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Politico
5 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Pritzker's gerrymander jab draws fire
☀️☀️☀️Happy hot Thursday, Illinois. The Cubs will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game at Wrigley Field, via Crain's. TOP TALKER MAP MOVES: Gov. JB Pritzker scolded Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump this week for their brazen attempts to redraw congressional maps in the Lone Star State with the goal of giving GOP candidates an even cushier ride to Washington. No cheating: That the president is 'encouraging Texas — and Texas being willing to do this — should be an indicator to the rest of us that if they're going to cheat, that that's not a proper way to act,' Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference. 'I think we ought to play by the rules. Everybody.' Illinois Republicans did a spit take. 'It's rich that the governor now claims to support playing by the rules — after he enthusiastically signed into law the most gerrymandered maps in the nation,' said Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. 'Phony' and 'disingenuous' is how state Rep. Ryan Spain, the deputy minority leader, put it. The backstory: In 2021, when Democrats worried the House might slip from their grasp, Illinois Democrats approached redistricting with surgical precision — eliminating two Republican congressional seats and reinforcing their own fortress in D.C. How it changed: Illinois, which lost a seat due to population changes, went from having 13 Democrats and five Republicans in Congress to 14 Democrats and three Republicans. This week, Pritzker left open the possibility of more map tweaking. Asked if Illinois would try to 'counterbalance' what Texas might do, Pritzker said: 'We have to see what they decide to do about Texas.' We reached out to lawmakers on the redistricting committee to see if there's any appetite for another round of map-making. No one responded. And a spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon told Capitol News' Ben Szalinski, 'That's not something we're pursuing.' Redistricting 'overreach' can be a risk, says Ryan Tolley, executive director of CHANGE Illinois, which supports fair mapping. He pointed to how Illinois lawmakers also carved up state legislative districts in southern Illinois, with the goal of favoring Democratic incumbents LaToya Greenwood and Jay Hoffman. But the outcome backfired. Greenwood lost. 'Democrats run the risk of creating thin margin districts. The big question would be whether they could pick up a seat,' Tolley said. And if they don't, 'they could end up hurting more than helping.' That might not stop Democrats, however. One political strategist we talked to acknowledged, 'There's always more you can do,' a reminder that gerrymandering is a bipartisan blood sport that's never really over. RELATED Obama to headline fundraiser in response to GOP redistricting efforts, by POLITICO's Andrew Howard THE BUZZ REALITY BITES: Mayor Brandon Johnson's CFO says a property tax hike is 'likely' in the 2026 budget, via Bloomberg's Isabela Fleischmann and Romaine Bostick. 'It is likely that that will be part of the package,' Jill Jaworski said at Bloomberg's New Voices event in Chicago. 'We haven't rolled out the full package yet, but the package is going to include cuts [in expenditures], and it is going to include proposals for increasing our revenues.' Jaworski also talked at length about what the city is doing to attract new business, the city's tax burden — and areas of the city that work. Watch it here From the Tribune: Johnson's team emphasized the budget was not yet finalized and that the mayor 'is focused on identifying progressive revenue opportunities that ensure that the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share and that this budget is not balanced on the backs of working people,' report A.D. Quig and Jake Sheridan. RELATED Chicago Public Schools is grappling with a massive budget deficit: 'District officials say they expect to save about $165 million after laying off some central office staff and crossing guards this summer. But leaders are still searching for $569 million in either savings or revenue,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. If you are LaToya Greenwood, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB At the State of Illinois Building at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the building being renamed the Jesse White State of Illinois Building At 2300 South State Street at 1:15 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting at 23rd Place at Southbridge Where's Toni At the Cook County Building at 9 a.m. to preside over a County Commission meeting — At the Cook County Building at 12:45 p.m. to spotlight a youth and the arts movement — At the State of Illinois Building at 1:30 p.m. for its renaming Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ MORNING MONEY: CAPITAL RISK — POLITICO's flagship financial newsletter has a new Friday edition built for the economic era we're living in: one shaped by political volatility, disruption and a wave of policy decisions with sector-wide consequences. Each week, Morning Money: Capital Risk brings sharp reporting and analysis on how political risk is moving markets and how investors are adapting. Want to know how health care regulation, tariffs, or court rulings could ripple through the economy? Start here. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — MAKING IT OFFICIAL: State Rep. Margaret Croke is officially launching her campaign for state comptroller today, promoting a 'Rule of 3' video, with a hat tip to juggling her three children. Croke has served nearly five years in the Illinois General Assembly and before that worked in the governor's office. 'Our state comptroller can't control what happens in Washington, but they can ensure Illinois' finances are managed with efficiency, transparency and oversight,' she said in a statement announcing her campaign. 'With the chaos coming out of the Trump administration, strong leadership at the state level is more important than ever before.' — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: In IL-07, Richard Boykin, the former county commissioner, will kick off his campaign for Congress with businessman Willie Wilson at his side. Details here — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: George Alpogianis is launching his campaign for 9th District Democratic State Central committeeman, and he's being endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, state Sen. Laura Murphy, state Rep. Kevin Olickal and Niles Township Supervisor Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti, according to his team. — Senate race: Robin Kelly pledges to confirm only pro-LGBTQ+ judges in U.S. Senate bid, by Jake Wittich in the Windy City Times — In IL-09: Daniel Biss has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 742, representing Evanston's fire and EMS personnel. It's the first labor endorsement in the race. Biss, the mayor of Evanston, is running for the open seat now held by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who's retiring after 2026. — Robert Carroll is seeking the Democratic nomination for DuPage County sheriff, where he was a top aide. 'I'm running because every resident deserves to feel safe, respected and heard — no matter where they live, what they look like, or where they come from.' he said in launching his campaign. More from the Daily Herald's Susan Sarkauskas. ILLINOIS' POPE — Legislation aims to protect pope's U.S. citizenship: 'The measure would exempt popes with U.S. citizenship from federal tax obligations, and prevent their citizenship from being revoked during their tenure as supreme pontiff,' by The Pillar's Jack Figge. CHICAGO — Startup joins Chicago's growing quantum campus, plans to build its own computer: 'Infleqtion, a startup with roots in Boulder, Colo., and Chicago, says it will build a commercial quantum computer at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park planned for the former U.S. Steel mill on the South Side,' by Crain's John Pletz. — City investing $40M to improve conditions at 7 homeless shelters, by Block Club's Michael Liptrot — Feds want 15 months for ex-City Club President Jay Doherty in ComEd Madigan plot, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel — SCOOP: Ex-Loretto leader and pal accused of stealing millions are living large in Dubai, by Block Club's Kelly Bauer — University of Chicago considers restructuring arts and humanities division to cut costs, by the Tribune's Kate Armanini COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Harvey, Ill., to lay off about 10 percent of its city workforce: 'After every effort to avoid cuts — including eliminating discretionary spending, enforcing tax compliance and making painful operational adjustments — we have no choice,' said Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark, via CBS 2's Adam Harrington and John Odenthal. — Crystal Lake Park District holds another contentious meeting as board cleared of violating Open Meeting Act: 'Yelling, booing mark session,' by the Northwest Herald's Michelle Meyer. — Ex-Worth Township supervisor gets probation in Oak Lawn red-light camera bribery case, by the Tribune's Jason Meisner SPOTTED — Happy anniversary! New Chicago Consulting, headed by managing partners Tom Bowen, Christina Nowinski Wurst and Tracy Mayfield celebrated their 11 years in business earlier this week with a gathering of friends and clients. In the room: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Ald. Jason Ervin, city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, former Deputy Gov. Jesse Ruiz, County Commissioner Scott Britton and former Congresswoman and Mercury Public Affairs partner Cheri Bustos. Reader Digest We asked about crazy things you've seen on the El. Bob Kieckhefer: 'Ronnie Woo Woo on the Red Line headed to Wrigley.' Kevin Lampe: 'The excitement of arriving at Comiskey Park (Yes, that is still the name to me.) or Wrigley Field and the emotional discharge depending on the outcome of the game at departure.' Ed Mazur: 'Red Line: a man with a squawking chicken perched on his head. Honestly.' Tara Price: 'One time my law school roommate and I saw the bare behind of a gentleman through his ripped jeans as he stood up, leaned against the railing of the seats directly in front of us. Some things you wish you could unsee.' Josh Witkowski: 'I've seen guys openly selling weed while moving car to car.' NEXT QUESTION: What policy or law noticeably improved your community? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Donald Trump's social media attacks on President Barack Obama, saying Trump's use of an AI-generated video of Obama was 'deeply unsettling,' according to a statement. Earlier this week, Trump accused Obama of 'treason' over an investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Appeals court finds Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional, by The Associated Press. The move drew praise from Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul. 'The universal injunction was both necessary and appropriate. As a birthright citizen, I will not stop fighting to protect the constitutionally protected right to citizenship that is unquestionably guaranteed to all children born in this country to parents who are not yet naturalized citizens.' — 'POTUS is clearly furious': White House is frustrated by all-consuming Epstein coverage, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade — Trump's 'massive' deal with Japan is giving US automakers heartburn, by POLITICO's Daniel Desrochers and Chris Marquette — Supreme Court green-lights Trump's firing of consumer product safety regulators, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein TRANSITIONS — Adrienne White-Faines has been named president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. She starts in September. Most recently White-Faines was chief strategy officer for the American College of Physicians. The Tribune's Lisa Schencker has more. — Kara Spak is now media senior director at the 120/80 Group, a digital health marketing firm. She was a Northwestern hospital media relations manager and earlier a Sun-Times reporter. EVENTS — Saturday: State Rep. Adam Niemerg's free fishing derby for kids ages 4 to 15 will be held at Sam Parr. Details here TRIVIA WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that a traditional 'Chicago handshake' is a shot-and-a-beer combo of Heileman's Old Style and Malört. TODAY's QUESTION: What Chicago location was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, former Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Lockport Township Supervisor Alex Zapién, entrepreneur Michael Ferro, Holtz Industries President James Straus, WGN Radio's Anna Davlantes and Global Strategy Group's Nicole Jaconetty -30-
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Orioles All-Star Tagged As Best First Baseman On Market By MLB Insider
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Baltimore Orioles have fallen off from their playoff-clinching performance of last season, and now they are focusing on trading expiring contracts to retool for a run at October next year. But as the Orioles' season crumbles below them, first baseman Ryan O'Hearn has put together an All-Star campaign, resurging his career and, according to Mark Feinsand, is the best first baseman on the trade market. ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Ryan O'Hearn #32 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Ryan O'Hearn #32 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./O'Hearn, who is a free agent at the end of the season, revitalized his career in Baltimore after a disastrous tenure with the Kansas City Royals. He is now expected to be one of the top options on the trade block next week. O'Hearn entered Wednesday with 12 home runs and a .280 batting average and a .828 OPS. The market is thin in run-producing bats, and O'Hearn not only fills that need but is versatile enough to play the corner outfield spots as well. O'Hearn comes with a low risk due to his impending free agency, potentially causing his price to drop a slight amount. The Orioles are going to trade him away with the focus on building up their roster, and teams should be waiting on the phone lines to grab O'Hearn for the final two months. With the market heating up, the Orioles will be very active with all of their expiring contracts, but the most value is coming from making a deal to send O'Hearn to a contender. O'Hearn will be sought after and could very easily be the first domino to fall in the left-handed hitting market. More MLB: Royals Reportedly Willing To Trade, Looking To Compete Next Year
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Sends Mookie Betts Message After Surprising Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been unable to right the ship coming out of the All-Star break, dropping four out of five games after a loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. And now the team will be without yet another high-leverage arm for a significant stretch, as reliever Tanner Scott was placed on the injured list. The growing list of pitcher injuries is reason for concern, but the Dodgers are also responding to some concerning offensive struggles for one of their best players. As shortstop Mookie Betts has posted a career low .238/.311/.373 slash line so far this season, manager Dave Roberts made the surprising move to slot him into the leadoff position. That decision might jumpstart Betts' offense, but it also moved the team's best player, Shohei Ohtani, out of the leadoff spot. In response to the move, Ohtani sent a clear message about his mindset and his hopes for how it might impact Betts. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by) More Squire/Getty "I have absolutely no problem with it," Ohtani said of being moved out of the leadoff spot, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. "What's most important is that everyone can hit comfortably." In addition to working his way back to the mound this season, Ohtani has served as the team's most productive hitter from the top of the order. He leads the team in total runs, hits, homers and RBI. But a move down one spot to accommodate Betts hasn't seemed to disrupt that production, as he's on a four-game homer streak after Tuesday's loss. "He wants to win," Roberts said of Ohtani, per Hernandez. "I think that him playing every day, him pitching, him taking walks when needed and switching spots with Mookie in the order, whatever is in the best interest of the ballclub, that's what he's doing." Ohtani seems ready to take on whatever the team might ask of him. But if the Dodgers hope to regain their momentum in the wins column, they'll need to hope that Betts' move to leadoff can unlock something at the plate. More MLB: Yankees Pushed To Cut Ties With Talented Top Pitching Prospect At Deadline
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Guardians Make Steven Kwan Trade Decision Amid Rumors, Per Insider
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and there has been no shortage of rumors surrounding baseball. For the Cleveland Guardians, the main rumors seemingly surround All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and Gold Glove outfielder Steven Kwan. While trading Kwan or Clase could boost the future in Cleveland, it would be a tough pill to swallow. Clase's future is seemingly up in the air still, but ESPN's Buster Olney recently suggested the Guardians wouldn't look to trade Kwan this season, noting the idea as "unlikely." ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images "The player asked about the most on the Guardians' roster is Steven Kwan, but given that he's 2 1/2 years away from free agency, it's unlikely he'll be traded, according to sources," Olney wrote in a post to Twitter/X on Tuesday. "His slash line this year: .288/.352/.398, with 11 stolen bases." Trading Kwan never seemed to make sense for Cleveland. This team went deep into the postseason last year and lost to the eventual American League pennant-winning New York Yankees. It's not like the Guardians need to blow their roster up. If Kwan was on an expiring contract, this idea would make sense, but he's not. There are still two additional years of arbitration left on his deal for the Guardians to take advantage of. Kwan is a building block in Cleveland. The team is talented. It's more likely Cleveland will give him a contract extension in the offseason rather than trade him right now. More MLB: Yankees Set To Battle Dodgers In Trade Deadline Bidding War For Star
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Blockbuster Mock Trade Sends $60 Million Home Run Derby Star To Giants
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. FanSided's Quinn Everts recently pitched a hypothetical mock trade that would send Athletics slugger Brent Rooker to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for top prospects Carson Whisenhunt and Dakota Jordan. "In this deal, the Giants get Rooker, while the Athletics get Whisenhunt (No. 2 Giants prospect) and Jordan (No. 5 Giants prospect), two guys who should be able to help a big league club within the next few years," Everts wrote. "On a team with young talent like the A's, that timeline might fit a little better than Rooker's does. "Granted, with the Giants farm system not being particularly strong, there might be better offers for Rooker out there. I doubt San Francisco would sacrifice its sole MLB Top 100 prospect (Bryce Eldridge) for Rooker, even though the Athletics might demand him in a deal. This hypothetical deal gets the A's two promising prospects to add to their farm while the Giants get the offensive upside they've lacked most of the season. Who says no?" ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Brent Rooker #25 of the Athletics competes in a swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Brent Rooker #25 of the Athletics competes in a swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Fitting Rooker into the Giants' lineup would be tough considering Rafael Devers is the team's new designated hitter, but they'd have two options. Devers could slide to first base, or Rooker could play the outfield. Either option would work perfectly for the Giants. Adding a star with the home run potential of Rooker would be huge in closing the gap on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. The Athletics might not want to trade Rooker, but bringing in a few talented prospects might fit their winning timeline better. The last thing to note is that this feels like a bit of an underpay. Rooker is one of the more underrated sluggers in baseball, and he's under affordable team control for a long time. The Giants would likely need to throw in another prospect to get the deal to go through. More MLB: Sandy Alcántara Blockbuster? Cubs Trade Rumors Reaching New Peak
