| | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois. Don’t forget to change your clocks this weekend.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | 
Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Mike Bost are both from Illinois. | Associated Press photos | VA CARE UP IN THE AIR: Two Illinois members of Congress with outsized roles representing veterans are taking different tacks in responding to the seismic changes being made at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who served in combat as a helicopter pilot, signed on to a letter Thursday pushing back against laying off an additional 80,000 VA employees, saying it would “catastrophic for the agency; its workforce; and for the veterans, caregivers and survivors it serves.” Republican Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12), who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is on board with the cuts. Exclusive statement: “I know President Trump shares my desire to provide veterans and their families with the best possible services for the best dollar,” he said in a statement to Playbook. “When we’re talking about downsizing a federal bureaucracy that’s grown too large, we need to make sure the end goal is streamlining access without sacrificing benefits and quality of care. ... I’ve been in contact with VA Secretary Doug Collins and will work with the administration to protect the interests of our veterans, regardless of how, or whether, this plan evolves.” Bost took heat in The New York Times this week for not returning a call to veteran Jacob Bushno, who did two tours in Iraq and “was fired seven days shy of completing his one-year probationary period at the Forest Service.” “My mental health has been a roller coaster since this happened,” Bushno, who worked in the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, told The Times. Bost didn’t respond to Bushno, but Duckworth did, according to The Times. Other Republicans losing patience. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina voiced his irritation with the plan for cuts at the VA. “It’s political malpractice not to consult Congress if that’s what you intend to do,” he said. “Maybe, you’ve got a good reason to do it. I like Doug Collins — he’s a great guy. But we don’t need to be reading memos in the paper about 20 percent cut at the VA,” via POLITICO. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, who's also on the House veterans committee joined in a letter to the VA criticizing the planned cuts. RELATED Obama archive in Hoffman Estates had already planned to move to Maryland before appearing on DOGE list: “The 74,200-square-foot former Plunkett Furniture store at 2500 W. Golf Road was leased by the National Archives and Records Administration since the autumn of 2016,” by the Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson. Head of Small Business Administration closing Chicago office, citing 'sanctuary city' status, by the Sun-Times’ Amy Yee
| | THE BUZZ | | A POLITICAL PIVOT: Gavin Newsom suggested Democrats were wrong to allow transgender athletes to participate in female sports. It’s a position causing a rift in the Democratic Party that could serve as a flash point in the party’s 2028 primary. Our home page story is here. Within hours of Newsom's comment, some Illinois Democrats unloaded on the likely 2028 presidential contender. “It’s disgusting,” said Lori Lightfoot, the former Chicago mayor. “There are kids waking up today in California with this news thinking that their governor hates them.” On the issue of athletics, Lightfoot added, “It's complicated admittedly, but it's an issue that should be resolved on a sport-by-sport basis by sports authorities at the local level, not by politicians or [people] trying to climb the ladder.” Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson echoed Lightfoot, adding, “Trans folks are not the reason 6 million fewer voters turned out for the Democratic nominee in 2024 compared to 2020.” It was the economy, he said. Gov. JB Pritzker didn't respond to Newsom's trans comment, but last week, he appeared on "The View" addressing the issue broadly. "We've got to stand up for the most vulnerable people in our society. And to me, the Democratic Party has always stood for that,” said Pritzker, who’s also a name that pops up as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. “We need to make sure that we don't go down the rabbit holes that the Republicans set for us.” If you are Gavin Newsom, 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
| | BUSINESS OF POLITICS | | — SCOOP: Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced he’s running for another term. “I’m running for re-election. So let’s make some news here. I love this job. I love this work. And there’s more work to be done, so I’m going to be running,” he said during our event at the Hideout on Thursday night. — ENDORSEMENT: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss has been endorsed by Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul in his reelection bid. “From our time working closely together in the statehouse to his time as mayor, Daniel has always stood up for what’s right,” Raoul said in a statement. — Arlington Heights mayoral candidates disagree on urgency of redeveloping Arlington Park, by the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek — Jim Oberweis launches another bid for Congress — in Florida, by WGN’s Ben Bradley
| | THE STATEWIDES | | — Walgreens to be bought by private-equity firm Sycamore for $10B: “The deal, among the largest leveraged buyouts in the past decade, values Walgreens at about $23.7 billion, including debt. Walgreens said the transaction will leave it "better positioned" as a pharmacy, retail and health care company,” by Crain’s Katherine Davis. — Pritzker pushes proposal for Illinois to ban cellphones in classrooms, by ABC 7’s John Garcia — Hundreds rally at the Capitol to oppose homeschool bill, by Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker — Current flag wins state flag redesign vote, by UIS Public Affairs Reporting’s Bridgette Fox — High school student helps draft bill to require opioid overdose medications in Illinois libraries, by the Medill News Bureau’s Ismael Belkouraand
| | SPOTTED | | | 
The Women’s PINK reception was held at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield on Wednesday, March 6, 2025. | Photo provided | — The Women’s PINK reception celebrating Women’s History Month was hosted by Illinois first lady MK Pritzker and Lt Gov. Juliana Stratton at the Governor’s Mansion earlier this week. The event is organized by Liz Brown-Reeves, a longtime Springfield lobbyist. Spotted: Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford, House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, House Assistant Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, House Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez, Senate Majority Caucus Whip Cristina Castro, Senate Republican Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin, Deputy Govs. Bria Scudder and Grace Hou, ARC Strategies’ Jordan Abudayyeh and lobbyists Barbara Staples King, Stephanie Vojas Taylor, Sarah Kuhn and Brooke Kelly. And in attendance supporting their female colleagues: Illinois Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon.
| | CHICAGO | | — Amid Loop vacancies, Chicago's property tax burden shifts to neighborhoods, by the Sun-Times’ Tim Novak — ‘It’s more urgent now’: Protests have taken over Chicago, by the Tribune’s Carolyn Stein — City begins rehousing efforts for Gompers Park homeless encampment residents, by the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson — Chicago summer events line-up, via the Block Club’s Gwen Ihnat
| | TAKING NAMES | | — KUDOS: Sen. Dick Durbin is being honored by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation with its Wayne Whalen “Charity for All” Award honoring civic leadership. The award presentation will take place during the foundation’s Lincoln Leadership Prize event honoring actor Sam Waterston on April 21. That prize will be presented by Waterston’s friend, Sen. Angus King of Maine. Details here — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski received the Margaret Blackshere, Women in Leadership Award from the Illinois AFL-CIO on Wednesday at the organization's annual “Labor Salutes” awards ceremony. State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado and state Sen. Bill Cunningham also received honors. — Sonia Menon has been appointed board chair of the All Stars Project of Chicago, a nonprofit that helps young people in underserved communities. In her day job, Meno is COO of Neal Gerber Eisenberg law firm.
| | Reader Digest | | We asked what you like about Facebook (annoying as it may be). Lynne Chambers: “It keeps us connected in rural communities, and I enjoy watching my nephews mature and grow in real time.” Jimmy Dean: “It’s always nice to know who woke up at 3 a.m. to use the bathroom, or 4:15 a.m. when the dog wanted out.” Lucas Hawley: “It’s mostly family and friends versus strangers screaming on the internet. At least I know them in the end.” Ashvin Lad: “I use it as my personal journal, documenting what I did, where I was and the people I spent time with; and then reliving these memories every year on that date.” Dave Lundy: “I get the Zuck hatred, and sure they abuse our privacy like almost every other online purveyor, but Facebook remains the best way to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances who you would otherwise never pick up the phone to call or text.” Amy Masters: “Beyond staying connected with distant family and old friends, I appreciate how Facebook helps me find the names of friends' partners and/or kids when I need a quick reminder!” Andy Shaw: “The previously unavailable opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, feelings and pictures with friends, family and groups with similar interests.” Timothy Thomas: “The ability to easily stay connected (and re-connect) with people across the years and miles.” Next question: When did you forget to change your clocks? Email skapos@politico.com
| | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — Sex, drinking and dementia: 25 lawmakers spill on what Congress is really like, via POLITICO. — Kamala Harris gets serious about whether to run for California governor, by POLITICO’s Eugene Daniels and Christopher Cadelago — ‘Just do it’: Trump committed to dismantling Education Department as order looms, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — FUNERAL TODAY for Mary Carol Vanecko, sister of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. The funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago.
| | EVENTS | | — Saturday: Chicago’s International Women’s Day March starts with a rally at Daley Plaza. Register here
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur and Rick Bryant for correctly answering that, in 1970, Dust Commander became the first Illinois-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. TODAY’s QUESTION: How much money was Abraham Lincoln carrying in his wallet when he was murdered? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Former state Sen. Tim Bivins, C Strategies CEO Becky Carroll, JLC & Associates CEO Juan Calahorrano, retired state Rep. Judy Erwin, property developer George Kalogeras, InvestBev Chair Brian Rosen, MELD strategic comms founder Katie McCormick Lelyveld, comms specialist Hugo Balta and Bloomberg editor Lydia Mulvany Saturday: State Sen. Steve McClure, former Ald. Bob Fioretti, Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals member Judith Hamill, retired Chicago Police Lt. Gene Daly, former Lake County Board member Steve Carlson, PR pro Eileen Boyce, Hyde Park Hospitality CEO Marc Brooks, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace VP Evan Feigenbaum, public defender Aaron Goldstein, PepsiCo Corporate Citizenship Director Taylor Lustig, Northwestern adjunct professor Bob Rowley, MBA admissions consultant Beth Tidmarsh, analytics pro Ridgley Knapp, activist Kina Collins and JUF state Legislative Associate Jared Hoffman. Sunday: Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, philanthropist Sandra Guthman, campaigner Andrew Ellison, former Tribune Editor in Chief Bruce Dold and Cresco Labs Brand Marketing VP Sean Robberson -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 | | | |
