Commotion in the Council

Presented by Illinois Retail Merchants Association: Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Feb 05, 2025 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Presented by Illinois Retail Merchants Association Happy Wednesday, Illinois. It’s gonna be a cold one. At the Hideout Thursday: Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson will talk about how City Hall has prepared for the Trump administration. Tickets here TOP TALKER DEATH OF DECORUM: Vulgar attacks and bickering erupted during a Chicago City Council committee meeting Tuesday, revealing the deep political divide that continues to rankle the council. The chaos occurred during a debate by members of the Committee of Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation — probably the most non-controversial panel of the entire council. How it started: There was a heated debate about the First Amendment and whether a politically charged piece of artwork titled “U.S.-Israel War Machine” should be displayed on city-owned property, the Chicago Cultural Center. “No one disputes that people have the First Amendment right to burn flags or even display swastikas in their private homes,” said Ald. Bill Conway (34th), adding it’s different when that imagery is in a taxpayer-funded building. Mention of the flag seemed to trigger Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who a year ago took heat for speaking in front of a burning American flag. He responded to Conway saying, “Talk about the process. White supremacist.” The phrase shocked: The room erupted in yelling, and Committee Chair Nicholas Sposato (38th) called on the sergeant-at-arms to direct Sigcho-Lopez out the door. “We’re not gonna take that. We’re not gonna stand for that,” Sposato said. “You disrespected a colleague. ... Get out of here.” Oh Lord: Sigcho-Lopez called it a misunderstanding before leaving the chamber. During a break, he, Conway, mayoral adviser Jason Lee and Ald. Will Hall (6th) huddled in a side room to talk out the disagreement. Hall, who’s a minister, suggested they pray. But we hear Conway wasn’t up for a peace circle. Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) has now called for Sigcho-Lopez to be censured. The backstory: The dust-up shows deep divisions remain on the council a year after the aldermen narrowly passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Middle East. The tie-breaking vote on that resolution was Mayor Brandon Johnson, an ally of Sigcho-Lopez. Raising eyebrows: The City Council’s video of the hearing seems to be deleted from the city's website, but the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan has a copy here. More details from the meeting by the Block Club’s Melody Mercado. RELATED: Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith criticizes Stevenson High School over a pro-Palestinian display, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky ALSO IN CITY HALL During a Q&A with reporters, Mayor Brandon Johnson stopped short of saying whether he would ban Jan. 6 rioters from being hired in city government. “We have not made any decisions around any particular group that we would consider restricting,” Johnson said, adding: “Our standard for public service has to remain high because the people in Chicago have to be able to trust the people who show up every day on their behalf have their best interests at heart.” Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker directed state officials not to hire those who participated in the Jan. 6 attack. STILL NO DECISION to announce on whether the mayor will attend a Feb. 11 congressional hearing in Washington, addressing sanctuary cities. Johnson’s campaign pledge to ban no-knock warrants uncertain amid renewed talks on Anjanette Young ordinance, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin Mayor outlines new gift policy after critical report from inspector general, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman THE BUZZ SCOOP: Brian Johnson, the CEO of Equality Illinois, is stepping down at the end of June after more than eight years in the post. Under Johnson’s direction, the Chicago-based LGBTQ+ civil rights organization has expanded to a statewide advocacy organization. Equality Illinois is a much sought-after political endorsement, too. Johnson’s exit comes at a critical time as the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders that curtail diversity, equity and inclusion education and the rights of trans people in the military. No word on Johnson’s next move. He’ll continue as a senior adviser to help with the transition. Equality Illinois annual gala is Saturday. There'll be lots to talk about. If you are Jason Lee, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com   A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association: From our largest cities to rural villages, retailers large and small serve as a vital pillar of our state and local economies. A recent analysis commissioned by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) shows the retail sector generates $112 billion in economic investment annually and is the state's largest employer, representing one out of four workers in Illinois. Learn more about retail's economic impact and IRMA's commitment to advocating for Illinois' cornerstone industry.   WHERE'S JB At the State Capitol at 10 a.m. to sign into law the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act 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   We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today.     THE STATEWIDES — Pritzker stresses importance of federal education funding amid latest threats from Trump: The governor says eliminating the Education Department could deprive Illinois of essential federal funding, by the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. JB Pritzker sent out a video message to state employees, expressing “deep gratitude” for the work they do “delivering on the programs that people need all across our state — despite the fact that the federal government tried to cut off those programs,” he said, referring to President Donald Trump’s move last week to freeze federal funding to programs. Trump pulled back on the effort at least for now. Watch it here. — Federal transit dollars for Chicago, Illinois could be jeopardized via Trump administration directive, by the Sun-Times’ David Struett. — Illinois’ Public Health chief Dr. Sameer Vohra responds to Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization, via statement — Digitizing: The Dirksen Congressional Center will receive nearly $200,000 in federal funds to digitize and place online thousands of records from the careers of Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen, House Minority Leader Bob Michel and Congressman Ray LaHood. — Illinois National Guard General assigned to new position in Korea, via The Southern CHICAGO — Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office at critical juncture with caseload pile-up, new Trump directives: “These former federal prosecutors are among the contenders for the U.S. attorney role: Andrew Boutros, Mark Schneider, and Jeff Cramer,” by ABC 7. — Johnson continues push for Bears lakefront stadium: "It's the top tourist location in the state. This museum campus and green space that we have to open up along the lakefront is paramount. We need it anyway,” the mayor told reporters Tuesday. Crain’s Justin Laurence reports. — Amid deportation fears, hundreds of patients skip appointments at one Chicago health clinic, by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch — Chicago brewers fear Trump tariffs will hit Canadian suppliers: ‘I can’t see any good for us,’ by Block Club’s Mack Liederman — Shakira, Peso Pluma to headline Sueños Festival 2025: “The festival returns to Chicago’s Grant Park over Memorial Day Weekend, with tickets on sale Thursday,” by WBEZ’s Morgan Ciocca.   A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association:   COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark drops out of race for Thornton Township supervisor: “Clark said the challenges facing Harvey, including $165 million of debt, demand his full attention, leading him to drop out of the township race,” by the Daily Southtown’s Olivia Stevens. — Dolton employees are without life insurance after premiums go unpaid; Mayor Tiffany Henyard skips meeting, by the Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan — Naperville council candidates weigh in on electricity contract, sustainability efforts at NEST forum, by the Naperville Sun’s Tess Kenny HIGHER-ED — Northwestern University under investigation by Education Department for ‘antisemitic harassment: The U.S. The Education Department is investigating Northwestern and four other schools for what the federal agency is calling “widespread antisemitic harassment” after mass student protests that broke out last spring against the Israel-Hamas war, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman. — More Illinois colleges are offering full tuition scholarships. Are they too good to be true? By Northern Public Radio’s Peter Medlin TAKING NAMES — Akash Vyas, assistant chief counsel with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Reappointed to the commission are: John Kim, who is associate general counsel for Edward Jones; Cook County Judge Bonita Coleman; Taft partner John F. Kennedy and Thompson Coburn partner Kurt E. Reitz.   A new era in Washington calls for sharper insights. Get faster policy scoops, more congressional coverage, and a re-imagined newsletter under the leadership of Jack Blanchard. Subscribe to our Playbook Newsletter today.     Reader Digest We asked what government department needs shaking up. Mike Gascoigne: “On the state level, improvements could be (and maybe have been) made to the Department of Employment Security. I'm still a little bitter that they denied me unemployment when I got fired.” Mark Heffington: “Start with the U.S. Department of Education and work through a long list.” Charles Keller: “Department of Education, EPA, USAID, IRS and any other department DOGE wants to delete.” Kevin Kious: “The Department of ‘Defense.’” Jason Liechty: “DOGE: a fake department, operating illegally, that has obtained terrifying access to the federal government's most sensitive information.” Matthew McLoughlin: “Easy: DOGE.” Joan Pederson: “Department of Homeland Security: once-distinct parts flung together as part of the War on Terror, and just as unmanageable and unaccountable.” Dennis Rendleman: “DOGE.” Next question: What is a simple habit you adopted that’s changed your life? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump says U.S. will ‘take over the Gaza Strip,’ by POLITICO’s Eli Stokols — Mass deportations haven’t arrived but Trump’s PR blitz has, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward and Jessica Piper — 37 ways Project 2025 has shown up in Trump’s executive orders, via POLITICO — ‘They’ve done their homework': The unexpected power of Musk’s digital assault on Washington, by POLITICO’s Derek Robertson TRANSITIONS — Erin Harkey will be CEO of Americans For the Arts. She was commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the city of Chicago. — Dr. Travis Gayles has been named CEO of Howard Brown: “Gayles was chief health officer at Hazel Health, a school-based telehealth provider. He’s also served as a public health official in Maryland and the District of Columbia,” by the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker.   A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association: The retail sector touches every aspect of life in Illinois. A recent economic study commissioned by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) detailed the depth and breadth of the industry's impact. The retail sector is the state's largest private sector employer, with 1.3 million people working in retail – representing one out of every four workers in Illinois. Additionally, retail delivers a total economic impact of $441 billion annually, with $195 billion in direct sales and $246 billion in indirect sales. Retail helps generate $7.3 billion income and sales tax revenue each year, which supports public safety, infrastructure, education and other important programs. All told, retail is the second largest revenue generator for the State of Illinois and the largest revenue generator for local governments. Success for Illinois is directly tied to a thriving retail industry. Learn more about the economic study and IRMA's role in advocating for the retail industry.   EVENTS — Friday: Environmental expert Michael Tiboris and Tribune environment reporter Michael Hawthorne address Chicago’s lead pipe problem ats a University of Chicago Institute of Politics forum. Details here TRIVIA TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak once said “I didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but I came as soon as I could!” He was responding to William "Big Bill" Thompson, who was with the Irish power structure, who made an ethnic slur about Cermak's name. TODAY’s QUESTION: Where and when did the Beatles first perform in Chicago? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Outgoing DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, Senate Dems Director of Operations  Reena Tandon, RubyRose Strategies founder DeRondal Bevly, photographer Suzette Bross Bulley, reform activist Lowell Jaffe and Regal Rexnord content leader Hannah Alani. -30-   Follow us on Twitter Shia Kapos @shiakapos   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

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