By Shia Kapos

TGIF, Illinois. Enjoy the spectacle at the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival this weekend.

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, arriving for a press conference in Chicago in 2019, is finishing up the last days of her second term. | Matt Marton

COURT STUNNER: Just days before she exits as the Cook County state’s attorney, a post she's held for eight sometimes tumultuous years, Kim Foxx feels vindicated.

On Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction, saying he should not have been charged twice in the racist and homophobic attack against himself (which he lied about to police).

The 2019 case drew national attention because of the intrigue that an actor would do such a thing. But from the beginning, Foxx concluded the case didn’t rise to the level of spending taxpayer dollars to pursue. Foxx's thinking: The office has bigger cases it needs to tackle.

Her office had reached a deal with Smollett to drop charges of disorderly conduct and filing a false police report, in exchange for him forfeiting his $10,000 bond. It’s what the office would have done if a non-famous person had committed such a strange crime.

But the media frenzy around the celebrity incident wouldn’t go away, maybe in part because, as Foxx has said, Black women elected prosecutors have faced a mob mentality from the public.

The fevered interest fueled an investigation by special prosecutor, Dan Webb, that led to Smollett being convicted — even though Foxx’s office had reached a deal with the actor to drop charges in the first place.

It’s that point that Smollett challenged at the Supreme Court and justices agreed, issuing a 5-0 ruling Thursday that he shouldn’t have been charged a second time. His conviction is now overturned.

Webb said he's “disappointed.” In a statement he added: “We respectfully disagree with the court’s factual and legal reasoning which upends long-standing Illinois precedent.”

But Foxx said it’s “criminal procedure101.” In an interview with Playbook, she accused Webb and the late Judge Michael Toomin, who handled the initial proceedings, of having an “agenda to undermine me and my office. … Dan Webb got to go around and say my office mishandled the case. It was never mishandled. Today’s court ruling says that this noted jurist didn’t appreciate criminal procedure 101.”

It’s bittersweet: “This has hung over me for five years,” Foxx said. “This office vacates wrongful convictions, and I talk to people who say they knew from the beginning ‘I’m innocent. I’ve been waiting for this day.' And now I understand that feeling.”

RELATED

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Eileen O’Neill Burke, who will be sworn in Dec. 2 as the next Cook County state’s attorney, has named transition co-chairs for key areas in her office.

Some of the big-name subcommittee co-chairs include former Mayor Lori Lightfoot (conviction integrity), state Sen. Elgie Sims and Chicago Ald. Bill Conway (gun violence prevention), retired Judge James Snyder and the Better Government Association’s Bryan Zarou (public corruption), Ald. Debra Silverstein and Equality Illinois’ Justin DeJong (domestic violence and hate crimes), state Rep. Kam Buckner and former Deputy Gov. Jesse Ruiz (juvenile diversion) and state Sen. Mattie Hunter and Chicago Ald. Nicole Lee (public policy).

The new Choice Protection Unit will be co-chaired by state Rep. Margaret Croke, Personal PAC’s Natalie Federle and Planned Parenthood Illinois’ Jennifer Welch. The full list is here.

They’ll all work with transition chairs Pat Dowell, Anthony Driver and Arne Duncan, which we reported last week.

HOW IT’S DONE: The Cook County Board unanimously approved a nearly $10B budget for 2025: “The spending plan includes more money for reproductive health services as supporters prep for a Donald Trump presidency,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch.

�� Making a point: “This budget reflects Cook County’s commitment to a stronger, fairer and financially secure future — with no layoffs, tax increases, or cuts to vital services,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle posted on X.

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.

No official public events

At the House of Hope at 11 a.m. for the funeral of Chicago Fire Department Chief Phillip Grooms — At Turkey Chop on Chicago Avenue at 1:30 p.m. for a turkey give-away — At Millennium Park at 5:45 p.m. for the holiday tree-lighting — At Navy Pier at 7:30 p.m. for the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation gala

In Justice at 11 a.m. along with Congressman Sean Casten and other officials to celebrate the groundbreaking for a roadway improvement project at the 88th/Cork Avenue interchange on I-294

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.

— MADIGAN TRIAL | FBI sought to record calls of Chicago Democrat who earlier ran Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign: “The request was not related to the presidential campaign, instead focusing on Solis Doyle’s brother’s dealings in the Chicago City Council, according to testimony in the trial of former state House Speaker Mike Madigan,” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel, WBEZ’s Dave McKinney | WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ Matthew Hendrickson.

Ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, who turned FBI mole, takes witness stand in Madigan corruption trial, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau

— Bill to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers clears General Assembly: “If signed by Pritzker, measure would end federal minimum wage exemption in Illinois by 2030,” by Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski.

— House Republicans, Democrats argue over scheduled January lame duck session: “House Republicans are upset Democrats are still holding the lame duck session. They argued that nothing good comes out of the short period of time where lawmakers can pass plans like the SAFE-T Act and assault weapons ban,” by WAND TV’s Mike Miletich.

On the calendar: Lawmakers are tentatively meeting Thursday, Jan. 2, through Tuesday, Jan. 7,.

— Tight Winnebao County Board race flips as final votes are tallied: “Christina Valdez, the Democrat, got 3,841 votes, or 50.1 percent, to overtake and defeat Frank Pobjecky, a Republican, who received 3,828 votes, or 49.9 percent, according to election results,” by the Rockford Register Star’s Jeff Kolkey.

— Hole in Johnson's budget grows to $340M thanks to cellphone tax snafu in Springfield: “A tax on burner phones and prepaid calling cards has been shot down in Springfield. In his proposed $17.3 billion budget, Mayor Brandon Johnson had counted on that tax to bring in $40 million next year,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

— APPROVED: Plan Commission OKs proposed quantum computing campus on former U.S. Steel site: The proposal now heads to the Zoning Committee, by WGN 9’s Courtney Spinelli and BJ Lutz.

— Chicago Public Schools and its union remain far apart in teacher contract talks: They’re close on some key issues, but CPS says they’re still about $10 billion apart — a point that the teachers union disagrees with, by Chalkbeat’s Mila Koumpilova and Reema Amin

— Garfield Park Conservatory to break ground on new $10 million children's garden, by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn 

A message from Capital One:

— West Suburban hospital abruptly cuts ties with midwives and family medicine doctors: “The announcement from West Suburban Medical Center prompted anger from the midwives who’ve been practicing there for at least 20 years,” by WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch.

— Greg Hart is the lone Hinsdale village president candidate in the April 1 election, by David Giuliani via MSN

— Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul has been named co-chair of the Democratic Attorneys General Association along with Delaware AG Kathy Jennings. The appointment comes as the association prepares to push back against upcoming challenges from the second Trump administration. Minnesota AG Keith Ellison has been elected to serve as the committee’s vice chair.

— Jim Coughlan, has been nominated to be a member of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Coughlan is senior VP and general counsel at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He’s from Illinois, and political insiders might remember his wife is White House aide Sheila Nix.

— BUSINESS OF POLITICS: Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) has been elected to serve as the New Democrat Coalition’s vice chair for policy for the 119th Congress. The coalition is made up of more than 100 “pragmatic House Democrats who work across the aisle," says Budzinski's team.

— Daniel López has been named to the national governing board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where he'll serve as vice chair. He's president of Harold Washington College in Chicago.

— SPOTTED: Janice Jackson, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, headlined the "Hopecoming" fundraiser earlier this week at the Salt Shed. The event raised $4.85 million to support Hope Chicago, a scholarship program that Jackson helped get off the ground and now leads. Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch gave congratulations via video. Chicago Bears defensive back Kyler Gordon made a surprise $200,000 donation on behalf of Bears Care. And Monique and Melvin Rodriguez, founders of Mielle Organics, were honored for their support of youth programs.

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 lengths you’ve gone to plan Thanksgiving.

Stella Black: “We have a Thanksgiving table and a Christmas table. My sister puts up Christmas ��. We exchange white elephant gifts and play games. We’ve done this for years since Christmas weather may not be good for travel.”

Clem Balanoff: “The route to my cousin Tom Balanoff and his wife Hetty's house. Hetty is an incredible cook!”

Michael Kreloff: “Every year, I bake a pumpkin pie made with FRESH pumpkin. And I'm the only one who eats it.”

Ed Mazur: “Asked and reconfirmed with my daughter, Amanda, what time dinner would be served.”

Donovan Pepper: “Planning what time to leave Oak Park to make it to my sister’s home in Bolingbrook, who usually hosts!”

Next question: What’s your tip for juggling political talk on Thanksgiving? Email skapos@politico.com

— Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, says it’s a “slap in the face” if Pete Hegseth is confirmed as Defense secretary, via interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.

— Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) joined Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Nikema Williams (GA-05) to introduce the Our Homes, Our Votes Act, a bill that would allow eligible and interested tenants of federally subsidized housing to register to vote as they sign their lease and have their income verified.

— Congressman Darin LaHood’s Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously. The legislation would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail.

— Trump picks a different Florida loyalist for attorney general: Pam Bondi, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout, Mia McCarthy and Erica Orden

— Donald Trump gets a brutal reality check, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney

— ‘He’s at the Peak of His Power Right Now’: Our Insiders’ Views on Trump 2.0, by POLITICO’s Michael Kruse

— Fighting ‘gender confusion’ and DEI: What to expect from Trump’s Education secretary pick, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr. and Bianca Quilantan

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.

— Monday: The wreath-laying ceremony to honor the late Mayor Harold Washington will be held at Oak Woods Cemetery, where he's buried. The ceremony is sponsored by the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee. Details here

THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Timothy Thomas for correctly answering that Jim Montgomery served as corporation counsel for Mayor Harold Washington and also counted Black Panthers and the Blackstone Rangers as clients.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Of the three African-American women astronauts who have flown into space with NASA, which two are Chicago Public Schools graduates? Email skapos@politico.com

Today: Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke, former state senator and cannabis consultant Pamela Althoff, Human Rights Campaign Director of National Campaigns John Gruber, Metropolitan Peace Initiative’s Bridget Hatch, Sen. Duckworth’s Staff Assistant Ana Almanza, Disparti Law Group Marketing Director Jason Baumann, Young Invincibles’ Midwest Program Manager Jorge Arteaga, author Lili Wright and Julie Biehl, director of the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern Law School.

Saturday: Congressman Sean Casten, former Congressman Bobby Rush, Global EY Lead Health Analyst Crystal Yednak, Metro West Council of Government Executive Director Lesli Melendy, Cook County Policy Director Kristina Kaupa, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic staff attorney Charlotte Coats, campaign consultant and freelance reporter Matthew Farrauto, Republican strategist and blogger Patrick Pfingsten and architect Julie Gross.

Sunday: State Rep. Lakesia Collins, ComEd VP of governmental affairs Michael Fountain, Burling Builders founder Elzie Higginbottom, Financial Health Network President & CEO Jennifer Tescher, Turing Strategies political consultant John Kamis and music and media producer Lynn Orman Weiss.

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