| | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Enjoy the weekend and the warmer temps
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul talks to reporters during a Democratic attorneys general conference in Los Angeles on Feb. 11, 2025. | Damian Dovarganes/AP | SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul liked what he heard from Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address about fighting tyranny. “But we should be investing in fighting tyranny, too,” Raoul told your Playbook host after the speech. Raoul has been front and center in filing lawsuits on behalf of Illinois against the Trump administration and what he sees as unlawful federal actions. He’s not alone, often filing with other Democratic state attorneys general. It’s required extra staffing and longer hours, and it's put a strain on the office, Raoul said. He’s not the only one to ask. California lawmakers recently approved apportioning $25 million for the state Justice Department to fight the federal government in court. Maryland and the state of Washington have approved similar funding measures. No word yet on whether lawmakers will push to add such funding in the Illinois budget. Raoul is making the ask. “It costs to be able to continue the fight that we've been engaged in and continue to do everything else that we do,” he said, standing along the Brass Rail at the state Capitol. The Illinois AG’s budget is fueled in part by proceeds from litigation that it successfully handles, but it also receives state funding. “For every dollar that we've received from the state's general revenue fund, we've returned $22,” Raoul said. "So, I would probably argue we're the best investment that the state has.” RELATED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR: During Black History Month, House lawmakers are taking time each session day to speak about significant African American figures in a range of industries. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch was surprised Thursday when he was the one to receive recognition. Leader Kam Buckner wanted to surprise Welch with the honor, so staffers told the speaker he was needed on the floor for a group photo — without telling him about the resolution. Welch became emotional during the presentation. "You guys got me today," Welch told the lawmakers. "I love you all."
| | THE BUZZ | | A NEW POLL commissioned by Gov. JB Pritzker shows President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, dubbed “co-presidents,” aren’t popular with Illinois voters. And a majority of respondents find the Trump administration’s efforts to revamp government “extremely concerning.” Flooding the zone: The survey was released a day after the governor gave a State of the State and Budget Address that drew parallels between the Trump administration’s actions and those of Nazi Germany. The Global Strategy Group conducted the poll Feb. 5 through 9, interviewing 800 “likely 2026 voters.” The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The full polling memo is here. Some take-aways: 56 percent of voters polled view Trump unfavorably, and 56 percent few Musk negatively. No surprise: Democrats dislike the D.C. duo more than Republicans do, according to the poll. And respondents aren’t thrilled about some of Trump’s executive actions, either. Asked for their views on ending an initiative to lower the cost of prescription drugs, 57 percent of respondents said they were “extremely concerned.” The polling results explain Pritzker’s focus on prescription drug costs. In his address, Pritzker introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability Act and said lowering costs is a priority for the budget. If you are Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | 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 WEST WING PLAYBOOK 2.0: One month in, it’s clear that Donald Trump’s second term is reshaping Washington in ways unseen since the New Deal. To track this seismic shift, we’ve relaunched West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government. Washington, remade: This new daily briefing will deliver blow-by-blow updates on Trump’s far-reaching efforts to overhaul federal agencies. From the actions of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to the strategy being carried out by the Office of Management and Budget under Russ Vought and the resulting conflicts playing out in the courts and Capitol Hill, our reporters will be your guide to the unprecedented disruption hitting Washington. Sign up now to get it delivered straight to your inbox.
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — U.S. attorney for southern Illinois court removed by Trump, chief judge confirms: “The move was made Monday under the Vacancies Reform Act, which allows removal of officials that are appointed by the White House,” by the Belleville News-Democrat’s Carolyn P. Smith — State regulators order Peoples Gas to finish pipeline replacement by 2035, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick — Not everyone needs a Real ID at May deadline — or possibly ever, via NBC 5 — Combating human trafficking: “Springfield’s recent closures of Asian massage parlors highlight a larger problem,” by the Illinois Times’ Dean Olsen. — OPINION: Don’t import California’s shortsighted insurance regulation policies, writes Lynne McChristian, a risk management expert from U. of I., in the Tribune
| | CHICAGO | | — Ald. Matt Martin introduces plan to punish Chicago city employees and officers for having extremist ties: “The proposal follows growing calls for the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire cops with ties to extremist groups,” by WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg and the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba. — The back scenes drama that led Andrea Kersten to quit COPA, the agency that investigates Chicago police misconduct: “There was a threatened no-confidence vote by a city oversight panel that could have led to her being fired as chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability,” by the Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba. — Amid heated debate, city agency endorses 'framework' to change zoning on Broadway, by the Sun-Times’ David Roeder — Chicago Columbus statues could return as city faces art controversy, via Fox 32 — Hundreds of vacant lots in Chicago to be sold after landlords’ bankruptcy, opening up opportunities for redevelopment, by the Tribune’s Brian Rogal — After receiving a grant, Heartland Alliance Health is staying open, reversing a decision to close its clinics and pantries, by the Block Club’s Madison Savedra — At the Obama Center: Peach’s Chef Cliff Rome is tapped to run food services with Bon Appétit, by the Block Club’s Maxwell Evans
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — In Cicero's primary, longtime Town President Larry Dominick faces a stiff challenge from Esteban Rodriguez: “Dominick — who has served as town president since May 2005 and last ran uncontested in 2021 — has focused his policies largely on public safety. Rodriguez stepped down in January as executive director of Corazón Community Services, a Cicero-based nonprofit,” by the Sun-Times’ Violet Miller. — BUSINESS OF POLITICS: Restraining order sought to block 26th Senate appointment amid legal fight, by the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — With federal funds frozen, a 1,300-acre restoration project comes to an abrupt stop at Midewin — Chicago region’s largest natural area, by WTTW’s Patty Wetli
| | DAY IN COURT | | — Judge: Victims of Highland Park shooting can be present during testimony: “Judges typically bar potential witnesses from sitting in on a trial until after they’ve testified. But Judge Victoria Rossetti referenced the Illinois Crime Victims Bill of Rights, which grants victims the “right to be present at the trial,” by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello. — Former Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski set to be sentenced for extortion in June: “Tobolski told a judge in September 2020 that he’d engaged in multiple extortion and bribery schemes, accepting more than $250,000 in payments “as part of criminal activity that involved more than five participants,’” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked who you admired for standing their ground. Dan Balanoff: “Ann Williams voted against the speed cameras in her first term as a state representative, which was supported by Mike Madigan. Brendan Reilly kept Grant Park free and clear in his first term when he fought off Mayor Daley's push to move the children's hospital there.” Mike Gascoigne: “Bernie Sanders. He fights for the people every time.” Lucas Hawley: “Sen. Rand Paul and Congressman Thomas Massie.” Mike Kohr: “FDR, JFK, RFK, MLK, Cesar Chavez, BHO.” Marilynn Miller: “Abraham Lincoln was determined to keep the union together, and Barack Obama was determined to pass health care legislation.” Kim Morton: “Adam Kinzinger.” Kathy Posner: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg for standing her ground on gender equality and civil rights.” Brent Pruim: “Barbara Lee, one of the many Cassandras of our time.” Dennis Rendleman: “After Wednesday’s speech, Gov. Pritzker. Before that, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and long before them, Gov. John Peter Altgeld.” Mark Rosenberg: “Liz Cheney.” Scott Simon: “Liz Cheney. Mitt Romney. Bill Maher.” Dale Swanson: “Muhammad Ali! He chose to go to jail during the Vietnam War, at the height of his professional athletic career, rather than support a country that didn't support him.” Corrine Ann Williams: "Nikki Haley,” who once responded to a Trump administration official suggesting she suffered “momentary confusion” by saying, “With all due respect, I don't get confused." Next question: What athletic sport best builds political character? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Democrats make a subtle case against Trump on the economy, by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton — The private GOP panic over the slash-and-burn DOGE firings, by POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill — First wave of White House firings at the FAA were employees who play important roles in air safety, by POLITICO’s Oriana Pawlyk and Sam Ogozalek
| | TRANSITIONS | | — Thomas Falcigno is now comms director and senior adviser for Texas Rep. Julie Johnson. He was comms director for Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17). — Katrina Baugh is now an Illinois policy consultant with FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums). She was a community organizer with The People’s Lobby.
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Morris for correctly answering that Rockford is called “screw city” because it was known as a manufacturing center for fasteners, bolts and screws. The nickname became popular during World War I and the Cold War when the U.S. government contracted the city to produce war machinery and fasteners. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the state of Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: State Rep. Theresa Mah, Chicago Ald. David Moore, Chicago Ald. Lamont Robinson Jr., former Congressman John Shimkus, former Congressman Phil Hare, former Urbana mayor and former state Rep. Laurel Prussing, former Highland Park Councilman Daniel Kaufman, attorney Steve Smith, Illinois Municipal League Legislative Affairs Manager Sarah Doerr, Tribune political reporter Ray Long, PR pro Lara Shipp Shiffman, former Cubs outfielder Adam Greenberg and Capstone VP and former POLITICO Lucas Gomez-Acebo Saturday: Veteran political strategist David Axelrod, Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Lou Sandoval, Choose Chicago’s VP of neighborhood strategy Robert Fojtik, attorney Elliot Regenstein, restaurateur Rich Ciota, restaurant matriarch Connie Damico and PR pro Rob. Walton Sunday: Joyce Foundation's Education and Economic Mobility Program Director Stephanie Banchero, “American Pharaoh” author Elizabeth Taylor, The Conference Board’s Chief Marketing Officer Wendi Taylor Nations, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s Chief Speechwriter Ziya Smallens, Illinois Labor Relations Board Local Panel Chair Lynne Sered, Cresset Capital Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Malkin, Better Government Association Public Policy VP Bryan Zarou, health care leader and educator Joseph Topinka and NewsNation Senior Booking Director Erenia Michell -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 | | | |
