| | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | Happy Tuesday, Illinois. ��We’re deep in the deep freeze, but warm temps are in sight.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin oversees a City Council meeting after announcing his run for governor in 2022. | Shia Kapos | FAMILIAR NAME: Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is back on the political scene, facing a primary next week as he seeks his third term. It’s a nonpartisan contest, but because Irvin ran as a Republican in a high-profile race for governor a few years ago, all the oppo research that came to light during that 2022 statewide race has become fodder during the mayor’s race. Irvin says he’s not bothered by the scrutiny, having already weathered it through the governor’s race. “These days, when you run for office — and I've dealt with it every four years since 2017 — you know your opponents and those detractors are going to throw every piece of mud at you that they possibly can,” Irvin said in an interview with Playbook. “But, as mayor, I have a thousand decisions to make. I might get 10 of those decisions wrong, and my opponent will focus only on those 10 things. But there are 990 things I got right.” Hot-button issues: In the governor’s race, Irvin avoided talking about whether he voted for Donald Trump in 2016, and he side-stepped questions about his views on abortion — issues that created a wedge within the Republican Party. Irvin ultimately came in third in the contest that saw conservative former state Sen. Darren Bailey move to the General Election, only to lose to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. What voters care about: Irvin says the Aurora residents he talks to care more about “results over the last eight years” than they do about national political debates. “The small-minded opponents of mine and detractors are always going to want to focus on the things that make me look human — and no human is perfect, but I'll always focus on those things that show that I've been a good mayor,” he said, ticking off Hollywood Casino Aurora, redevelopment of the old Copley Hospital and a downtown that’s been “brought back to life." Irvin needs more than 50 percent of the vote next week to win the primary outright. Short of that, the top two vote-getters will head to a final race in April. Irvin faces competition from Ted Mesiacos, an Aurora alderman who was just endorsed by Sen. Dick Durbin and Congressman Bill Foster. Also running are Aurora Ald. John Laesch, attorney and former Aurora Ald. Judd Lofchie and Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Karina Garcia. Another candidate, Jazmine Garcia, dropped out of the race over the weekend and threw her support to Laesch, reports the Daily Herald’s Susan Sarkauskas.
| | THE BUZZ | | | 
Illinois Democrats projected an image on the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. | Illinois Democratic Party | TROLLING TRUMP: The Illinois Democratic Party has been trolling President Donald Trump by projecting digital phrases onto the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago’s River North neighborhood and a stream of online messaging. Taking swipes: The phrases “EGGS ARE STILL EXPENSIVE” and “TRUMP & ELON PROFIT. YOU LOSE” were projected onto Trump’s River North hotel last week. Pic! “We have this big, glaring symbol of Trump in our hometown that thousands of Chicagoans drive by every day. We used Trump tower as a canvas to remind Illinois how dangerous and disastrous the administration is shaping up to be,” Ben Hardin, the executive director of the party told Playbook. Illinois Democrats rented a room across the river from Trump Tower at London House Chicago to project their messages. They similarly blasted messages onto Trump Tower from the neighboring Royal Sonesta Chicago hotel during the Democratic National Convention last year. There’s more: The Democrats’ digital action comes as the party has also ramped up its email messaging with its daily “Trump Tax Watch” calling out issues related to the economy, including tariffs and the price of eggs. Sounds familiar: The email campaign is reminiscent of the party’s daily jabs at former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. “It’s a bit of a parallel,” Hardin said. “We have this out of control executive that is fighting against the will of his constituents and in doing so with a potentially disastrous outcome.” If you are Bruce Rauner, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
| | WHERE'S JB | | Schedule not available
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | At Soldier field at 10:30 a.m. with the Chicago Sports Commission for an International Rugby Match announcement
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
| | | | With a new administration in place, how will governors work with the federal government and continue to lead the way on issues like AI, health care, economic development, education, energy and climate? Hear from Gov. Jared Polis, Gov. Brian Kemp and more at POLITICO's Governors Summit on February 20. RSVP today. | | | | | | | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — Barrington Hills Trustee Darby Hills to fill Dan McConchie’s seat representing Illinois’ 26th Senate District, by the Daily Herald’s Madhu Krishnamurthy — Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham’s campaign took $40K contribution from imprisoned former Ald. Ed Burke’s political committee, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — INTRIGUE | ComEd defendants: Trump order means case with Madigan ties should be put on hold: “Defense attorneys are pointing to a Feb. 10 executive order from President Donald Trump pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The president’s order says the law’s use has been “stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States,’” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel. — Quinn calls on Pritzker to push ethics reforms after Madigan conviction: Former Gov. Pat Quinn urged Gov. JB Pritzker to establish a new version of the Illinois Reform Commission, “a panel Quinn created when he became governor after the 2009 impeachment and ouster of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich over a series of alleged shakedowns that ultimately led to Blagojevich being sentenced to 14 years in prison,” by the Tribune’s Ray Long. — RIPPLE EFFECT | Trump’s moves to end foreign aid agency hit close to home in Illinois: “Among the Illinois-based programs affected by Trump’s order to halt funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and other foreign aid programs are a lab at the University of Illinois’ flagship campus that works to establish soybean markets in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, a Chicago nonprofit’s work with victims of armed conflict and Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, and a project led by NORC at the University of Chicago working ‘to promote the use of evidence and data for decision-making’ in USAID-funded programs,” by the Tribune’s Dan Petrella. Chicago-area federal workers on edge as Trump guts agencies, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout Trump's tariffs raise alarms for Illinois farm industry, by the Sun-Times’ Amy Yee — An Illinois DOGE? Republican state Rep. John Cabello’s proposal would create a new department, by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky — Democratic AGs, including from Illinois, win second court ruling against Trump’s order on gender-affirming care, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein. — Illinois secession bill passes out of Indiana committee, but even supporters aren’t totally on board, by the Post-Tribune’s Alexandra Kukulka — The Illinois-Indiana political divide widens amid Trump 2.0, from immigration to DEI to LGBTQ rights, by the Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos — 54 Illinois employers are named to the Forbes best-employer list, by Peoria Journal Star’s Mike Kramer — State Rep. Adam Niemerg has been named Republican spokesman of the Illinois House Immigration and Human Rights Committee.
| | CHICAGO | | — City Council's resident dog lover tries again to protect animals from extreme-weather cruelty: “Ald. Ray Lopez hopes the third-time will be the charm for his twice-stalled ordinance strengthening Chicago’s animal cruelty ordinance to spell out what pet owners can and can’t do, particularly during cold and hot weather,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Cracks in a Sanctuary City: How immigration agents are making arrests based on local police data, via ABC 7 — Loop restaurants, caterers hope for boost from new return-to-office requirements, by the Tribune’s Peter Breen — END OF AN ERA: Chicago Stock Exchange is bound for Texas after 143 years in the city, by the Sun-Times’ David Roeder — OPINIONS: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to borrow $830 million goes before the City Council this week. Two high-profile Democratic leaders are voicing their opposition. Ald. Bill Conway calls the plan ‘reckless,’ via Tribune ... And State Comptroller Susana Mendoza calls it ‘tone-deaf,’ via the Sun-Times.
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Skokie businesses suffer Valentine's Day heartbreak of lost customers after water main break, by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn — Cook County explores Planned Parenthood partnership in Englewood, by the Tribune’s A.D. Quig — Cook County state’s attorney will no longer divert nonviolent gun cases to restorative justice courts, by WTTW’s Blair Paddock — Aurora pays tribute to Henry Pratt shooting victims, by the Daily Herald’s Katlyn Smith
| | TAKING NAMES | | — STUDY ABROAD: A group of Illinois judges and legal experts are in Argentina learning about the country’s legal system, human rights movements, Nazi war criminal prosecutions and the 1985 trial and conviction of military dictatorship leaders who killed or kidnapped up to 30,000 citizens. The group worked with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Chicago and Buenos Aires to plan the trip. Participants: 46th Ward Committeeperson Sean Tenner, judges Abbey Fishman Romanek, Matthew Jannusch, Jonathan Clark Green, Scott Tzinberg, Maria Kuriakos-Ciesil, James Shapiro, Divya Sarang, Kristal Rivers, Marita Sullivan and Michele Gemskie and retired judges Bill Raines and Deborah Gubin.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked what movie changed your way of thinking. Mike Gascoigne: “Sorry to Bother You” (2018). “I felt that it understands the world today.” Ayo George: “Margin Call” (2011). “A treasure trove of fascinating monologues.” Lucas Hawley: “The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas” (2008), a Holocaust historical drama. Charles Keller: “Idiocracy” (2006). Russell Lissau: Spike Lee's “Do the Right Thing” (1989). Terrance McGann: “‘To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). “Largely the reason I decided to become an attorney.” Mark Rosenberg: “Dr. Strangelove” (1964). Mike Matejka: "Casablanca” (1942). “Superb acting, romance and especially, the choice between idealism vs. cynicism.” John Straus: “‘Lawrence of Arabia” (1962). “It’s a history lesson on why there is no peace in the Middle East.” Next question: How do you embrace the Midwestern cold? Email skapos@politico.com
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — Sen. Dick Durbin and top Dems in Congress push back on proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid: “Illinois Democratic congressional delegation promises to stand up to Trump administration,” by ABC 7’s Craig Wall. — Congressman Darin LaHood says public should give Trump team a chance, via WBBM’s Craig Dellimore
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Next big test for House Democrats: A bill targeting sanctuary cities, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu and Myah Ward — Possible DOGE access to private taxpayer data sparks outcry, by POLITICO’s Toby Eckert and Megan Messerly — Mass resignations from Eric Adams’ administration spark chaos in NYC government, via POLITICO
| | EVENTS | | — March 26: New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd headlines an event at the Carnivale Restaurant for her new book, “Notorious.” Businessman and former state Sen. Bill Marovitz is the host along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Mercury Public Affairs’ Cheri Bustos, businesswoman Christie Hefner and women’s advocate Hedy Ratner. Details here
| | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Donovan Pepper for correctly answering that Earl Neal was the Chicago civic leader who became the first Black board chair of the University of Illinois. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the longest running Saturday Night Live cast member from Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Former Gov. Bruce Rauner, state Rep. Kevin Olickal, Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Board of Review Commissioner Larry R. Rogers Jr., attorney and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, former state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, former state Sen. Antonio “Tony” Munoz, former state Rep. Don Moffitt, 22nd Ward Constituent Services Director Cristy Calderon and Prairie Group Consulting Comms VP Marissa Gaines -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 | | | |
