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TGIF, Illinois. Meeting some political junkies for lunch, and I wonder what we’ll talk about.

YUGE! Everything you want to know about the indictment of Donald Trump, via POLITICO.

Donald Trump made his way into Chicago’s mayor’s race Thursday during the WBEZ/Sun-Times candidates’ forum, the last meeting before Tuesday’s election.

Playing the Trump card: Asked to respond to the indictment of the former president, Brandon Johnson called Trump’s administration “corrupt.”

Then he pointed to a donation to Vallas’ campaign made by an advocacy group connected to American Federation of Children, which was founded by Betsy DeVos — Trump’s former education secretary. The Illinois Federation for Children PAC reported spending $59,385 last week for third-party digital media work on Vallas’ campaign.

Vallas, who praised the indictment, pushed back. “I’ve never had any conversations or contact with Betsy DeVos. And our campaign has not received any money from her.” Vallas reminded viewers of his Democratic credentials and that Johnson is “still a paid lobbyist for the Chicago Teachers Union,” which has bankrolled his campaign.

CALLING DR. ARWADY: Vallas and Johnson were also asked by WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons whether they’d keep the Chicago Public Health Department commissioner, who guided the city through Covid, if they win the race. Vallas said, “Yes,” if she wants to stay. (Arwady does.) Johnson said, “We have different views of public health. So, no. She will not stay on in my administration.”

Juice for Vallas: Priorities Chicago PAC has put up more than $675,000 to boost his campaign since March 21, with about half of that money committed through the last week heading into the runoff, according to AdImpact. Formed in mid-March by Resolute Public Affairs founder Greg Goldner, Priorities Chicago is airing three broadcast ads, all negative, on Johnson’s views on policing and taxes.

Remember: Goldner was connected to a separate committee that spent a reported $385,000 on Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García’s race in the first round for mayor.

Juice for Johnson: SEIU International and Healthcare IL PACs reported sending Johnson $250,000 each this week, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. The SEIU State Council reported giving $500,000 as well.

Crain’s Greg Hinz gives more insight on Vallas and Johnson’s money sources.

RELATED

— OPPO: Johnson reportedly owes city of Chicago thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, fines: “These fines and fees are on a previously established payment plan, and are on schedule to be fully resolved before Brandon Johnson takes office as our next mayor,” Johnson’s campaign told Fox 32’s Mike Flannery.

— Does Johnson’s record on the Cook County Board stand up? “Inflating one’s legislative victories is a time-honored tactic for political candidates trying to make the jump from a member of an elected legislative board to the top administrative seat, and Johnson is likewise claiming credit for major initiatives that have demonstrably benefited thousands of Cook County residents. But how critical a role he played is in some cases debatable,” by Tribune’s John Byrne and Alice Yin.

— HOUSE DIVIDED: Mahalia Hines, a board member for the President Obama Foundation and former CPS board member, joined educators endorsing Paul Vallas on Wednesday. The day before, Hines’ son, Chicago rapper Common, backed Brandon Johnson.

— Bernie Sanders drew a crowd Thursday to support Johnson, by Tribune’s Jake Sheridan

— Sanders aimed to energize Johnson’s progressive base and lift turnout among younger voters, by Sun-Times’ Emmanuel Camarillo

Something to chew on …

— Which voters will determine Chicago’s next mayor? WBEZ’s Amy Qin and Alden Loury analyze potential turnout results.

— Jewish community could swing mayoral race, writes Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel

INDEPENDENCE DAY: The next mayor of Chicago will step into a new era of governing after the City Council voted Thursday to take back power it hasn’t held since before the first Mayor Richard Daley occupied the Fifth Floor.

In a consequential move, lame-duck aldermen voted 33 to 11 to rewrite rules for how the council operates — everything from adding new committees to determining who will chair them. Until now, mayors have controlled committees as a way to reward loyalty and get legislation through the council more easily.

Both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas have said they support the council’s independence.

Why the rush? Opponents pushed for a delay so aldermen elected Tuesday could have a say.

Now or never: Supporters say they know from experience that the new mayor could get a jump on organizing committees if aldermen didn’t do it first. “It’s going to be too late. We all know that,” Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) said.

William Singer, a former alderman, who pushed for such independence back when Mayor Richard J. Daley seized control, said the rule changes are long overdue. “The council needs its own budgeting staff and investigative staff, all those things. That’s what an independent legislative body should have,” he told Playbook.

The cost of adding more committees, which have staffers, is still being worked out by the aldermen.

The real question is whether independence leads to council wars the way it did in Singer’s era. It’s certainly going to create more conversations, acknowledged Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) as she left the council floor. She was referring to the fierce debate and outbursts that erupted before Thursday’s vote.

Bull-oney! At one point, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) confronted Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), who called out, “That’s bullsh-t!”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement saying the vote could be called “historic” if the rule changes ultimately help residents. It will be viewed in “a far less favorable light” if residents don’t win, she said. “Time will only tell which verdict will be rendered.”

The council will vote again on the rules when they meet under a new administration in May.

— Progress or power grab? Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reports

— Lightfoot’s allies led the effort, by WTTW’s Heather Cherone

If you are Common, Playbook wants to hear how the conversation went with your mom about the mayor’s race. Email [email protected].

No official public event.

On 75th Street at 11:15 a.m. to celebrate Vegan Now 2Go, a Community Development Grant awardee.

At the Fairmont Hotel at 6 p.m. for the National Summit of Black Women Lawyers.

Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job or any other nugget for Playbook? I’d like to hear from you: [email protected]

— Senate votes to lift nuclear construction ban: “The Illinois Senate approved a measure on Thursday that would lift a 1980s-era moratorium on nuclear power plant construction.” Republican state Sen. Sue Rezin sponsored the bill that now heads to the House.

— 3 gambling bills are up as industry expands, by State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck.

— State Sen. Rachel Ventura led a measure through the Senate to codify into law that the odor of raw or burnt cannabis cannot alone constitute probable cause for search of a motor vehicle. The bill heads to the House.

— “ComEd Four” attorneys grill Fidel Marquez on lobbying tactics, Madigan’s influence: Defense attorneys for the “ComEd Four” argued Thursday their clients were engaged in legal lobbying tactics, not corruptly seeking to influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, writes WTTW’s Matt Masterson.

— Marquez pays price on stand as defense grills him over his decision — and his personal life, by Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles

— Orland Park ask voters whether village should abandon long-standing form of municipal government, by Daily Southtown’s Mike Nolan

— Naperville 203 board candidates agree age-appropriateness key to curriculum decisions, by Daily Herald’s Kevin Schmit

— Des Plaines candidates disagree about what to do with Metropolitan Square, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau

— 21st Ward: Congressman Jonathan Jackson is endorsing Ronnie Mosley.

— St. Charles council committee supports using drones to boost safety at community events, by Shaw Local’s Eric Schelkopf

— Schaumburg trustees approve $1,000 ‘inflation-relief’ payments for full-time employees, by Daily Herald’s Eric Peterson

— Beto O’Rourke headlines a Chicago Humanities Festival event April 29 on the “Fight for Voting Rights.” Details here

— Wilbur Milhouse III has been appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Milhouse is CEO of Milhouse Engineering and Construction. Pending state Senate confirmation, he’ll fill the seat vacated by Naomi Jakobsson.

We asked what past, present or future Illinois politician you’d like to get a personal letter from.

Matthew Beaudet: President Abraham Lincoln.

Tim Butler: President Ulysses S. Grant. “Whether it was his military correspondence or Personal Memoirs, Grant was known as a tremendous communicator of the written word.”

James Castro and James LaCognata: Mayor Richard J. Daley.

Elizabeth Grisanzio: Gov. Jim Edgar.

Mark Huddle: Gov. John Peter Altgeld, who pardoned wrongfully convicted anarchists, “knowing he was signing his political death warrant.”

John Lopez: Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), chair of House Education and Workforce’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Marilynn Miller: Adam Kinzinger “for standing up to MAGA Republicans.”

Jennifer Olaya and Barry Tusin: Sen. Paul Simon, “a combination of intelligence, independence and integrity — and from Southern Illinois, no less,” Tusin wrote.

Robert Kieckhefer: Daniel Pope Cook, Illinois’ first attorney general and an anti-slave advocate.

If you were given money to start a business, what would it be? Email [email protected]

— Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) have introduced the Gun Trafficker Detection Act to require gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours.

— Rep. Mary Miller is among Trump defenders attacking Manhattan DA Bragg, by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet

— It was quiet at Trump’s Chicago hotel, writes Tribune’s Jake Sheridan

— POLITICO’s power list doesn’t disappoint: Our vivid list tells the stories of people at the intersection of politics and policy.

— Explaining Trump’s indictment drama in 2 minutes, via POLITICO

— Trump’s standing among conservatives on the Hill dims ahead of ’24, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Burgess Everett

THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Gail Purkey for correctly answering that Gustav Eiffel offered to build a replica of Paris’ eponymous Eiffel Tower. He was turned down because the committee wanted only American attractions. Eiffel was French. Instead, the Exposition became famous for the world’s first Ferris wheel.

TODAY’s QUESTION: What is the official snack food of Illinois, as designated by the state legislature? Email [email protected]

Today: State Sen. Terri Bryant, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, former state Rep. Josh Harms, former state Rep. Charles “Chuck” Jefferson, Ariel Investments founder John Rogers Jr., Choose Chicago CEO Lynn Osmond, Latino Caucus Foundation Executive Director Oswaldo Alvarez, Planned Parenthood of Illinois Advocacy Director Rianne Hawkins, author Alex Kotlowitz, Madison County grant manager Philip Lasseigne and arts entrepreneur Richard Weinberg.

Saturday: MWRD Commissioner Cam Davis, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center CEO Dan Hostetler, Klarna head of strategy Natalia Brzezinski, Sen. Bill Haterty’s deputy chief of staff Julia Hahn, Tempus Labs’ customer experience senior manager Caity Moran and entrepreneur Jimmy Lee.

Sunday: Rise Strategy Group’s Jessica Ortiz, strategic management adviser Leslie Dimas, educator Hilario Dominguez and attorney Vicki Hood.

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