Good Monday morning, Illinois. And welcome to all the James Beard foodies in town.

SAFETY CALL: The Illinois State Police is working with Gov. JB Pritzker and top legislative leaders to offer increased security after the horrific news that two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were gunned down, killing that state’s former House speaker.

“Political violence is always unacceptable. This is a horrifying day for Minnesota, and a sad day for America,” Pritzker said in a statement, adding he was in touch with the State Police and Democratic and Republican leaders of the Illinois General Assembly to discuss safety.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, Senate Republican leader John Curran and Republican House Leader Tony McCombie called their individual lawmakers to check on their concerns, according to their offices.

“We have been in contact with law enforcement and members on safety precautions and continue to be vigilant,” said Senate spokesman John Patterson.

State Police offered guidance to the legislative leaders “about security steps legislators can take, as well as provided ISP contact information should a legislator need additional/specific security recommendations,” according to a spokesman with the Illinois State Police.

The agency said it will “continue to provide extra security for officials as needed and based upon the level of threat and risk,” according to a statement. The agency wouldn’t say who might already have asked for extra security.

The shootings are having a chilling effect on how lawmakers view their jobs.

“Unfortunately,” the conversations aren’t new, McCombie said through a statement, adding threats to Republican and Democratic members have been “increasing.”

Democratic state Rep. Margaret Croke also addressed the concerns, saying, “The events in Minnesota have many of us shaken, and we are all discussing ways to continue to do the job that we love but also keep ourselves and our families safe.”

It was a weekend of stark political contrast. While the violence in Minnesota stunned the country, protesters seemed more resolute in wanting to protest peacefully.

In Illinois, tens of thousands of residents made their voices heard by protesting the Trump administration during the national “No Kings Day” mobilization.

Demonstrations across Illinois were peaceful, with Chicago Police reporting just one arrest. The Block Club put the attendees at 75,000.

The massive demonstration came as President Donald Trump rolled out a military parade for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which coincided with his 79th birthday. The symbolism of tanks rolling down the street sent a shudder through the protest in Chicago, where Sen. Dick Durbin reminded the crowd that the nation’s founding fathers came to this country “to reject a king.” Here’s POLITICO’s homepage story.

After the Chicago protest, Pope Leo XIV also drew a crowd of thousands at Sox park for a video-taped message of peace — though it was Cardinal Blase Cupich who drew the biggest applause, according to people at the event.

Cupich addressed immigration, which was at the heart of protests across the country Saturday. He said securing borders to protect the public from violence is important, adding: “It is wrong to scapegoat those who are here without documents. For indeed, they are here due to a broken immigration system. And it is a broken immigration system which both parties have failed to fix,” via the Religion News Service.

HAMMER COMES DOWN: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison Friday for his recent bribery conviction.

It’s a stunning fall from grace as Madigan, known as the “Velvet Hammer” for his firm but finessed leadership style.

During the months-long trial that led to his conviction, Madigan surprised court-watchers by taking the stand in his defense.

The move backfired: U.S. District Judge John Blakey “didn’t buy his tale,” according to the Sun-Times and WBEZ report.

“To put it bluntly, it was a nauseating display,” the judge said during the former speaker’s sentencing hearing Friday.

The judge had to weigh the good Madigan did in his 40 years in office vs. the mistakes he made in holding on to power. “Hero or villain? Well, I suppose both are true,” the judge said, via the Tribune.

—Republicans, some Democrats and even ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich weigh in on ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentence: “When that guy, Madigan, was on the top of the mountain, they were all kissing his ass,” Blagojevich said. “Now they’re going to be stomping all over his grave. And it’s really, it’s really sort of an unappealing side of human nature,” by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner.

— Senate race: Congresswoman Robin Kelly has been endorsed by Elect Democratic Women, a Washington-based group of congressional members working to elect Democratic women to Congress. “Robin is a tireless advocate for public health and safety, a committed leader, and a trusted voice for Illinois families,” Rep. Lois Frankel, the group’s chair, said in a statement.


—Public transit agencies begin planning for ‘doomsday’ funding scenario: “Worst impacts avoidable if state lawmakers offer new funding, officials say,” by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams.

—Raoul’s office to receive $15.7M budget increase for operations: “Lawmakers approved more than AG requested for growing workload, Trump litigation,” by Capitol News’ Peter Hancock.

—CPS CEO Pedro Martinez reflects on his tenure: “Martinez said he was caught off guard when Mayor Brandon Johnson asked him to step down at the September meeting due to his opposition to a loan [the mayor wanted for the district} and which Martinez believed relied on short-term fixes for long-term financial needs. He said he had warned the mayor at least five times before their meeting that the city’s financial advisers offered flawed guidance,” by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman.

—Northwestern University student set to graduate — as his parents face deportations: “The Latino Alumni of Northwestern University have rallied behind the family, sharing a fundraising campaign to help fund a legal challenge to the parents’ deportations,” by the Sun-Times’ Elvia Malagón.


— Award for advocacy: Political consultant Joanna Klonsky, Tribune editor Stacy St. Clair, attorney Elsa Andrianifahanana and advocate and survivor Dominique Ward were presented the Champion of Justice award given by Ascend Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for victims of domestic violence.

— Sol Flores has been elected to the board of directors of the Michael Reese Health Trust. In her day job, Flores is president and CEO of the Knight Impact Partners. She was a deputy governor in the Pritzker administration.

— Mayoral moves: Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson was sworn in Thursday as president of the Northwest Municipal Conference. Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith was installed as vice president, and Mount Prospect Mayor Paul Hoefert and Barrington Village Manager Scott Anderson are secretary and treasurer, respectively. Their terms run through June, 2026. Their inauguration took place at the NWMC’s Annual Gala at the Chicago Marriott Northwest in Hoffman Estates with nearly 200 guests on hand. Johnson takes the helm after Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig’s term wrapped up.


— Celebration: Latasha Thomas, a retired alderman of Chicago’s 17th Ward and a current law partner at Clark-Hill, drew a crowd for her birthday celebration Saturday at Bar Sol restaurant in Navy Pier. In the crowd: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, state Rep. Kim Du Buclet, Village of Matteson President Sheila Chalmers-Currin, Chicago Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry, former Ald. Leslie Hairston, Illinois Appellate Court Justice Freddrenna Lyle, Cook County Judge Robert Harris, Muller and Monroe President André Rice, former Chicago Bar Association President Ray Koenig III, former City Treasurer Stephanie Neely, Pier 31 owner and former LIUNA Local 1001 President Nikki Hayes, former city officials Montel Gayles, James Bebley and Tracey Ladner, and Playbookers Edward Mazur and Thomas’ spouse, 17th Ward activist and retired local Homeland Security Department Director Tim Thomas.


Mike Matejka: “Going camping with my uncle when I was a youngster, and he forgot the tent poles.”

NEXT QUESTION:If you could play any sport with any athlete what and who would it be?


—The last time D.C. had a military parade no one raised a ruckus: It doesn’t help that it’s all taking place amidst the controversial deployment of troops to Los Angeles and “to stroke his own ego,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, referring to President Donald Trump, by POLITICO’s Michael Schaffer.

—10 years of Trump: On this day 10 years ago, Donald Trump descended that famous golden elevator in New York’s Trump Tower and announced he was running for president, via national PLAYBOOK.

FRIDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Dennis Gawlik for correctly answering that Illinois Industrial University is the original name of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.