| | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Presented by Illinois Retail Merchants Association | TGIF, Illinois. It’s been a week, and we’re here to make sense of it. BUT FIRST: A Note to Our Readers from POLITICO's CEO and Editor-in-Chief POLITICO has been the subject of debate on X this week. Some of it has been misinformed, and some of it has been flat-out false. Let’s set the record straight. POLITICO is a privately owned company. We have never received any government funding — no subsidies, no grants, no handouts. Not one dime, ever, in 18 years. Millions of people around the world read our journalism on POLITICO.com,POLITICO.EU and in newsletters like this one. It is supported by advertising and sponsorships. POLITICO Pro is different. It is a professional subscription service used by companies, organizations and, yes, some government agencies. They subscribe because it makes them better at their jobs — helping them track policy, legislation and regulations in real-time with news, intelligence and a suite of data products. At its core, POLITICO Pro is about transparency and accountability: Shining a light on the work of the agencies, regulators and policymakers throughout our vast federal government. Businesses and entities within the government find it useful as they navigate the chaotic regulatory and legislative landscape. It’s that simple. Most POLITICO Pro subscribers are in the private sector. They come from across the ideological spectrum and subscribe for one reason: value. And 90 percent renew every year because they rely on our reporting, data and insights. Government agencies that subscribe do so through standard public procurement processes — just like any other tool they buy to work smarter and be more efficient. This is not funding. It is a transaction — just as the government buys research, equipment, software and industry reports. Some online voices are deliberately spreading falsehoods. Let’s be clear: POLITICO has no financial dependence on the government and no hidden agenda. We cover politics and policy — that’s our job. We are so proud of our journalists and so proud of the connection we have with you, our readers. We stand by our work, our values and our commitment to transparency, accountability and efficiency — the same principles that drive great journalism and great business. Now, back to work. Goli Sheikholeslami and John Harris
|  | TOP TALKER | | SHOCK AND AWE: President Donald Trump’s Justice Department filed suit Thursday against Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for allegedly interfering with mass deportation efforts, prompting the governor to say he’d see them in court. The state’s sanctuary status is “making it more difficult for, and deliberately impeding, federal immigration officers’ ability to carry out their responsibilities,” the federal lawsuit states. POLITICO’s story is here. In a comment, Pritzker pointed to the state’s TRUST Act, which prohibits local officers from helping with immigration enforcement. Illinois, he wrote in a statement, “has always been compliant with federal law and still is today.” “Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law,” Pritzker said. “Illinois will defend our laws that prioritize police resources for fighting crime while enabling state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals. Instead of working with us to support law enforcement, the Trump administration is making it more difficult to protect the public, just like they did when Trump pardoned the convicted January 6 violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court.” Johnson also defended his city’s “welcoming city” status, while others, like the more conservative Ald. Raymond Lopez, suggested the mayor’s unwillingness to waver on the issue means long-term undocumented residents could be at risk of being deported. Elected officials on both sides of the issue respond, via the Sun-Times. The full lawsuit is here. RELATED AT THE HIDEOUT: Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said he wasn’t surprised by the DOJ lawsuit given Trump’s track record. “We saw what the first four years looked like. A lot of things he’s attempting to do we’ve seen before … court cases and lawsuits that the administration actually lost,” he said during a Playbook Live interview. Roberson has been tapped by the mayor to oversee a working group preparing for Trump actions that could affect the city. “You have to be prepared. But it’s hard to do that when you have someone who doesn’t abide by the rule of law, who doesn't abide by the Constitution," he said. Roberson compared the moment to the scene in “The Untouchables” when Al Capone is described as someone who doesn’t play by the rules. More from NBC 5 Trump, Musk move to oust EPA staff in the Great Lakes region, including dozens responsible for protecting drinking water, by the Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne
| | THE BUZZ | | SUPER BILL: Illinois state Rep. Bob Morgan, a Democrat from Deerfield, has introduced ‘The BEARS Act,” which would tie public funding for stadiums to team performance. “Da Bears Stadium Oversight Act,” HB2969, “is designed to establish a merit-based framework for determining when tax dollars can be used for public funding of sports stadiums, based on the performance of the teams,” according to Morgan. RELATED Virginia Halas McCaskey, longtime Bears owner and matriarch, has died. She was 102. WGN 9’s Michael Johnson and Eli Ong report. COLUMN: Virginia McCaskey earned the respect and admiration of Chicago Bears fans — because she was one of them, by the Tribune’s Paul Sullivan
| | | | 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 | | On the West Side to announce new investments and jobs — At the Pace South Campus in Markham at noon to announce new grants for electric public transit buses
| | 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 | | — How DOGE: Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin is urging the General Assembly to establish the Illinois Government Efficiency Caucus — a bipartisan initiative “aimed at eliminating wasteful spending and demanding greater accountability in state government,” he announced. — Judge declines to extend ‘swipe fee’ injunction to credit card companies: “Ruling grants injunctions to national and out-of-state banks, denies it for Illinois banks,” by Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski. — Illinois SEIU passes resolution declaring itself ‘under attack’ by CTU, via the Tribune — Illinois lawmakers try again to ban certain food additives, by Lily Carey and Medill Illinois News Bureau
| | CHICAGO | | — Cultural commissioner criticized for leaving ‘void,’ faces bullying allegations: “There’s not a sense of vision, there’s not a sense of leadership that helps us understand how to navigate what is a very difficult terrain,” says a member of the Cultural Advisory Council, which advises the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on cultural programs and policies, by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan. — The promises and pitfalls of quantum computing in Chicago: “Developers promise a quantum hub will bring good paying jobs to South Chicago and revitalize the community. The state is investing hundreds of millions. But some wonder if a commercial quantum computer can even be built and if the jobs will really be for South Siders,” by Illinois Answers Project’s Binghui Huang. — Chicago Teachers Union rejects neutral arbitrator recommendations for a new contract, by Chalkbeat’s Mila Koumpilova and Reema Amin — CPS needs an educator as its leader, says School Board member Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith, by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp — Save A Lot grocery stores' struggles threaten hopes for Chicago food deserts, by the Sun-Times’ Mariah Rush and Lauren FitzPatrick — Citadel to leave namesake Chicago tower as employees relocate, by Bloomberg’s Miranda Davis
| | | | A message from Illinois Retail Merchants Association:  
| | | | | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — In Evanston, 6th District aldermanic candidate Candance Chow is urging the Evanston City Council to follow the City of Chicago’s lead by banning elected officials from lobbying on behalf of any private client. Why it’s interesting: Chow faces incumbent Ald. Tom Suffredin — who lobbies in Springfield. Suffredin says he follows all the applicable laws and regulations as a lobbyist and elected official. — Judge asked to allow Highland Park parade shooting victims who testify to watch trial of alleged shooter, by the Lake County News-Sun’s Clifford Ward
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Lawsuit alleges UI Health stopped gender-affirming care for teen after Trump executive order: “Part of the nationwide suit against the order alleges that a 17–year-old Illinois boy had been given a date for chest surgery at UI Health, only for it to be canceled one day after Trump’s order,” by the Sun-Times’ Violet Miller.
| | SPOTTED | | — A fundraiser for City Clerk Anna Valencia drew a crowd at Salon 61. Attendees included former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Vice Mayor Walter Burnett, Alds. Michelle Harris, Jason Ervin, Bennett Lawson and Will Hall, MWRD President Kari Steele, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and business leaders Trish Rooney and Jerrod Melman.
| | | | 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 about your Super Bowl traditions. Rosemary Clark: “Super Bowl Sunday is a good day to shop at big box stores since so many people are at home watching the game.” Daniel Goldwin: “Every year I say to myself, ‘Next year will be the Buffalo Bills’ year!’” Paul Kendrick: “Serve foods from each of the two cities represented. But while it’s delicious, I’m awfully tired of Kansas City BBQ!” Jim Lyons: “I check my numbers in any pool I am in. I ran them in my parents’ tavern, so it’s force of habit.” Ed Mazur: “At halftime, we watch a replay of the Super Bowl Shuffle with the 1985 Chicago Bears.” Bob Heuer: “I host a ‘Bud Bowl’ party for a small group of cultural contrarians to watch the commercials. Started in the 1980s. Provided five tips for throwing a Bud Bowl party in this Chicago Reader story.” Next question: If you had a late-night talk show, who would you invite as your first guest? Email skapos@politico.com
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Tammy Duckworth has joined in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act that would create a statutory right to obtain and use contraceptives and ensure health care providers have a right to provide contraceptives and share information about contraception. Last June, Senate Republicans blocked the bill in the Senate. — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) has written a letter to the White House urging the president to address rising grocery costs in Illinois. In the letter, Krishnamoorthi urged Trump to act in response to the spread of avian flu and food recalls related to E. coli, listeria and salmonella — all key factors driving up egg prices nationwide. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) has re-introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for veterans to access the benefits they’ve earned. The Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to eliminate overcomplicated language from written communications with veterans.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s exit plan for federal employees, by POLITICO’s Nick Niedzwiadek — After Trump’s remarks on Gaza, some in Dearborn, Michigan ‘think we screwed up,’ by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton — Vought wants to dismantle the ‘deep state.’ As he takes office, it’s already happening, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Sydney Corryn Holman is now senior principal with Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies. She was deputy mayor of Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Chicago.
| | | | 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 | | — Wednesday: A City Club luncheon panel discussion on “Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump's Early Days in Office” featuring Equality Illinois’ Brian Johnson, Illinois Environmental Council’s Jen Walling, The Chicago Community Trust’s Sylvia Garcia and the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Mary Meg McCarthy. Details here — Thursday: A City Club dinner discussion with former border and customs Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske about recent immigration changes. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Janet Mathis for correctly answering that the first NCAA Men's Division Basketball Championship game in 1939 was held in the old Patten Gymnasium on Northwestern University’s campus in Evanston. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who is credited with creating the world’s first brownies? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, Durbin Director of Communications Emily Hampsten, Skokie mayoral candidate Ann Tennes, philanthropist Maureen Dwyer Smith, Hellenic American Leadership Council Executive Director Endy Zemenides, political consultant Wallace Gator Bradley and Informa Markets Senior Editor Bruce Blythe. Saturday: Druker, Yadgir & Haupt founding partner Henry Haupt, Illinois Automobile Dealers Association Executive Director Joe McMahon, former Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman, CPA Peter Gariepy, Salesforce Studios VP Matt Jaffe and Community Media Workshop co-founder Thom Clark. Sunday: Illinois Secretary of State Chief Deputy of Administrative Operations Aimee Pine, lobbyist Scott Marquardt, attorney Karen Anderson and public affairs consultant Alejandra “Ale” Moran. -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 | | | |
