Pritzker, Bailey gear up for their showdown

Plus, Chicago steps up protections for some bike lanes. Here's what you need to know today

To view this email as a web page, click here. Today's Rundown is brought to you by WBEZ members and   by Hunter Clauss   Hey there! It’s Thursday, and I’m going on a road trip tomorrow. Hit me up if you have any podcast recommendations. Here’s what you need to know today. 1. Pritzker and Bailey do their after-primary media blitzes   Both candidates took their victory laps and are shifting gears for the November election. In a wide-ranging interview with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney, Gov. JB Pritzker made it clear that protecting access to abortion would be a major issue for his reelection campaign.  The governor also said he took no satisfaction in watching hedge fund mogul Ken Griffin’s slate of GOP candidates go down the electoral tubes this week, including Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. [WBEZ] And speaking with WTTW, Pritzker promoted the idea of providing free college tuition to families whose incoming is at or below the state median. But he offered few details about how such a program would work. [WTTW] Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey acknowledged “he’s a millionaire — but, like his big backer former President Donald Trump, the downstate farmer and state senator is refusing to release copies of his income tax returns.” [Chicago Sun-Times] And as speculation flies that Pritzker may have his sights on the White House, the governor told NBC News that it’s “certainly possible” President Joe Biden could face a primary challenge, though “that’s not something I’m encouraging.” [NBC News] 2. Lightfoot secures reelection endorsements from U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush, Robin Kelly and Danny Davis   The endorsements come as Mayor Lori Lightfoot tries to secure the support of Black voters, who played a crucial role in her victory in the 2019 runoff election. Rush, Kelly and Davis represent districts with large numbers of Black voters in the city. The news comes as Lightfoot is expected to face a crowded field of challengers that could split the Black community’s support. One of those challengers is businessman Willie Wilson, whose endorsement in the 2019 runoff election is widely credited for helping Lightfoot shore up support in the Black community. [Chicago Sun-Times] If you’re looking for a really good overview of the challenges Lightfoot faces with Black voters, columnist and political analyst Laura Washington earlier this month examined specific problems and how Lightfoot could overcome them. [Chicago Tribune] 3. Chicago will add concrete curbs to all protected bike lanes amid concerns over the safety of bicyclists   City officials this week announced a plan to step up protections for bike lanes after a series of traffic crashes this month put a spotlight on the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. The plan aims to switch out the plastic posts currently used for some lanes with concrete barriers by the end of 2023. The plan also includes adding 25 miles of concrete-protected lanes by Dec. 31.  “By year’s end, Chicago will have about 45 miles of protected bike lanes, and 70% of those will have concrete curb barriers,” reports my colleague Fran Spielman at the Chicago Sun-Times. “The remaining 13 miles of city streets will be upgraded.” [Sun-Times] 4. Biden wants to suspend filibuster rules to codify Roe v. Wade into law. The chances of that happening appear slim.   President Joe Biden today said he supports changing filibuster rules so Congress can codify into law abortion rights and privacy protections. It’s the second time Biden has urged Congress to ditch the 60-vote threshold in the Senate to pass specific legislation. Earlier this year, he made a similar request to pass legislation protecting voting rights. Senate Democrats would need 50 votes to change filibuster rules, and it’s unclear if they have enough support. Among those who have opposed such a move are two moderate Democrats: Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. [NPR] Meanwhile, in response to privacy concerns, period tracking app Flo unveiled an “anonymous mode” feature allowing users to remove their name, email address and technical identifiers from their profile. [NPR] 5. A very busy day at the Supreme Court   First up, Ketanji Brown Jackson was officially sworn in today as the 116th Supreme Court justice and the first Black woman to serve on the high court. Jackson was joined by her husband and two children for the swearing in. [NPR] Before Jackson’s swearing in, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to limit the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon emissions from power plants, dealing a major blow to the White House’s efforts to combat climate change. [NPR] The nation’s high court also today rejected a challenge to the Biden administration’s efforts to end a Trump-era policy forcing some U.S. asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico. [AP] Meanwhile, the Supreme Court announced it will hear a case that “could upend election laws across the country with the potential endorsement of a fringe legal theory about how much power state legislatures have over the running of congressional and presidential elections,” reports NPR.  The case could also impact the 2024 presidential election. [NPR] SPONSORED BY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S MA IN PUBLIC POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Build the skills now to drive change Prepare for roles in government, education, and nonprofit organizations in one of the only programs that focuses on both policy and administration. You’ll build the leadership, administrative, and analytical expertise needed to drive change at the local, national, and international levels while learning from experienced faculty who are thought leaders in their fields. Earn your Northwestern master’s degree at your own pace or in as little as one year.   Here's what else is happening Only about 23% of the violent deaths of transgender women in Chicago in recent years have been solved by police, according to a Chicago Tribune analysis. [Trib] A celebrated all-boys school in Chicago was cited by CPS for ‘dismal’ financial management. [WBEZ] Chicago’s minimum wage will increase tomorrow. [Trib] As if NPR knew I was having sleeping problems this week, Pop Culture Happy Hour looks at songs that can help you catch some zzzs. [NPR] Oh, and one more thing... Seriously, what’s not to like about Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade, the largest and longest-running African American parade in the United States? Tonight, the beloved parade gets a major showcase at the Merchandise Mart, where an eight-minute art film short titled Billiken will be projected on the building’s 340,000-square-foot facade. The short film will also be projected on the mart every night at 9 p.m. through Sept. 7. “In Billiken, young dancers appear to glide through blue skies,” writes Isabella DeLeo for WBEZ. “Colorful rotoscope animation accentuates their movements as the sounds of the Rich Township Marching Machine band are sampled in a soundtrack made by RP Boo, the legendary creator of the footwork music genre. It’s an art film that gives viewers the impression that they’re flying too, as screens and geometric shapes slide on and off the screen with joyful ease.” [WBEZ] Tell me something good What are your plans for the Fourth of July weekend?  Debby Donovan writes:  “I hope to celebrate July 4th by walking with the Oak Park-Austin chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in the Oak Park Parade. Gun violence is such a serious problem in our country.    “All is not work. We might make it to Downers Grove to watch the afternoon parade with our daughter and her family. And oh, yes, there is a church ice cream social on Sunday.” Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.  therundown@wbez.org | @whuntah Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I'll see you tomorrow.  — Hunter Clauss P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive The Rundown in your inbox. VIEW OUR BROADCAST SCHEDULE ©Chicago Public Media Inc 848 East Grand Ave, Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611 Please do not reply to this email. If you need assistance, you may contact us here. You are receiving this email because you are a WBEZ member or signed up to receive email communications from us. You can unsubscribe from The Rundown here. CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA'S PRIVACY POLICY