Former Congressman Ray LaHood, left, and his son, current Congressman Darin LaHood, disagree on Trump administration tactics. | AP photo and congressional hearing screenshot.
SCOOP: Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency are pitting father and son Ray LaHood and Darin LaHood, both Republicans, against each other.
At issue: Ray LaHood, the former Illinois congressman who served as U.S. Transportation secretary, has signed on to a letter with 59 other former members of Congress urging congressional leaders to exercise constitutional powers to stop any one person from seizing control of the government.
“Even more alarming,” the letter continues, is that “these operatives have been granted direct access to federal payment systems, placing Social Security payments, military salaries and government disbursements under private influence.”
On the other side: Darin LaHood, the current congressman who represents the area around Peoria, declined to comment about the letter. But just last week he praised Donald Trump’s policies after hearing the president’s address to Congress. Trump and Republican lawmakers “are creating opportunities for all Americans,” LaHood said in a statement after the speech. “While there is still work to be done, I am confident that under President Trump, Republicans will continue to deliver a more prosperous and secure future for our nation.”
Tricky situation. Ray LaHood told Playbook he didn’t talk to his son about signing on to the bipartisan letter that is part of a broader initiative to support Article 1 in the Constitution — which spells out the role of the legislative branch.
Also putting their names to the letter are former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, both Illinois Democrats.
Drawing the line: In their letter, the former members of Congress don’t deny the government could use some belt-tightening. But they say there’s a limit: “Wasteful spending and burdensome bureaucracy can and should be addressed, but this is not the way to do it. Congress must not allow their constitutional authority to be usurped.”
Sen. Dick Durbin joined scientists, professors, students and others Friday to protest federal cuts that impact the science community, via WGN 9
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WHERE'S JB
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WHERE's BRANDON
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Where's Toni
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— AT THE MOVIES: “Young Mr. Lincoln ” about Abraham Lincoln’s early adult years from New Salem to Springfield, is ranked among the top 25 legal movies in a new list by the ABA Journal.
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
— Open seat: The United Neighbors of the 35th Ward met with candidates applying for Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa’s seat on the Chicago City Council as he heads off to become commissioner of the Chicago Park District on April 1. The group endorsed Anthony Quezada, currently a Cook County commissioner, over organizer Geary Yonker and entrepreneur Daniel Tobon. The appointment will be made by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Quezada’s support comes as a previous social media post has drawn scrutiny, via ABC 7’s Craig Hall.
— Documents show ‘allegation chart’ and ‘discrimination section’ in secret police probe: "Metra is keeping the report by outside consultants confidential, and that’s troubling some Illinois lawmakers. 'Metra owes the ratepayers, their riders and taxpayers an explanation on how they spent that $1.57 million,' state Sen. Laura Murphy said," by the Daily Herald's Marni Pyke
— Transportation hearing: State Sen Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is holding a subject matter hearing Tuesday in Chicago “to hear from advocates and stakeholders” about Senate Bill 5, which would combine public transit agencies under one umbrella, and Senate Bill 1938, which calls for improved coordination and accountability. Details here
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COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS
— Wirtz family’s proposed Ivanhoe Village has local officials feuding over fees: “The Wirtz family’s plan to develop Lake County land it has owned since the mid-19th century into a community of about 3,600 homes will have a big impact on the schools, roads and other services in the area, and planning for that impact has set off a feud between the local school districts and Mundelein village officials,” by Crain’s Dennis Rodkin.
— RECORD RUN: Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon says there’s been a surge in requests for vital records requests, including for birth certificates and marriage licenses, “a likely indicator of growing concerns among immigrant families and same-sex couples about threats to their legal protections,” according to a statement from her office. Gordon will address the issue today at a media event and also plans to announce she’s creating a new management position titled Deputy Clerk of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
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Learn more about how we're making medicine more affordable for all Americans.
TRANSITIONS
— Alicia Tate-Nadeau, first woman to lead state's disaster response, leaving post: “A former Illinois National Guard brigadier general, Alicia Tate-Nadeau was the first woman to lead the state agency. In 2023, the Sun-Times reported an IEMA executive assistant accounted for $240,761.30 in billings — double the salary of her boss between February and August 2023,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.
— Jasmine Williams has been appointed to the Broadview Fire Department, making her the first African-American woman to serve in this role in the village’s 110-year history. Williams is only the third woman to serve as a Broadview firefighter, according to a statement.
TRIVIA
FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mike Dittmar for correctly answering that at the time of his death, President Abraham Lincoln carried only a $5 confederate bill featuring Confederate Treasury Secretary C.G. Memminger in his wallet.
TODAY’s QUESTION: What Illinois building, once the largest in the world, had a workforce of 75 percent women? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Bettylu Saltzman, the veteran Democratic fundraiser credited with helping Barack Obama get his start, state Rep. Blaine Wilhour, Illinois Senate Dems comms specialist Erin Carney, restaurateur Manolis Alpogianis, CKL Engineering CEO Mae Williams, ABC 7 News Producer Tim Sallinger, relationship expert Bela Gandhi and PR pro John Youngren
