👑 King(maker) Pritzker

Last week’s election went well for Gov. JB Pritzker — not just because the governor ran unopposed. Pritzker-backed candidates also found success, pointing to the governor as Illinois’ new power broker.

Stratton’s win: Pritzker’s own lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, all but clearing the path for her to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The race, however, was no sure thing. Competitor U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th) boasted a $30 million war chest, and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd) attracted progressive voters. Enter Pritzker.

Money — and more: A PAC funded by billionaire Pritzker dropped $15 million on Stratton ads. (He made the biggest donation toward a single candidate this cycle, according to the Trib.) Pritzker also campaigned for Stratton directly, appearing alongside her for the last two weeks of the race and dominating her final commercial.

A clash: After Stratton’s victory, Pritzker’s on the outs with the powerful Congressional Black Caucus, which backed Kelly. While Kelly and Pritzker have long been at odds, CBC says Pritzker was “tipping the scales” unnecessarily.

Other wins: Pritzker’s other endorsement, state Rep. Margaret Croke, squeaked by in the Democratic comptroller race. Pritzker was Croke’s second-biggest donor. Back in 2022, he donated millions toward other winning Democrats, too.

A new kind of machine: With former kingmakers Mike Madigan and Richard M. Daley firmly out the game, Pritzker seems poised to fill something of a power vacuum in Illinois. Though his looks different than the old guard for now: more outwardly left-leaning and loudly anti-Trump.

Looking ahead: Pritzker’s not ruling out a presidential run. If — when? — that happens, a potential Sen. Stratton could be a helpful ally. Meanwhile, at the local level, Pritzker ally Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias may run for Chicago mayor.

Cesar Chavez fallout: Activist Cesar Chavez was posthumously, credibly accused of sexual assault — now what happens to all the stuff named after him? Locals are pushing to rename an elementary school in Back of the Yards and a post office in Pilsen. [Block Club]

A surprise firing: Chicago’s deputy mayor for community safety, Garien Gatewood, is out. Mayor Brandon Johsnon fired him Thursday … despite previously crediting him for the recent drop in violent crime. Gatewood says he’s received little explanation. [Tribune 🔒]

• Yep: Crime is actually down. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
• Wait: What’s a deputy mayor? [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Lights, camera, action: Illinois’ film industry had record spending last year: $703 million total. Pritzker cites a 35% tax incentive for producers. That program is cemented through 2039. [NBC 5]

• Hey: Have you seen all the shows filmed in Chicago? [City of Chicago]

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