Latest news with #StateoftheStateandBudgetAddress
Politico
24-02-2025
- Business
- Politico
How Pritzker's speech was written
Happy Monday, Illinois. Savor the sunshine. TOP TALKER FIGURE OF SPEECH: Gov. JB Pritzker's highly talked-about State of the State and Budget Address last week was written much the same way as his previous six speeches were penned. Anne Caprara, the governor's chief of staff, wrote the speech working with the governor to decide on the message he wants to deliver. About the process: 'It starts with asking, 'What's the major element of the budget?' 'What story do we have to tell about the budget?'' explained Caprara in an interview with Playbook. Pritzker's team knew in late summer that 'this was going to be a challenging year,' Caprara said. 'But as the governor noted and addressed, the projections changed, even as we were getting close to the speech.' The message was simple: Spending this year needs to be kept in check because there are so many unknowns about the ripple effect of the federal government's cuts. Pritzker is worried about President Donald Trump's executive orders possibly jeopardizing federal funds going to Illinois. And Caprara said, 'We felt pretty strongly that we had to address that.' But these speeches are also meant to engage Illinois residents about why the budget matters. 'There's always some story that we try to put into the speech — something that's relevant to the time,' Caprara said, recalling a speech during the Covid years in which Pritzker talked about hospitals in Springfield during the Spanish flu. This year, the focus was Trump's efforts to 'dismantle government,' Caprara said. 'JB has said to me continually that he is really concerned about the parallels between what's happening right now and what Germany experienced,' she said, recalling her first meeting with Pritzker and learning that he was a student of the Holocaust after helping establish the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Since Trump's inauguration, the governor 'has been really alarmed' about how Trump and Elon Musk 'are approaching the executive orders and the degree to which they're rooting out words and people.' Pritzker talked with Caprara, saying he wanted to address the warning signs. 'I don't think I can go into the speech and not talk about what's happening,' Caprara recalled him saying. There was no push-back within Pritzker's team about comparing the Trump administration and the Nazi era, something that Republicans have criticized. 'There was a lot of conversation about it, like 'How do we do this, and how do we do it the right way?' But I wouldn't say that there was any hesitation,' Caprara said. 'This is the moment and the message that we need to deliver and if it gets a lot of attention, we feel like people need to hear it.' Getting the message across: 'We are very careful with the language,' Caprara said. 'But I don't think I'm being hyperbolic when I say that the people around me working in government and others who email me are extremely alarmed [about what's happening in Washington]. They're texting and emailing asking 'What should I be doing and why isn't somebody saying something about how bad it is?'' Over the past two weeks, the speech was passed back and forth to Pritzker and his top aides, including the governor's speech writer, Joe Miller, Deputy Governor Andy Manar and Budget Director Alexis Sturm for fact-checking, tweaks and edits. The speech was written by the time former House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted on corruption charges, so a reference to him was added later. Caprara dismissed critics who say the speech was an effort to promote Pritzker's political stature. Not so, she said. The governor 'feels a moral obligation and also he thinks it's the right thing to do.' MORE ON THE SPEECH: Pritzker turned heads by comparing Trump administration to Nazi Germany. But will voters be moved? by the Tribune's Rick Pearson RELATED Pritzker sits down with Psaki: 'Yes, the system is rigged' against the working class, Pritzker said in a wide-ranging interview on 'The Blueprint with Jen Psaki,' a new MSNBC podcast. The governor said fellow Democrats 'need to be really clear, really clear, focusing on the things that really matter.' Pritzker said raising the federal minimum wage should have been an issue during the 2024 presidential campaign. 'The minimum wage, federally, is $7.25. You can't live on that — $14, 000 a year. Here in Illinois, we raised the minimum wage to $15. But federally, it's $7.25. Republicans want to keep it at $7.25. ... We should have been talking about that. Why was that not on the campaign trail?' Listen to the interview here. THE BUZZ A TRUMP VISIT: Lara Trump, the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law of the president, visited Illinois on Friday making a bold statement that Illinois could turn red in 2028 — and she revealed some insight about President Donald Trump's executive moves. She had stats: 'Donald Trump in 2016 got 38 percent of the vote here. In 2020, 40 percent of the vote. In 2024, he got 45 percent of the vote in the state of Illinois. I want you guys to understand something. We are about to turn the state of Illinois in the next presidential election to a red state,' Trump told a crowd of 500 at Venuti's Italian restaurant in Addison. The event was a fundraiser for McHenry County GOPAC. Lara Trump also offered a glimpse into the thinking of the president's recent executive actions. During his first term, she said, the president was told repeatedly, 'You need to fit into this specific mold. And so he tried to fit into that mold, and he got a lot of great things accomplished.' That changed in his second term: He's 'looking at things differently,' Lara Trump said. The president 'isn't trying to fit in that mold anymore. He said, 'You know what? I'm going to come into this White House, and I'm going to do things my way this time.'' ABC 7's Liz Nagy has more. SPOTTED: Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie and Republican state Reps. Martin McLaughlin, John Cabello, Jed Davis, Regan Deering, Bradley Fritts, Amy Grant, Jeff Keicher, Patrick Sheehan, Dennis Tipsword, Dan Ugaste and Tom Weber. Also in the room: Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, who's mulling a run for office again. 'Stay tuned,' he says. If you are Jen Psaki, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A new poll is offering a hypothetical race for Chicago mayor. The primary is two years away on Feb. 23, 2027. The survey includes 11 potential candidates whose names have been batted about, and it also highlights the priority issues for voters. The poll was conducted by M3 Strategies and commissioned and paid for by Urban Center, a C-4 nonprofit organization that's headed by Juan Rangel. M3 did polling for Paul Vallas during his 2023 mayoral campaign, and Rangel also endorsed Vallas that year. The poll surveyed 696 likely Chicago voters Feb. 20-21 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.71 percentage points. The results: The poll shows Mayor Brandon Johnson's support at 8.2 percent with a 79.9 percent unfavorable rating — trailing Vallas, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The full polling memo is here. THE STATEWIDES — Financial impacts of federal action stir anxiety for Illinois farmers, by Ashley Soriano and the Medill Illinois News Bureau — Lawmakers weigh whether to legalize 'medical aid in dying,' by Capitol News' Andrew Adams — Black and brown veterans call on Gov. Pritzker for pardons to avoid deportations, by The Triibe's Tonia Hill — In Chicago, City touts mission to target employee ties to hate groups; community demands police be the priority, by the Tribune's Alice Yin and Adriana Pérez COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — SCOOP: Liz Nicholson, the Democratic fundraiser who for years worked for the Illinois Senate Democrats, is throwing her hat in the ring to run for office. She's filed paperwork to run for Cook County Board of Review. Nicholson is talking to potential donors and looking for endorsements. She hopes to win the seat of incumbent Commissioner Samantha Steele, who's come under scrutiny for a wrongful termination case that the county had to settle and for being caught on tape in a drunken-driving case. — In Cicero: Esteban Rodriguez is receiving high-profile endorsements in his bid for town president. Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) and New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, are both backing Rodriguez in his bid to unseat Larry Dominick. — In Dolton: Embattled Mayor Tiffany Henyard faces election challenge from one of her 'Dream Team' members: 'Trustee Jason House is trying to oust her from her post,' by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller. DAY IN COURT — Highland Park mass shooting survivors hope for justice, resolution as trial begins Monday: 'The trial is expected to be a particularly emotional one: Lake County prosecutors have said they intend to call as witnesses many of the 48 people who were wounded on July 4, 2022,' by the Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos. — Trial set to start Monday for Plainfield landlord charged with killing 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, by the Sun-Times' Sophie Sherry. Reader Digest We asked what sport builds political character. Jeremy Coster: 'Cross country and track and field. The events are individual and generally grueling, but your individual contribution affects the team's score in the end.' Graham Grady: 'Mud Wrestling, obviously!' Charles Keller: 'A golf outing scramble because you know the winners are cheating but you feel ok about it because you won a skin.' Ed Mazur: 'Tackle football. It emphasizes teamwork and getting knocked down and resuming the path.' Gail Morse: 'Baseball: patience to play small ball, power to be exerted when needed and strategy, strategy, strategy!' Jeff Nathan: 'Golf. It's the only sport that is totally up to you to enforce the rules. With a hat tip to John Cleese: 'A man who would cheat at golf will cheat at anything.'' Kathy Posner: 'Curling. It's strategic teamwork, precise execution and a lot of yelling at people sweeping.' Andy Shaw: 'Bowling. It requires a proficient use of big balls.' Judith Weinstein: 'Fencing. It's as much a psychological sport as a physical one. You've got to be nimble, stay on guard and remain in your strip [lane]. Trash talking gets you banned. And the odds of head trauma are practically zero.' Next question: Is it necessary to learn cursive writing? Email skapos@ KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Congressman Sean Casten is among Democratic lawmakers speaking out against Elon Musk for telling federal employees to explain their work — or be let go. 'This is a good opportunity for mass civil disobedience,' Casten wrote on X. — Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Jesús 'Chuy' García (IL-4) were among elected officials joining Chicago hospitality and restaurant industry leaders over lunch Sunday to discuss how Trump's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation raids were affecting business. THE NATIONAL TAKE — What Germany's election means for America — and the world, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi — Email starts power clash between Musk and agency leaders — even the Trump loyalists, by POLITICO's Irie Sentner — Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills tells Trump she will see him in court over transgender rights, by POLITICO's Eugene Daniels IN MEMORIAM — Jerry Butler dead at 85; singer known as 'Iceman' also had a long career in Cook County politics, by the Sun-Times' Maureen O'Donnell. TRIVIA FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Robert Christie and Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that George H.W. Bush was the last Republican presidential candidate to win Illinois when he defeated Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988. TODAY's QUESTION: What do John Belushi and Bob Woodward have in common? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Former Gov. George Ryan, former state Rep. Mark Batinick, adviser to the Cook County sheriff David Feller, Ravinia Festival CFO Peggy Papaioannou and Skillman Foundation CEO Angelique Williams-Power -30-
Politico
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Raoul: ‘It costs' to fight Trump
TGIF, Illinois. Enjoy the weekend and the warmer temps TOP TALKER SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul liked what he heard from Gov. JB Pritzker's budget address about fighting tyranny. 'But we should be investing in fighting tyranny, too,' Raoul told your Playbook host after the speech. Raoul has been front and center in filing lawsuits on behalf of Illinois against the Trump administration and what he sees as unlawful federal actions. He's not alone, often filing with other Democratic state attorneys general. It's required extra staffing and longer hours, and it's put a strain on the office, Raoul said. He's not the only one to ask. California lawmakers recently approved apportioning $25 million for the state Justice Department to fight the federal government in court. Maryland and the state of Washington have approved similar funding measures. No word yet on whether lawmakers will push to add such funding in the Illinois budget. Raoul is making the ask. 'It costs to be able to continue the fight that we've been engaged in and continue to do everything else that we do,' he said, standing along the Brass Rail at the state Capitol. The Illinois AG's budget is fueled in part by proceeds from litigation that it successfully handles, but it also receives state funding. 'For every dollar that we've received from the state's general revenue fund, we've returned $22,' Raoul said. 'So, I would probably argue we're the best investment that the state has.' RELATED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR: During Black History Month, House lawmakers are taking time each session day to speak about significant African American figures in a range of industries. House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch was surprised Thursday when he was the one to receive recognition. Leader Kam Buckner wanted to surprise Welch with the honor, so staffers told the speaker he was needed on the floor for a group photo — without telling him about the resolution. Welch became emotional during the presentation. 'You guys got me today,' Welch told the lawmakers. 'I love you all.' THE BUZZ A NEW POLL commissioned by Gov. JB Pritzker shows President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, dubbed 'co-presidents,' aren't popular with Illinois voters. And a majority of respondents find the Trump administration's efforts to revamp government 'extremely concerning.' Flooding the zone: The survey was released a day after the governor gave a State of the State and Budget Address that drew parallels between the Trump administration's actions and those of Nazi Germany. The Global Strategy Group conducted the poll Feb. 5 through 9, interviewing 800 'likely 2026 voters.' The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The full polling memo is here. Some take-aways: 56 percent of voters polled view Trump unfavorably, and 56 percent few Musk negatively. No surprise: Democrats dislike the D.C. duo more than Republicans do, according to the poll. And respondents aren't thrilled about some of Trump's executive actions, either. Asked for their views on ending an initiative to lower the cost of prescription drugs, 57 percent of respondents said they were 'extremely concerned.' The polling results explain Pritzker's focus on prescription drug costs. In his address, Pritzker introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability Act and said lowering costs is a priority for the budget. If you are Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ WEST WING PLAYBOOK 2.0: One month in, it's clear that Donald Trump's second term is reshaping Washington in ways unseen since the New Deal. To track this seismic shift, we've relaunched West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government. Washington, remade: This new daily briefing will deliver blow-by-blow updates on Trump's far-reaching efforts to overhaul federal agencies. From the actions of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to the strategy being carried out by the Office of Management and Budget under Russ Vought and the resulting conflicts playing out in the courts and Capitol Hill, our reporters will be your guide to the unprecedented disruption hitting Washington. Sign up now to get it delivered straight to your inbox. THE STATEWIDES — U.S. attorney for southern Illinois court removed by Trump, chief judge confirms: 'The move was made Monday under the Vacancies Reform Act, which allows removal of officials that are appointed by the White House,' by the Belleville News-Democrat's Carolyn P. Smith — State regulators order Peoples Gas to finish pipeline replacement by 2035, by the Tribune's Robert Channick — Not everyone needs a Real ID at May deadline — or possibly ever, via NBC 5 — Combating human trafficking: 'Springfield's recent closures of Asian massage parlors highlight a larger problem,' by the Illinois Times' Dean Olsen. — OPINION: Don't import California's shortsighted insurance regulation policies, writes Lynne McChristian, a risk management expert from U. of I., in the Tribune CHICAGO — Ald. Matt Martin introduces plan to punish Chicago city employees and officers for having extremist ties: 'The proposal follows growing calls for the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire cops with ties to extremist groups,' by WBEZ's Tessa Weinberg and the Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — The back scenes drama that led Andrea Kersten to quit COPA, the agency that investigates Chicago police misconduct: 'There was a threatened no-confidence vote by a city oversight panel that could have led to her being fired as chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability,' by the Sun-Times' Tom Schuba. — Amid heated debate, city agency endorses 'framework' to change zoning on Broadway, by the Sun-Times' David Roeder — Chicago Columbus statues could return as city faces art controversy, via Fox 32 — Hundreds of vacant lots in Chicago to be sold after landlords' bankruptcy, opening up opportunities for redevelopment, by the Tribune's Brian Rogal — After receiving a grant, Heartland Alliance Health is staying open, reversing a decision to close its clinics and pantries, by the Block Club's Madison Savedra — At the Obama Center: Peach's Chef Cliff Rome is tapped to run food services with Bon Appétit, by the Block Club's Maxwell Evans COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — In Cicero's primary, longtime Town President Larry Dominick faces a stiff challenge from Esteban Rodriguez: 'Dominick — who has served as town president since May 2005 and last ran uncontested in 2021 — has focused his policies largely on public safety. Rodriguez stepped down in January as executive director of Corazón Community Services, a Cicero-based nonprofit,' by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller. — BUSINESS OF POLITICS: Restraining order sought to block 26th Senate appointment amid legal fight, by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau — With federal funds frozen, a 1,300-acre restoration project comes to an abrupt stop at Midewin — Chicago region's largest natural area, by WTTW's Patty Wetli DAY IN COURT — Judge: Victims of Highland Park shooting can be present during testimony: 'Judges typically bar potential witnesses from sitting in on a trial until after they've testified. But Judge Victoria Rossetti referenced the Illinois Crime Victims Bill of Rights, which grants victims the 'right to be present at the trial,' by the Daily Herald's Barbara Vitello. — Former Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski set to be sentenced for extortion in June: 'Tobolski told a judge in September 2020 that he'd engaged in multiple extortion and bribery schemes, accepting more than $250,000 in payments 'as part of criminal activity that involved more than five participants,'' by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. Reader Digest We asked who you admired for standing their ground. Dan Balanoff: 'Ann Williams voted against the speed cameras in her first term as a state representative, which was supported by Mike Madigan. Brendan Reilly kept Grant Park free and clear in his first term when he fought off Mayor Daley's push to move the children's hospital there.' Mike Gascoigne: 'Bernie Sanders. He fights for the people every time.' Lucas Hawley: 'Sen. Rand Paul and Congressman Thomas Massie.' Mike Kohr: 'FDR, JFK, RFK, MLK, Cesar Chavez, BHO.' Marilynn Miller: 'Abraham Lincoln was determined to keep the union together, and Barack Obama was determined to pass health care legislation.' Kim Morton: 'Adam Kinzinger.' Kathy Posner: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg for standing her ground on gender equality and civil rights.' Brent Pruim: 'Barbara Lee, one of the many Cassandras of our time.' Dennis Rendleman: 'After Wednesday's speech, Gov. Pritzker. Before that, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and long before them, Gov. John Peter Altgeld.' Mark Rosenberg: 'Liz Cheney.' Scott Simon: 'Liz Cheney. Mitt Romney. Bill Maher.' Dale Swanson: 'Muhammad Ali! He chose to go to jail during the Vietnam War, at the height of his professional athletic career, rather than support a country that didn't support him.' Corrine Ann Williams: 'Nikki Haley,' who once responded to a Trump administration official suggesting she suffered 'momentary confusion' by saying, 'With all due respect, I don't get confused.' Next question: What athletic sport best builds political character? Email skapos@ THE NATIONAL TAKE — Democrats make a subtle case against Trump on the economy, by POLITICO's Liz Crampton — The private GOP panic over the slash-and-burn DOGE firings, by POLITICO's Meredith Lee Hill — First wave of White House firings at the FAA were employees who play important roles in air safety, by POLITICO's Oriana Pawlyk and Sam Ogozalek TRANSITIONS — Thomas Falcigno is now comms director and senior adviser for Texas Rep. Julie Johnson. He was comms director for Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17). — Katrina Baugh is now an Illinois policy consultant with FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums). She was a community organizer with The People's Lobby. TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Kevin Morris for correctly answering that Rockford is called 'screw city' because it was known as a manufacturing center for fasteners, bolts and screws. The nickname became popular during World War I and the Cold War when the U.S. government contracted the city to produce war machinery and fasteners. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the state of Illinois? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: State Rep. Theresa Mah, Chicago Ald. David Moore, Chicago Ald. Lamont Robinson Jr., former Congressman John Shimkus, former Congressman Phil Hare, former Urbana mayor and former state Rep. Laurel Prussing, former Highland Park Councilman Daniel Kaufman, attorney Steve Smith, Illinois Municipal League Legislative Affairs Manager Sarah Doerr, Tribune political reporter Ray Long, PR pro Lara Shipp Shiffman, former Cubs outfielder Adam Greenberg and Capstone VP and former POLITICO Lucas Gomez-Acebo Saturday: Veteran political strategist David Axelrod, Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Lou Sandoval, Choose Chicago's VP of neighborhood strategy Robert Fojtik, attorney Elliot Regenstein, restaurateur Rich Ciota, restaurant matriarch Connie Damico and PR pro Rob. Walton Sunday: Joyce Foundation's Education and Economic Mobility Program Director Stephanie Banchero, 'American Pharaoh' author Elizabeth Taylor, The Conference Board's Chief Marketing Officer Wendi Taylor Nations, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's Chief Speechwriter Ziya Smallens, Illinois Labor Relations Board Local Panel Chair Lynne Sered, Cresset Capital Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Malkin, Better Government Association Public Policy VP Bryan Zarou, health care leader and educator Joseph Topinka and NewsNation Senior Booking Director Erenia Michell -30-
