Morning Spin: Lipinski facing challenge from progressive Democrat in Southwest Side congressional district – Chicago Tribune

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Topspin

Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski is headed for a primary challenge next year in the Southwest Side and southwest suburban 3rd Congressional District.

Marie Newman, a marketing consultant from La Grange, is looking to push a more progressive agenda.

In an email to supporters scheduled to go out Monday, Newman declares: Im in.

Over the past many months, I have attended over 55 group coffees and advocacy meetings throughout our district and Ive heard your concerns about our community and our country, she said in a statement.

"You shared your worries, your hopes, and your ideas. And many of you asked me to run for Congress -- because on issue after issue, Dan Lipinski hasnt been there for us. He is out of touch with our district, she said.

Lipinski, who succeeded his father, Bill, holds a more social conservative ideology than most Chicago Democrats specifically on issues involving abortion and womens health care.

Newman was born in Beverly and raised in Palos Park. After years of working in advertising, she started her own consulting business.

Im going to need your help. Its going to be a tough fight to reclaim our seat in Congress from a family of Washington insiders with a substantial war chest, whove held their seat in Congress for two generations, she said in her statement. After meeting with so many of you, I know we can do it from the grassroots up.

One side note: Lipinski dispatched help to Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar in his re-election bid after being challenged over his support and fundraising help for President Donald Trump. With mail-in ballots still to be counted, Claar appeared to narrowly hold on to win. (Rick Pearson)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to attend the Cubs ribbon cutting ceremony on the new plaza outside Wrigley Field.

*Gov.BruceRauner will "announce new steps to strengthen hate crimes investigations in Illinois" at the Thompson Center.

*A joint meeting of two Chicago City Council committees will consider the appointment of Laura Kunard to the new job of deputy city inspector general for public safety.

*ACLU Executive Director Colleen Connell will speak at theCity Club of Chicago.

*Theweek ahead: On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis speaks to theCity Cluband the Cook County Board's Finance Committee could considerthe $36.5M Tyler Technology contract for Circuit Court case management system that was delayed at the last meeting. On Wednesday, there's a County Board meeting. On Thursday, a city committee could consider stricter party bus rules.

From the notebook

*This reminder brought to you by ...: The state wants to remind drivers to keep their car registrations current, but first, a word from its sponsors.

Illinois House lawmakers haveoverwhelmingly approved a measure that would allow the cash-strapped state to sell advertising on registration remindersmailed out to millions of homes each year.

The proposal aims to provide Secretary of State Jesse Whites office with an alternative funding source during the state budget impasse. The office wants to avoid a repeat of 2015, when it stopped mailing the annual renewal notices because of a lack of money. During the 10 months the mailers didn't go out, the number of people fined for failingto register their vehicles in time skyrocketed, leaving drivers on the hook for millions of dollars in late fees.

The ads could feature a range of businesses, including attorneys and restaurants. Companies regulated by the secretary of state, such as vehicle dealerships and driving schools, would be banned from participating. Also prohibited would be companies that make or sell alcohol, pharmaceuticals or medical marijuana. Politicians can't advertise either.

Rep. John DAmico, D-Chicago, said the secretary of states office spends about $400,000 a month on mailings and said the proposal would generate some cost savings for the state. It now moves on to the Senate.(Haley BeMiller)

*McSweeney sides with AG on worker pay: Republican Rep. David McSweeney said he sides with Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigans efforts to have the courts decide that state workers cant be paid without a legislative appropriation but questions what took her so long. McSweeney said he disagrees with Republican Gov. Rauners efforts to fight Madigans push to end employee pay absent a budget and disagrees with a proposal backed by some Republicans that would ensure workers get paid through a continuing appropriation. She should have done it two years ago, McSweeney said of Madigan on WGN-AM 720. I mean, I dont understand why would a government appropriate money automatically? It doesnt make any sense. I want to pay state workers, but we should do it as part of a budget. Right now theres a proposal on the table that would pay state workers automatically forever, without an appropriations bill. How does that make any sense? Rauner has contended that Madigans efforts in the appellate court to lift a St. Clair County Court order requiring state workers to get their paychecks is part of a coordinated attempt by Democrats orchestrated by her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, to shut down government. But McSweeney said the paycheck issue symbolizes the overspending going on in the state during its historic budget impasse. When did state workers become more important than the truly needy, social service agencies, than MAP grants for our college students? he asked. That is whats created this problem in our state is that for the last couple of years 91 percent of this budget has been on autopilot and were paying state workers without an appropriations bill. McSweeney said he favors giving Rauner a $32.3 billion lump-sum budget and letting the governor make specific cuts based on $38 billion in spending something Democrats are unwilling to do. (Rick Pearson)

*On the Sunday Spin:Tribune political reporter Rick Pearsons guests were state Rep. McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, talking about the lack of a state budget; Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers; and state Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, talking about business tax credits. The Sunday Spin airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720. Listen to the full show here.

What we're writing

*Citydelays release of police shooting video despite 90-day policy

*Federal prosecutors seek 7 1/2-year prison termfor former CPS chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

*Chicago State board hires Vallasand a former dean to top interim posts.

*Illinois members of Congress support Syrian missile strike, but Democrats want debate on use of military force.

*Emanuel declines to pick sidesin Democratic race for Illinois governor.

*Kids poisoned by lead in CHA housing; landlords still got paid.

*HUD Secretary Carson to visit East Chicagoamid lead crisis.

*Gorsuch confirmed to Supreme Court without supportof Illinois' senators.

What we're reading

*For Cubs fans, sticker shockgoes with trip to Wrigley.

*On butter policy, Wisconsin doesn't stand pat.

*Large fries? Extra sauce? Why McDonald's wants to track all your dining habits.

Follow the money

*The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform's weekly update has a rundownof the big suburban races for mayor.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

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Morning Spin: Lipinski facing challenge from progressive Democrat in Southwest Side congressional district - Chicago Tribune

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