Happy Thursday, Illinois. Hillary Clinton choked up reading parts of the victory speech she hoped to deliver in 2016, and some of you might want to get a Kleenex, too. (Starting at 3:12 minutes)
POLITICO’s examination of Black flight from Chicago revealed sobering and important facts: there is a widening gap between the city’s safest and least safe neighborhoods, and it’s a factor in many African Americans moving to the suburbs.
“So if you are a Black resident of Chicago, because the city is so segregated, you are experiencing a Chicago that is far more dangerous even than it was in 1992,” Roseanna Ander, executive director of the University of Chicago Crime and Education Lab, told Playbook. Even though homicides in the city overall are lower this year (756 so far) than they were in 1992 (934), she said the numbers can be deceiving.
The disconnect: While some parts of the city (the North Side) are safer, other areas are still experiencing violence at even worse rates than in 1992, Ander said.
So far this year, Chicago has seen 40 homicides on the North side. Meanwhile, there have been a combined 669 on the South and West sides, according to the city’s Violence Reduction Dashboard, and those are the areas seeing the greatest exodus of African Americans. “If you live in predominantly Black neighborhoods, it is less safe. So it depends on who you are asking if Chicago is safer,” Ander said. “It’s a tale of two, or three, cities.”
Why the exodus: Violence, loss of manufacturing jobs, the demolition of public housing, and a housing bubble have all contributed to the exodus. Many African Americans are leaving Illinois outright, but others are moving to the suburbs.
Rich Township has seen the largest influx of Black residents from Chicago over the last 10 years, according to the census, from 51,984 Black residents in 2010 (or 25 percent of its population) to 55,964 in 2020 (32 percent of the population).
“We see a lot of retirees, people who are downsizing,” said Calvin Jordan, supervisor of the township, which is an enclave of 10 municipalities.
Anecdotally, “crime is one of the factors,” Jordan told Playbook. “My mom’s friends are fed up with it and moving to Thornton and Lansing. But we also have good schools, so you’re seeing younger families. We lack some things of the big city but what we do have is space.”
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From the crime lab: The Chicago Police Department is expanding its citywide Narcotics Arrest Diversion Program (NADP), an initiative the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Health Lab helped develop to provide people arrested for drug possession a chance to receive treatment rather than be charged with a crime. “The expansion of NADP to all Chicago communities builds on the success of the program’s initial West Side pilot and makes NADP the largest effort of its kind in the United States,” according to the crime lab.
State Rep. Delia Ramirez threw her hat in the ring Wednesday for the new congressional seat designed by state lawmakers to give Illinois Latinos a second voice in Washington.
Nearly 150 supporters gathered at Revolution Tap Room in the Avondale neighborhood last night for her announcement.
“I am running for Congress to break the glass ceiling and become the first Latina Congresswoman in the Midwest,” Ramirez said in a statement announcing her run. “I plan to bring the neighborhood first agenda I delivered on in the General Assembly to Congress. I have a proven track record of building strong and diverse coalitions and this campaign will reflect the people and priorities of the communities in the 3rd district.”
Ramirez has received a key endorsement: state Sen. Omar Aquino, who had initially considered running for the seat himself. State Reps. Kam Buckner, Deb Conroy, Lakesia Collins, Theresa Mah, and Nick Smith are also among her supporters.
Ramirez’s entry sets the stage for a competitive primary. She faces Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas, who announced a few weeks ago that he’s running for the seat and has been raising money and locking in support, including from Cook County Clerk of the Court and former state senator Iris Martinez, and state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado.
Ramirez was elected to the General Assembly in 2018 and has been an outspoken advocate on affordable housing issues. She gained headlines for sponsoring legislation that created an elected school board for Chicago’s public school system.
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At Palmer House Hilton in Chicago at 8:30 a.m. to honor IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou with the 30th Annual Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award. On 95th Street at 3 p.m. to celebrate the holiday season with the CTA Holiday Train. And at the Arts Club of Chicago at 6 p.m. for the 40-year anniversary celebration of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
Out of town with no official public events.
In Washington, D.C., to attend the National Association of Counties’ County Executives Roundtable.
— SCHAKOWSKY WEIGHS IN: Secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias has been endorsed by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has a strong political network, including among women and progressives. The endorsement comes on the heels of Giannoulias getting endorsed by former Congressman Luis Gutierrez and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
Giannoulias, a former state treasurer, told the Chicago Sun-Times in an interview that picking up Schakowsky’s support is “a game-changer” heading into the June primary.
Schakowsky, who represents Chicago’s North Side and northern suburbs, cited Giannoulias’ support for working families, voting rights and plans to modernize the secretary of state’s office. “Alexi is a true Democrat who has fought for middle-class values and working families throughout his career,” Schakowsky said in a statement.
— Cook County sheriff’s policy director seeks state House seat of outgoing majority leader: “The first candidate to enter the race, Becky Levin grew up in Des Plaines and has lived in Uptown for the last 10 years, describing herself as a ‘proud’ policy wonk and nerd. She has served as the executive director of public policy for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart since January 2020,” by Sun-Times’ Rachel Hinton.
— Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced the endorsements of 40-plus Illinois elected officials and community leaders for his re-election campaign. This slate of endorsements includes state senators, state representatives, county elected officials, school board members, village trustees, mayors, and community activists.
— Nabeela Syed, a candidate for state representative in the 51st House District, has been endorsed by state Rep. Theresa Mah, who said Syed “has a track record of mobilizing voters, especially young voters and voters of color, which will be critical for our party in 2022.”
— Anna Valencia has been endorsed by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 1 in her bid for secretary of state.
Illinois Supreme Court to lift hold on judicial redistricting, implement new boundaries: “The judicial district boundaries will change for the first time since they were established in 1964. The court entered the order on June 7, pausing the transition to a new judicial redistricting statute. Beginning Jan. 1, appeals filed in the circuit will go to the appellate district determined by the new map. The redistricting process was paused to allow for planning and implementation, according to a news release from the Illinois Supreme Court,” by Capitol News’ Beth Hundsdorfer.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy is pushing back against a directive by Cook County Democrats that county candidates must take a loyalty oath if they want the party’s support. (We wrote about it earlier this week.)
Cassidy, the 49th Ward Committeeperson, responded with a memo to supporters that was obtained by Playbook. In it, she and David Kogan, the ward president, criticize county Dems for using words such as “agree” “promise” and “pledge” as it relates to candidates “being prohibited from engaging in an assortment of activities that could be perceived as opposing any slated candidate.”
Cassidy’s memo emailed last night says: “[W]e can not abide by the use of retrograde loyalty oaths in the endorsement process.”
— Pritzker announces a $42M effort to help Illinois residents with water debt: “Residents deserve the dignity and the safety that comes from having a roof over their heads with the lights on and the water running,” Pritzker said. WBEZ’s María Inés Zamudio reports.
— Illinois gambling revenue tops $1B, by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky
— Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to visit Fermilab, Braidwood nuclear plant: “The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gregory Harris to be the new U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois. He will be the first Black U.S. Attorney from the Central District,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet.
— Peoria mayor hopes to lead push to buy more time for pension obligations, by WMBD’s Cooper Banks.
… Scroll down for our Q&A with Ali from earlier this year.
— SACRED COW | Is aldermanic power killing affordable housing projects in Chicago? “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating aldermanic power over affordable housing and has asked Chicago City Council members to answer questions about the longtime tradition that gives them major control over matters in their wards,” by Tribune’s Gregory Pratt.
— Commercial property tax increase OK’d to fund Mag Mile security improvements: “Nearly a year ago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned it as ‘aldermanic prerogative at its worst’ when two downtown Council members blocked plans to approve the taxing district known as a ‘special service area,’” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.
— New boss at Business Affairs and Consumer Protection vows to revive long-neglected commercial corridors: “Ken Meyer said his goal is to “get people off their personal computers, shopping on Amazon and other places and actually back into the streets.” The 27-year City Hall veteran replaces his former boss, Rosa Escareno,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.
— Chicago police have toolkit to prevent repeat chaos in Millennium Park: “They are trying to prevent the chaos and commotion in the heart of downtown last Saturday night. Police arrested 21 young people, and several police officers and others were hurt in a melee that spilled over from parks into streets and intersections,” by ABC 7’s Chuck Goudie, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner.
— Field Museum needs to reimagine its African exhibit, says new curator who plans to do just that, by Sun-Times’ Sneha Dey.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is offering another $10 million capital award for a real estate project that would produce jobs and businesses in Black and brown communities on the South and/or West sides. It’s part of a $30 million commitment over five years by the foundation headed by former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and her husband, Bryan Traubert. The first $10 million was awarded to projects in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Applications will open up on the Chicago Prize website Feb. 15.
— Setting up shop: A new nonprofit launches today to connect shoppers with small businesses that give back to the community — either by donating to charity or by having mission-focused hiring practices, such as hiring at-risk youth, homeless military veterans or people with disabilities. ShoCo, short for Shop Community, is funded in part by a grant from the city’s Covid-19 Small Business Support program.
— Eater is out with its Chicago 2021 award winners
— Chicago Bulls continue to fight Covid-19 outbreak, by Tribune’s Julia Poe
— Jury wraps a first deliberation session: In closing arguments, Jussie Smollett’s attorney said the prosecution’s case was riddled with “doubts.” And prosecutor Dan Webb told the jury that Smollett lied repeatedly during his two days on the witness stand. Tribune’s Megan Crepeau and Jason Meisner report.
— From the Sun-Times: “For Smollett, who lost his job on ‘Empire’ and has become a pariah in the entertainment industry in the years since he first was charged, the legal stakes are likely low. The six counts of disorderly conduct he faces each are low-level felonies with maximum sentences of three years, and Smollett likely would be eligible for probation,” by Matthew Hendrickson and Andy Grimm.
— Homewood-East Hazel Crest aces out south suburban casino rivals, Las Vegas-based developer takes the pot in Waukegan: “State regulators rejected bids from Matteson, as well as a Waukegan proposal from a former state senator who poured thousands of dollars into local elections,” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout.
… On a path to reality: “Even though it’s taken a long time, I said from the beginning, ‘Let’s do it right,’” State Rep. Bob Rita, a Democrat from south suburban Blue Island who sponsored the 2019 gambling legislation that created the new casino licenses, said of the approval process. “I’m very pleased to see actually that the development we’ve envisioned … is on its path to be a reality.”” by Tribune’s Dan Petrella.
— Five facts about the Cook County Jail demolition: “In June, contractors demolished two dormitories at Cook County Jail, filling surrounding Little Village with airborne pollutants,” by City Bureau’s Leslie Hurtado.
A top Streets and San official with deep Daley ties indicted in Bridgeport bank failure case: “William M. Mahon, who was once suspended for helping rig city job applicants’ test scores, now faces charges over his role as a Washington Federal Bank for Savings board member,” by Sun-Times’ Tim Novak, Robert Herguth, and Jon Seidel.
— Shuttered organization dedicated to preserving Wheaton’s history ‘took advantage’ of donors, state lawsuit alleges: “The Wheaton Historical Preservation Council and some of its board members misused donated money and continued to raise funds and spend money even after its museum closed, according to a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul,” by Tribune’s Rosemary Sobol.
— Appeals panel: Sheriff Dart’s layoffs after 2017 soda tax repeal didn’t break labor law, by Cook County Record’s Scott Holland
— Jury sides with Illinois inmate whose under-treated diabetes ended in leg amputation, by NPR’s Hannah Meisel
— Senate vote on Rahm Emanuel’s ambassador nomination expected by year’s end, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet
— Poshard, after decades in politics, raises alarm in new documentary: “Poshard, who served 10 years in Congress and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1998, said in an interview that he’s grown worried about the country’s division and the potential for political violence,” writes Lee Enterprises’ Brenden Moore.
We asked what movie or play really changed your way of looking at the world: “Apocalypse Now” and “Saving Private Ryan” for their depiction of the brutality of war, said John Straus. “Watching both reminded me how fortunate I was to not have been drafted to fight in the war against the ‘communist’ Vietcong.” Patricia Ann Watson: “Prometheus,” directed by Ridley Scott, which “confirmed for me that we are seeded by those more advanced.” Sharon Rosenblum: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” She says, “I’ve questioned authority ever since.” And Eugene Daly, who pays attention to Chicago political intrigue, says: “All the President’s Men.”
For tomorrow, have you ever cried while speaking in public? Email to [email protected]
— Old foes thwart Biden’s foreign policy pivot, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Lemire
— Another eye-popping inflation reading is ahead. Next year could look very different, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida
— Progressives get rolled on Pentagon policy, by POLITICO’s Andrew Desiderio and Connor O’Brien
Meet the 3 White House Fellows from Chicagoland — leaders looking to bring their experience to their communities: “I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and do the work,” by Tribune’s Darcel Rockett
WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Chicago Board of Elections Commissioner William Kresse for correctly answering that Chicago used to pull together a lot of small trees to make one giant Christmas bush until 2008, when Pam Zekman reported that the city paid $300,000 to build a tree from smaller spruces.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Lake Michigan’s name is derived from a Native American word, but it also was associated with which European prince? Email to [email protected]
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), Brunswick Group CEO Neal Wolin, and McHugh & Howlett Public Affairs’ Ed Howlett.
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CORRECTION: An earlier version of Illinois Playbook misstated Rep. Chuy Garcia’s position on state Rep. Delia Ramirez’s congressional candidacy. He has not endorsed anyone in the race.
- Shia Kapos @shiakapos
