By Shia Kapos

Good Thursday morning, Illinois. It’s fun to watch the wheels of government turn.

BREAKING LAST NIGHT: The federal government just eased the way for Venezuelan Asylum Seekers to apply for accelerated work permits and gain expanded protected status. Details here, via POLITICO’s Emily Ngo

Why it matters: The move affects nearly 500,000 newcomers in the U.S. At least 5,000 of the 14,000 asylum seekers in Chicago are from Venezuela, where they faced economic and political turmoil. Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson and others had pressured the Biden administration to move to allow the asylum seekers an opportunity to find work at a time when Chicago has jobs that need to be filled.

Heaping the praise: “I’m very pleased President Biden has listened to my concerns and those of other governors and political leaders,” Pritzker said in a statement. “We’re facing worker shortages in critical industries like hospitality, food processing, health care, and transportation, and these additional workers will help relieve those shortages and the burden they place on employers.”

The news comes on the heels of Deputy Chicago Mayor for Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights Beatriz Ponce de Leon’s visit to Washington D.C., this week.

“This is also an important step in protecting individuals who seek work without fear of exploitation, wage theft and trafficking,” Johnson said in a statement.

More to do: The mayor and governor said they would continue to work to get more resources to the new arrivals and work with the government to bring some organization to the effort.

About the tent cities: Chicago has inked a $29 million contract with a private security firm to set up tented base camps for asylum seekers who have been sleeping on floors of police stations and the airport.

Why not an RFP? The “request for proposal” process is lengthy as the city works to beat the approaching cold winter, Deputy Chief of Staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas told Playbook. “We wouldn’t be able to make a move until six months from now,” she said.

Teaming with GardaWorld Federal Services was an easy solution because the company already is on contract with the state, allowing the city to “piggy-back” on the work during humanitarian crises. The firm will stand up prefabricated structures that serve as temporary shelters. Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman has more.

The mayor’s plan to care for migrants includes building the prefabricated structures to get migrants out of police station and the airport, lining up Shelter Safety Committees for each site, hiring local companies to staff the camps and provide meals (the RFP deadline is Sept. 29), ramping up efforts to resettle migrants — accelerated work permits will help — and working with other municipalities to manage the number of new arrivals in Chicago.

“It means going to the border,” Pacione-Zaya said. “We need partners to understand the extreme weather in Chicago during the winter and the importance of coordination.”

RELATED

Cook County wants to spend about $14M to buy two suburban hotels for the unhoused, by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch

Dan Webb, center, talks to reporters during the 2021 Jussie Smollett court case. He's now advising No Labels. | AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

SCOOP: Chicago attorney Dan Webb is advising No Labels on its 2024 campaign: “Webb’s work is a signal that No Labels is setting up a process to vet candidates for a third-party presidential ticket if President Joe Biden and Trump emerge as both major party nominees in 2024,” your Playbook host reports via POLITICO’s homepage.

His bio: Webb is a former federal prosecutor who represented Fox News in the lawsuit that resulted in a historic $787 million settlement. He was also appointed as special prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago and is representing former Northwestern University head football coach Pat Fitzgerald who was fired in the wake of a hazing scandal.

If you are Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email [email protected]

No official public events.

No official public events.

At the Cook County Building for the Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

Before the apples start piling up, send me a line: [email protected]

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

State Rep. Randy Frese announced on Wednesday he won’t seek reelection for the 99th Illinois House District he’s held since 2015.

He joins a few other Republican incumbents who are stepping away from government at a time when Illinois Republicans have lost steam.

Frese called the job “quite challenging” while also “very rewarding.”

Challenging indeed. One of the biggest tests for Republicans in Springfield is the frustration of being in the super minority, unable to build on an agenda. The Illinois House counts 40 Republicans to 78 Democrats, making it near impossible to get anything past the majority party.

Who else isn’t running: Frese’s announcement follows news that state Reps. Dan Caulkins of Decatur, Mike Marron of Fithian and John Egofske of Lemont won’t seek reelection in 2024, either.

RELATED

 Gov. JB Pritzker talks bipartisanship: “Republicans have good ideas just like Democrats do. I obviously think Democrats have better ideas on balance than the Republicans do, but I think it’s worthwhile listening to Republicans and working with Republicans,” he tells Harvard Political Review in a Q&A.

— When the boss says cool it | White House told Rahm Emanuel to stop taunting China on social media: The U.S. ambassador to Japan and former Chicago mayor has mocked Chinese President Xi Jinping, “speculating about the recent disappearance of a top official,” via NBC.

— Illinois House Leader Kam Buckner's 2023 mayoral campaign announcement video called "Son of Chicago" was nominated for an Emmy award in the category: Outstanding Achievement for Branded Content — Short Form Content, his team reports. Buckner's godson, Gregory, played a younger version of Buckner, who also appeared in the ad and wrote and delivered the voiceover.

— Plan to eliminate tipped wage passes committee with big debate: “Big changes could be in store for tipped workers It would mean raising their minimum wage from $9 to $15.80 per hour, though such employees could still get tips,” reports NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern.

The full council votes Oct. 4, via Crain’s Justin Laurence

— Mayor holds budget briefings with City Council members this week: But the administration “did not tip its hand on where it will find the money to fill the city’s $538 million deficit,” writes Crain’s Leigh Giangreco.

— Midwives could help prevent more deaths. Why don’t more Chicago-area hospitals have them? “Hospitals across the Chicago area are not investing in midwife programs,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch.

— Without busing, CPS parents tell board of ed, they’re commuting for hours and risking their jobs, by Tribune’s Sarah Macaraeg and Nell Salzman

— Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigns after bizarre day at Halas Hall, by Sun-Times’ Mark Potash

— Cook County Board to consider $300,000 settlement for former commissioner’s aide over being fired after raising harassment claims, by Tribune’s A.D. Quig

— In IL-01, Congressman Jonathan Jackson has named state Sen. Willie Preston chair of his reelection campaign.

— In IL-03, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez will kick off her reelection campaign Monday with a fundraiser featuring Mayor Brandon Johnson as a special guest. Details here

— In IL-11, Congressman Bill Foster has been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund in his reelection bid.

Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here.

We asked how neighborhoods can be part of the Democratic National Convention.

Matthew Beaudet: “Utilize our street fairs and other outdoor events that are a hallmark of Chicago. Give delegates a chance to interact with everyday Chicagoans rather than be bussed door to door to a private events.”

Eli Brottman: “Include volunteers from every neighborhood on every organizing committee and do targeted outreach throughout the city with alderpersons.”

Steven McKenzie: “Park Parties featuring Democratic leaders like Reps. Delia Rameriez and AOC handing out snow cones at Portage Park, Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Rashida Tlaib serving cotton candy at Warren Park, Reps. Danny Davis and Maxine Waters leading bingo night at Douglas Park, Reps. Mike Quigley and Steny Hoyer serving hot dogs at Horner Park and Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Nancy Pelosi leading the Electric Slide at McKinley Park.”

Have you been told to tone it down on social media? Email [email protected]

— Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-4) promotes funding going toward the Red Line extension — and his map-making skills, via X

— Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) headlines a new edition of The Broad Cast podcast with hosts Becky Carroll and Eileen Dordek, both Democratic players in Illinois. The episode is titled: “Rural America.” Listen here

— Trump steamrolls anti-abortion groups, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Sally Goldenberg

— Republicans resigned to being the villains in the inevitable government shutdown, by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus and Adam Cancryn

— Senate confirms Brown to lead Joint Chiefs, blowing past Tuberville’s blockade, by POLITICO’s Connor O’Brien

— But still no confirmation vote for new U.S. attorney in Chicago, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet

James Hoge, Sun-Times editor who oversaw era of audacious investigations and 6 Pulitzers, dies at 87: “Hoge didn’t hesitate to sign off on the Mirage Tavern sting when reporter Pam Zekman pitched it to him while walking across the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1977,” by Sun-Times’ Mitch Dudek.

— Segregated firehouse to be restored in Springfield: "Those firefighters fought fires that were set during the 1908 race riots, so it's historical for the resilience of Black people and the city," said ACLU president Kenneth Page. State Journal-Register’s Tiffani Jackson reports.

TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Al Capone and Pancho Villa once ended a gambling party in Mexico by signing a five peso bill.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What was Bertha Palmer’s most enduring invention (think sweet tooth)? Email [email protected]

State Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., state Sen. Elgie Sims Jr., state Rep. Norine Hammond, political consultant Don Rose, attorney and policy expert Monica Carmean, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman, former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza and broadcaster Bill Kurtis.

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