Happy Thursday, Illinois. Fingers crossed for some cooler temps.

MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump’s presence hung over the Fiserv Arena Wednesday night like the 100-degree temps that enveloped the city during the day.

You couldn’t shake him from the clashes about the economy, Ukraine and, of course, Jan. 6.

A Trump-less debate allowed viewers a chance to see what the Republican Party would sound like without him in the mix. The divisions were more clear. And tension and battles between Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy spoke to larger generational differences that the party faces.

The night also shed some light on what Democrats can expect in 2024: Republicans focusing on the economy, migration and crime.

There was an Illinois factor, too. The state and City of Chicago, both run by Democrats, will continue to be a GOP punching bag in 2024. We counted at least a handful of references Wednesday night. And none of them were glowing.

Illinois was criticized for having a low credit rating — even below Chris Christie’s New Jersey. Sen. Tim Scott attacked Illinois, California and New York for allowing late-term abortions.

Crime in Chicago came up a few times, including during a discussion about lockdowns during the pandemic.

And Ramaswamy twice mentioned the South Side, saying instead of funding Ukraine, the government should help the Chicago neighborhood. Ramaswamy even described himself as “a skinny kid with a funny name.” Hey, that’s Barack Obama’s line! Christie would use the line to attack Ramaswamy on Obama-era policies.
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Gov. JB Pritzker responded to one of the attacks this way: “Pretty sure a vast majority of voters would be just fine if abortion policy was left up to Illinois,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A few take-aways from Illinoisans seated in the arena:

Sue Rezin, the Illinois state senator, liked Ron DeSantis’ “common-sense approach” to government, saying, “it demonstrates that he’s able to comprehend and tackle the important issues that are crushing hard-working families and threatening our national security.”

Ashvin Lad, an entrepreneur, was “surprised at how little” the other candidates went after DeSantis, instead focusing their attacks on Ramaswamy. (Us, too, Ashvin.)

Pat Brady, the former Illinois GOP leader saw Nikki Haley as “the clear choice,” adding, “Trump lite isn’t going to carry the day.” It was a reference to Ramaswamy and DeSantis.

And Jim Durkin, the former Illinois House Republican leader: “Christie said what had to be said about Trump — calling him out for saying Putin is a genius and savvy for the invasion.” It prompted boos from the crowd, a reminder that Trump is still an integral part of the GOP, whether he’s on the stage or not.

SIDE NOTE: Donald Trump Jr. watched the debate but wasn’t allowed to join the spin room. He spun to the press as he left the media center, saying, his father may not make the second debate, either. “Why would you?” the younger Trump said. His take on the winner: Ramaswamy.

Who won, who lost, who fizzled, via POLITICO

3-minute video highlights, via POLITICO

Deep divide over war in Ukraine, by POLITICO’s Gavin Bade

Clash over national abortion ban, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein

Trump counter programs the Republican debate — even though he doesn’t need to, by POLITICO’s Olivia Olander, Meredith McGraw and Alex Isenstadt

SPOTTED

Some Chicago Republicans gathered at the Billy Goat Inn on Madison Avenue in Chicago Wednesday night to watch the Republican presidential debate. They took a straw poll. The winner: Vivek Ramaswamy with 57.5 percent of the vote, followed by Ron DeSantis at 22.5 percent; Mike Pence at percent; Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Doug Burgum and Chris Christie, all at 2.5 percent; and Asa Hutchinson, zip.

Some of the notables in the room: Chicago Republican Chair and Ward Committeeman Steve Boulton (32nd), former mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti and Nicki Fioretti, ward committee leaders Brian Kasal (43rd), Laura Kotelman (44th), Barry Bebart (39th), Steve Graves (19th), Wayland Johnson (9th), Chris Myers (28th), Evan Kasal (25th), Chicago Young Republicans President Lenny Sklaney, Surus LLC’s Barrett Davie and Chicago GOP Executive Director Jeff Fiedler.

Chicago bakes under 116 heat index fueled by record-setting temperatures: “By early Wednesday afternoon, the heat index — a measure of what the temperature feels like when factoring in humidity — was at 116, tying July 14, 1995, for second-highest heat index on record for the city’s climate site.”

School daze: “Chicago Public Schools said all classrooms have air conditioning,” by Sun-Times’ Kade Heather and Samantha Callender and WBEZ’s Emmanuel Camarillo, Sarah Karp and Dorothy Hernandez.

Excessive heat warning spreads across U.S.; Chicago adds ambulances, anticipating calls for help, by Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson and Deanese Williams-Harris

At a Chicago cooling center, the search for relief — and housing — as heat wave bears down, by WBEZ’s Samantha Callender

If you are Tom Skilling, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email [email protected]

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No official public events.

No official public events.

— State looks to curb vehicle theft with grants to police task forces: “Secretary of State’s Office allocated $21 million to six agencies this spring,” by Capitol News’ Jerry Nowicki.

— Proposed power storage facility draws criticism for its proximity to 1908 race riot site in Springfield, by State Journal-Register’s Patrick Keck and Tiffani Jackson

— Bally’s temporary Chicago casino at Medinah Temple could open soon after Labor Day: “Regulators will inspect the River North operation Sept. 5 and oversee practice gaming sessions Sept. 6-7, regulators said,” by Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout.

— More takes on the mayor’s first 100 days:

His inner circle, his daily schedule and where he stands on campaign goals, by Tribune’s Alice Yin, Gregory Royal Pratt and A.D. Quig

Analysis of his government ethics campaign promises, by Better Government Association’s Geoffrey Cubbage

Movement organizers and political strategists talk about his record, by In These Times’ Taylor Moore

— Arlington Heights hires Springfield lobbyist as Bears consider move to the NW suburb, by Pioneer Press’ Elizabeth Owens-Schiele

— Orland Park minister indicted in Trump election case to surrender Friday in Georgia — but lawyer calls bond ‘excessive’: “Stephen Lee, a 70-year-old Lutheran minister, was charged for his alleged involvement in a scheme to pressure an election worker in 2020. His bond was set at $75,000,” by Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn.

— Jurors to decide whether ex-Madigan aide had memory lapse or chose ‘loyalty over truth, by Capitol News’ Hannah Meisel

We asked for your favorite ice cream shops.

Janice Anderson: “Whitey’s ice cream in Rock Island.”

Clem Balanoff: “Gayety’s Ice Cream, now in Lansing but formerly on 92nd and Commercial in the 10th Ward (where I grew up).”

Brian A. Bernardoni: “Plush Horse in Palos Park is off the charts.”

James Castro: “Oberweis.”

Dave Dahl: “Ted Drewes frozen custard over the border in St. Louis.”

Judith Graf: “Scooter’s Frozen Custard, 1658 W. Belmont at Paulina, in Chicago.”

Mark Heffington: “Dairy Ripple in Pittsfield.”

Dan Johnson: “Homer’s in Wilmette is the best ice cream shop — peach ice cream in the summer (only) is unreal.”

Mark Michaels: “Capannari Ice Cream in Mt. Prospect.”

Dennis Potthast: “Bobby’s in Maryville.”

John Straus: “Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Evanston.”

Jan Weber: “If you are from the Quad Cities and surrounding area it hands down Whitey’s.”

David Schwartz: “Windy City Sweets.”

What was the best exchange of Wednesday’s GOP debate? Email [email protected]

— ‘Treacherous’ descent: Fed debates how far to push rate hikes, by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida

— Chicago Fed President Goolsbee sees ‘golden path’ to lower inflation, by Tribune’s Robert Channick

— Federal judge rejects bids to halt Georgia prosecution of Trump aides over 2020 election, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein

— John B. Grogan, a former trial lawyer with Chicago’s Corporation Counsel Office, has died. After going into private practice, he was special corporation counsel to the city for some 30 years. Details here

— Richard Luft, a former state senator and state representative has died. He also was a Tazewell County auditor. Details here

WEDNESDAY’s ANSWER: Zoo Parade, directed by then-Lincoln Park Zoo director Marlin Perkins was the first Illinois-based TV show to be picked up by a national network.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was responsible for installing the ivy at Wrigley Field? Email [email protected]

Calumet City Mayor and state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, Chicago lawyer and politico Gery Chico, Mercury Public Affairs Managing Director Zach Koutsky, Res Publica Group Managing Partner Julia Sznewajs, JUF President Lonnie Nasatir, Township Officials of Illinois exec Brad Ruppert, comms specialist Galia Slayen, MikeWorldWide EVP John Diglas and jewelry guru Diana Rodi Hall.

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