Welch on transit, energy, da Bears
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Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. I'm talking to young journalists today about why newsletters matter.
TOP TALKER
PLAYBOOK Q&A: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch acknowledges some of the biggest legislative goals didn't make it over the finish line last week in the General Assembly because the bills just weren't ready.
Three big bills that fizzled include legislation to fix the transit fiscal cliff, the state's over-tasked power grid and Tier 2 pensions, which affect public employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011.
'There's still a lot that has to get done. You have to take your time and get it right. You can't rush and get it wrong,' Welch told your Playbook host. 'I mean, we wanna make sure that when we put something on the board it's ready for prime time and produce the best results for everyone,' said Welch, who wrapped up his fifth year as House speaker.
The next step is to address the transit cliff, an energy bill and pensions during a fall veto session in the fall, he said.
Here's our interview, edited for length and clarity.
How did you get to this place where big bills discussed for months didn't get done?
We remain committed to continue to do the work. In my five years, there's a lot of things that were left undone in May that we got done at subsequent times and that's what we're committed to doing.
The transit legislation has been discussed for months. What was the sticking point and what's next?
First, I think the House leaders who were appointed to lead that effort — Eva-Dina Delgado and Kam Buckner — are truly passionate about transit. They are transit geeks, and I applaud them for their work. Their working group spent more than a year looking for reforms. We wanted to do that before talking about funding. We cannot ask taxpayers to put more money into a failing system. I know they're close with regard to agreement on funding and governance, but they're not there yet. We want taxpayers to know that we're demanding changes to a broken system before we throw money at the problem.
Do you support the legislation sent to the House from the Senate that included a funding mechanism to add a $1.50 fee on retail deliveries?
I do not. It was DOA before they sent it. There's some differences in the reform and governance piece. The House has not even talked about funding because we were focused on reforms first. I'm not gonna put something on the board that my caucus has not discussed.
Transit officials have warned about a fiscal cliff in which Covid monies will run out by the end of the year and lead to layoffs. Have you talked to transit officials about that?
They will do what they have to do, but from our standpoint, transit is funded through the end of the year. We know the challenges they face. But we want to make sure that reforms come before funding. We're going to keep doing the work here in the summer and in the fall. We're going to be back for a veto session in October.
Legislation to address the state's power grid by adding wind and solar and battery storage also failed to win approval. What happened?
Our energy conversations were very reminiscent of my first year as speaker in 2021 when we thought we were there and then worked through the summer to get something done in September, which turned out to be one of the most important pieces of energy I've ever seen. Conversations are going to continue, and we're going to get the best result that we possibly can.
And what about the proposal to improve the pension system for government employees hired since 2011?
That bill is projected to cost quite a bit of money. We heard a lot from the business community and we need to make sure that all stakeholders are part of the conversation.
There's been a lot of hand wringing about if and whether to give state funding to the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox. Are those issues dead in the water?
The Bears and the White Sox should take a look at the Chicago Fire, which is leading the way by building a stadium with private funding. It's going to be transformative. It's going to be great for the state. It's on par with the Ricketts family building in Wrigleyville for the Chicago Cubs. It's the right approach. I think the Bears in the White Sox should take note.
Switching to politics — because we're POLITICO. Your name has popped up as possibly filling the lieutenant governor seat if Gov. JB Pritzker runs again. Or even running for governor if he doesn't.
I'm so flattered that people put my name in those conversations, but I love the job that I currently have. I get to walk into that beautiful building and serve as the people's speaker. It's an honor of a lifetime and I'm going to continue to do that as long as the people will have me.
RELATED
Chicago Fire plan to build $650M soccer stadium at The 78 in South Loop: It would be privately financed, by the Tribune's Robert Channick
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the 'ultra rich' to avert mass transit cuts, by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman
With electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector, by Capitol News' Andrew Adams
Lawmakers again fail to act on hemp, while a new study highlights growing health concerns, by the Tribune's Robert McCoppin
THE BUZZ
ENDORSEMENT PRIDE: Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her wife, Amy Eshleman, have endorsed Congresswoman Robin Kelly in her bid for the U.S. Senate.
The former mayor leads a list of LGBTQ+ leaders backing Kelly in her bid to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Also on the list are Chicago Alds. Bennett Lawson and Lamont Robinson, Kane County Commissioner Alex Arroyo and AIDS Foundation Chicago CEO John Peller. The full list is here.
'We stand behind Robin Kelly because she has always stood with us,' Robinson, chair of the council's LGBTQ caucus, said in a statement. 'I personally experienced her resolve when she stood with me to save Mercy Hospital and the vital role it plays in my community.'
If you are Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
No official public events
WHERE's BRANDON
At 1002 South Racine Avenue at 1 p.m. for the Roosevelt Square ribbon-cutting
Where's Toni
At Mount Olivet Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. with the Archdiocese of Chicago and Cook County officials for a committal service for indigent, unknown and unborn persons
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
— In IL-02: State Sen. Robert Peters has been endorsed by some Black Caucus members from the Chicago City Council and the Illinois General Assembly. Here's the list.
— Patrick Hanley, who's running for state Senate, has been endorsed by MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis. Hanley is running for the 9th District seat now held by state Sen. Laura Fine, who's running for Congress.
— Nick Uniejewski, who's running in the Democratic primary against state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (6th District), talks about running his campaign like a dinner party, via H Kapp-Klote's blog.
HIGHER-ED
— University of Illinois — long home to thousands of foreign students — braces for visa revocations for Chinese: 'The school's flagship campus, which has the second largest number of international students of all public universities in the country, could be hit hard by Trump's plan to revoke Chinese student visas,' by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller, Pat Nabong and Kade Heather.
THE STATEWIDES
— MADIGAN: Seeking stiff sentence for Madigan, feds allege a secret effort to block rules on legislators practicing before state tax board: 'Prosecutors described an alleged episode of backroom political intrigue that was not presented to the jury at trial: the 2018 derailment of a proposal by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner that directly threatened to reduce profits at Madigan's law firm,' by the Tribune's Jason Meisner and Ray Long
— Meta strikes deal with downstate nuclear plant to power AI, by the Sun-Times' Brett Chase
— Federal government removes list that targeted Illinois cities, counties on immigration, by Peoria Journal Star's JJ Bullock
— Report ranks Illinois among safest states for LGBTQ+ communities, citing laws and family support, by USA Today's Hannah Hudnall
CHICAGO
— Implement a Chicago grocery tax, Mayor Brandon Johnson tells aldermen: 'Failing to install the tax would blow an additional $80 million hole in Chicago's 2026 budget as the city already faces a budget gap of around $1 billion, Budget Director Annette Guzman said,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan.
— 19 Council members sign letter calling out mayor for paying Ernst & Young $3.1 million to look at city financing, via Crain's Justin Laurence Their letter is here.
— Aldermen, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration officials argue over credit downgrade, by the Tribune's A.D. Quig
— Chicago is sinking: Land under our feet is retreating more than most cities: 'Chicago is the fifth-fastest-sinking major city in the United States, according to a new study. While the city is only sinking by a few millimeters every year, experts say the shift could damage buildings and other infrastructure,' by the Block Club's Molly DeVore.
Reader Digest
We asked about the one exercise you try to do every day.
Andrew Davis: 'I definitely stretch every day.'
G. A. Finch: '100 pushups.'
Cynthia Given: 'Walk for an hour on the trail in my city park (unless the temperature dips below my age).'
Carlton Hull: 'Sit-ups.'
Ed Mazur: 'A walk around my block at least once a day.'
Marilynn Miller: 'I try to walk at least some every day. At my age (91), 'if you don't use it, you lose it.''
Timothy Powell: 'Bike 20-30 miles every day/year-round in rain, snow and hot weather. Hills, wind and dangerous vehicles are my enemies.'
Timothy Thomas: 'At least 100 push-ups and sit-ups before going to bed for the evening.'
NEXT QUESTION: What's your favorite ballpark food?
KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION
— Mike Quigley takes a shot at House Democratic grandees: 'The nine-term Chicago Democrat criticized former party leaders who have since claimed gavels,' by POLITICO's Ben Jacobs and Nicholas Wu.
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— 'Disgusting abomination': Musk goes nuclear on Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' by POLITICO's Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing
— White House allies 'disappointed' at Musk's opposition to megabill, by POLITICO's Adam Wren, Adam Cancryn and Dasha Burns
— Thune acts fast to cut deals and move Trump's megabill, by POLITICO's Jordain Carney
Transitions
— The Human Rights Campaign is adding Jonathan Lovitz as SVP of campaigns and comms and Amy Peña as SVP and general counsel. Lovitz most recently was a director of public affairs and senior adviser at the Biden Commerce Department. Peña was general counsel for the Chicago Community Trust.
— Benjamin Berkman is now a senior attorney with Romanucci & Blandin's civil rights team in Chicago. Berkman was the chief assistant inspector general for legal counsel in the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General.
— Joseph Mahoney and Erick Palmer have joined Honigman in its Chicago office as partners in the intellectual property litigation practice group. They both have joined from Mayer Brown.
EVENTS
— Today: State Reps. Lisa Davis and Michael Crawford will be feted at a fundraiser hosted by fellow Reps. Kam Buckner and Nick Smith. Details here
— Saturday: State Rep. La Shawn Ford will lead 50+ bikers on a 50-mile 'Bike Across Chicago' from Cabrini-Green to Altgeld Gardens to raise money for the nonprofit By The Hand Club For Kids. Details here
— Saturday: The Rose Fitzpatrick Legislative Breakfast & Awards is being held. The event is organized by the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization. Details here
— June 26: Chicago Ald. William Hall is hosting a birthday party fundraiser. Details here
TRIVIA
TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Brendan O'Sullivan for correctly answering that Brian Doherty was the Golden Gloves champ who was elected alderman.
TODAY's QUESTION: What two counties in Illinois are named after a governor of New York? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Richland County Board Member and chair of the Richland County Democratic Central Committee Cynthia Given, Retired water commissioner Frank Avila, attorney Kevin Fanning, Good Realty Group President Sheldon Good and PR pro Lynda O'Connor
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