Brandon Johnson gets a D.C. grilling
At the Hideout tonight: We're talking to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Tickets here
TOP TALKER
IN THE HOT SEAT: Mayor Brandon Johnson made a strong case before a congressional committee Wednesday about why Chicago is a sanctuary city, but he was needled by Republicans about the state of the city and his recent approval ratings — including a surprise attack from Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood.
'Let me be clear: Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance and our other laws and policies do not lead to more crime. They do not prevent cooperation with federal law enforcement on criminal matters. And we do not harbor criminals. We arrest them,' Johnson told the House Oversight Committee in the nearly six-hour hearing on Capitol Hill.
Republicans didn't buy it. Johnson and the mayors of New York, Denver and Boston defended themselves against combative questions that accused them of harboring criminals and ignoring federal law, which the mayors all denied.
Johnson persisted. 'The welcoming city ordinance is pretty straightforward — it allows for our local law enforcement to focus on local policies. And that's why we're seeing a decline in violence,' he said about the sanctuary city status.
The mayors were united, saying local ordinances don't allow local law enforcement to help federal deportation officials, but the laws don't hinder the feds, either. The reason: Communities won't trust local law enforcement if they're worried about deportation. Johnson pointed to crime being down as a reason why sanctuary city status is important.
The hearing had its drama. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned New York Mayor Eric Adams, a fellow Democrat, on whether he cut a deal with the Trump administration over corruption charges hovering over him. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (a Chicago native) poked at Republicans on safety, saying, 'If you want to make us safe, pass gun reforms, stop cutting Medicaid, stop cutting cancer research, stop cutting funds for veterans.' And it got ugly when Republican Rep. Nancy Mace told Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the others that 'you all have blood on your hands,' a reference to isolated incidents of people who have died in crimes by undocumented immigrants.
Johnson weathered the attacks by Republicans who accused him of being 'a failing mayor' and telling him 'you suck at answering questions.' But it was LaHood who got unusually personal, accusing the mayor of being 'tone deaf' and 'oblivious' about the 'decline of Chicago.'
Johnson replied that 'violent crime is down in Chicago' only to be interrupted by LaHood, who said 'no one in this room should be surprised that your approval rating is 6.6 percent.'
The mayor ignored the insult and ticked off the investments in housing and youth employment. After more back and forth, Johnson kept it classy, saying, 'I'm willing to work with you, and I'm glad I had a chance to finally meet you for the first time.'
There were friendly Democrats in the room, too, including Illinois Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Danny Davis. It was during that line of questioning that Johnson propped up the good stuff about Chicago in an effort to counter the oppressive view Republicans painted.
REAX: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor who advised Johnson ahead of the hearing, criticized Republicans, saying they 'are desperate to create a sideshow so that the American public doesn't know the truth. The truth is the Republicans have no solutions for inflation. …. When you attack cities, you attack America.'
MORE HEADLINES
Dems struggle to deflect GOP attacks on immigration, from the Hill to the border, by POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs and your Playbook host
Johnson's testimony was so scripted, it appeared to neither help nor hurt him. He simply got through it, by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout
Mayors made case that sanctuary status makes cities safer, by Fox 32's Paris Schutz
Johnson was able to land some cheeky responses, too: When Rep. Nancy Mace asked him whether he hates Trump more than he loves his country, Johnson said, 'As a son of a pastor, I love everyone — and this country,' by the Tribune's Alice Yin.
The mayor wouldn't be bullied, with video of the mayor talking to reporters after the hearing, by ABC 7's Lissette Nuñez, Craig Wall and Sarah Schulte
There was a theater element to it all, reports NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern
THE BUZZ
FROM SPRINGFIELD | Legislative revenue estimate is more than $700M lower than Pritzker's proposed budget: This raises questions about how much money will be available during this year's budget negotiations. 'Forecasters predict revenue growth in the current fiscal year will miss the mark,' by Capitol News' Ben Szalinski.
If you are Michelle Wu, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
At Champaign Centennial High School at 11 a.m. to amplify a proposal to ban cellphones in school classrooms
WHERE's BRANDON
No official public events
Where's Toni
At the Hilton Chicago to give remarks at the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
THE STATEWIDES
— State lawmakers brace for possible federal cuts to Medicaid: 'Democrats warn of widespread consequences; Republicans call hearings 'performative,'' by Capitol News' Peter Hancock and Jade Aubrey.
— Illinois sees drops in opioid and drug overdose deaths for the first time since 2018: 'In all, 3,502 people died from an overdose in Illinois in 2023, which is 317 fewer than in 2022, data show,' by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles.
— Illinois returns to market with Build Illinois bonds: 'Illinois will sell $725 million of junior obligation tax-exempt sales tax revenue bonds in a competitive deal pricing on Tuesday,' by Bond Buyer's Jennifer Shea.
— Republicans push for special master in Illinois redistricting lawsuit: In their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois' legislative map, 'Republicans have requested that the Illinois Supreme Court appoint a special master to redraw the map,' via WICS
— Trump's tariff ripple effect: 'From breweries to farms, businesses are bracing for higher costs as well as product and supply chain disruptions — and the hits could affect what consumers pay,' by the Sun-Times' Abby Miller.
CHICAGO
— Aldermen say Veterans Affairs abruptly puts hold on outreach program, by the Tribune's Talia Soglin and Jake Sheridan
— As big costs loom, Chicago's school board plans to amend its budget. But questions remain, by Chalkbeat's Reema Amin and Becky Vevea
COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS
— Robert Crimo III signs trial waiver 'Donald Trump' after pleading guilty to Highland Park parade shooting: Experts say his guilty plea should stand. 'He can sign Mickey Mouse or Donald Trump,' said law professor Richard Kling. What matters, he said, is that there is a transcript of Crimo orally pleading guilty, which Crimo did, by the Sun-Times' David Struett.
— Evanston candidates Suffredin, Chow jab at each other's ethics in Sixth Ward race, by the Pioneer Press' Richard Requena
— Niles village trustees approve water hike to align with inflation, consider TIF giveaways for project, by the Pioneer Press' Alan Kozeluh
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
ON THE TOWN (HALL): Two Illinois Democrats joined in online town halls Wednesday night, a day after President Donald Trump gave a controversial and partisan speech to Congress, claiming 'America is back.'
Flooding the zone: Their appearances are part of an effort to talk to Democrats on new platforms about standing up to the new administration. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski took part in a national town hall saying, 'We need to be showing up' in communities and 'meeting people where they are' to talk about economic issues such as the price of food, child care and gas. Budzkinski joined House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin on the call.
Congressman Mike Quigley held his own town hall, answering vetted questions and encouraging participants to get involved by protesting, calling their local and federal lawmakers and becoming overall engaged.
Reader Digest
We asked for your take on community colleges offering four-year degrees.
Steve Brown: 'It will benefit every region of the state AND ease problems like the nursing shortage.'
Leah Brennan: 'It increases accessibility because it's affordable, dispels the myth that community college is 'less than' and prevents brain drain to other states.'
David Druker: 'Gives more status to community colleges who are already doing a very good job at less cost.'
Mike Gascoigne: 'Increased access to education is good.'
Elizabeth Grisanzio: 'It can create a more equitable and responsive higher education system.'
Charles Keller: 'For most, it would be a better education than a university.'
Jim Lyons: 'For people on a tight budget, it makes sense.'
Jaylin McClinton: 'It opens the door to more opportunity for Illinoisans with accessibility, geographic or financial constraints around attending a traditional four-year program.'
Enza Raineri: 'It should be more affordable for students and families.'
Timothy Thomas: 'Stay in your lane.'
Patricia Ann Watson: 'It will chill the price creep, add competition and affordable options, and open up opportunities for non-traditional, less resourced and rural students.'
Next question: In spite of its bad rap, what do you like about Facebook? Email skapos@politico.com
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— How Trump's whipsaw trade agenda is threatening economic growth, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton
— Supreme Court rebuffs Trump in fight over foreign aid bills, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney
— America's friends are not amused by Trump's bravado, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi
Transitions
— Emily Soong is now VP of public affairs and communications at Magnify Strategies. She most recently was traveling press secretary for Tim Walz on the Harris for President campaign. Prior to the campaign, she was press secretary for the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
— Steven Weinhoeft has been appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois by Attorney General Pam Bondi, by KSDK's Sam Clancy
— Suzet McKinney, who has led Sterling Bay's push into life sciences over the past four years, has parted ways with the real estate developer. McKinney previously was the Illinois Medical District CEO, by Crain's Danny Ecker.
TRIVIA
WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Nadine O'Leary for correctly answering that James 'Pate' Philip was a bread salesman before he was a state legislator.
TODAY's QUESTION: What was the first Illinois-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Eli's Cheesecake President Marc Schulman, city Project Manager Art Andros, Rep. Bill Foster's outreach coordinator Hannah Cook, nonprofit leader Rachelle Jervis, political consultant Daniel Muñoz and Capitol News Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel
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