Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. This short week feels long.
BUDGET STRESS IS TRENDING: The federal funding cuts and looming tariffs pushed by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are trickling down to state budget negotiations in Springfield — and to statehouses across the country.Along with the challenge of making sure spending doesn’t exceed expected revenues, states are now trying to prepare to respond to federal cuts to Medicaid and other programs.Noses to the grindstone: “The governor and his budget team are continuing to meet this week with budgeteers and leaders even as our state grapples with the reality of the Trump economy slowing growth and trade war raising prices,” Matt Hill, spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker, told Playbook. “Governor Pritzker will continue prioritizing fiscal responsibility as his proposed budget focused on the long-term fiscal health of the state while maintaining core investments and not raising taxes on working families.”Hill also issued a reminder for lawmakers: “The governor will only sign a balanced budget that reflects these shared priorities.”Tick tock, doing math: Lawmakers have until Saturday night to nail down a budget. So far, the governor has proposed a $55.2 billion spending plan. But revenues for the 2026 fiscal year that starts July 1 are estimated at $53.4 billion. That’s nearly $2 billion short of the state’s total budget.That’s a drop in the bucket, however, compared to other states. California, for example, has a $12 billion gap (3.72 percent of its total budget). Iowa has a $900 million gap (9.73 percent of its total budget). And Indiana has a $2 billion gap (4.55 percent of its total budget).Point being: Whether they’re red states or blue states, they have to be ready for the trickle down of federal cuts, too.IT’s AN AD WAR: The Illinois Democratic Party is launching an ad campaign focused on the state’s three Republican Congress members who voted on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which is expected to cut funding to Medicaid, the health-care insurance program that benefits low-income and disabled Americans. The ads target Congress members Mike Bost (IL-12), Mary Miller (IL-15) and Darin LaHood (IL-16), who all voted for the measure.MARK YOUR CALENDARS:The Conversation with Dasha Burns arrives on Sunday, June 1 — and we’re dropping a first look. Each week on her new podcast, Dasha will sit down with one of the most compelling — and sometimes unexpected — power players in Washington. This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a new kind of political interview show for a moment when politics feels more personal, more chaotic and more consequential than ever. Catch the video and audio trailer out this morning to see what Dasha’s digging into this season. And subscribe to the podcast, wherever you listen or watch.
— NEW TODAY: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is forming an exploratory committee to run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. Along with two terms on the County Board, Miller has served as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and its political action committee and was vice president of Illinois Democratic Women and president of Democratic Women of the South Suburbs. She’s also advocated for newborn screening for cystic fibrosis and for improving maternal health. Miller received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for her work in medical equity and awareness.— In IL-02: Adal Regis, a public policy expert, is out with a statement saying he’s been endorsed by CNN contributor Van Jones, Richton Park Village Trustee Alan Banks, and Mickensy Ellis-White, the former chair of the Vermillion County Democratic Party. Regis is running for the congressional seat now held by Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who’s running for Senate.—Obama world loses its shine in a changing, hurting Democratic Party: “Obama White House and campaign alumni have been setting the course of the Democratic Party for years. After 2024, more Democrats want to see that change,” by NBC’s Natasha Korecki, Jonathan Allen and Allan Smith.
—State Rep. Martin McLaughlin proposes a Pope Leo XIV statue and license plate: “McLaughlin wants a statue of the new pope at the Illinois statehouse, paid for in part with a commemorative license plate,” by the Sun-Times’ George Wiebe.—Pope Leo will address Chicagoans via video at Sox Park celebration:“The newly installed pope — a White Sox fan — will deliver a “special video message to the young people of the world” at a Mass and celebration of the pope June 14 at Rate Field,” by the Block Club’s Stephen Montemayor.
— BUNDLE OF ENERGY: Lawmakers are still hammering out an energy bill. As of Tuesday evening, the bill included a plan to expand battery technology that will store excess solar and wind power. On hold is a plan to regulate data centers, which consume large amounts of water and energy — and could cost rate-payers to keep them running. “What else goes into the bill is still being worked on,” Sen. Bill Cunningham told Playbook.—Lawmakers pass Anna’s Law, which would require additional police training for sexual assault: The bill’s sponsor is Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, a Libertyville Democrat. It’s named after Anna Williams, who brought the issue of police insensitivity to victims of sexual assault to state lawmakers after her experience with law enforcement officials in 2021, by Capitol News’ Jade Aubrey.—Mayor Brandon Johnson urges ‘expediency’ in addressing CTA fiscal cliff: “Should the Illinois General Assembly conclude its spring session this weekend without addressing the financial shortfall that looms for the CTA at the end of this year, the issue may then be punted to the fall veto session,” by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.— Susana Mendoza has kicked off her Dog Days of Summer campaign featuring dogs available for adoption from shelters around the state.
—How the South Works quantum transformation is unfolding: “The research park aims to attract all the companies, big and small, that think they can crack the code on quantum,” by Crain’s John Pletz.
—Mayor Johnson fans the flames of his political war against President Trump: “You have a president that is cutting off medicine and food, a president that is working to erase culture. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up. He’s doing it in plain sight,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.—Wall Street rating agency revises City Hall’s financial outlook to ‘negative':“Fitch said the negative outlook is “driven by a lack of substantial progress procuring permanent, high-impact solutions” to a structural budget gap of $1.12 billion,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.—Chicago Bears’ proposed move to Arlington Heights would require complicated approval by local taxing bodies: “It will require an extensive review by local school districts, a park district, and even, potentially, the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District,” by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin.We asked for your go-to summer drink.Retired Judge John Curry: “Aperol Spritz.”Clem Balanoff: “Water, it’s been around longer than any other drink, but not out of plastic bottles so as to avoid microplastics.”Denise Barreto: “Tinto de Verano, a delicious Spanish wine spritzer made with red wine and citrus soda — sangria lite.”Peter Creticos: “Ouzo on the rocks, of course!”Charles Keller: “Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale. Or beer in general.”Kevin Lampe: “Billy Goat IPA, brewed by Miskatonic Brewing in Darien, Illinois.”Jim Lyons: “Iced tea. No sugar, no lemon.”Ed Mazur: “A frosty cold Negra Modelo! Or two!”Linda Shafran: “Water out of the hose, like I was a kid again.”Rodrigo Sierra: “Campari and soda with a slice of orange or a large wine glass filled with ice and doused with rosè wine (They call it a ‘Swimming Pool’ in Aspen.).”Peter Skosey: “Campari and soda on the patio at the Hummingbird Lounge in New Buffalo.”James Straus: “A ‘Jim & Tonic,’ 1/2 Lemonade 1/2 Tonic — like gin and… cuts down on the sugar!”Timothy Thomas: “Icelandic Glacial Springs water preferably in a glass bottle.”Patricia Ann Watson: “Black, green, white iced tea, the real stuff, nothing added.”NEXT QUESTION:Who spoke at your college graduation?
—Trump administration pursues termination of Harvard contracts, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr.
— Paige Wahoff is now an associate in Blank Rome’s general litigation practice group. She was a judge advocate in the U.S. Army.
— Monday at 9 a.m.: A Pride Month flag-raising ceremony at Daley Plaza will include Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioners Kevin Morrison and Maggie Trevor and MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis.TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kristin DiCenso for correctly answering that Dixon proclaimed Sept. 14, 1941, as Louella Parsons Day, which brought Hollywood celebs Bob Hope, Charles Montgomery, Ann Rutherford and Ronald Reagan to town.
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BUDGET STRESS IS TRENDING: The federal funding cuts and looming tariffs pushed by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are trickling down to state budget negotiations in Springfield — and to statehouses across the country.Along with the challenge of making sure spending doesn’t exceed expected revenues, states are now trying to prepare to respond to federal cuts to Medicaid and other programs.Noses to the grindstone: “The governor and his budget team are continuing to meet this week with budgeteers and leaders even as our state grapples with the reality of the Trump economy slowing growth and trade war raising prices,” Matt Hill, spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker, told Playbook. “Governor Pritzker will continue prioritizing fiscal responsibility as his proposed budget focused on the long-term fiscal health of the state while maintaining core investments and not raising taxes on working families.”Hill also issued a reminder for lawmakers: “The governor will only sign a balanced budget that reflects these shared priorities.”Tick tock, doing math: Lawmakers have until Saturday night to nail down a budget. So far, the governor has proposed a $55.2 billion spending plan. But revenues for the 2026 fiscal year that starts July 1 are estimated at $53.4 billion. That’s nearly $2 billion short of the state’s total budget.That’s a drop in the bucket, however, compared to other states. California, for example, has a $12 billion gap (3.72 percent of its total budget). Iowa has a $900 million gap (9.73 percent of its total budget). And Indiana has a $2 billion gap (4.55 percent of its total budget).Point being: Whether they’re red states or blue states, they have to be ready for the trickle down of federal cuts, too.IT’s AN AD WAR: The Illinois Democratic Party is launching an ad campaign focused on the state’s three Republican Congress members who voted on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which is expected to cut funding to Medicaid, the health-care insurance program that benefits low-income and disabled Americans. The ads target Congress members Mike Bost (IL-12), Mary Miller (IL-15) and Darin LaHood (IL-16), who all voted for the measure.MARK YOUR CALENDARS:The Conversation with Dasha Burns arrives on Sunday, June 1 — and we’re dropping a first look. Each week on her new podcast, Dasha will sit down with one of the most compelling — and sometimes unexpected — power players in Washington. This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a new kind of political interview show for a moment when politics feels more personal, more chaotic and more consequential than ever. Catch the video and audio trailer out this morning to see what Dasha’s digging into this season. And subscribe to the podcast, wherever you listen or watch.
— NEW TODAY: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is forming an exploratory committee to run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. Along with two terms on the County Board, Miller has served as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and its political action committee and was vice president of Illinois Democratic Women and president of Democratic Women of the South Suburbs. She’s also advocated for newborn screening for cystic fibrosis and for improving maternal health. Miller received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for her work in medical equity and awareness.— In IL-02: Adal Regis, a public policy expert, is out with a statement saying he’s been endorsed by CNN contributor Van Jones, Richton Park Village Trustee Alan Banks, and Mickensy Ellis-White, the former chair of the Vermillion County Democratic Party. Regis is running for the congressional seat now held by Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who’s running for Senate.—Obama world loses its shine in a changing, hurting Democratic Party: “Obama White House and campaign alumni have been setting the course of the Democratic Party for years. After 2024, more Democrats want to see that change,” by NBC’s Natasha Korecki, Jonathan Allen and Allan Smith.
—State Rep. Martin McLaughlin proposes a Pope Leo XIV statue and license plate: “McLaughlin wants a statue of the new pope at the Illinois statehouse, paid for in part with a commemorative license plate,” by the Sun-Times’ George Wiebe.—Pope Leo will address Chicagoans via video at Sox Park celebration:“The newly installed pope — a White Sox fan — will deliver a “special video message to the young people of the world” at a Mass and celebration of the pope June 14 at Rate Field,” by the Block Club’s Stephen Montemayor.
— BUNDLE OF ENERGY: Lawmakers are still hammering out an energy bill. As of Tuesday evening, the bill included a plan to expand battery technology that will store excess solar and wind power. On hold is a plan to regulate data centers, which consume large amounts of water and energy — and could cost rate-payers to keep them running. “What else goes into the bill is still being worked on,” Sen. Bill Cunningham told Playbook.—Lawmakers pass Anna’s Law, which would require additional police training for sexual assault: The bill’s sponsor is Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, a Libertyville Democrat. It’s named after Anna Williams, who brought the issue of police insensitivity to victims of sexual assault to state lawmakers after her experience with law enforcement officials in 2021, by Capitol News’ Jade Aubrey.—Mayor Brandon Johnson urges ‘expediency’ in addressing CTA fiscal cliff: “Should the Illinois General Assembly conclude its spring session this weekend without addressing the financial shortfall that looms for the CTA at the end of this year, the issue may then be punted to the fall veto session,” by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.— Susana Mendoza has kicked off her Dog Days of Summer campaign featuring dogs available for adoption from shelters around the state.
—How the South Works quantum transformation is unfolding: “The research park aims to attract all the companies, big and small, that think they can crack the code on quantum,” by Crain’s John Pletz.
—Mayor Johnson fans the flames of his political war against President Trump: “You have a president that is cutting off medicine and food, a president that is working to erase culture. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up. He’s doing it in plain sight,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.—Wall Street rating agency revises City Hall’s financial outlook to ‘negative':“Fitch said the negative outlook is “driven by a lack of substantial progress procuring permanent, high-impact solutions” to a structural budget gap of $1.12 billion,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.—Chicago Bears’ proposed move to Arlington Heights would require complicated approval by local taxing bodies: “It will require an extensive review by local school districts, a park district, and even, potentially, the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District,” by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin.We asked for your go-to summer drink.Retired Judge John Curry: “Aperol Spritz.”Clem Balanoff: “Water, it’s been around longer than any other drink, but not out of plastic bottles so as to avoid microplastics.”Denise Barreto: “Tinto de Verano, a delicious Spanish wine spritzer made with red wine and citrus soda — sangria lite.”Peter Creticos: “Ouzo on the rocks, of course!”Charles Keller: “Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale. Or beer in general.”Kevin Lampe: “Billy Goat IPA, brewed by Miskatonic Brewing in Darien, Illinois.”Jim Lyons: “Iced tea. No sugar, no lemon.”Ed Mazur: “A frosty cold Negra Modelo! Or two!”Linda Shafran: “Water out of the hose, like I was a kid again.”Rodrigo Sierra: “Campari and soda with a slice of orange or a large wine glass filled with ice and doused with rosè wine (They call it a ‘Swimming Pool’ in Aspen.).”Peter Skosey: “Campari and soda on the patio at the Hummingbird Lounge in New Buffalo.”James Straus: “A ‘Jim & Tonic,’ 1/2 Lemonade 1/2 Tonic — like gin and… cuts down on the sugar!”Timothy Thomas: “Icelandic Glacial Springs water preferably in a glass bottle.”Patricia Ann Watson: “Black, green, white iced tea, the real stuff, nothing added.”NEXT QUESTION:Who spoke at your college graduation?
—Trump administration pursues termination of Harvard contracts, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr.
— Paige Wahoff is now an associate in Blank Rome’s general litigation practice group. She was a judge advocate in the U.S. Army.
— Monday at 9 a.m.: A Pride Month flag-raising ceremony at Daley Plaza will include Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioners Kevin Morrison and Maggie Trevor and MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis.TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Kristin DiCenso for correctly answering that Dixon proclaimed Sept. 14, 1941, as Louella Parsons Day, which brought Hollywood celebs Bob Hope, Charles Montgomery, Ann Rutherford and Ronald Reagan to town.
