about expressing their thoughts. The New York senator credited the governors for helping force the hands of Trump and Russell Vought, who the president has tapped to run the White House Office of Management and Budget, to pull back the funding freeze memo. But it’s just one win, and Schumer — and the governors — expect there will be more battles to wage. Trump has already said the memo was rescinded but not the plan for funding cuts. Pritzker also appeared on CNN, describing the funding freeze fiasco during the past 48 hours as being among “the most bizarre and terrible since I took office.” Notable because Pritzker has often complained about Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis during Pritzker’s first term. The big political question: Earlier Wednesday, Pritzker was asked by a reporter if he would seek a third term. The governor gave his usual talking points about enjoying the job. But he also revealed that running for office was a conversation he was having with his family. “I have to make a decision over the next few months,” he said. The idea of lifting up the people of Illinois and putting us in a better position excites me, and should excite someone who will serve as governor. So, that’s one that would keep me in the job. … But families of politicians go through a lot. They didn’t necessarily choose to be in that life. So, that’s part of the decision-making process.”
| | THE BUZZ | | LINES DRAWN: Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has taken away some privileges of GOP members of the Freedom Caucus due to their recent actions. Denied: The five conservative House members have been denied spokesman positions, larger offices and communication services. Lines drawn: The Republican members say McCombie has essentially “declared war” on their caucus in a “blatant attempt” to silence conservative voices. “She seems to be more interested in going after conservative members of her own caucus than she is in taking on the Democrats,” the caucus said in a statement. They missed McCombie’s criticism of Democrats during the recent inauguration because they held their own separate inauguration. "This decision was not made lightly and remains subject to further review,” McCombie said in a statement. “Leadership resources are a privilege, not an entitlement, and they are allocated to those committed to advancing our caucus’s priorities — not fueling distractions.” There’s also a concern that the Freedom Caucus sometimes blurs the line of being a political organization. That’s not allowed when doing work in the Capitol. Being denied services are state Reps. Adam Niemerg of Dieterich, Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville, Chris Miller of Hindsboro, Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City and Marty McLaughlin of Barrington Hills. McCombie isn’t the first to take away some privileges. Former House GOP Leader Jim Durkin also pulled back the benefits. In other matters: A brick was thrown through window of state Rep. Severin and state Sen. Bryant's joint office building, by WSIL TV’s Mike Mohundro If you are Chris Miller, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | | | A message from Amazon: When Sylvia expanded her business beyond her hometown, she turned to Amazon to help with shipping her products. "Fulfillment by Amazon made it possible for me to grow my small business," she said. Fulfillment by Amazon costs 70% less on average than comparable two-day shipping options. Find out more. | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield to announce new college credit opportunities for Illinois State Police troopers
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | On Kedzie Avenue for the Fifth City Commons ribbon-cutting
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | 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: Jurors begin deliberating after prosecutor argues Madigan 'lost his way: “Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise over nearly a decade, designed to enhance his political power and financial well-being. Michael McClain, a former lawmaker and longtime lobbyist for ComEd, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan’s agent,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles. — People were strapped to chairs for hours, days at Madison County Jail. Many were mentally ill or in withdrawal: “Of all Illinois jails, Madison County has the most incidents of restraint lasting longer than 10 hours — the upper limit set by the chair manufacturer. The jail said they’re not equipped to care for so many mentally ill detainees,” by Illinois Answers’ Grace Hauck and Janelle O'Dea — Illinois’ 8th graders outperform their peers in all but one state in national math and reading test, by the Tribune’s Ikram Mohamed — Illinois’ 4th grade NAEP scores drop in both reading and math, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie — State lawmakers weigh TikTok’s value, by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting — Legislators try again to create state board to review drug prices, George Wiebe for the Sun-Times — Lawmakers advance a bill aimed to protect warehouse workers amid complaints that demands for speed hinder safety, by the Tribune’s Addison Wright
| | CHICAGO | | — It’s hemp day at City Hall. Two City Council panels are having a joint hearing to consider whether shops can sell hemp products. The move comes after state lawmakers were divided on the issue, with many seeing hemp products as a non-agriculture product that’s dangerous to people (especially children). Others see it as an opportunity for tax revenue. Both sides will be on display at press briefings separate from the hearing. — Text from Johnson to firefighters' union president could ignite stalled contract talks: “The apparent breakthrough started with a text message from Mayor Brandon Johnson to Pat Cleary, president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 after Cleary’s members responded to a Dec. 12 fire that started in a records storage area of Cook County Building,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Mayor Johnson’s office blocked investigators from looking at valuable gifts he received, according to report: “The Inspector General’s office was denied access to the mayor’s gift room with designer bags, cufflinks and shoes. The report calls for the mayor to end a practice where gifts accepted on behalf of the city are only logged at City Hall,” by the Block Club’s Mack Liederman. — New CPS Board President Sean Harden says he took the volunteer job because ‘I love this city’: He defends his request for a CPS driver and a car and said the leak to news media about his request shows that at least some in CPS’ administration don’t support him. “Harden says it is incumbent on him not to focus on that,” by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp. — Historian Shermann 'Dilla' Thomas partners with DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, by the Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito — Man arrested during ICE sweep in Chicago ordered detained for allegedly selling 'ghost gun,' by the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson
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| | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — BIG NUMBER: Assessor Fritz Kaegi says Chicago properties worth a combined $50.8B in 2024, calls for bill relief in Springfield: “Kaegi’s estimate for the value of commercial buildings like warehouses, offices and big apartment buildings is a combined $25.8 billion, while his estimate for all of the homes and smaller apartment buildings in the city is $25 billion. The total is a 23 percent increase compared with the year before,” by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig. — Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss launches campaign, tearing into White House and pledging ‘bold experimentation’: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky introduced Biss who proclaimed Evanston as a “leader in that fight” against federal policy, by the Daily Northwestern’s Shun Graves and Hannah Webster. — Cicero Town President Larry Dominick has been endorsed by SEIU Local 73, which represents more than 350 workers in the town. — I got mine. Did you? Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2023 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 1.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Four immigrant rights groups that filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over deportation efforts have pulled their temporary restraining order requisition, according to a new filing. That means there will be no emergency hearing and no temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction anytime soon. “It is now critical that we monitor the ongoing immigration raids in Chicago, educate our community members on their rights, and continue organizing to strengthen the sanctuary movement,” said Brandon Lee of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, one of the four groups that filed the lawsuit in federal court. The suit claims the president's deportation efforts in Chicago violate their First Amendment rights to free speech and possibly Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizures.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about your unusual google searches. Mike Gascoigne: “I found that in southwestern France, where my name originates, they have a nativity figure called the Christmas caganer. It's basically a peasant taking a poop on the ground outside the manger where Jesus is being born. Apparently, people in the region get upset when the Christmas caganer is removed. That makes me laugh.” Kathy Posner: “I was in a conversation on Zoom with a politician who used the phrase, ‘ear hustler.’ I googled and found it was prison slang for a person who is a ‘gossiper’ or ‘eavesdropper,’ especially those seeking to leverage whatever information they overhear to their advantage. Great phrase I’ll use in the future.” Next question: Do you wake up to an alarm or music? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Trump went for shock and awe. Now he’s mopping up, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Liz Crampton — RFK Jr.’s rocky rollout, by Joanne Kenen in POLITICO's Nightly — Trump order aims to end gender-affirming care for minors, by POLITICO’s Daniel Payne — The senators who could stop Tulsi Gabbard, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Rich Rieger has joined consulting firm Berkeley Research Group’s health analytics practice as a managing director in Chicago, where he’ll advise pharma and biotech companies. He’s had held positions at Baxter, Horizon Therapeutics and AbbVie.
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See how Amazon supports small businesses. | | | | | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Thomas Scorza withdrew his nomination as city clerk, dealing Mayor Richard M. Daley one of his biggest defeats. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the first Illinois governor to be born in Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
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