Pritzker unleashes on ‘political circus'
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Good morning, Illinois, and welcome to Friday the 13th.
NEW OVERNIGHT: Israel launches strike against Iran, by POLITICO's Eric Bazail-Eimil and Nahal Toosi
TOP TALKER
AN AHA MOMENT: For much of Thursday's nearly eight-hour, contentious hearing before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, Gov. JB Pritzker sat quietly and spoke only when a question was directed his way.
He defended Illinois laws that protect immigrants and reiterated he wants undocumented criminals kicked out of the country.
The governor didn't always agree with the premise of the questions, but he tried to answer as completely and politely as possible.
When Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill pivoted from immigration to talk about transgender issues, a talking point for Republicans in the 2024 election, Pritzker didn't miss a beat, saying, 'So, you're admitting this is just a political circus?'
Later, Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert asked Pritzker and fellow Democratic Govs. Tim Walz and Kathy Hochul of Minnesota and New York, respectively, whether damage to property is the 'definition of a peaceful protest.'
It was a pointed question. Boebert was referring to protests in Los Angeles and across the country that are pushing back at the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement.
Pritzker couldn't contain his anger. 'I find it hard to believe that you're lecturing us about peaceful protests,' he said. 'Look at what happened Jan. 6 here at the Capitol.'
Boebert tried to interrupt, but Pritzker persisted. That was 'insurrection,' he said, and pointing to the irony of her question, he said, 'It is outrageous.' Their exchange is here.
Pritzker didn't hold back after that, criticizing questions he found misleading or inaccurate, especially when they were posed by Illinois Republican Reps. Mary Miller and Darin LaHood, who joined the Oversight Committee as guests so they could question Pritzker.
Miller asked the governor if he would continue 'tying the hands of Illinois law enforcement,' a reference to Illinois law that prevents local police from assisting with federal immigration efforts.
Pritzker bristled: 'You know, Congresswoman Miller, I am not going to be lectured to by somebody who extolled the virtues of Adolf Hitler,' Pritzker said, referring to comments she made just ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol (and later apologized for). Their exchange is here.
LaHood used his time to talk about what he sees as Pritzker's failings as governor, including 'families struggling with the highest combined state and local tax burden in the country.'
Pritzker leaned in, saying, 'I'm glad to see you here. I know you were unwilling to meet with your constituents about the Medicaid cuts that you voted for.' The two then talked over each other for LaHood's remaining time. Here's a clip.
More congenial were Pritzker's exchanges with Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Delia Ramirez and Danny Davis. They are all Democrats and allowed the governor to offer up more thoughtful answers.
The Padilla moment: Ramirez used her time to also call attention to a video that was posted during the hearing. It showed California Sen. Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles. Here's more, via POLITICO.
'I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator,' Pritzker
RELATED
— The focus was 'sanctuary' immigration policies, but GOP lawmakers used the hearing to needle Dem governors on politics, by Emily Ngo, Elena Schneider and your Playbook host
— Pritzker defends Illinois' sanctuary laws, blasts Trump administration 'abuses of power,' by WGN 9's Tahman Bradley and BJ Lutz
— It was a marathon hearing with political theatrics on full display, by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore
— Pritzker uses House hearing to defend Illinois' sanctuary laws and to slam Congress for not passing immigration reforms, by the Tribune's Rick Pearson and freelancer Daniel C. Vock
— How JB Pritzker's faith and Holocaust work are powering his dire warnings about Trump, by The Christian Science Monitor's Cameron Joseph
WHERE'S JB
No official public events
WHERE's BRANDON
At Chicago State University at 11 a.m. for the Metra Station groundbreaking
Where's Toni
No official public events
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
THE STATEWIDES
— Secretary of state's office says law enforcement using license plate reader data illegally: 'While license plate readers can be used by law enforcement to investigate violent felonies and missing person cases, the state law also prohibits use of the data for matters including aiding in the detention or investigation of a person based on their immigration status -- and it can't interfere with someone's abortion rights,' by the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner.
— Michael Madigan due in court Friday for sentencing on corruption convictions, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel
— Calls to the Illinois domestic violence hotline were up again in 2024, by the Sun-Times' Sophie Sherry
CHICAGO
— 100 students in a school meant for 1,000: Inside Chicago's refusal to deal with its nearly empty schools: 'Declining school enrollment has left 30% of Chicago public schools at least half-empty. The city's failure to address this problem has come at a high cost to the district — and its students,' by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova and ProPublica's Jennifer Smith Richards.
— DEEP DIVE: A Black girl endured racist bullying in a mostly white Chicago school. Did CPS do enough? by the Sun-Times' Nader Issa and WBEZ's Sarah Karp
— Rideshare pay ordinance stalls — but the fight's not over: 'A scheduled vote on the ordinance [was] delayed at the request of some members of the City Council who want more information and are hesitant to support a measure that's drawn fierce opposition from the business community,' by Crain's Justin Laurence.
— Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling tells judge he would 'never use' snap curfew powers, by WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel
— Chicago police say they don't 'assist in immigration enforcement' but have turned over key records to feds, by the Sun-Times' Tom Schuba
— Chicagoans continue protests against Trump and ICE Thursday, by the Tribune's Caroline Kubzansky, Laura Rodríguez Presa and Nell Salzman
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
— In IL-08: Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole has been endorsed by the International Brothers of Electrical Workers Local 701.
— SPOTTED: Cook County Commissioner and IL-08 congressional candidate Kevin Morrison drew a crowd for his annual Pride event at Sidetrack earlier this week. Among the 100 attendees were State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Candace Gingrich, Alds. Bennett Lawson and Lamont Robinson, Judges Jesse Reyes and Ed Underhill, Kane County Board Member Alex Arroyo and MWRD Commissioners Precious Brady-Davis and Dan Pogorzelski.
— Christopher Espinoza, a District 99 school board member, is running for DuPage County Board for the 2nd District seat now held by Yeena Yoo, who is running for DuPage County treasurer. Espinoza has been endorsed by board members Greg Schwarze and Andrew Honig, among others. The full list is here.
TAKING NAMES
— Illinois Senate President Don Harmon was presented with the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Government Leadership Award on Thursday. Todd Stern, CEO of Enfield Capital Partners and Executive Vice Chairman at AccentCare, received the group's Humanitarian Award. And actress Patricia Heaton and entrepreneur Kareem K.W.O.E. Wells, known as the 'King of Mitzvahs,' were given the center's Medal of Valor.
— Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and Chief of Victim Services Jacqueline Herrera Giron were presented with Champion of Victims' Rights awards from Marsy's Law for Illinois for their work advocating for victims' rights.
Reader Digest
We asked about day games v. night games.
Clem Balanoff: 'Day games as I get older.'
Art Friedson: 'I lived five blocks from Wrigley in 1988, the year the lights went up. Ours was one of the few houses on the block without a NO LIGHTS sign. Still, nothing compares to a ball game at Wrigley on a hot summer day with a cold beverage in your hand. Nothing.'
Carlton Hull: 'Night games!'
Charles Keller: 'Night games because, you know, work. Go Cubs Go!'
Dave Lundy: 'Day games except during the work week then hate day games which they schedule too often.'
Jim Lyons: 'I wish the Cubs would play more day games. Of course, I'm retired and it will give me something to watch in the afternoons.'
Ed Mazur: 'Day games for this 82 year old. Then a long nap after the Red Line ride home.'
Steve Sheffey: 'Day games. When Lee Elia delivered his rant, he was talking about me at the time, and nothing made me prouder.'
Timothy Thomas: 'Day at Wrigley (Cubs), night at Guaranteed Rate (White Sox).'
NEXT QUESTION: In a sentence, what's your most ridiculous summer vacation story?
FROM THE DELEGATION
— Congressmen Sean Casten's (IL-06) bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act has been approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
— Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, where she raised concerns about the president's budget proposal for USDA 'that suggests slashing funding for agriculture research, nutrition assistance and conservation,' according to her team. The video is here.
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— MAGA warned Trump on Iran. Now he's in an impossible position, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade
— Appeals court lets Trump keep National Guard in Los Angeles, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein
— House clears $9.4B in funding clawbacks requested by White House, by POLITICO's Katherine Tully-McManus and Jennifer Scholtes
— White House looks to freeze more agency funds — and expand executive power, by POLITICO's Scott Waldman and Corbin Hiar
MEDIA MATTERS
— Chicago Tribune offering newsroom buyouts: 'The newsroom's union, which ratified its first contract just seven months ago, said in a statement cutting staff as a 'short-term profit boost' is unsustainable,' by the Sun-Times' Kaitlin Washburn.
— House narrowly approves President Trump's request to cut public media funding, by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles
TRANSITIONS
— Joseph Cohen is now the managing partner of Burr & Forman's Chicago office and a partner in the firm's government contracts practice. He was a partner at Fox Rothschild.
— Kyle Gann is now a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright in Chicago. He's in the business practice group and a member of its transactional and regulatory insurance team. He was a partner at Winston & Strawn.
— Rick Nowak is a partner in Mayer Brown's litigation and dispute resolution practice in Chicago. He was with Fidelity Investments.
IN MEMORIAM
— Ken Buzbee, a former state senator, died earlier this month. Details here
— Claudette Soto, founding member of Chicago UNIDOS in Construction and the group's first board president, has died. Her obit is here.
— Trude Matanky, who helped form Matanky Realty Group in 1955, has died. Services here
EVENTS
— Today at 1 p.m.: Mayor Brandon Johnson will be a guest on the Jesse Jackson Jr. radio show. Listen here
— Saturday: U.S. Reps Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — all candidates for U.S. Senate — headline a discussion with Proviso Dems. Details here
TRIVIA
THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Ald. Pat Dowell and Hart Passman for correctly answering that Julius Rosenwald funded the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry back in 1932 but didn't want his name on the building.
TODAY's QUESTION: What was the University of Illinois originally called? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Today: State Rep. Dave Severin, retired Cook County Judge John Curry Jr., Cook County Judge Patricia Spratt, chief of staff to Congresswoman Robin Kelly Matt McMurray, lead development writer at the nonprofit City Bureau Tyra Bosnic, former political candidate Scott Lee Cohen, Surus Illinois Senior Account Manager Chris 'CJ' Gallo, securities trader Lee Blackwell, Democratic fundraiser Dylan Lopez, attorney Antonio Favela and former state Rep. Luis Arroyo Sr.
Saturday: President Donald Trump, Teneo Senior Adviser Peter Thompson, Chicago mayoral adviser Beniamino Capellupo, Illinois Republican Party General Counsel John Fogarty, Illinois Policy Institute's Communications Director Melanie Krakauer, career and job-search coach Celeste Wroblewski, Booth School of Business Communications Director Casey Reid, retired teacher Fred Klonsky and OnMessage Senior Copywriter Julia Cohen
Sunday: State Rep. Chris Miller, Cook County Judge Neil Cohen, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Chris Stacey, Associate Judge Martha-Victoria Jimenez, political commentator Art Friedson, University of Chicago ethics professor Laurie Zoloth and Urban Prep Foundation founder Tim King
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