Pritzker on Dems: ‘We've lost our way'
TOP TALKER
TESTING THE WATERS: Gov. JB Pritzker sounded like a candidate road-testing a stump speech Monday at the Aspen Ideas Climate conference in Chicago.
'We've lost our way,' Pritzker said of Democrats' recent messaging. 'Let's not walk away from Civil Rights because we lost an election. We haven't talked enough about Civil Rights. We haven't talked enough about health care,' he told a crowd of global climate leaders and thinkers at the Salt Shed.
During the Q&A with ABC News' Linsey Davis, Pritzker railed against the insurance industry's control on health care and called out the $7.25 federal minimum wage as a national disgrace. 'Why are Democrats not out there arguing for raising the minimum wage?' he asked, prompting applause from the crowd. 'What a great issue for Democrats.'
Democrats reclaiming the populist mantle is a message Pritzker is likely to use on the campaign trail running for his third term. And it's a message that could carry through to 2028, too.
On Monday, Pritzker toggled between policy and politics during the half-hour 'fireside chat.' He recounted legislative wins — like Illinois tripling its renewable energy output since 2021 — and painted a vision of a future where clean tech and climate action are economic drivers, not burdens.
'We're proving out the idea that you can accelerate progress even without the federal government's engagement,' he said, referring to the Trump administration's efforts to pull back on federal programs.
Illinois is still achieving wins, Pritzker said, in spite of 'disturbing' federal rollbacks. He pointed to Rivian's electric vehicle plant in Normal and its thousands of new jobs as a 'proof point' of how green energy and middle-class economics aren't mutually exclusive.
Everything's cyclical. Pritzker also looked ahead, saying, 'the nightmare … will end in three-and-a-half years.'
RELATED: New Rivian supplier 'Adient' set to bring dozens of jobs to town of Normal, by 25 News Now's Imani McClay
THE BUZZ
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The race for Cook County's 12th District commissioner seat is already taking shape with Elizabeth Granato, currently head of the Cook County's Bureau of Asset Management, officially jumping in.
In her campaign announcement, Granato struck a defiant tone. 'Cook County is on the front lines of the battle against the Trump MAGA Republican effort to take away health care from those who need it most, raise the cost of living and let the wealthiest corporations and billionaires dump their tax obligations on the middle class,' she said in a statement. 'I'm running to make sure nobody is left behind in Cook County.'
Granato is positioning herself as a progressive standard-bearer in a district up for grabs after news Monday that Commissioner Bridget Degnen won't seek reelection. Degnen has thrown her support behind Cat Sharp, chief of staff to Ald. Andre Vasquez in the 40th Ward and before that Degnen's outreach director.
Also considering a run: Jose 'Che-Che' Wilson, a noted LGBTQ+ policy advocate and community leader, is exploring a bid to replace Degnen, too.
Granato, a Latina and the first in her family to graduate from college, is leaning into her personal story as she courts Democratic voters.
She's already been endorsed by the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers ADC 1 Illinois and Ironworkers District Council of Chicago and Vicinity.
And Granato has the backing of her husband — state Sen Ram Villivalam. Look for Granato to file more than $200,000 in Illinois State Board of Elections filings today.
Degnen's announcement that she won't seek reelection comes on the heels of Commissioners Kevin Morrison and Donna Miller also announcing their exits from their county jobs as they seek higher office.
If you are Bridget Degnen, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
At Chicago's Union Station at 1 p.m. to deliver remarks for the site's centennial celebration honoring 100 years of service
WHERE's BRANDON
At Navy Pier at 9 a.m. for the Chicago Police Department recruit graduation and promotion ceremony — At Malcolm X College at 12:30 p.m. for People with Disabilities' Disability Pride Celebration — At City Hall at 3 p.m. to meet with reporters — At Salt Shed at 6:15 p.m. for the Aspen Climate: Chicago conference
Where's Toni
At La Rabida Children's Hospital at 10 a.m. to announce $25 million in community safety funding
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
— Endorsement: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle endorsed Robert Peters on Monday in his bid for Congress in the 2nd District. The Tribune's Dan Petrella has details.
— George Danos, the Champaign County auditor, who's running for state comptroller, says his research shows he'd be the first CPA to serve as comptroller of Illinois if he won the seat — and the first openly gay statewide office holder, too. The Elgin native says his focus is on transparency. 'To keep the state on a sound financial basis, the legislature and governor must be assisted by honest, direct and timely financial reporting,' Danos said in a statement.
— Patrick Cortesi, chair of the McLean County Democrats and a longtime grassroots organizer, has launched his campaign for Democratic State Central Committee in Illinois' 16th District. Current Committeeman John Daniel is not seeking reelection and is endorsing Cortesi for the position.
— IL-09: Another look at who's leading the money race, by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau
THE STATEWIDES
— Gov. JB Pritzker joins letter demanding release of federal education funding, with billions still in limbo: 'The grants, already appropriated by Congress, were abruptly frozen the day before they were set to be disbursed July 1. The paused funding included $241.8 million for Illinois schools and community colleges,' by the Tribune's Kate Armanini.
— Illinois joins suit to block Trump administration from barring undocumented immigrants from public benefits, by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller
— Following state rep's encounter, Pritzker signs 'squatter bill' into law, by Capitol News' Ben Szalinski
— Former ComEd CEO says she's innocent, even as judge gives her 2 years in prison, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel
— COLUMN: Illinois ranks last in financial reporting, by the News-Gazette's Jim Dey
CHICAGO
— Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget office of 'systemically' delaying paychecks: The mayor's office says it was an 'administrative' error that has since been rectified, by the Tribune's Alice Yin.
— Online sports betting, legal video gaming could be cash cow for Chicago, alderpersons say: 'But Chicago would only benefit if it demands a greater cut of video gaming tax revenue from Springfield, city officials say,' by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman.
— Steven Montano guilty of first-degree murder in killing of CPD Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, by the Sun-Times' Sophie Sherry
— City leaders, including the mayor, call on state lawmakers to act to unmask ICE agents, by the Block Club's Francia Garcia Hernandez
— City Council v. Chicago Cops in 16-Inch softball: 'Despite the Police Knights batting opposite-handed, the City Council softball team showed their legislative skills don't transfer so easily to the diamond — though they still eked out a questionable win,' by the Block Club's Noah Asimow.
— American Airlines drops federal lawsuit, escalates Chicago O'Hare gate fight in local court, by View From The Wing's Gary Leff
TAKING NAMES
— NEW FELLOWS: In the often-fractured world of Illinois politics, the Edgar Fellows Program stands out as a rare and hopeful experiment in bipartisan collaboration. Next month, 41 new public policy leaders — from lawmakers to nonprofit directors — will gather in Urbana-Champaign for a weeklong crash course in ethical, solutions-driven leadership.
Launched in 2012 by former Gov. Jim Edgar, the program pushes civility over conflict and promotes bridging political, racial and regional divides. 'Though they each have their own unique life experiences, they find out that they have more in common than they have that separates them,' Edgar said in announcing the latest cohort.
Among this year's participants: state Sens. Mary Edly-Allen, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Darby Hills and Craig Wilcox; state Reps. Harry Benton, Mary Beth Canty, Brandun Schweizer and Nabeela Syed; Chicago Alds. Ruth Cruz and Timmy Knudsen; Chief of Staff to the Illinois Speaker Clayton Harris III; Climate Jobs Illinois Executive Director Joe Duffy (the former campaign manager for Attorney General Kwame Raoul); Illinois Chamber CEO Lou Sandoval; Validus co-founder Nicholas Klitzing (the former Illinois GOP executive director); and Intersect Illinois Comms Director Amanda Vinicky. Here's the full list
— Darren Walker, the outgoing president of the Ford Foundation, is joining the Obama Foundation's board of directors on Nov 1.
— Bill Adair is joining the line-up of the Printers Row Lit Fest in September. Adair, who won a Pulitzer for his work at PolitiFact, is among seven Pulitzer Prize winners at the event.
Reader Digest
We asked what album you'd take with you on a desert island.
Denise Barreto: 'Black On Both Sides' by Mos Def (also known as Yasiin Bey).
Josef Michael Carr Jr.: 'Songs in the Key of Life' by Stevie Wonder.
David Eldridge: ''We Are' by Jon Batiste. When I am down, I place this album on my record player to be uplifted.'
Mike Gascoigne: 'Stand for Myself' by Yola.
John Howell: 'Herb Alpert's 'Whipped Cream' (a masterpiece).'
Robert Kieckhefer: 'Jazz Samba' by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd.
David Kohn: 'The Power and the Glory by Gentle Giant.'
Joan Pederson: ''John Prine,' his first.'
Fred Lebed: 'The Burning Spear.'
Ron Michelotti: 'Tapestry.'
Marilynn Miller: 'Any album of Frank Sinatra's that includes 'My Way.' It's my theme song.'
Jeff Nathan: 'Big Boat' by Phish.
Timothy Powell: 'The only album that matters by 'The Only Band That Matters': 'London Calling' by The Clash!'
Alison Pure-Slovin: 'Sounds of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel.
Elliot Regenstein: 'The new EP 'Vacation Home' from the Illinois-based band North Grove!'
Ebony Scott-Anderson: ''The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé.' It's full of hope and reminders of one's inner strength. Something I'd need to survive until I'm rescued.'
Scott Simon: 'Erik Satie's 'Gymnopedies.' Moves from pensive to haunting to joyful and back again.'
Steve Smith: 'Rubber Soul.'
John Straus: 'Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto recording featuring Arturo Toscanini leading the NBC Symphony Orchestra with Vladimir Horowitz soloist.'
Michael Strautmanis: 'Prince's 'Sign O' the Times' — an experimental narrative from our generation's Mozart.'
Matt Sullard: ''Reggatta de Blanc' by The Police, just to play 'Message in a Bottle' on repeat unironically.'
Wendi Taylor Nations: 'Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction' because I grew up with Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin and 'Sweet Child O' Mine' reminds me of home.'
Timothy Thomas: 'Stevie Wonder's 'Songs in the Key of Life,' the first album I bought with hard-earned paper-route money.'
Patricia Ann Watson: 'Stevie Wonder's 'Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants.''
Judith Weinstein: 'Talking Book' by Stevie Wonder.
Steve Weiss: 'The Tour de Force by Brian Wilson.'
NEXT QUESTION: If you had to filibuster for 12 hours straight, what topic could you ramble about?
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— GOP megabill's final score: $3.4T in red ink and 10 million kicked off health insurance, CBO says, by POLITICO's Jennifer Scholtes, Robert King and Benjamin Guggenheim
— Frustration and fear ripple through NPR and PBS affiliates, by POLITICO's Aaron Pellish and Irie Sentner
— Why Ross Perot caught the zeitgeist — and Elon Musk might not, by John Ganz for POLITICO
DELEGATION
— Congresswoman Robin Kelly joined in introducing the Gun Safety Incentive Act. The bill promotes safe gun storage practices by providing a federal tax credit for individuals who purchase certified firearm safes and secure storage devices.
IN MEMORIAM
— Veteran Chicago defense attorney Thomas Anthony Durkin dies at 78, by the Tribune's Jason Meisner
TRIVIA
MONDAY's ANSWER: The Forum in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood was known for its large ballroom and being a go-to place for Jazz and Blues music.
TODAY's QUESTION: Which of August Wilson's 'Pittsburgh Cycle' plays is actually set in Chicago? Email your answer to: skapos@politico.com.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, lobbyist and former Ald. Joe Moore and lieutenant governor's Comms Director Taylor Brown
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