Sen. Duckworth’s Barbie moment

By SHIA KAPOS

07/28/2023 08:06 AM EDT

Take it to the limit, Illinois. Today’s heat will be extreme, via Sun-Times.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) leaves a Senate Democratic Caucus policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on May 16, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Sen. Tammy Duckworth has had a week. The Illinois Democrat went to the Senate floor late Wednesday to condemn Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of hundreds of military nominations, saying “it’s hurting military readiness and national security.”

Duckworth joined Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state to introduce the Reproductive Healthcare Accessibility Act. And she even teamed up with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas to call for designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail.

But the moment that stuck out most had to do with the Barbie movie.

“Barbie is a big thing in my house,” Duckworth told Playbook in an interview. “I have a 5-year-old and 8-year-old. We have three Barbie Dream houses, including one I set up — all 900 pieces. So we were super excited for the movie.”

As she does wherever she goes, Duckworth checked to make sure the theater was wheelchair accessible. It was. But when they arrived, after buying their tickets, Duckworth learned the elevator to the theater was broken. There was no way for her to get to the show.

Duckworth, a former Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot who lost her legs in combat, was frustrated that there had been no signage explaining the problem — and that little support was offered from theater staff about the situation. Duckworth sent her daughters and friends up to the show while she waited outside for them to return.

“I missed out on an experience with my girls,” Duckworth said. “I’m pretty tough about these things. But this one really was a little bit of a stab to my soul.”

And the irony, the movie drama took place just ahead of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, another measure that Duckworth spoke up on this week.

The story that will dominate my lunch meeting: Trump charged with new crimes in classified documents case: “Special counsel Jack Smith has brought three new felony charges against former President Donald Trump, including explosive claims that he asked an employee of his Mar-a-Lago club to delete security camera footage sought by investigators probing his handling of classified documents,” reports POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein.

Here’s the 60-page superseding indictment that was unveiled late Thursday. In it, prosecutors also accuse Trump of sharing a highly classified war plan with people who don’t have clearance.

If you are Tommy Tuberville, Playbook would like to hear your take on blocking nominations. Email [email protected].

At the North Lawndale Employment Network at 9 a.m. to sign a bill creating an equitable Mandatory Supervised Release System — At the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Lisle at 1 p.m. to give remarks at DCFS’ Scholarship Awards Luncheon.

In Houston for the National Urban League Conference.

No official public events.

Recession fears are lifting, so send me a line at [email protected]

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— Misleading clients on abortion could cost Illinois pregnancy centers: “The move is another Democratic effort to insulate the state’s virtually unfettered access to abortion, even as neighboring states restrict it,” by The Associated Press’ John O’Connor.

— Illinois gets another crack at $20M online-only sports betting license: “The Illinois Gaming Board announced Thursday that DGC IL, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Digital Gaming Corp., is the only qualified applicant for the online sportsbook license,” by Tribune’s Robert Channick.

—Illinois Times’ Dean Olsen has interviewed trans women at the center of a debate in Springfield: “There are going to be stupid people in every facet of life, and you can’t control the stupid.”

— Illinois has 17 skinny dipping beaches, including Devils Kitchen Lake, according to My Dating Adviser list.

— Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit seeking to block mail-in ballots received after Election Day: “U.S. District Judge John Kness ruled that five-term U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro and two prospective 2024 GOP presidential electors lacked standing to sue the State Board of Elections over an Illinois law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted in the 14 days after Election Day as long as they were postmarked or certified on or before that day,” by Tribune’s Rick Pearson.

— Mayor and the Bears meet over plans to keep team in city: “Mayor Brandon Johnson has been preparing an offer to work with the Bears to find multiple city sites within Chicago that could satisfy the demands of an NFL stadium, according to a source with knowledge of the situation,” Crain’s Justin Laurence and Greg Hinz report.

— 25 Park District employees could face firing in Covid relief fraud probe: “City Hall’s inspector general also says she is continuing to investigate possible Paycheck Protection Program fraud,” report WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos and Sun-Times’ Frank Main.

‘This is a large-scale undertaking,’ says IG Deborah Witzburg, Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reports

— Mayor’s allies lay groundwork for referendum on ‘mansion tax’ to aid city’s unhoused people: Under consideration is an ordinance that would more than triple the transfer tax on Chicago homes sold for more than $1 million to raise roughly $160 million in annual revenue to combat homelessness. And this is new: Also being considered is a “marginal” tax “that would apply the dramatically higher tax only to that portion of the sale above $1 million,” reports Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

From the Tribune: “The only ways to change the rate, however, are through the Illinois General Assembly, which does not reconvene until the late fall veto session — or through a citywide referendum.” Tribune’s Alice Yin and Lizzie Kane report.

— Edgewater residents protest as city announces plan to shelter migrants at Broadway Armory, by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman

— Chicago Public Library abandons its physical kids museum passport in favor of a new digital program, by WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde

— Cook County landlords face legal challenges alleging eviction screening policies discriminate against Black tenants, by Tribune’s Lizzie Kane

— Naperville police mid-year crime data shows big spike in overdoses, sextortion cases over 2022, by Naperville Sun’s Megan Jones

— MEDIA MATTERS: She saw a local news void in Harvey. So she started a publication to help ‘those with a voice but without a platform, by Tribune’s Darcel Rockett.

— Illinois National Guardsman charged with assaulting police in Jan. 6 Capitol riot: “Joseph Bierbrodt, of Sheridan in La Salle County, allegedly slammed a law enforcement officer against a wall after breaking into the Capitol. His brother was also charged,” by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What’s really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who’s up, who’s down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider’s guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won’t find anywhere else, subscribe today.

We asked about a musician or singer who takes politics seriously.

State Rep. Joyce Mason: “An amazing musician who supports and shares messages about strong democratic values. His performance at Wrigley Field was a concert I’ll never forget.” Here are Springsteen’s top political songs.

Brian Berg: “Bruce Springsteen is a spokesperson for the blue collar worker, and the title track of his biggest album is an outraged anti-war song with a message as urgent as its biting beat.”

Richard Greenfield: Chance the Rapper. See First World Problems.

John Howell: “Kris Kristofferson and Charlie Daniels — political opposites, both terrific interviews.”

Paul Kendrick: “Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ will always be the pinnacle of beauty in mixing music and politics.”

Michael Kreloff: Phil Ochs, especially “When I’m Gone.”

Gail Morse: Garth Brooks for his “We Shall Be Free.”

Warren Silver: “Phil Ochs. He didn’t hold back, his observations were spot on and his songs are timeless — as ‘Here’s to the State of Mississippi’ demonstrates.”

Sean Tenner: “Southside hip-hop artist Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith. He’s a Grammy and Oscar-winner who still makes time to work on neighborhood issues. And he was a big supporter of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s election.”

Mary Kay Minaghan: Bono. Here are 10 U2 songs that reflect American culture and politics.

Steve Zaris: “No more effective political singer-songwriter than Billy Bragg singing ‘There Is Power In a Union.’”

What campaign issue do you think will dominate 2024? Email [email protected]

— DeSantis reboots campaign but avoids full frontal attack on Trump, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg, Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard

— Senate OKs defense bill, setting up clash with House over abortion, LGBTQ measures, by POLITICO’s Connor O’Brien and Joe Gould

— McConnell seeks to silence GOP speculation about his future, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett

— What a bummer week. First, Sinead O’Connor and now Randy Meisner of the Eagles.

— Nicholas Cummings has been named general counsel of the Chicago Park District. He’s been the corporation counsel for Evanston and earlier was chief attorney for tort litigation at the Chicago Transit Authority. Cummings announced the move at the Evanston City Council meeting, via Evanston Now’s Bill Smith.

— Matt Burke is now the associate director of Justice Initiatives at the Chicago Beyond philanthropic organization. He was deputy director of litigation at the Chicago Police Department and earlier worked in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congratulations to Mike Johnson for correctly answering that “Long Train Runnin’,” by the Doobie Brothers, and “City of New Orleans,” by Arlo Guthrie (and written by Steve Goodman), both mention the Illinois Central Railroad. h/t Ted McClelland for the fun question.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What is the all-time high temperature for Illinois? I’ll take the fifth person to get it right. Email [email protected]

Today: State Treasurer Mike Frerichs turns the big 5-0, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin, governor’s chief of staff Anne Caprara, former state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, former state Rep. Darlene Senger, political and media consultant Delmarie Cobb, tech entrepreneur and former mayoral candidate Neal Sales-Griffin, education advocate and comms expert Peter Cunningham, Blue Raven Campaigns’ Joshua Kaufman and broadcast legend Walter Jacobson.

Saturday: Chicago Dogs Baseball broadcaster Sam Brief, and former NBA star and Farragut Academy alum Tony Brown.

Sunday: State Rep. Dan Swanson, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former state Rep. Mike Tryon, former Ald. Deb Mell, veteran board member Cynthia Santos, journalist and former foundation leader Cornelia Grumman, Chicago Police spokesman Don Terry, Northwestern University Associate Dean of External Affairs Roderick Hawkins, World Business Chicago marketing VP Andrew Hayes, Benesch Law legal recruiting manager Kendra Abercrombie, LBH Chicago project director Lauren Cvengros, Durbin alum and American Petroleum Institute comms VP Ben Marter and WBEZ reporter Kristen Schorsch.

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