Griffin readies for battle
November 11, 2021Happy Veterans Day, Illinois. Hat tip and remembrance for the selfless service of all those who have served.
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin said Wednesday he will vigorously back a Republican challenger to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, setting the stage for another battle of the billionaires.
“I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him,” Griffin said during an interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit (starting at 26 minutes). “He doesn’t deserve to be the governor of our state.”
Griffin referenced Pritzker’s team recently criticizing him for questioning whether the governor had done enough to quell looting and violence along Michigan Avenue in 2020.
“He called me a liar,” Griffin said Wednesday. “It’s all about politics for him. It’s not about people."
Pritzker’s campaign was quick to respond: “Ken Griffin financed Bruce Rauner’s disastrous tenure as governor and now he is eager to once again elect someone who would hold our budget hostage, waste taxpayer money, ruin our credit rating, and destroy programs that keep our residents healthy and safe,” Pritzker campaign spokesperson Natalie Edelstein said in a statement that sounds like what we'll be hearing from over the next year or so.
The tit for tat is the latest in a long-running battle between the two of the Illinoisans on the Forbes billionaire list.
In 2018, Pritzker spent $171 million of his personal fortune to unseat Rauner. Griffin donated $22.5 million to Rauner for that race, and millions more in his 2014 run for governor. In 2020, Griffin spent nearly $54 million to defeat the graduated income tax measure that Pritzker spent $58 million to support.
Griffin’s spokesman confirmed his boss will bankroll a challenge to Pritzker.
The four Republicans so far in the June 28 primary are state Sen. Darren Bailey, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, businessman Gary Rabine, and venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan.
The big question mark: Will Reps. Adam Kinzinger or Rodney Davis throw their hat in the ring? Either of them would likely get Griffin's nod.
Not on the list is Todd Ricketts. He just stepped down as Republican National Committee finance chair, but a source close to the Cubs co-owner said his exit from the RNC was long planned and that he is not making a play for the governor’s mansion.
Democrats might like the idea of Griffin in the midterm mix. A race between Pritzker and anyone Griffin backs could energize the top of the ticket. No offense to the secretary of state candidates.
CONGRESS COMES TO CHICAGO: Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ngozi Ezike, the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, testified Wednesday before a congressional subcommittee about what has or has not worked to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
As ABC 7’s Craig Wall reports: Lightfoot cited Chicago's “hyperlocal efforts” to focus on communities where vaccination rates are low as a way to get more shots in arms. That includes using ambassadors to go door-to-door to encourage people to get the shot.
"Right now, where we are, there's no one-size-fits-all approach," Lightfoot said. "You've got to simply start the conversation by listening and really getting an understanding of what the particular person's hesitancy is."
Posing questions to Lightfoot and Ezike were Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Bill Foster.
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At Soldier Field at 11 a.m. for a Veterans Day commemoration ceremony. Then at James Hardie Industries’ grand opening at 4:30 p.m. to mark growth in manufacturing.
At Soldier Field at 10:45 a.m. for a Veterans Day commemoration ceremony.
At Dominican University at 2 p.m. to keynote the African Heritage Public Affairs Forum.
— As holidays approach, latest rise in Illinois Covid cases ‘could mark the beginning of yet another wave’: “Another 5,044 new confirmed and probable Covid-19 cases were reported by state health officials Wednesday, the most in a single day since Sept. 10. Over the past week, the state has averaged 3,122 cases per day, a 41 percent increase from the previous week and the highest level since late September, when the late-summer surge driven by the highly contagious delta variant was subsiding,” by Tribune’s Dan Petrella and Joe Mahr.
— Study: Fox viewers more likely to believe Covid falsehoods, by The Associated Press
BREAKING | Underwood to undergo surgery: According to a spokesperson: “Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood will undergo surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center to remove uterine fibroids. She will recover in Illinois over the coming weeks where she will continue her work representing the people of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District. She is grateful to the team of doctors, nurses, and support professionals at UChicago Medicine and looks forward to traveling throughout the 14th District and returning to the House of Representatives soon.”
— ‘Stay tuned,’ Republicans: GOP on verge of getting candidate for Illinois secretary of state: “State Rep. Dan Brady signaled on Wednesday that he plans to make a run for the office, filing updated campaign committee documents with the state’s board of elections that show he’s seeking the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State,” by Sun-Times’ Rachel Hinton
... Democrat Anna Valencia spun the Brady news back to her race to win the Democratic primary for secretary of state. “Dan Brady is running because he is confident that he can beat Alexi Giannoulias. Last time Alexi ran statewide, he lost President Obama’s senate seat to a Republican, and just this summer, a poll showed Brady trailing him by just five points. As Republicans nationwide try to subvert democracy, we cannot take this race for granted.”
— BATTLING FOR THE 17th | Former Rep. Litesa Wallace announces bid for Bustos’ congressional seat: “As a single mom, social worker, and former state representative I know the challenge of finding affordable childcare and the impacts of the rising cost of food and rent. It’s why as a state legislator I strengthened the IL childcare assistance program and fought for a living wage. Today I’m launching my run for Congress to continue the fight for working families,” Wallace said in a video announcing her candidacy. Bustos announced in April she would not seek re-election,” via WTVO.
Former Rockford meteorologist Eric Sorensen announces run for Bustos’ congressional seat: “I want to continue to be a trusted leader in my hometown. Meteorologists build trust, forecasting all kinds of weather precisely and I am proud I did that in my hometown for more than a decade. I’ve always believed that the Meteorologist works for the people, not for the TV station. The people are the ones in harm’s way when there’s a tornado or when they slide through an icy intersection,” he said in a statement via WIFR.
— Sullivan accuses Pritzker of pushing ‘divisive social issues’: Jesse Sullivan, a Republican primary candidate running for governor, responded to recent measures adopted by the Illinois General Assembly during an interview on Capitol Connection. Sullivan said he would not have signed the repeal of the Parental Notification Act that required doctors to notify parents when minors seek an abortion, and that he opposed alterations to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which some workers used as grounds to refuse vaccine mandates or workplace testing requirements,” by WCIA’s Mark Maxwell.
— Avis LaVelle resigns as park board president under fire for handling of lifeguard scandal: “The end came Wednesday at the Park District’s monthly board meeting. After an executive session to discuss 'personnel matters,' LaVelle read a statement announcing her resignation and defending her handling of the scandal,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.
… WTTW’s Heather Cherone dissects LaVelle’s apology: “Although LaVelle’s statement announcing her resignation used the word ‘integrity’ four times, it did not mention the girls and young women who were abused, harassed and assaulted and were ignored when they complained.”
... Park District presents 2022 budget recommendations, including a new Office of Protection, by Tribune’s Talia Soglin
— East Coast gambling company deals Chicago two casino bids, but alderman wants one to fold ‘immediately’: “Bally’s Corporation submitted two of the five casino bids that are now under review by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office, but an alderman says one of their pitches should be immediately eliminated,’” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout.
— CPD sergeant should be fired over botched Anjanette Young raid, top cop says; other officers also face discipline: “The move came just a day before the Civilian Office of Police Accountability publicly released its final report on the botched raid that recommended a handful of police officers face discipline for their roles that night,” by Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek and Sophie Sherry.
— And so it begins: Chicago could see its first snowfall of the season Friday, reports Block Club’s Kelly Bauer
Violent death of Chinese student in Hyde Park sparks calls for action — but few specifics on how to combat city’s rising crime: “Shaoxiong Zheng, 24, was gunned down during an armed robbery just north of the University of Chicago campus,” by Sun-Times’ David Struett and Madeline Kenney.
Toni Preckwinkle, who lives in Hyde Park, issued a statement saying there must be an “immediate and urgent response to the violence as well as a long-term plan to address those root causes of violence. Our residents need to see a transparent demonstration of leadership across all levels of government working together at the same table with a shared goal, shared plan and shared accountability… History will judge each of us on what we are doing today to stop the violence and bloodshed. Collectively, we all must do more — now.” WTTW’s Matt Masterson reports
Opinion | Unlike Covid-19 people cannot don a mask and distance themselves from gun violence, writes Congressman Bobby Rush in the Hyde Park Herald.
— Midwives gain a victory in Illinois, but look for more: “Proponents of re-legalizing traditional midwifery in Illinois argue that midwives — especially those who are sensitive to the specific cultures their patients come from — could help stem the tide of maternal morbidity and mortality,” by NPR’s Caroline Kubzansky.
— BARGAINING CHIP: Gov. J.B. Pritzker along with a bipartisan group of eight other governors sent a letter to House leaders Wednesday urging them to pass $52 billion in funding for domestic semiconductor chip production. The Senate has already approved the funding in June, but it has not been taken up by the House. Meanwhile, companies making cars, electronics, medical devices and more have continued to face shortages of the crucial component. Chips operate everything from cars and cell phones to coffee makers and dishwashers.
— Madison County state’s attorney urges Illinois Supreme Court to overturn FOID law: “Illinoisans must have a Firearm Owners Identification card to legally own guns, but Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, a first-term Republican, said the law violates the Second Amendment and should be struck down,” by Belleville News-Democrat’s Kelsey Landis.
— Illinois vet who guarded Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will attend its centennial events, by Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos
— THE DRAMA IN CALUMET CITY| Lawsuits reveal details of political feud between mayor, clerk: In a lawsuit, Mayor Thaddeus Jones calls City Clerk Nyota Figgs “a holdover from the previous administration.” … “But voters elected Figgs in April, just as they elected her in 2017 and 2013. She received more votes than the mayor in April. Perhaps Jones views her popularity as a political threat. That’s what makes the line about Figgs being a holdover from the previous administration so curious,” writes the Daily Southtown’s Ted Slowik.
— ‘It’s chaotic’ | Oak Park residents given five days to move out of unsound building: “On Friday, residents were sent a letter from the building’s management company informing them that the building had to “undergo immediate structural review” and that they had to completely move out by midnight Wednesday,” by Tribune’s Jade Yan.
— Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act arrives: “The opening of the temporary casino represents a stop along the way toward a more than $310 million Hard Rock Casino resort planned a few blocks away,” by Rockford Register Star’s Jeff Kolkey.
— Heather Mack comes face-to-face with mother’s siblings, will remain in federal custody: “Despite having just been released after serving seven years in an Indonesian prison, Mack should be prepared for another long stay behind bars. A prosecutor said evidence in the case is ‘truly, truly voluminous,’” by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel.
— Illinois Supreme Court asked to rule in case of woman allegedly raped by Lyft driver: “The case centers on the constitutionality of the state’s first law to regulate the industry, passed in 2014, and could have implications for the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches,” by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki.
Tarver's Vice: The Vice District Brewing Co. owned by state Rep. Curtis Tarver II reopened yesterday just off Michigan Avenue at 75 E. 16th Street. The taproom had previously been located a few blocks away but closed in 2019 over a lease squabble. The South Side brewery had been a go-to location for political fundraisers, and Tarver told Playbook that’s the plan for the new Vice, too.
State Senate President Don Harmon played in the band at his fundraiser last night at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. Jim Bonaccorsi, of Freddy Jones Band fame, joined him.
Lots of 2022 candidates and electeds in the crowd, too, including state Sens. Melinda Bush, Robert Martwick, and Karina Villa, and state Reps. La Shawn Ford, Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, Michael Halpin, and Camille Lilly. Also spotted: Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman, River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci, political consultant Thom Serafin, Walgreens government relations exec Donovan Pepper, public affairs entrepreneur Dave Lundy, Illinois Finance Authority’s Chris Meister, and public affairs consultant James Prescott.
We asked what got you in the most trouble as a teenager. While a senior at Naperville Central High School in the 1990s, political consultant Sean Tenner and his buddies used to get rowdy at “The Jerry Springer Show” in Chicago. When Springer one day tripped over one of the teens’ feet in the aisle, the show’s producers had enough and Tenner and friends were banned. (Side note, Springer years later learned of Tenner’s political and philanthropic work and lifted the ban.) The City Club’s Ed Mazur fell asleep in English Lit, prompting the school to call his factory-worker dad. “He had to come to school — so he lost pay, and I was deprived of using our car on Friday and Saturday nights.” And Chicago Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet copped to attending Disco Demolition on July 12, 1979, along with all the other long-haired 16 year olds. They did a terrible thing by killing disco. (Yeah, I said it!)
For tomorrow, what do you enjoy that you know is bad for your health? Email to [email protected]
— Biden's ‘I feel your pain’ conundrum, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago and Eugene Daniels
— Cities with empty offices see new room to expand housing, by POLITICO’s Janaki Chadha
— Rittenhouse takes the stand in his own defense at Kenosha murder trial: “‘I was cornered,’ he said, before starting to cry,” by Tribune’s Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski.
— Circuit Clerk Clay to step down from position by end of month: “I look forward to my future,” said Kahalah Clay, who took the position by appointment in 2011, and won a full term as a Democrat without a Republican opponent in 2012, by Madison-St. Clair Record’s Steve Korris.
— Anne Schechinger has been named the Environmental Working Group’s Midwest director, after more than seven years as senior analyst at EWG. Sarah Porter is now the nonprofit group’s geospatial director. Before joining EWG, Porter spent six years at USDA.
WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: We stumped you! Ken Hoffman of Peoria is a master of animal portraits.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Republican who once defeated Richard J. Daley? Email to [email protected]
State Rep. Mike Zalewski, House majority leader’s chief of staff Kieran Fitzgerald, ONE Northside operations manager Becky Wanberg, Beam Suntory public affairs director Ashley Bromagen, and boarding school exec Will Boscow, previously a Chicago recruiter.
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Source: https://www.politico.com/