| | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Get your coffee and let me know what you think.
|  | TOP TALKER | | Nearly $2 billion in federal funding for Illinois has been cut off by the Trump administration, according to a letter from Gov. JB Pritzker, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and the Illinois Democratic congressional delegation. “These frozen funds impact programs that provide technical assistance for small businesses, provide affordable solar energy for low-income residents, improve roads and bridges and more,” the Illinois lawmakers said in their letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The full letter is here. The Illinois Democrats’ letter was made public after Pritzker made a whirlwind trip to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. He met with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to talk about federal cuts that are hitting Illinois, according to his office. Some departments not receiving funds, which total $1.88 billion, include Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, among others. In their letter, the Illinois Democrats have asked for answers about when the funding will resume and the steps that will be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again. The Illinois request came as a federal judge issued a long-term block on the Trump administration’s plan to freeze grants, loans and other payments across the country, saying the White House actions were “irrational, imprudent, and precipitated a nationwide crisis.” Also while he was in D.C., Pritzker headlined the Together for Democracy conference hosted by Democracy Forward at the National Press Club. His speech criticized Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk for claiming to address cost-savings but focusing instead on “cruelty. ... Their mission is to make people cynical and hopeless about government so they can consolidate power — at the expense of people, especially the most vulnerable,” Pritzker said. His full remarks are here. Pritzker has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and of Democrats who aren’t speaking out against the actions by Trump and Musk. “Let me be clear — when WE fail to speak up, when WE fail to fight, when WE stay silent because we’ve become so captive to institutional norms and rules of engagement that only ever apply to one side of the aisle — well that’s not on them — that’s on us,” Pritzker said at the Press Club. Also headlining the conference: Former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Wrapping up the day: Pritzker also stopped for a visit at the Australian Embassy and sat down with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
| | ELECTION RESULTS | | — LANDSLIDE: Jason House topples Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard in Tuesday’s municipal election: “With 100 percent of precincts reporting, House had nearly 88 percent of the vote, compared to Henyard’s 12 percent. It was a convincing defeat for Henyard, who had won 82 percent of the vote when she won the race for mayor in 2021,” by the Sun-Times’ Violet Miller. — In Aurora, it's a runoff as Mayor Richard Irvin, Ald. John Laesch lead in the mayoral primary, by the Aurora Beacon-News’ R. Christian Smith — In Cicero: Incumbent Mayor Larry Dominick defeats challenger Esteban Rodriguez, will serve 5th straight term, by WGN’s Dana Rebik and Ethan Illers If you are Pete Buttigieg, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | No official public events
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At City Hall presiding over a special City Council meeting
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | Donald Trump's unprecedented effort to reshape the federal government is consuming Washington. To track this seismic shift, we're relaunching one of our signature newsletters. Sign up to get West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government in your inbox. | | | | | | | THE STATEWIDES | | — Congressman Darin LaHood calls Trump policies a 'priority' as he opens search for new top federal prosecutor: “The Peoria Republican also noted that the Northern District of Illinois has gone more than 22 months without a confirmed U.S. attorney,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. From the Tribune: “A number of former Chicago federal prosecutors are already being considered. Among them: Andrew Boutros, now the co-chair of the government investigations and white collar group at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP; Jeffrey Cramer, senior litigation counsel at the Department of Justice; Paul Tzur, now a partner at Blank Rome LLP; and Mark Schneider, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis,” by Jason Meisner. — Abe’s house: There’s an effort to improve Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg, Ill. It’s where Abraham Lincoln lived in his 20s. Volunteers with the New Salem Lincoln League say the historic site has experienced “deterioration and neglect” and is working with state Sen. Steve McClure, who represents the New Salem and some surrounding Springfield area, on legislation to make needed repairs: Senate Bill 1417 would create the New Salem Preservation Commission to address repairs and improvements; Senate Bill 1496 would appropriate $5 million in state capital funds for site improvements and Senate Bill 1861 would create an exemption from the state Procurement Code for needed purchases. — Free test prep courses offered at all public universities in Illinois, by WIFR’s Anna Sieg — HOPE-FUL: Janice Jackson, CEO of the Hope Chicago education nonprofit, joined more than 50 students and families in Springfield on Tuesday to advocate for continued state funding for the program that helps young people — and their parents — enter college. They also had dinner with lawmakers, including state Reps. Harry Benton, Michael Crawford, Lisa Davis, Martha Deuter, Kimberly Du Buclet, Marcus Evans Jr., Gregg Johnson, Lindsey LaPointe, Theresa Mah, Justin Slaughter and Jawaharial "Omar" Williams and state Sen. Javier Cervantes.
| | CHICAGO | | — Mayor Johnson tightens CPS language, stands pat on $830M infrastructure bond on eve of showdown vote: “This is not a payday loan” Mayor Brandon Johnson declared Tuesday in discussing his $830 million bond issue, up for City Council approval Wednesday, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman — Johnson warns he will need to dip into reserves unless school board approves pension payment, borrowing, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Nell Salzman — Chicago arts leaders say city ‘must’ act in response to federal cuts, by WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers — Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez’s office kicks reporter out of a meeting about a controversial bar reopening, by the Block Club’s Francia Garcia Hernandez. The alderman responded on Instagram. — CTU leaders file motion to quash subpoena for their texts, depositions, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman — Column: As The New Yorker marks 100 years, reflecting on Chicago’s many nicknames, by the Tribune’s Rick Kogan
| | DAY IN COURT | | — ‘He’s killing my baby’: Palestinian American boy’s mother testifies at hate crime murder trial, by the Tribune’s Michelle Mullins — More jurors seated for Highland Park suspect’s trial, as judge issues warning to media against identifying prospective jurors, by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello
| | SPOTLIGHT | | Two jets appeared to nearly collide at Midway Airport on Tuesday, prompting federal authorities to investigate the incident. It also ignited criticism from Illinois lawmakers who worry that the close call could have been a result of job cuts made by the Trump administration. “I’ll be pressing for a full investigation to keep our skies and airports safe. This is why cuts to FAA are dangerous,” said Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) in a post. Southwest Airlines pilot's fast action averts disaster at Midway Airport: “Uh, how’d that happen?” by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn, Rosemary Sobol and Emmanuel Camarillo
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Don Tracy clears his name: “Illinois executive inspector general previously cited the former Illinois GOP chair for prohibited political activity,” by the Illinois Times’ Scott Reeder. — State Rep. Bob Rita was named the Illinois Association of Park Districts “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” at the group’s recent conference in Chicago. — Mark Denzler, the president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, has been named to the board of the National Association of Manufacturers.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked whether the $7.25 federal minimum wage should be raised. Eli Brottman: “Yes, of course. This is a matter of basic decency, people have the right to earn a living wage.” Peter Creticos: “The federal minimum wage should be increased in phases to $17 and indexed annually afterward.” Michael Gascoigne: “Yes. Living wage now!” Charles Keller: “There should be no minimum wage. Competition for jobs should drive the wage.” Dave Lundy: “Way, way, way overdue. Yes.” Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg: “There is nowhere in the country that someone can live comfortably working full time at the federal minimum wage.” Next question: What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? Email skapos@politico.com
| | NONPROFIT NEWS | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Linda Xóchitl Tortolero has been named the next president and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum. The board of directors is set to announce the move today. Tortolero starts April 21, succeeding Sylvia Puente, who led the forum for more than 16 years. Tortolero is now the president and CEO of Chicago-based Mujeres Latinas en Acción, the longest standing Latina organization in the country. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Alexa James is leaving NAMI Chicago — the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago. James has been with the alliance for a decade and is credited with transforming it from a two-person effort to a 120-member team that operates Chicago’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. James, who’s staying with the organization through the summer, also helped land a $3.1 million annual grant from Cook County to grow its Helpline.
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — House approves ‘big, beautiful bill’ budget after wild whip effort, by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus and Meredith Lee Hill — Voters might like tariffs, but not on Canada and Mexico, new poll finds, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper — DOGE is turning into a Democratic candidate recruitment tool, by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider — State Department officials pushing to release more frozen Ukraine funds, via POLITICO — Wheaton College in political, religious crosshairs over congratulating Trump appointee, by the Daily Herald’s Susan Sarkauskas
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Katrina Shankland, a former Wisconsin state representative, has been named executive director for Rust Belt Rising, a Midwest political organization that trains Democrats and provides research and programs to rising leaders in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. — Frank Favia is now a partner in Mayer Brown’s litigation and dispute resolution group. He joins from Sidley Austin. — Patrick Schweska is now general counsel for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. He had led public policy and advocacy efforts across multiple states for Amazon Web Services and Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling and was deputy director of intergovernmental affairs for the City of Chicago. — Emily Garrison is now a partner at Morgan Lewis in its insurance recovery practice in Chicago and was previously a partner at Honigman. — Genevieve LeFevour is now a shareholder at Buchalter’s labor and employment and litigation practice in Chicago. She was a partner at Thompson Coburn.
| | EVENTS | | — Tonight: Chicago Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) will be feted at a fundraising party at Moe’s Cantina. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Conlon and Andy Shaw for correctly answering that Mayor Anton Cermak was shot and died after an assassination attempt on President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His last words were reportedly, “I'm glad it was me instead of you." TODAY’s QUESTION: Which Illinois university was the first in the country to train women to teach kindergarten? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Ald. Daniel La Spata, former state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, Aurora aldermanic chief of staff Rich Jacobs, Decennial Group partner Malcolm Weems, Newberg Group CEO Suzy Brown, C1 Revolution's Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu and 17th Ward community activist Carlton Hull -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 | | | |
