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Topspin
Democratic Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan skipped a group meeting with Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday, a move that she says was intended to be a boycott of the new president’s policies.
Madigan was in Washington, D.C., for a meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General. She declined to attend a meeting at the White House with about two dozen other attorneys general from the group, her office said.
“The president has threatened our civil rights and civil liberties in a way we haven’t seen in decades,” Madigan said in a statement. “He has put Wall Street bankers in the administration to protect the greed that brought our country to financial collapse. I declined his invitation on behalf of the many Americans harmed by his actions.”
Trump again assails Chicago gun violence in speech to Congress Rick Pearson
President Donald Trump briefly returned to a favorite target during his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, assailing gun violence in Chicago while pressing support for law enforcement to ensure public safety.
Trump said it was essential to “break the cycle of poverty”…
President Donald Trump briefly returned to a favorite target during his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, assailing gun violence in Chicago while pressing support for law enforcement to ensure public safety.
Trump said it was essential to “break the cycle of poverty”…
(Rick Pearson)
The snub of the Republican president by the Madigan, daughter of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, came just days after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner also avoided an encounter with the new president.
Rauner, who was in the Washington over the weekend for a gathering of governors, skipped a dinner for governors hosted at the White House. That’s in contrast to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat who met with Trump in December and traveled to Washington earlier this month for meetings with high-ranking White House officials. (Kim Geiger)
What’s on tap
*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will announce that Hickory Farms has relocated its corporate headquarters from Ohio to Chicago.
*Gov. Rauner is planning to visit LaSalle County, one area hit hard by Tuesday’s storms. A previously scheduled meeting with Chance the Rapper is being rescheduled.
*The Illinois Senate meets and could continue considering parts of a sweeping budget plan.
*The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in a case over fair share union fees. Early in his term, Rauner tried to do away with those fees.
*The Union League Club of Chicago will host a morning forum about Illinois’ new "lockbox" amendment for transportation. The featured speakers: Civic Federation President Laurence Msall; Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, and Illinois Department of Transportation Director of Planning Erin Aleman.
From the notebook
*Senators split over Ross: Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth voted different ways on the confirmation of new Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, a rare occurrence so far as President Donald Trump’s picks move through the Senate.
Durbin voted against Ross’ confirmation, and Duckworth voted for him. In January, Duckworth’s office said she raised concerns about the loss of jobs Downstate in a meeting with then-nominee Ross.
“Illegal dumping of foreign steel has forced American companies to lower production and shutter factories, particularly in my state of Illinois, where these practices contributed to 2,000 Granite City steelworkers getting laid off – through no fault of their own – just days after Christmas,” Duckworth said in a statement at the time. “I was pleased Mr. Ross agreed to work with me to crack down on currency manipulation and by his commitment to make timely enforcement of trade laws a priority.”
In many previous confirmation votes, including for higher-profile offices like secretary of state, Democrats Durbin and Duckworth have voted the same way.
The Republican-led Senate confirmed Ross by a 72-27 vote.
What we’re writing
*Sessions sends strongest signal yet feds may not pursue court oversight of Chicago Police Department.
*Trump again assails Chicago gun violence in speech to Congress.
*King cruises to victory in 4th Ward special election, avoids runoff.
*Illinois Senate continues tinkering on budget compromise, but heavy lifting remains.
*Rauner looks for temporary state workers amid strike threat.
*Emanuel sets new retail grant program for struggling shopping areas.
*Cubs part-owner Todd Ricketts still in talks on Trump administration job.
*Charters indicate plans to open 20 more schools in Chicago.
*You can find suburban election results here.
What we’re reading
*Private domes along Chicago’s riverwalk shield wine drinkers from the weather.
*On Ash Wednesday, glitter ashes show support for LGBTQ community.
*Suburban woman who bought actual moon dust in a government auction – only to have it taken back by NASA – gets her bag of lunar dirt back.
Follow the money
*Ald. Ameya Pawar, a declared Democratic candidate for governor, sends a letter reporting $5,000 in contributions were reported a couple days late because of a "staff communication error."
*Casey Urlacher, brother of Bears great Brian and mayor of suburban Mettawa, reported $3,000 in contributions.
*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.
Beyond Chicago
*Trump outlines ambitious agenda in speech to Congress, NYT reports.
*Trump passes blame for Yemen raid to his generals: "They lost Ryan."
*Is barring reporters from briefings unconstitutional?
*The strange life, and sudden death, of a North Korean exile.
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