Pritzker's tense call with Schumer
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Good Thursday, Illinois. It's a somber day as we watch and pray for news out of Washington.
BREAKING OVERNIGHT: 'Nothing short of a nightmare': Jet, helicopter collide near Reagan National Airport, by POLITICO's Oriana Pawlyk and Sam Ogozalek
TOP TALKER
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. JB Pritzker and a handful of fellow Democratic governors conferred with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last night, urging him to get his caucus in line to push back at President Donald Trump's actions and appointments, according to a person familiar with their call. Our story is here.
What they talked about: The governors want Senate Democrats to be more forceful in responding to Trump on policy and appointments. The New York Times said the meeting was tense. And an aide to Schumer separately described the meeting as a conversation about the Trump administration's executive orders, 'his erratic policies' and the impacts that is having on states.
Getting to the point: Pritzker and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey were most outspoken about Senate Democrats needing to step up and stay unified against some of Trump's Cabinet nominees, a few of which have seen bipartisan support.
Easier said than done: Schumer said he can't force all Senate Democrats to oppose every Trump nominee but he could unite the caucus to oppose certain high-profile appointees, according to the Times story.
Also on the call: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (chair of the Democratic Governors Association), Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Feeling the brunt: The Democratic governors impressed on Schumer that their states are on the front lines feeling the greatest impact of Trump's executive orders, including plans for withholding federal funds, according to the person familiar with the call.
Schumer, a New York Democrat, arranged the call, and Pritzker helped coordinate it. The governors weren't shy about expressing their thoughts.
The New York senator credited the governors for helping force the hands of Trump and Russell Vought, who the president has tapped to run the White House Office of Management and Budget, to pull back the funding freeze memo.
But it's just one win, and Schumer — and the governors — expect there will be more battles to wage.
Trump has already said the memo was rescinded but not the plan for funding cuts.
Pritzker also appeared on CNN, describing the funding freeze fiasco during the past 48 hours as being among 'the most bizarre and terrible since I took office.' Notable because Pritzker has often complained about Trump's handling of the Covid-19 crisis during Pritzker's first term.
The big political question: Earlier Wednesday, Pritzker was asked by a reporter if he would seek a third term. The governor gave his usual talking points about enjoying the job. But he also revealed that running for office was a conversation he was having with his family.
'I have to make a decision over the next few months,' he said. The idea of lifting up the people of Illinois and putting us in a better position excites me, and should excite someone who will serve as governor. So, that's one that would keep me in the job. … But families of politicians go through a lot. They didn't necessarily choose to be in that life. So, that's part of the decision-making process.'
THE BUZZ
LINES DRAWN: Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has taken away some privileges of GOP members of the Freedom Caucus due to their recent actions.
Denied: The five conservative House members have been denied spokesman positions, larger offices and communication services.
Lines drawn: The Republican members say McCombie has essentially 'declared war' on their caucus in a 'blatant attempt' to silence conservative voices. 'She seems to be more interested in going after conservative members of her own caucus than she is in taking on the Democrats,' the caucus said in a statement.
They missed McCombie's criticism of Democrats during the recent inauguration because they held their own separate inauguration.
'This decision was not made lightly and remains subject to further review,' McCombie said in a statement. 'Leadership resources are a privilege, not an entitlement, and they are allocated to those committed to advancing our caucus's priorities — not fueling distractions.' There's also a concern that the Freedom Caucus sometimes blurs the line of being a political organization. That's not allowed when doing work in the Capitol.
Being denied services are state Reps. Adam Niemerg of Dieterich, Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville, Chris Miller of Hindsboro, Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City and Marty McLaughlin of Barrington Hills.
McCombie isn't the first to take away some privileges. Former House GOP Leader Jim Durkin also pulled back the benefits.
In other matters: A brick was thrown through window of state Rep. Severin and state Sen. Bryant's joint office building, by WSIL TV's Mike Mohundro
If you are Chris Miller, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
At the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield to announce new college credit opportunities for Illinois State Police troopers
WHERE's BRANDON
On Kedzie Avenue for the Fifth City Commons ribbon-cutting
Where's Toni
No official public events
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
THE STATEWIDES
— MADIGAN TRIAL: Jurors begin deliberating after prosecutor argues Madigan 'lost his way: 'Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise over nearly a decade, designed to enhance his political power and financial well-being. Michael McClain, a former lawmaker and longtime lobbyist for ComEd, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan's agent,' by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles.
— People were strapped to chairs for hours, days at Madison County Jail. Many were mentally ill or in withdrawal: 'Of all Illinois jails, Madison County has the most incidents of restraint lasting longer than 10 hours — the upper limit set by the chair manufacturer. The jail said they're not equipped to care for so many mentally ill detainees,' by Illinois Answers' Grace Hauck and Janelle O'Dea
— Illinois' 8th graders outperform their peers in all but one state in national math and reading test, by the Tribune's Ikram Mohamed
— Illinois' 4th grade NAEP scores drop in both reading and math, by Chalkbeat's Samantha Smylie
— State lawmakers weigh TikTok's value, by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting
— Legislators try again to create state board to review drug prices, George Wiebe for the Sun-Times
— Lawmakers advance a bill aimed to protect warehouse workers amid complaints that demands for speed hinder safety, by the Tribune's Addison Wright
CHICAGO
— It's hemp day at City Hall. Two City Council panels are having a joint hearing to consider whether shops can sell hemp products. The move comes after state lawmakers were divided on the issue, with many seeing hemp products as a non-agriculture product that's dangerous to people (especially children). Others see it as an opportunity for tax revenue. Both sides will be on display at press briefings separate from the hearing.
— Text from Johnson to firefighters' union president could ignite stalled contract talks: 'The apparent breakthrough started with a text message from Mayor Brandon Johnson to Pat Cleary, president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 after Cleary's members responded to a Dec. 12 fire that started in a records storage area of Cook County Building,' by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman.
— Mayor Johnson's office blocked investigators from looking at valuable gifts he received, according to report: 'The Inspector General's office was denied access to the mayor's gift room with designer bags, cufflinks and shoes. The report calls for the mayor to end a practice where gifts accepted on behalf of the city are only logged at City Hall,' by the Block Club's Mack Liederman.
— New CPS Board President Sean Harden says he took the volunteer job because 'I love this city': He defends his request for a CPS driver and a car and said the leak to news media about his request shows that at least some in CPS' administration don't support him. 'Harden says it is incumbent on him not to focus on that,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp.
— Historian Shermann 'Dilla' Thomas partners with DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, by the Sun-Times' Stefano Esposito
— Man arrested during ICE sweep in Chicago ordered detained for allegedly selling 'ghost gun,' by the Sun-Times' Matthew Hendrickson
COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS
— BIG NUMBER: Assessor Fritz Kaegi says Chicago properties worth a combined $50.8B in 2024, calls for bill relief in Springfield: 'Kaegi's estimate for the value of commercial buildings like warehouses, offices and big apartment buildings is a combined $25.8 billion, while his estimate for all of the homes and smaller apartment buildings in the city is $25 billion. The total is a 23 percent increase compared with the year before,' by the Tribune's A.D. Quig.
— Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss launches campaign, tearing into White House and pledging 'bold experimentation': Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky introduced Biss who proclaimed Evanston as a 'leader in that fight' against federal policy, by the Daily Northwestern's Shun Graves and Hannah Webster.
— Cicero Town President Larry Dominick has been endorsed by SEIU Local 73, which represents more than 350 workers in the town.
— I got mine. Did you? Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2023 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 1.
DAY IN COURT
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Four immigrant rights groups that filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over deportation efforts have pulled their temporary restraining order requisition, according to a new filing. That means there will be no emergency hearing and no temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction anytime soon.
'It is now critical that we monitor the ongoing immigration raids in Chicago, educate our community members on their rights, and continue organizing to strengthen the sanctuary movement,' said Brandon Lee of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, one of the four groups that filed the lawsuit in federal court.
The suit claims the president's deportation efforts in Chicago violate their First Amendment rights to free speech and possibly Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizures.
Reader Digest
We asked about your unusual google searches.
Mike Gascoigne: 'I found that in southwestern France, where my name originates, they have a nativity figure called the Christmas caganer. It's basically a peasant taking a poop on the ground outside the manger where Jesus is being born. Apparently, people in the region get upset when the Christmas caganer is removed. That makes me laugh.'
Kathy Posner: 'I was in a conversation on Zoom with a politician who used the phrase, 'ear hustler.' I googled and found it was prison slang for a person who is a 'gossiper' or 'eavesdropper,' especially those seeking to leverage whatever information they overhear to their advantage. Great phrase I'll use in the future.'
Next question: Do you wake up to an alarm or music? Email skapos@politico.com
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— Trump went for shock and awe. Now he's mopping up, by POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky and Liz Crampton
— RFK Jr.'s rocky rollout, by Joanne Kenen in POLITICO's Nightly
— Trump order aims to end gender-affirming care for minors, by POLITICO's Daniel Payne
— The senators who could stop Tulsi Gabbard, by POLITICO's Jordain Carney
TRANSITIONS
— Rich Rieger has joined consulting firm Berkeley Research Group's health analytics practice as a managing director in Chicago, where he'll advise pharma and biotech companies. He's had held positions at Baxter, Horizon Therapeutics and AbbVie.
TRIVIA
WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Thomas Scorza withdrew his nomination as city clerk, dealing Mayor Richard M. Daley one of his biggest defeats.
TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the first Illinois governor to be born in Illinois? Email skapos@politico.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Emily's List Midwest Finance Director Sarah Carrillo, career coach Eric Fridman, The Intelligence Group's Maze Jackson, Insider Regional Sales Director Arjun Kumar, Edelman Account Supervisor Sabiha Nur, former Ald. Ricardo Munoz, NBC News reporter and POLITICO alum Natasha Korecki and POLITICO Senior Editor Bob Hillman, who gets Illinois Playbook to your inboxes every morning.
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Yahoo
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Trump aides want Texas to redraw its congressional maps to boost the GOP. What would that mean?
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Washington Post
12 minutes ago
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FAA nominee tells senators he will modernize air traffic control system
Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that if confirmed, he will push the agency to act with urgency on the administration's multi-billion-dollar revamp of the nation's air traffic control system. 'I know change can be hard, but I believe the agency can get back on the right track,' Bedford told members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Bedford, 63, the CEO of regional carrier Republic Airways, acknowledged that public confidence in the safety of the nation's airspace has been rattled this year by the midair collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people, as well as by equipment failures that caused thousands of delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport. He said he is committed to rebuilding trust in the agency, which has seen an exodus of veteran leaders as part of staff reductions championed by the U.S. DOGE Service. 'The FAA is sorely in need of his steady leadership,' said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the committee's chairman. 'No Senate-confirmed head of the agency completed a full five-year term since 2018.' The agency has seen a parade of permanent and acting leaders in recent years, which some analysts and lawmakers think has hampered its ability to move forward on efforts to tackle decades-old problems including the persistent shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA's last permanent leader, Michael Whitaker, stepped down in January after just over a year in the job. Bedford told lawmakers he is committed to serving out his full five-year term. Bedford pledged to 'to build a new best-in-class air traffic control system and to rectify the chronic understaffing in our nation's air centers. However, to accomplish this, I hope we can agree we can't repeat the mistakes of the past. We can't accept half measures.' In response to written questions from the committee, Bedford signaled that he would not hesitate to shake up an agency that he views as too cautious and risk-averse. 'There appears to be no incentive for anyone at FAA to take any innovation risk for fear that it could fail,' he wrote. 'You could say there was an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' attitude, but that has morphed into a quiet resignation that 'we can't fix it, but we can do our very best to make the system work safely today' mindset.' Bedford said as a result a 'malaise' has set in at the FAA, where 'managers believe the agency is helpless to make the necessary changes, and furthermore, they rationalize it isn't really their fault,' he continued. 'The best they can do is fight every day to make the current system limp along safely.' Bedford has served as CEO of Republic Airways, a regional carrier based in Indianapolis, since 1999. He is married with nine children, several of which joined him at Wednesday's hearing. He has a bachelor's degree in business from Florida State University. Bedford has won praise from an array of industry groups, with Airlines for America, the trade group that represents the nation's largest carriers, calling him a 'superb choice' to lead the agency. 'He intimately understands the importance of a strong working relationship between the FAA and airspace operators of all sizes,' the group said in a statement, urging the Senate committee to move quickly to confirm him. But his nomination has drawn opposition from Democrats on the panel and some labor unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association, which cited his support of efforts to reduce the number of flight hours required to become a commercial pilot. Though repeatedly pressed by several Democratic senators about whether he would seek to reduce the current 1,500-hour requirement, Bedford would only say that he would not take any action that would compromise safety. 'It's important that we have an FAA administrator who strengthens our aviation standards to honor the families who have lost loved ones in these tragic accidents,' said Sen. Maria Cantwell (Washington), the committee's ranking Democrat. 'The tragic midair collision in January between the Army Blackhawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 took the lives of 67 people and is a stark reminder of what happens when the system fails.'
The Hill
12 minutes ago
- The Hill
ICE raids accelerate, protests spread
Evening Report is The Hill's P.M. newsletter. Sign up here or subscribe in the box below: Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here THE WHITE HOUSE vowed Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids would continue 'unabated,' as protests spread from Los Angeles into other major American cities. Demonstrations have sprung up in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin, Denver, San Francisco and other major cities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) sought to rally the nation to his side, as U.S. Marines prepared to join National Guard troops dispatched to keep the peace in Los Angeles. 'This isn't just about protests here in Los Angeles,' Newsom said in a direct-to-camera address. 'This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes.' The White House warned protesters there would be consequences if demonstrations in other cities get out of hand. 'Let this be an unequivocal message to left-wing radicals in other parts of the country who might be thinking about copy-catting the violence in an effort to stop this administration's mass deportation efforts,' said press secretary Karoline Leavitt. 'You will not succeed. Any lawlessness will only strengthen this president's resolve to defend the majority of Americans who want to live their lives peacefully, free from the fear of violent criminal illegal aliens.' The New York Police Department said at least 80 people were arrested at anti-ICE protests in lower Manhattan on Tuesday night. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) deployed the National Guard to deal with protests in his state. 'Peaceful protest is legal,' Abbott posted on X. 'Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order.' ICE took more than 70 people into custody during an immigration enforcement operation at a meat packaging facility in Omaha. Leavitt said more than 330 people in the country illegally have been arrested in Los Angeles over the past few days, and that more than 100 had prior criminal convictions. 'This administration is going to continue the mass deportation effort that the president promised the American public,' she said. President Trump's border czar Tom Homan said the protests are making immigration raids and deportations 'difficult' and 'dangerous' for the officers seeking to carry them out. 'They're not going to stop us,' Homan told 'NBC Nightly News' anchor Tom Llamas. 'They're not going to slow us down.' Organizers with 'No Kings' are planning about 1,500 demonstrations across the country to protest the military parade scheduled for Saturday in D.C. to mark the Army's 250th birthday. It's also Trump's 79th birthday. Protests and boycotts could also be in effect tonight at the Kennedy Center, where Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend a production of 'Les Misérables.' LOS ANGELES ON EDGE Hundreds of U.S. Marines are expected to be deployed soon alongside the thousands of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, which has been racked by vandalism, looting and some violent altercations with the police. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) instituted an 8 p.m. curfew on Tuesday night, resulting in dozens of arrests for those who stayed out. Two men have been arrested for allegedly possessing Molotov cocktails. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Los Angeles is 'at a good point.' 'We're hoping it's going to get under control, we hope the curfew will work and we're going to continue to do everything we can to keep California safe if the government of California is not going to help them,' Bondi said. Newsom fumed at what he described as federal interference that furthered the chaos. 'This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation,' he said. A judge rejected Newsom's request to limit troop deployment, pending a Thursday hearing. The Department of Justice called Newsom's lawsuit a 'crass political stunt.' On Thursday, three Democratic governors from blue 'Sanctuary States' will testify before Congress: Govs. Tim Walz (Minn.), Kathy Hochul (New York) and JB Pritzker. 'Sanctuary cities and states will no longer be allowed to shield illegal criminal from deportation,' Leavitt said. 💡Perspectives: • American Conservative: Trump, Newsom play to their bases. Who will win? • Washington Post: Dems ignored the border. The consequences are here. • The Liberal Patriot: Both parties lose the plot on immigration. • The New York Times: The military may find itself in an impossible situation. • City Journal: Trump's unapologetic defense of the rule of law. Read more: • Trump team to send thousands of migrants to Guantanamo. • McIver indicted on federal charges for immigration center encounter. • Senate Dems spar with Hegseth over legality of Los Angeles deployments. • Dems rage against Trump's moves in LA, as some worry about optics. • GOP backs Trump on LA, but there's skepticism over deploying Marines. CATCH UP QUICK NEWS THIS AFTERNOON Trump, Musk talk reconciliation President Trump and Elon Musk are talking about reconciliation, days after their relationship imploded in a mess of threats and allegations. Early Wednesday morning, Musk expressed regret over the feud, which he escalated by alleging Trump had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week,' Musk wrote just after 3 a.m. EDT. 'They went too far.' Trump, who threatened to end government contracts for Musk's companies, was asked if he could reconcile with Musk. 'I guess I could,' Trump said in a podcast interview. 'But you know, we have to straighten out the country. Yeah, and my sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it's ever been.' Trump said he was mostly upset at Musk for trying to sink his 'big, beautiful bill.' Musk has been raging at the levels of spending and debt in the Trump agenda bill ever since his time at the White House leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) came to an end. 'I have no hard feelings,' Trump told the New York Post's Miranda Devine. 'I was really surprised that that happened,' Trump continued. 'He went after a bill… And when he did that, I was not a happy camper.' The New York Times reports that Trump and Musk spoke on the phone ahead of Musk's expression of regret. The latest on the 'big, beautiful bill'… Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says he'll keep senators in Washington during the July 4 recess to complete work on Trump's agenda bill by the self-imposed deadline. House Republicans are teeing up changes to the bill, with intent of voting later this week. The Hill's Mychael Schnell and Emily Brooks explain: 'The tweaks come after the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the sprawling package and identified provisions that do not comply with the upper chamber's procedural requirements for using the budget reconciliation process, which allows Republicans to circumvent a Democratic filibuster and approve the legislation by simple majority.' MEANWHILE… A pair of House panels voted to advance legislation laying out oversight of the crypto market, amid opposition from Democrats. And House Republicans advanced legislation that calls for more than $450 billion to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and other programs for fiscal 2026. It's the first of the 12 annual funding bills House GOP appropriators are hoping to move out of committee before Congress leaves for its August recess. 💡Perspectives: • The Spectator: The tech-MAGA alliance is far from over. • Very Serious: A terrible field of New York mayoral candidates. • The Hill: Trump, Congress can end abuse of taxpayers by PBS and NPR. • The Guardian: Trump wages war against U.S. citizens. • MSNBC: Americans prep for nationwide 'No Kings' rallies. Read more: • House GOP schedule interviews with former Biden aides. • Foreign investors recoil from 'discriminatory' tax in Trump's big bill. • 5 takeaways from the New Jersey primaries. • Sergio Gor cements himself as 'vital' part of Trump's White House. • Most voters in favor of Trump's 'most favored nation' drug price policy. IN OTHER NEWS US, China agree to new trade framework U.S. and Chinese officials announced an agreement in principle on a new trade framework after three days of meetings in London. The deal effectively restores a previous agreement, which the U.S. had accused China of breaking. Both countries will lower tariffs and roll back export controls on goods that are critical to technology. The deal still must be signed off on by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump said over Truth Social the U.S. would impose 55 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, while China would impose a 10 percent tariff on U.S. products. In addition, China will supply magnets and 'any necessary rare earths,' while the U.S. will draw back restrictions on Chinese students attending U.S. universities, Trump said. Trump enjoyed a raft of good news on trade and the economy on Wednesday. An appeals court ruled that the bulk of Trump's tariffs can remain in place for now, extending a pause after a different court ruled the tariffs were illegal. 'A great and important win for the U.S.,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. And the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation coming in lower than expected, contrary to economic forecasts that predicted tariffs would provoke a spike in inflation. Trump has openly pressured Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates, but Powell has refused, citing uncertainty from the trade wars. Vice President Vance ripped the Fed on Wednesday, saying Trump has been proven right. 'The president has been saying this for a while, but it's even more clear: the refusal by the Fed to cut rates is monetary malpractice,' Vance posted on X. 💡Perspectives: • The Hill: Military spending is out of control. • The New Republic: The audacity of Trump's self-dealing. • USA Today: Progressives are destroying Democratic norms. • Wall Street Journal: Newsom positions himself as leader of the opposition. • The Economist: Is there a woke right? Read more: • GM investing $4 billion in production shift to US. Someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up to get your own copy: See you next time!
