Here’s hoping you enjoyed this week’s little gift of unseasonably warm—and pleasant—weather because that’s all over now. But there’s plenty of news in today’s JUICE to keep you warm and toasty, starting with the revving up of what will likely be a heated mayoral contest.
Today’s JUICE includes:
• Greg Hinz on the Lightfoot campaign’s internal memo which outlines how they plan to approach mayoral opponents.
• Word that 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney won’t be one of those opponents.
• Jim Durkin’s tough words for fellow state Republicans as he prepares to leave his leadership role.
• Now that it’s officially official, Chuy Garcia wasted no time criticizing Mayor Lightfoot, whose campaign was happy to fire back.
Internal memo sheds light on how Lightfoot campaign will approach mayoral opponents, by Greg Hinz
So what does Team Lightfoot really think of its chances and those running for mayor against her?
An internal memo from Lightfoot consultant Valerie Martin to members of her finance committee and obtained by Crain’s provides a few hints.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who announced yesterday, and Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, who reportedly has decided not to run, “have both missed their prime window to build formidable mayoral campaigns,” the memo says.
Beyond that, “the biggest financial backers from Garcia’s previous mayoral run have already endorsed others in the race.” That would be the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU locals covering health care and government workers, both of which are with County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
The memo doesn’t knock Tunney’s fundraising ability but noted that his Ann Sather restaurant chain was caught breaking shut-down rules when COVID-19 hit and that he opposed raising the city’s minimum wage. The point may be moot, however, as the Chicago Tribune reported late Thursday that Tunney has apparently decided against throwing his hat into the ring. More on that in a bit.
Meanwhile, the memo adds that Garcia “aligned himself with efforts to defund the police” and voted for that defunct soda tax when he was a member of the Cook County Board.
RELATED: Chicago business loses its clout
The memo then goes after what it calls “the Republicans in the race”: businessman Willie Wilson and former schools chief Paul Vallas. “In the weeks ahead, we will continue to demonstrate how these two Republicans will be detrimental to Chicago,” it reads. For instance: asking Wilson if he intends to back Donald Trump for another term as president.
Look for Lightfoot ads to show up real soon, the memo adds. The likely theme: “Her ambitious agenda of expanding opportunities and inclusive economic growth across Chicago. She has led the city through the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic and more with tough, fair leadership, and we plan to start aggressively communicating that in the days to come.”
A campaign spokeswoman declined comment on the memo.
Tom Tunney/WTTW
Back to Tunney for a moment.
After toying for months with a possible run, he has decided not to join the mayoral fray.
With Garcia’s entry into the race, the field is undeniably crowded. Even so, many City Hall watchers had observed that Tunney would have a lane by which to mount a campaign. As a longtime small business owner, having owned and operated the popular Ann Sather restaurant in Lake View since 1981, many believed Tunney could be the type of candidate the business community could coalesce behind.
In the end, that potential support apparently wasn’t enough to push Tunney into the ring. We’ll be watching today for an official confirmation from Tunney’s camp. In the meantime, Chicago business leaders are left to consider their options.
Durkin has tough words for state GOP after Election Night losses, by Greg Hinz
What will it take to put the GOP back in the game in Illinois politics? A move back to the center, especially on contentious social issues, says outgoing Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
In a phone interview, Durkin, whose caucus lost at least four seats on Tuesday, blamed the loss solidly on the top of the ticket, especially gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, a state senator from far southern Illinois.
“After the primary [in which Bailey beat Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin], I know it would be tough,” Durkin said. Durkin hoped a focus on crime issues would help, but instead it was outweighed by “cultural” issues personified by Bailey and Donald Trump.
RELATED: Does Illinois’ House GOP want to be led by a McCain-style Republican anymore?
“We’re not Mississippi or Idaho. This is Illinois,” Durkin said. Past big state winners such as long-time Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka or ex-Govs. Jim Edgar and even Bruce Rauner, “were running on social issues” like guns, gay rights and abortion. What it will take to win is, “an understanding that a candidate has to be more moderate in their approach toward government.”
He added you win by addition, not subtraction.
Durkin’s thoughts will not go down well with the conservative wing of the party. But Durkin said he “has no regrets. I’m at peace with what I’ve done.”
The Westchester attorney said he hasn’t yet decided whether he will stay in the House as a backbencher or depart.
My bet: Bye, bye.
In other news, by Marcus Gilmer
• Noose found at Obama Center site: Construction on the Obama Center was halted after a noose was found at the site. Officials are offering a $100,000 reward for information that can help find the perpetrators.
• CTA prez faces aldermen: Dorval Carter faced stiff questioning from the City Council’s transportation committee on Thursday after criticism for his failure to show up to previous hearings.
• Bally’s casino site shuffle: Bally’s plans to sell and lease back its casino site in a move that will free up cash for a company spending a lot, but perhaps complicate getting approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.
• “Okay, then.”: Gov. Pritzker revealed what state Sen. Darren Bailey said in his concession call on Tuesday night.
• Go woke, etc.: Citadel chief Ken Griffin can’t seem to quit Chicago. Though Griffin has lauded his new home in South Florida, he took another opportunity to take some potshots at his former home and its “woke ideology.”
Chuy Garcia shakes up the mayoral race, by Marcus Gilmer
The big—if unsurprising—news yesterday was U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s announcement that he’s jumping into the 2023 Chicago mayoral race. While Garcia’s move was met with interest from voters, the mayor’s campaign wasted no time making things spicy in a statement reacting to Garcia’s entry.
A Lightfoot campaign spokeswoman said:
“While Mayor Lightfoot is doing the hard work of leading our city through challenging times, career politician Congressman Garcia is prioritizing his own ambitions. Mr. Garcia spent months dithering on whether to get in this race, saying publicly he’d only run if Democrats lost the House. Now, a mere 36 hours after voters reelected him to Congress, and as Republicans prepare to use their new slim majority to strip away our rights, Mr. Garcia is abandoning ship and going after a fellow progressive Democrat. That’s not the tough, principled leadership our city needs.”
If this is any indication of what’s to come, expect a heated campaign.
If you missed anything yesterday, catch up here:
• Chuy Garcia, veteran of progressive politics, shakes up the mayoral field.
• At kickoff event, Garcia strikes hard at Lightfoot.
• Here’s who is running for mayor of Chicago.
Considering how long the man has been a player in Illinois politics, you might think you know pretty much everything there is to know about Garcia. That said, we’re betting even the most stalwart political junkie will find some surprises in Crain’s detailed backgrounder on Garcia. From his early childhood in Durango, Mexico, to his youth in Pilsen to his rise in community organizing and eventually electoral politics, there are details here that you probably haven’t heard before. Check it out.