By Shia Kapos

Presented by The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association

Happy Thursday, Illinois. Thanks for joining and hello to new subscribers! We met a few last night.

Seven presidential candidates took part in the GOP debate on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in California. | Philip Cheung for POLITICO

Straw polls from two Illinois Republican debate-watch parties show who’s surging, who’s not — and who’s still on top (Hint, he wasn’t in the debate.).

Cheezborger! Members of the Chicago Republican Party gathered at Billy Goat Inn on Madison Street, where the straw poll showed Vivek Ramaswamy as the winner of last night’s spectacle in California, Nikki Haley and Doug Burgum surging and the rest of the field losing ground since the August GOP debate.

By the numbers:

Vivek Ramaswamy: 44 percent (57.5 in August)

Ron DeSantis: 19.5 percent (22.5 in August)

Nikki Haley: 17 percent (2.5 in August)

Doug Burgum: 14.5 percent (2.5 in August)

Mike Pence: 5 percent (10 in August)

Tim Scott: 0 percent (2.5 in August)

Chris Christie: 0 percent (2.5 in August)

Meanwhile in Barrington, nearly 50 Republican voters met for a debate-watch party at the Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, organized by the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which is funded by conservative billionaire Charles Koch.

The results are more broad : Organizers didn’t share numbers right away (It was late.). “The clear winners tonight were both Ron DeSantis & Nikki Haley,” texted Kyle Walsh with AFP.

More results: Donald Trump still holds the majority of support among those who took part in the straw poll, said Walsh. And Scott and DeSantis were “favorites for voters’ second choice candidate.”

What does it mean? Nothing until we’re much closer to primary election day, though it sure is fun to see where people are leaning.

SPOTTED: Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy hit both parties and reminded the crowd that the Illinois GOP isn’t endorsing in the primary.

FROM THE HOME PAGE

It had an off-Broadway vibe. But, at times, they went after the lead actor far off stage, by POLITICO’s Sam Stein, Jessica Piper, Zach Montellaro, Lisa Kashinsky and Alex Isenstadt

Who won, who lost and who flopped in the second GOP debate, via POLITICO staff

Trump wasn’t at the debate — but his outfit was, by Derek Guy for POLITICO

Highlights of the GOP debate in 3 minutes, by POLITICO’s Renee Klahr

New Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is sworn in by City Clerk Anna Valencia on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. | Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

FEEL THE LOVE: In a unanimous vote, the Chicago City Council named Larry Snelling the city’s next police superintendent. It’s the highest profile, non-elected position in the state.

The council lauded Snelling for what he brings to the table: professionalism and a seeming ability to boost morale because he comes from the ranks of the Chicago Police Department.

Now comes the hard part: Snelling takes over as CPD tries to get its arms around rampant crime. There’s a reason rappers named it Chi-raq.

From Tribune's Sam Charles and Alice Yin: “He has a vision of rejuvenating officer morale and repairing community relations.”

From Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman: “He’s now on the clock to confront Chicago’s persistent, pervasive crime.”

RELATED

New ATF boss Christopher Amon in Chicago setting up ‘intelligence center’ to solve more gun crimes, by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel

If you are Larry Snelling, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email [email protected]

At the Marriott on Michigan Avenue at 10:30 a.m. to give remarks at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference.

At Navy Pier at 6:50 p.m. for the After School Matters gala.

At Brookfield Zoo at 10 a.m. for a veteran resource fair and commemoration event.

You survived the debate, so send me a line: [email protected]

A message from The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association:

Hotel property values in Chicago have plummeted as much as 50% in the last five years and investors are already saying NO to purchasing Chicago hotels. The Bring Chicago Home Proposal would quadruple the real estate transfer tax, giving investors yet another reason to take their business elsewhere. Tell your alderperson to vote NO on the Real Estate Transfer Tax hike and instead focus on ways to grow the city’s tourism and hospitality industries.

— Mercury Public Affairs, which has opened a spacious office on Michigan Avenue, held an open house Wednesday. Cheri Bustos, the former congresswoman who now serves as co-chair of the firm, is making plans to use the space for gatherings during the 2024 Democratic National Convention. She was on hand Wednesday to greet guests.

Also enjoying the charcuterie board: State Rep. Marcus Evans, state Treasurer Michael Frerichs, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon, Police District Council member Sarah Kammerer, former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Michael Cabonargi, district director for Robin Kelly Tony Presta, National Democratic Training Committee’s Kelly Dietrich, Rustbelt Rising Executive Director Democratic Paul Kendrick, Illinois Democratic Party Executive Director Ben Hardin and Mercury executives John Gallagher, Toi Hutchinson and Zach Koutsky.

— State Rep. Paul Jacobs announced his re-election bid, via WSIU

— Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) is running for committee person of the ward. Longtime committeeman Harry Osterman is not seeking reelection.

Join Lincoln Forum on Oct. 4 at 11:30 a.m., in partnership with the Union League Club & POLITICO, as we host Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera. Be the first to hear the Tollway's vision to boost economic opportunities, advance equity, and meet the region’s needs in its next strategic and capital plan. Register here.

—  What a government shutdown would mean to Illinois: Thousands of civilians who are employed by the federal government could be impacted. “The nearly 250,000 Illinoisans receiving Social Security benefits will still receive them during a shutdown, as its operation is considered essential by the federal government,” reports Springfield State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck.

— Welch introduces bill to allow legislative staff to unionize, via Capitol News’ Peter Hancock. Read the bill here

—  Confirmation for next U.S. attorney in Chicago gets tougher with anonymous senator blocking a vote: “The senator or senators who are blocking a confirmation vote for April Perry are not known. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said he would lift his hold on Perry if she got an up-or-down vote,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet

— A glimpse of Chicago’s guaranteed income program: “In an experimental program, 5,000 Chicagoans received monthly cash payments from the city for a year, no strings attached. Here’s how the money changed one woman’s life — and how it didn’t,” Elly Fishman for Chicago magazine.

— Surge of brutal robberies has Bucktown neighbors demanding action: ‘It feels like we are under attack’, by Sun-Times’ Sophie Sherry and Emmanuel Camarillo

A message from The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association:

HUGE INFLUX: Since the weekend, 27 buses have arrived in Chicago with asylum seekers. It’s the most buses in a short period since they started arriving from Texas in August 2022. The city has now seen more than 15,000 migrants arrive, so many that some are sleeping at police stations and O’Hare, according to Tribune’s Nell Salzman and Alice Yin. 

Sheltering them: Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city is working to move the immigrants to “bricks and mortar” shelters. The plan for tented base camps is also still in the works.

Under the microscope: The company hired to do the work on those base camps has drawn scrutiny after two other states cancel their contracts with the company. Block Club does a deep dive, by Mack Liederman and Alex V. Hernandez.

Johnson addresses the criticism: “My administration has had very thorough conversations with GardaWorld,” he told reporters Wednesday. “All those allegations that have been presented, I take into consideration all of those dynamics.”

The timeline to get migrants to shelter: The mayor was vague, saying, “We’re moving migrants into brick-and-mortar and at a rate that is expedited.”

Johnson also defended sanctuary status: “We are a sanctuary state. We are a sanctuary county, a sanctuary city,” he said.

— Lawyers for Chicago cops on trial for shooting unarmed man say politics are behind ‘this dog of a case’: “A Cook County judge is expected to hand down a verdict Thursday for the two Chicago police officers charged with shooting the man last summer in Pilsen,” by Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson.

—  Mary Louise Gorno has been appointed president of the Chicago Club. She fills the remaining term of Charles W. Douglas, who died earlier this month.

— Mariah Sklyr and Bryan Smith have been named White House fellows. Sklyr is a Chicago native who’s been placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She's deputy executive director of the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care. Smith has been placed at the Social Security Administration. He’s a heart failure cardiologist at University of Chicago.

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.

We asked what fall food you can’t do without.

Matthew Beaudet hits the savories: “Pumpkin soup, butter squash soup and chili.”

Al Domanskis and Ed Mazur go for sweets: cinnamon donuts and apple cider.

Randy Bukas: “Chili and hot apple ciders.”

James Castro and Lucas Hawley: “Pumpkin pie.”

Robert Christie: “My wife’s homemade soups, whether it’s ham and bean, chicken noodle or chili.”

Lissa Druss: “Wine.”

Ed Epstein: “Fall, winter, summer and spring I crave Chicago hot dogs.”

John Mark Hansen: “My wife makes an Italian plum torte using a New York Times recipe.”

William Kresse: “Butternut squash soup.”

Fred Lebed: “Soup and more soup!”

John McCabe: “Michigan Honey Crisp Apples.”

Barbara Moore: “My Harvest Season Chili. I have a beef and a vegan version. It is filled with fall veggies.” Recipe here!

Ben Noble: “Pumpkin spice tea.”

Gene Reineke and Jim Montgomery both like Chilli “that’s the Springfield spelling.”

Chris Ruys: “Anything pumpkin, especially if it’s made with fresh over canned. There IS a difference!”

Steven Smith: “Apple pie a la mode.”

John Straus: “Apple pie.”

Phil Zeni: “Cherry pie.”

Along with Chicago’s police superintendent, who’s the most powerful non-elected official in Illinois? Email [email protected]

—  Romney polled Senate Republicans. They want a clean funding bill, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris

— House thwarts hard-right push to gut Ukraine funding, by POLITICO’s Connor O’Brien

— Hunter Biden’s business dealings draw more scrutiny as Republicans release trove of private documents, by POLITICO’s Benjamin Guggenheim

A message from The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association:

Hotels are a driving force for Chicago’s economy. But City Hall is putting their post-pandemic recovery at risk by proposing to quadruple the real estate transfer take. The proposal would give Chicago one of the highest transfer taxes compared to competitive cities and give investors another reason to take their business elsewhere. To sustainably increase revenues needed to support important programs, including reducing homelessness, we should instead focus on ways to ensure the long-term success of the city’s tourism and hospitality industries. Tell your alderperson to REJECT the proposal to increase the real estate transfer tax and instead focus on ways to grow the city’s tourism and hospitality industries.

WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to John Fritchey for correctly answering that the The Wigwam convention center was the site of the 1860 Republican National Convention. It was located at Lake Street and Market (later Wacker Drive).

TODAY’s QUESTION: What animals were sent to Chicago from New York and led to the creation of the Lincoln Park Zoo? Email [email protected]

Former state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, Chicago Housing Authority Government Affairs Manager Nate Tortora, Safer Foundation public policy analyst Mark McCombs, Bright Pink breast-cancer nonprofit founder Lindsay Avner Kaplan, Dykema Gossett government policy adviser Andre Jordan and former City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty.

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