Welcome again, Playbookers! Covid put a crimp on the vacations, nevertheless it’s not slowing the political scene. Motion in Springfield begins this week, and earlier than you already know it, we’ll be speaking polls, debates, and money because the June 28 main approaches.

The massive marketing campaign information got here on New 12 months’s Day, courtesy of former President Donald Trump. He’s endorsing freshman Rep. Mary Miller, who introduced she’ll problem Rep. Rodney Davis within the newly drawn fifteenth Congressional District, setting the stage for a second member-vs.-member contest within the state’s June 28 main.

Democrats are already gearing up for a battle between Reps. Sean Casten and Marie Newman within the fifth District.

The massive query amongst political observers: Can Miller’s Trump endorsement, which she secured after visiting the previous president at Mar-a-Lago final month, beat out Davis’ fundraising acumen?

Davis, the veteran Republican, already has greater than $1 million within the financial institution, in line with the newest federal filings. Miller, the buddy of MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, has about $427,000 available and can seemingly must depend on on-line fundraising to make a monetary dent. She’s making calls to donors, too.

Trump’s endorsement is seen as a slap within the face to Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy, who’s backing Davis, a high-ranking occasion veteran anticipated to grow to be a committee chairman if Republicans flip the Home in November. McCarthy would a lot slightly deal with beating Democrats in November than take care of an costly main for a seat Republicans will win anyway.

Like many Republicans, Davis’ help of Trump has wavered through the years. In 2016, Davis rejected Trump in wake of the controversial Entry Hollywood video that got here to mild. However Davis, who represents conservative swaths of central Illinois in addition to liberal school cities, recalibrated after Trump’s victory. He even served as co-chair of Trump’s Illinois marketing campaign in 2020.

Davis didn’t vote to question Trump, and he opposed the choose committee that’s investigating the Jan. 6 revolt. (Davis, the rating Republican member of the Home Administration Committee that oversees Capitol safety, did help making a bipartisan fee, however that concept didn’t go the Senate.)

Davis’ sole transgression in Trump’s eyes could also be that he voted to certify the 2020 election outcomes.

And although he doesn’t have Trump’s endorsement, Davis is supported by 32 of 35 county chairs in his district.

Miller, in the meantime, has proven unwavering help for Trump. She was seemingly edged out within the redistricting course of on account of her lack of seniority. However Democrats who dictated the brand new boundaries even have been outspoken of their distaste for Miller’s MAGA rhetoric.

That Dem vitriol seems to be fueling Miller’s marketing campaign. “At this time, President Trump is endorsing me as a result of I’m a conservative fighter who just isn’t afraid to tackle the DC swamp,” she stated in an announcement asserting her reelection bid.

Davis’ response is a sign that this race will probably be ugly. “Mary Miller is simply an outsider within the sense that she doesn’t stay within the fifteenth District. She’s a carpetbagger and Chicagoland native. Miller is so determined to remain in Congress she’s operating in a district she doesn’t stay in, similar to her husband. The Millers are taking a web page out of the Springfield political insider playbook. Politics is their household enterprise.”

Look ahead to Davis to shift proper in his marketing campaign messaging. Given it’s a mid-term main pushed to June 28, turnout will seemingly favor a pro-Trump viewers.

IN THE NEW IL-3 CONTEST: Gil Villegas, the Chicago alderman and head of the Metropolis Council’s Latino Caucus, raised greater than $382,000 on the finish of the quarter, in line with his marketing campaign’s preliminary depend. Villegas faces state Rep. Delia Ramirez within the newly created third District.

BACK TO WORK: The Illinois Normal Meeting deliberate to fulfill in Springfield beginning tomorrow to barrel via its legislative session so it could end in April, permitting time to marketing campaign earlier than the June main.

Now lawmakers will meet in Springfield simply Wednesday this week with tentative plans to fulfill remotely for some time after that. Their work received’t decelerate, nonetheless.

“We’ve confirmed a capability to make use of distant hearings specifically for committees, which a lot of the entrance finish of the session will seemingly be,” Senate President Don Harmon instructed Playbook. “I’m assured we’ll be capable of get our work finished. However I might not be in any respect shocked if a lot of the committee work occurs just about.”

On Wednesday, lawmakers are anticipated to regulate language on laws that might change the deadline for getting petitions signed for the state’s June main. Democratic lawmakers who management each homes and the governor’s workplace wish to permit for 60 days to accumulate signatures as an alternative of 90 days. The submitting deadline could be March 14.

For Gov. JB Pritzker, the “No. 1 precedence” of the session “is balancing our finances, ensuring that we’re doing the fitting factor to place our state on agency fiscal footing, to proceed to get credit score upgrades as we have now, and to be sure that we’re offering the providers that individuals want,” he instructed reporters finally week.

Home Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch echoed that in an interview with Playbook, saying, “We wish to construct on final yr’s success.” Lawmakers this yr will even weigh how greatest to spend one other portion of federal American Rescue Plan {dollars} “to assist folks take care of the on a regular basis points that they’re dealing with, like paying hire, paying mortgages and maintaining a roof over their heads or saving their companies,” he stated.

The purpose is to keep away from creating new applications that can then be unfunded after the federal cash runs out. As an alternative, Democrats wish to see federal monies accessible over the subsequent three years to be spent on “one-time expenditures that may assist bend the curve on a sophisticated, tough concern or bolster our financial fundamentals,” Harmon stated.

The $100 million a yr over three years that lawmakers put towards reasonably priced housing is an instance, he stated. Look ahead to violence prevention to get funding this time round. “If we spend it properly now we will change the trajectory and possibly not must spend a lot going ahead,” Harmon stated.

GOP leaders Jim Durkin within the Home and Dan McConchie within the Senate fear about how the money will probably be spent. “In some unspecified time in the future that cash goes to expire,” Durkin told the Tribune. “So, I might hope that the governor wouldn’t improve spending nor the Democrats improve spending, as a result of sooner or later we’re going to expire of this more money that’s sitting within the pockets.”

SIDE NOTE: Legislative periods throughout election years don’t normally see controversial payments pop up, however Rep. La Shawn Ford has one that can create chatter. He’s proposing a measure to permit for the secure consumption of unlawful medicine. “Nobody dies from a drug overdose once they have entry to a secure consumption web site,” he instructed Playbook. “It eliminates the nuisance of needles in parks and neighborhoods. Folks with substance use issues have [medical] they usually can get help with conduct well being and housing insecurity.”

RELATED: What to watch for in 2022: Covid-19, yr 3. Campaigns and elections. Madigan investigation. Media panorama, by Erc Krol for Middle for Illinois Politics.

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or another nugget for Playbook? Get in contact: [email protected]

On the Thompson Middle at 1 p.m. for an update on the latest Covid-19 surge.

At Membership Pilates at 3 p.m. as a part of visits with native companies to thank them for supporting the brand new vaccine necessities for eating places, bars, gyms, and different indoor public locations.

No official public occasions.

— The long shadow of the night that broke the House: “Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos is one among a number of retiring Democrats who instructed POLITICO that the revolt, and the months of non-public vitriol within the Home that adopted, propelled their choice to not search reelection subsequent November,” writes Sarah Ferris.

— Could Jan. 6 happen again? “The Capitol Police has made progress underneath a brand new chief. However many on the Hill do not have a simple reply,” by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney.

— They resigned in protest over Jan. 6 — then never went after Trump again, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Daniel Lippman

— At time of Capitol prayer service Jan. 6, Trump will deliver remarks doubling down on the ‘Big Lie,’ by POLITICO’s David Siders

— What Illinois endured in another year of the pandemic: “Via Dec. 30, Illinois Division of Public Well being officers recorded 1,184,256 new infections in 2021, in addition to 11,396 deaths throughout that point. Whereas that is greater than half of all infections recorded within the state because the onset of the pandemic, it is lower than 41 p.c of all Covid-19 deaths in Illinois,” by Each day Herald’s Jake Griffin.

— Pritzker asks hospitals to postpone surgeries as Illinois braces for huge influx of Covid patients, through Solar-Occasions’ Mitchell Armentrout

— How Chicago will manage the restaurant mandates, by Tribune’s Josh Noel

— As Rivian struggles to meet early demand, Illinois looks to become manufacturing hub in coming EV revolution, by Tribune’s Robert Channick

— Illinois’ state pension board will divest from Unilever over Ben and Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in West Bank, by Jewish Telegraph Company

— Illinois State Museum looks to add to Route 66 collection in advance of centennial, by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie

— City’s most violent neighborhoods were more dangerous than ever in 2021: “Though the rise in murders slowed from 2020, final yr was the deadliest because the mid-Nineteen Nineties. Mayor Lightfoot and her Metropolis Council critics are at odds about tips on how to cut back the bloodshed going ahead,” by Solar-Occasions’ Andy Grimm and Tom Schuba.

— Covid-19 relief money is helping prop up Chicago’s 2022 budget: “However with a large tax improve and an election yr looming, what occurs when that’s gone?” Tribune’s John Byrne experiences.

— CTU tells members to report to work Monday, with citywide remote action possible later this week, by Solar-Occasions’ Clare Spaulding.

— Charters schools got Covid-19 loans for struggling businesses while getting full taxpayer funding, by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp.

— FOP prez says he tested positive for Covid-19; claims he’s inoculated while slamming vaccines, by Solar-Occasions’ Tom Schuba.

— What’s gone wrong at Chicago’s last Black-owned bank? “Regardless of authorities intervention and new homeowners, GN Financial institution fights for survival whereas prospects fear about shedding their houses,” by ProPublica’s Mick Dumke, Haru Coryne and Mariam Elba

— Inside the mind of a Chicago carjacker, by Solar-Occasions’ Frank Foremost.

— Bears jump all over the N.Y. Giants — and Robert Quinn sets a franchise record, by Tribune’s Colleen Kane

Federal court panel upholds Democratic-drawn state legislative districts: “The three-judge panel sided with arguments from majority legislative Democrats, who drew the map and stated that Illinois’ historical past of racial crossover voting meant the state’s rising Latino inhabitants may elect their alternative of a candidate with out the court docket mandating extra Latino-majority districts,” by Tribune’s Rick Pearson.

As federal case still orbits Madigan, what’s next for the ComEd bribery probe? “Longtime observers of Chicago’s federal court docket know that the FBI and U.S. legal professional’s workplace function on their very own timetable and that attempting to learn tea leaves is an usually fruitless train,” by Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Ray Lengthy.

— Money, media and Mel Gibson: “Suburban-based Coalition for Canceled Clergymen makes use of aggressive techniques in bid to reinstate sidelined clerics,” by Tribune’s John Keilman.

— Judge Raul Vega accused of making comment that ‘likely’ violated conduct code: “He was placed on administrative responsibility and changed as presiding decide of the home violence division after being accused of constructing the remark to a different decide. What Vega stated hasn’t been revealed,” by Solar-Occasions’ Matthew Hendrickson.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Democratic Congressman Jerry Costello is endorsing Alexi Giannoulias for secretary of state within the Democratic main. Costello served 12 phrases earlier than retiring from Congress in 2013, and earlier than that he served eight years as St. Clair County Board chairman.

— State Rep. Maurice West introduced his re-election marketing campaign to the 67th District within the Illinois Home. “Since 2019 I’ve centered my efforts in bringing alternatives and progress to the west, south and southeast sides of Rockford.” West, a Democrat, stated in an announcement.

— State Rep. Tom Bennett introduced his re-election marketing campaign to the 106th District within the Illinois Home. “I’m proud to work on points essential to this area, together with enhancing roads and infrastructure, elevated funding for Okay-12 faculties, financial growth, and supporting public security,” Bennett, a Republican, stated in an announcement.

— Former state Rep. Mary Edly Allen introduced her run for the newly drawn thirty first District seat within the state Senate. State Rep. Sam Yingling, a fellow Democrat, can be operating for that seat.

— Grayslake Trustee Laura Dias is operating for the IL-62 seat being vacated by state Rep. Sam Yingling.

— Justice Liam C. Brennan of Wheaton has introduced his bid for the third District Appellate Court docket emptiness created by the retirement of Justice Vicki Wright. Brennan was unanimously appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court docket to the 2nd District Appellate Court docket in March 2020. He’s now operating for the third District Appellate seat on account of latest remapping of the appellate districts. The brand new third District Appellate Court docket encompasses DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Iroquois, Grundy, LaSalle, and Bureau County.

— Sara Knizhnik of Vernon Hills is operating for the Lake County Board District 18 seat. Knizhnik is a Vernon Township Trustee and a group organizer and advocate for public security.

Sandy Hamilton is Sangamon County GOP’s pick to replace Murphy: “Hamilton emerged from a gaggle of 20 candidates to assert the emptiness created by the resignation of Rep. Mike Murphy, a Republican from Springfield,” by State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie.

Former Portage mayor James Snyder’s prison date delayed while he appeals soliciting bribes, obstruction charges, by Put up-Tribune’s Alexandra Kukulka

We requested what what’s your New 12 months’s decision associated to politics: Tim Mellman, a senior at Oak Park and River Forest Excessive Faculty, dedicated to getting extra concerned with native politics, “particularly the politics and administration of my faculty, and to encourage my classmates to hitch me in having a voice and expressing their opinions on points they’d wish to see addressed.” And John Straus, former head of the Illinois Fee on Science & Expertise, resolves “to cease arguing with folks with whom I disagree and easily allow them to be fallacious.”

For tomorrow, what are your objects of alternative for “dibs”? E mail to [email protected]

— Taxpayer advocate Jim Tobin “died peacefully at his residence in Berwyn on Dec. 15,” through obituary.

— Visitation today, funeral tomorrow for Wayne County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty, through KMOV4

“Write or Die,” (accessible on Amazon): Michael Golden, a former journalist who went on to handle Melissa Bean’s congressional marketing campaign in 2006 and Gery Chico’s mayoral bid in 2019, is out with a brand new e book, Write or Die, about his life as a reporter and political operative in Illinois. “Irrespective of how tattered or dysfunctional our system of consultant democracy has grow to be, it’s nonetheless the largest ballgame on the town. And to get what you need in that real-life recreation, you gotta swimsuit up, take the sphere, after which combat, scratch and claw your strategy to a win. Or you may simply vote,” Golden writes in reply to a buddy’s query: Why do you want politics when it’s so tousled?

Chicago CEO Smita Shah was appointed by President Biden to the President’s Advisory Fee on Asian People, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Shah is president and CEO of Chicago-based SPAAN Tech Inc., which focuses on private and non-private infrastructure tasks. She serves in varied civic roles, together with with the Chicago Plan Fee, the Museum of Science and Business, After Faculty Issues, and Delhi Chicago Sister Cities Program. Shah additionally has served on the highly effective Guidelines Committee for the Democratic Nationwide Conference.

Lisa Moon, president and CEO of the World Foodbanking Community and alum of the Chicago Council on World Affairs, and Rob Moon, an investigator for Prepare dinner County Sheriff Tom Dart, welcomed Simone Jay Moon on Dec. 28. She joins brother Hunter Moon (who turns 4 at this time) and sister Adele Moon. Pix!

DEC. 17’s ANSWER: Congrats to Gail Purkey, retired comms director of the Illinois Federation of Lecturers, for accurately answering that Marshall Field hosted the 1886 Mikado Ball, which legend has it was the best of all New 12 months’s celebrations.

TODAY’s QUESTION: When and the place did Bob Dylan return to the stage after almost shedding his life in a motorbike crash? E mail to [email protected]

At this time: Metropolitan Water District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, former state Rep. Kent Gaffney, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe’s chief of employees Jessica Genova, Latin instructor Nava Cohen, occasion planner Michelle Nicole Durpetti, and Louis Glunz Wines exec Chris Mack.

Jan. 2: Dolton Mayor Riley Rogers, Prepare dinner County State’s Lawyer director of exterior affairs Sarah Sinovic, and former Tribune editor Gerould Kern.

Jan. 1: State Rep. Tom Demmer, former state Rep. Adam Brown, Higher Authorities Affiliation CEO David Greising, political advisor Jeff Orr, and PSG Power Group’s Ashvin Lad.

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