By Shia Kapos

Happy Wednesday, Illinois. It looks like we're finally getting something close to winter today.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A group of restaurant, bar and hospitality leaders are pushing back at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to raise the alcohol tax in Chicago — pleading with City Council members to oppose it.

The group says raising the tax on beer, wine and spirits upwards of 34 percent would make Chicago’s alcohol tax rate one of the highest in the nation.

“Instead of helping families make ends meet, supporting workers and growing our small businesses, City Hall is trying to make it even harder to do business in the city of Chicago,” the Chicago Alcohol Tax Coalition said in a statement.

The big issue: Members of the group — from business and labor — worry that a tax hike in Chicago would push consumers to the suburbs to eat and drink. "The liquor tax will disproportionately affect neighborhood and community restaurants,” Sam Toia, CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said in the same statement. He said costs of the proposed increase will be “passed directly to the consumer."

Labor perspective: Pasquale Gianni, director of government affairs for Teamsters Joint Council 25 Counsel, said the proposed tax hike puts bar and restaurant jobs at risk because business would see a slowdown.

Putting it in starker terms: “The proposed Chicago liquor tax increase threatens to further burden an already strained hospitality industry, driving customers away and reducing revenue for local bars and restaurants,” said Keith Wetherell, executive director of the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association.

Others joining the opposition to a booze tax include the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, the Illinois National Independent Venue Association, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and the American Distilled Spirits Alliance.

In presenting the budget, the mayor’s office said the city hasn’t seen an increase in the alcohol tax in 16 years.

The proposed booze tax is just one piece of a proposal that Johnson hopes will help shore up a budget shortfall of nearly $1 billion.

They’re collaborating: The mayor and City Council members are deep in budget meetings this week after the council rejected the mayor’s proposed $300 million property tax hike.

From the mayor’s Q&A with reporters:

Johnson accuses critics of 'tantrums,' says it's time they 'grow up': “The mayor said last week’s unanimous vote against his $300 million property tax increase just delayed the budget process, dragging it well into December. ‘It’s time to grow up,’ Johnson said. ‘The people of Chicago don’t have time for that,’” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

Johnson is now proposing a $150M property tax hike, down from his original $300M, by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan

Mayor is also looking to find ‘more progressive revenue sources and more efficiencies’ to balance the budget, by ABC 7’s Craig Wall

THE CHICAGO MAYOR’s RACE is still more than two years out, but there’s already talk about who might jump in to challenge Mayor Brandon Johnson.

There’s buzz around Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias after NBC 5 Mary Ann Ahern posted his name last night.

He can get in line: Others who might make a run for mayor include Congressman Mike Quigley, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, state Rep. Kam Buckner, City Clerk Anna Valencia, City Council members Brian Hopkins (2nd), Silvana Tabares (23rd), Bill Conway (34th), Gil Villegas (36th) and Brendan Reilly (42nd), former Inspector General Joe Ferguson and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson.

One political observer even wondered aloud whether former Mayor Rahm Emanuel might join the race, given he won’t be helping out the White House.

Point being: It’s going to be a wild political ride.

If you are Janice Jackson, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com

A message from Capital One:

At Capital One, our affordable housing initiatives support inclusive, thriving, resident-centered communities right here in Illinois. We strive to promote individual well-being by financing both the development and preservation of affordable housing, along with services that directly respond to resident needs. From 2020-2023, we provided nearly $378 million in capital for community development across the state – primarily for safe, equitable, and quality housing to help transform resident lives.

At the Marshalltown Co. in Bushnell at noon to announce a new DCEO grant award

At 1715 South Ashland Avenue. at 11 a.m. to attend the Pilsen South Ashland Health Hub Mental Health expansion ribbon cutting — At 2242 South Damen Avenue at 2:25 p.m. for the 25th Ward Day press conference

No official public events

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com

Want to know what's really happening with Congress's make-or-break spending fights? Get daily insider analysis of Hill negotiations, funding deadlines, and breaking developments—free in your inbox with Inside Congress. Subscribe now.

— The Democratic Party so far has two officially announced candidates for party chair, according to POLITICO's national Playbook. They are Social Security Administrator and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin. Others are potentially waiting in the wings: Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Wisconsin Dems Chair Ben Wikler, strategist Chuck Rocha and former Congressman Max Rose, to name a few.

— Fred Eychaner is behind Chicago’s buzziest art destination: The businessman and prominent Democratic donor “recruited the world-famous architect Tadao Ando, who had designed Eychaner’s own house, to convert 659 West Wrightwood into Wrightwood 659,” by Graham Meyer for WBEZ.

— MADIGAN TRIAL: Jurors hear Madigan pushed Latino businessman for ComEd board after winning Luis Gutierrez support: “Jurors in Michael Madigan’s federal racketeering conspiracy trial on Tuesday heard the saga of Juan Ochoa, who Madigan pushed for a seat on the ComEd board — over the objections of some Latino Democrats,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Matthew Hendrickson and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.

— Massey Commission endorses resolution for county mental health board, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie

— Judge dismisses biometric data privacy lawsuit citing revised state law, by Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski

— Lake Michigan water levels drop to lowest in years amid warmth and lack of rain, by the Tribune’s Vivian La

— The Citizens Utility Board turns 40 this year and has saved Illinois consumers billions, by the Sun-Times’ Stephanie Zimmermann

— Election update:  In Sangamon County, Frank Lesko bests Josh Langfelder by 31 votes in Recorder's race, by the State Journal-Register’s Steven Spearie

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Jen Johnson, Chicago’s deputy mayor of education, youth and human services, has officially stepped down, according to her  post on X. Johnson took a leave last month to focus on health and her family. The former high school history teacher previously was chief of staff at the Chicago Teachers Union.

— Trump’s mass deportation plan sparks concerns in Chicago, by WGN 9’s Julian Crews and Ethan Illers

— Proposed Chicago police resource cuts could land city in court, top officials warn, by Fox 32’s Charles Creitz

— State Board of Education closes investigation on Chicago’s restraint and timeout practices after almost two years, by Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie

— Union League Club's Monet auctioned for $9M, by Crain’s Steven R. Strahler

A message from Capital One:

— After 40 years, Skokie mayor Van Dusen not running for re-election, by the Pioneer Press’ Richard Requena

— State-funded electric vehicle chargers open in Joliet, thousands more to come, by Capitol News’ Andrew Adams

— Barrington Hills board spurns flower farm, by the Daily Herald’s Steve Zalusky

— Thornton Township trustees skip meeting, block Henyard from filling vacancy as power struggle continues, by WGN 9’s Jenna Barnes and Eli Ong

— Incumbent mayors facing challenges in Lake County, by the Daily Herald’s Mick Zawislak

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Hilary Gowins is joining the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, according to Editorial Page Editor Chris Jones.

Next chapter: Gowins will be leaving her job as senior vice president for the Illinois Policy Institute, where she has worked for 12 years in various editorial and leadership roles. Earlier, she was a reporter at the Northwest Herald, where she covered local government and wrote enterprise stories focusing on Illinois politics at the state and local level.

Along with Jones, Gowins will serve on the board with Steve Daniels, Greg Burns and Clarence Page.

Don't just read headlines—guide your organization's next move. POLITICO Pro's comprehensive Data Analysis tracks power shifts in Congress, ballot measures, and committee turnovers, giving you the deep context behind every policy decision. Learn more about what POLITICO Pro can do for you.

We asked what famous writing you can recite from memory.

Susan Evans: “The Gettysburg Address! My 7th (or 8th) grade teacher made us memorize it.”

Lawrence Falbe: “I can recite the Preamble to the Constitution thanks to Schoolhouse Rock, but I have to sing the song in my head.”

Donna Gutman: Trees by Joyce Kilmer

Charles Keller: “Isaiah 9:6. My favorite this time of year.”

Chloë/Izzy King: “Jabberwocky,” by Lewis Carroll. “A middle school English teacher had our whole class memorize it.”

Mike Kohr: Opening verses of “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” by Robert Service.”

Dan Balanoff: “Crowded Tub” by Shel Silverstein.

Bill Kresse: “The preamble to the U.S. Constitution.”

Jim LaCognata: “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.”

Ed Mazur: A Tale of Two Cities’ "It was the best of times and the worst of times.”

Marilynn Miller: “Paul Revere's Ride, the Gettysburg Address and ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”

Andy Shaw: “The inscription behind the Abraham Lincoln statue inside the Lincoln Memorial.”

John Straus: “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.”

Timothy Thomas: “Thank you Ms. Bernadette McHale, Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher at Whitney Young high school, for offering extra credit to any student who could recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. It has stuck with me.”

Judith Weinstein: “Besides the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen’s Thunder Road, this French major can still recite some French lyric poetry.” 

Brent Zhorne: “I can recite nearly the entire script from the ‘Blues Brothers’ movie. Does that count?” Four fried chickens and Coke, Brent. Yes, it counts.

Next question: What's the snow storm you'll never forget? Email skapos@politico.com

— Durbin again eyes NDAA as swipe fee vehicle, by POLITICO’s Eleanor Mueller

— House Republicans are playing the Trump card in committee chair races, by POLITICO’s Eleanor Mueller

— Trump taps Linda McMahon for education secretary, by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan, Natalie Allison and Bianca Quilantan

— Trump picks Dr. Oz to be CMS administrator, by POLITICO’s Ben Leonard and Robert King

— Donald and Elon can’t get enough of each other, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Natalie Allison

A message from Capital One:

At Capital One, we are committed to changing banking for good here in Illinois. We proudly employ more than 1,700 Chicagoans – who support this city from our offices and Cafés each day. In the last 10+ years, we’ve provided over 500 grants to nonprofit organizations in Illinois, including programs that focus on community service, education, and workforce development. Our efforts are informed by a long-standing belief that our partners—who are closest to the needs of the community—are best positioned to develop effective and sustainable solutions. Deep community relationships with affordable housing developers, nonprofit organizations, local government, and civic leaders are at the heart of our community programs. We are committed to continuing to spend with diverse suppliers operating in the state of Illinois, with over $8M in one year period spent with businesses owned by people of color, veterans, and women.

— Connor Coughlan, who works at the State Department, and Ellie Wheeler, a senior marketing manager at AstraZeneca, got married Saturday at The Gallery in Kansas City. They met through mutual friends in his hometown of Chicago when he was working on the Chris Kennedy campaign. SPOTTED: Sheila Nix and Jim Coughlan, Michaela Sims, Mike and Danyel Henry, Scott Mulhauser, Bill Doerrer, Ally Biasotti, Judy Rainey, Sheila Murphy, Erin Owen, Annie Burns, John Monahan and Claudia Chavez. Pic ... Another pic

TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Michael Penicnak and Sabrina Miller for correctly answering that Sargent Shriver was both president of the Chicago Board of Education and later ambassador to France.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who served as an Illinois state representative for 23 hours and 59 minutes? Email