Welcome to September, Illinois. Call it the twilight zone, a journey into a wondrous land where the boundaries are that of imagination, also known as the midterms.

The November election is just nine weeks away, but the real drama in recent days is focused on municipal elections. Two more Chicago City Council members are making their exits as candidates start gathering signatures for the February contests.

Southeast Side Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th) won’t seek reelection. And Chicago Ald. George Cardenas (12th) is stepping down ahead of the February election because he’s the only candidate on the November ballot for Cook County Board of Review’s 1st District seat.

What it means for da mayor: Cardenas’ exit will allow Mayor Lori Lightfoot to appoint another new council member.

A council transformed: There will be at least 12 new faces on the City Council after the municipal elections, potentially putting the mayor, should she win, in a stronger position to shape legislation without pushback. Cardenas was always a Lightfoot ally, for example, but Garza, the first Chicago Teachers Union member elected to the Council, ran hot and cold on the mayor.

Eyeing the 12th Ward council seat: Anabel Abarca, Cardenas’ chief of staff, will be throwing her name into the ring — and is already gathering signatures to run for the seat outright. Should Abarca get appointed, she’d have an edge in the election.

Lay of the land: “I know the hard work, dedication, sacrifice and diligence required to be a public servant,” Abarca, an attorney and daughter of Mexican immigrants, said in a statement to Playbook.

It’s a trend: The news from Garza and Cardenas follows Alds. Leslie Hairston (5th) and Tom Tunney (44th) both announcing last week that they won’t seek reelection to the council. They’ll serve their terms through the spring.

Hairston told Playbook she doesn’t know “yet” what she’ll do next.

Tunney is still weighing a run for mayor, while his chief of staff, Bennett Lawson, is running for his boss’ 44th Ward seat.

Others making their exits: Michael Scott (24th), Carrie Austin (34th), Michele Smith (43rd), James Cappleman (46th), and Harry Osterman (48th). (Scott and Smith left last month.) Council members making their exits because they’re running for mayor: Sophia King (4th), Roderick Sawyer (6th), Raymond Lopez (15th).

It’s 13 new council members if you count Lee: At this rate, Ald. Nicole Lee (11th), who was appointed in March by Lightfoot after former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was forced to step down, would practically be a veteran on the 50-member council if she wins. She’s already out witha new ad, featuring two Daleys.

Also watch: Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th) will have been in office 20 years next spring, making him a possible candidate for retirement.

Making a move for the council: Precious Brady-Davis is expected to jump into the 5th Ward race. Brady-Davis, who lost a bid for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, received more than 4,000 votes from within the 5th Ward during that race. Brady-Davis would be the first transgender council member.

And believe it or not: Ald. Edward Burke, the 14th Ward alderman who has an indictment for corruption hanging over his head, is expected to run again. His competition could be 14th Ward Committeeman Aaron Ortiz, who’s also a state representative running in November (but without any competition in that race).

Tribune’s Gregory Pratt on Garza's news: “Garza, the daughter of famous labor leader Eddie 'Oil Can' Sadlowski, was hailed as a progressive champion throughout much of her time in politics, though she faced criticism in recent years from some activists over her handling of a scrap metal shredder’s proposed move into her ward.”

There’s a saying that a light purse is a heavy curse. And no one knows that better than Darren Bailey. The GOP candidate for governor hasn’t been able to go on TV because he’s struggling with fundraising.

Bailey has $1.7 million cash on hand, which includes a recent $1 million donation from Republican mega-donor Dick Uihlein. It’s not much considering Bailey’s facing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s $60 million war chest.

The big question: When will Dan Proft’s conservative political action committee give Bailey a hand? The People Who Play By the Rules PAC has $28 million in cash, fueled by Uihlein.

Will the PAC go on TV for Bailey? It’s done some digital advertising, but Bailey needs more than that. And, so far, Proft’s team isn’t talking about rolling out anything new.

Pritzker, meanwhile, is expected to pick up the pace on TV ads for himself and for Democrats around the state.

RELATED

— Bailey centers campaign on his faith, asking for God’s help to unite people against Pritzker, by Tribune’s Rick Pearson

— Pritzker’s personal fortune intersects with state contracts, reports the Better Government Association.

— A Victory Research poll conducted Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. has Pritzker ahead 46.5 percent to Bailey’s 35.8 percent.

Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I’d like to hear from you: [email protected]

At Jackie Joyner Kersee Center in East St. Louis at 10 a.m. to announce new Illinois State Police Regional headquarters. — At T/CCI Manufacturing in Decatur at noon to announce new electric vehicle investment.

At City Hall at 10:30 a.m. to provide an update on the Covid-19 vaccine.

At Eggers Grove Forest Preserve at 9:30 am. for a discussion on fall bird migration and how to experience birding in the forest preserves

Dick Simpson is retiring from teaching political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The former Chicago alderman and adviser to Carol Moseley Braun (in her presidential run) has been teaching for 55 years. On Sept. 19. Simpson is set to deliver the keynote at the university’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Constitution Day lecture and luncheon event.

Along with teaching, Simpson was UIC head of the Political Science Department from 2006 to 2012. He has researched and written at length about how government operates. Books he’s written: “Democracy’s Rebirth: The View from Chicago,” “Rogues, Rebels and Rubber Stamps, Winning Elections in the 21st Century” and “Corrupt Illinois.”

— Pulse of the Heartland: Centralia voters say Chicago treats southern Illinois like ‘an afterthought — it’s two different worlds’: “The Sun-Times visited the downstate city to see what’s on voters’ minds. Perhaps not surprisingly, COVID-19, jobs and abortion are uppermost. But like much of southern Illinois — and other downstate areas — it’s all wrapped up in a deeply ingrained feeling of being forgotten,” by Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.

— A disabled young patient sent to get treatment was abused instead. And he wasn’t the last: An investigation reveals “a systemic pattern of patient abuse, neglect, humiliation and exploitation” at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in southern Illinois. By Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer, Lee Enterprises’ Molly Parker and ProPublica researchers Alex Mierjeski and Gabriel Sandoval.

— Illinois law enforcement faces recruitment issues, by WICS’ Andre Thomas

— State Rep. La Shawn Ford’s bill targets drivers and spectators involved in street racing, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall.

— State Rep. Marcus Evans pushes Chicago to join the race for 1st offshore wind farm on the Great Lakes, reports Tribune’s Nara Schoenberg.

— Illinois accuses Bridgeview construction company of stealing wages from union carpenters, by Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek

— Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. She is vaxed, boosted and has mild symptoms, according to a statement. Her address about state finances scheduled for today’s City Club luncheon is being rescheduled for Sept. 14.

— Illinois Republicans look to gain control of the state Supreme Court this election: “The potential for a shift in control of the state’s highest court could impact major issues, including abortion and gun rights,” by WBEZ’s Dave McKinney

— Breaking the caps: Republican Supreme Court candidate Mark Curran got a $100,001 boost to his campaign from his wife, Irene Curran, according to the State Board of Elections. The extra $1 is what allowed him to beat the caps.

— Republican Thomas DeVore’s campaign loan lifts contribution limits in Illinois attorney general race, by Tribune’s Dan Petrella

— In the DuPage County Board chair race: Republican Greg Hart has been endorsed by former Gov. Jim Edgar and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. And Democrat Deb Conroy has been endorsed by IUOE Local 150.

— 50 more immigrants arrive from Texas: “On Sunday, Lightfoot again lambasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for ‘manufacturing a human crisis.’ The city has launched a website for donations,” by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo

— Companies are using carrots, not sticks, to get workers back as hopes fade for post-Labor Day return to the office, by Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal

— Chicago shootings: 56 shot, 9 fatally in Labor Day weekend violence across city, police say, via ABC 7’s Diane Pathieu

— Property taxes and aldermanic pay hikes are tied to inflation, and coming to a head, by Tribune’s John Byrne

— Expanded curfew law backed by Lightfoot used just 4 times amid stepped-up enforcement push, data shows, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone

— Report paints ‘bleak picture’ of perceptions of Chicago police among young Black and Latino men, by Tribune’s Madeline Buckley and Shanzeh Ahmad

— Salaries for top staffers at Obama Foundation are outpacing their counterparts at other presidential centers, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig

— Marilyn Lemak tells Eric Zorn: 'I do think about my kids every single day’

— Old Duchossois farm near Barrington sold for $10M for restoration by conservation group, by Tribune’s Robert McCoppin

— Political operative tied to Ald. Daniel Solis probe pleads guilty to fraud: “Roberto Caldero, 69, entered his plea to wire fraud during a video conference hearing before U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger. Under preliminary sentencing guidelines, Caldero faces up to about five years in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 15,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner.

— R. Kelly trial delayed: “Chicago’s federal courthouse will be closed Tuesday because of an ‘operational issue,’ meaning the trial of R&B superstar R. Kelly will be delayed by at least one day,” by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel.

— Illinois man pleads guilty to felony charge in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol: “Sentencing for Matthew Capsel, 28, is set for Dec. 16. He faces up to 5 years in prison,” by Sun-Times’ Manny Ramos.

— A list of every known Illinois resident charged in the U.S. Capitol breach, by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel

We asked if you had a student debt story:

Becky Carroll, founder of C-Strategies strategic comms and public affairs firm: “Having moved out when I was 16, I qualified as independent from my parents and therefore my income level set my level of financial assistance, which helped me secure a mix of academic and needs-based scholarships coupled with Pell and state grants, so most of my tuition was covered. That changed senior year when requirements for claiming parental independence changed. So even though I had been living on my own without any help from my father since I was 16, the feds now recognized me as a dependent. I had no choice but to take out a loan of roughly $12,000.”

What’s an Illinois food that candidates better know how to eat? Email [email protected]

— Why weed companies can't make any money: "High taxes, siloed state markets and lack of access to capital make it very difficult to turn a profit,” by POLITICO’s Paul Demko.

— Colleges burn through Covid cash trying to soften inflation for students: “Several state university systems, including those in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and New Jersey, are offering students free bus passes, gas cards and clothes,” by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan.

— Biden seeks to separate 'mainstream' Republicans from 'Trumpies' in Wisconsin speech, by POLITICO’s Olivia Olander

— Judge orders halt to DOJ review of documents seized from Trump, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney, Nicholas Wu and Andrew Desiderio

— GOP still has inside track to House majority despite Dem gains, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick, Sarah Ferris and Elena Schneider

— Republicans’ chances of retaking the Senate majority are diminishing thanks to abortion, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison

— Eating on the campaign trail has never been easy. But in today’s diverse, stratified America, it’s more perilous than ever, writes Lyz Lenz in POLITICO

— She escaped the Taliban. A year later, her fate — like thousands of Afghans — is in limbo, by Elly Fishman for WBEZ

— Jennifer Hudson gets her own talk show: “In the series premiere of ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show,’ the host will reunite with former American Idol judge Simon Cowell for their first sit-down conversation since she placed seventh on the show in 2004,” via People.

Terrell Barnes, a veteran of DuPage County politics, has been elected chair of the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization. He was vice chair.

— Jake Kaplan has been named district director for Rep. Brad Schneider. He has worked for the congressman as senior political adviser.

— Justin Kidd is joining Rep. Lauren Underwood’s office as comms director. He was associate VP of strategy at Do Big Things and is a Barack Obama and Tammy Duckworth campaign alum.

— Joe Trippi joins Paul Vallas’ mayoral campaign as chief strategist and media adviser. Mark Mellman of the Mellman Group will do polling.

— Megan Courage is now digital media manager at C-Strategies after working at national media agencies in Chicago and Boston as an account and digital media exec.

— Abraham Lincoln, master inventor: The true story of the only president to ever patent an invention: “Lincoln's patent for ‘buoying vessels over shoals’ speaks to a lesser-known aspect of The Great Emancipator's life,” via Salon’s Matthew Rozsa.

— Historical documents offer glimpses of the Underground Railroad in Chicago, by WBEZ’s Olivia Richardson, Maggie Sivit

— Kim Walz, who’s running for alderman in the 46th Ward, and Michael Madero welcomed Esme Walz Madero. Mom and baby are both doing great. Pic and pic!

— Sept. 16: Gov. JB Pritzker headlines “Good Evening with Pat Whalen,” an evening talk show titled “Hellhole edition.” At The Promontory. Tickets here

AUG. 26’s ANSWER: The 80th Regiment under Capt. Henry Balfour was the first British army unit to enter the Chicago area in November of 1761, two years after France ceded the area to Britain.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What Chicago monument displays 3-foot diameter bronze medallions of the United State’s military branches? Email [email protected]

Congressman Danny Davis, state Rep. Keith Sommer, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen, former Cook County Judge Jessica Arong O'Brien, political data consultant Harold Moore, Walgreen’s property tax director Brian Grossman, orchestra leader Stanley Paul, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls comms director Mark Schmeltzer, data and sales pro Andrew Irving, comms specialist Ben Hammer and Kivvit Comms strategist Anne Klingeberger, who celebrated last week.

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