Happy Wednesday, Illinois. The Bears are many things right now — predictable isn’t one of them.

ON AN ISLAND: State Rep. Harry Benton has quietly returned to work at the state Capitol, but attention in Springfield hasn’t let up after he was removed from the House Democratic Caucus meetings two months ago.

Benton is still clocking in, but he’s effectively on an island.

Behind the drama: Lawmakers and lobbyists familiar with the situation say the matter stems from an inappropriate text message that raised questions of sexual harassment. Beyond that, official details remain tightly held. Benton has declined to comment, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is also staying silent.

What we know: Benton has been stripped of his committee assignments and is no longer welcome in Democratic caucus meetings. And the legislative inspector general is investigating a complaint, though he didn’t return a request for comment.

About due process: “People want to have the investigation play out and have their due process. You want to make sure that people who come forward are protected and you want to make sure the elected person has an opportunity to have their say,” said state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, who leads the House Democratic Women’s Caucus.

The situation came to light roughly two months ago. Since then, the contrast with what’s happening in Congress has been striking. In Washington, two high-profile members faced rapid fallout after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced publicly, with the House Ethics Committee moving swiftly to investigate the allegations against both former Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales.

The approach in Springfield seems slower — and far less transparent. Privately, Democrats are signaling that they want Benton gone, maybe hoping he’ll resign.

About the midterms: The controversy is already becoming a campaign issue. After Benton initially stayed away from the Capitol following his ostracization, Republican Gabby Shanahan, who’s challenging him in November for the suburban state seat, staged a protest outside the capitol building. She accused Benton of neglecting his duties. Though Benton has since returned, Shanahan argues little has changed.

“It’s frustrating that there is a lack of representation in the 97th District,” Shanahan said. “It’s at a time when there are cost-of-living concerns.”

Making her point: Shanahan traveled to Springfield while Benton wasn’t conducting House business, posting on social media that she attended committee hearings and legislative sessions and met with Republican leaders. “Integrity matters,” she said on Facebook.

By the numbers: Benton, a union ironworker by trade, first won his suburban district southwest of Chicago in 2022 by fewer than 1,200 votes and held it in 2024, defeating Shanahan by about 2,300 votes. This cycle’s contest is shaping up to be a top-tier race.

A NEW POLL gives credence to what candidates on both sides of the aisle are saying: affordability is the top issue heading into the midterms. And rising costs are weighing so heavily that some Illinois voters are questioning the broader capitalist system.

Big worries: The survey, commissioned by the Reimagining Capitalism Lab — a group that advocates for rethinking the current economic system — paints a stark picture. An overwhelming 83 percent of Illinois voters say they’re worried about affording the essentials they need for themselves and their families.

And it gets worse: nearly 7 in 10 respondents feel the economy is “stacked against people like them,” the policy and research hub said, and a majority say the American Dream no longer feels within reach. Polling details here

It’s no surprise to Reimagining Capitalism’s founder, Brian Johnson, who spent months before the survey talking to Illinois residents about how they make ends meet.

“People are massively struggling in the state,” he said, pointing to everyday concerns like putting food on the table, keeping a roof overhead and paying for medical care. Those worries, said Johnson, cut across geography and political affiliation.

Ds and Rs: In fact, the poll’s cross-tabs even show agreement on several of these issues between voters who supported Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in 2024 — a rare bit of overlap in an otherwise divided electorate.

The online poll was conducted by the Democratic polling firm Impact Research from Feb. 20 to March 1 and surveyed 1,200 registered voters in Illinois. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Changing ways: The poll also reveals broad support for some significant changes. About 78 percent of respondents back policies that would allow workers to share in company profits, while 74 percent support narrowing the gap between CEO and worker pay.

That said, voters aren’t rejecting capitalism outright. A slim majority (56 percent) still prefer it over socialism (22 percent), while nearly a quarter (23 percent) said they don’t know which they’d prefer. But 58 percent supported the “need to rethink and reform capitalism.”

Economic anxiety: Johnson said those who feel the most financial strain are also the least likely to trust the system itself. “If we want voters to feel like their leaders actually care about them,” he said, “then both Democrats and Republicans need to focus on policies that address the underlying precarity people are living with.”

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

No official public events

At West Madison Street at 10 a.m. for the construction season kickoff for the Public Building Commission — At North Paulina Street at 11:30 a.m. for the construction season kickoff for the Department of Streets & Sanitation — At the Chicago Public Library’s Toman Branch at 1:15 p.m. for the Earth Day Library Solar Unveiling — At Carver Military Academy High School at 2:35 p.m. to mark Earth Day

No official public events

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

— Illinois awards $32M to cannabis companies, but some are still struggling to open: “The loans to 95 licensees were announced Monday, and ‘may be up to 100 percent forgivable upon providing documentation for eligible business expenses.’ That means the companies likely won’t have to pay the money back,” by the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin.

— Gov. JB Pritzker bans state workers from using insider information on prediction market apps like Kalshi: “Users on apps like Kalshi and Polymarket are betting on everything from the results of elections to economic decisions and war outcomes — even what words President Donald Trump will say in speeches. The governor said he’s concerned about the lack of oversight, including bets on events which can be influenced by state employees,” by the Sun-Times’ Tina Sfondeles.

— Questions rise about transparency in Pritzker’s plan to revamp the Illinois Gambling Board, by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth and Mitchell Armentrout

— Illinois Democrats still weighing budget options as strong revenue mixes with uncertain outlook, by Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski

— Chicago River bridge lifts will start again today: “The 27 bridges from Ashland Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be raised Wednesdays and Saturdays through June 24,” by Block Club’s Melody Mercado.

— CPS employee accused of double-dipping through dual employment scheme now works for CTA, records show, by WTTW’s Jared Rutecki

— CTA fires unarmed guards, taking early axe to pricey contract with Monterrey Security, by Block Club’s Mack Liederman and Charles Thrush

— Gold pocket watch of Titanic’s wealthiest passenger goes up for sale in Chicago, by the Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito

— Former Mayor Richard M. Daley recovering after suffering third stroke ahead of his 84th birthday: “He had a stroke. He’s fine now. He’s home. He’s doing some rehab stuff, and that’s about it. That’s life,” the former mayor’s brother, Bill Daley, said Tuesday, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman.

— O’Neill Burke wouldn’t publicly denounce Trump because she wanted to ‘maintain’ ties with feds, emails show: “The emails were referenced in a new court filing by a coalition arguing that a special prosecutor is needed to investigate Operation Midway Blitz because Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke has a conflict of interest. Her office said the petition is ‘frivolous’ and condemned immigration agents’ ‘thuggish and inappropriate conduct,’” by the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Sophie Sherry.

— Former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard admits to living in Georgia while holding office in Illinois, by WGN 9’s Ben Bradley

— Brothers plead guilty to paying off Oakbrook Terrace mayor in red-light camera scheme, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner

— Looking at 2028: Rahm Emanuel moves to the left on Israel: “Emanuel, who worked on a massive Iron Dome defense package as President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, is calling for an end to U.S. taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel,” by NBC’s Natasha Korecki.

— Attorney general race: Bob Fioretti, the Republican candidate for Illinois attorney general, has been endorsed by Retired Chief of Riverside Police Tom Weitzel. Weitzel is a 37-year veteran of law enforcement who praised Fioretti’s “decades of legal experience, a proven commitment to justice, and a willingness to challenge the political establishment when it fails the people of Illinois.”

— In Clay County: Jonathan Piperakis, a former county coordinator for Darren Bailey, has been elected chair of the Clay County Republican Central Committee. Collin Moseley, director of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, was elected vice chair.

— In Lake County: Daniel Didech was elected chair of the Lake County Democratic Party, and Laura Faver Dias is now first vice chair. Both are Democratic state representatives.

— In Grundy County: Tim Bradley was elected chair of the Grundy County Democratic Party. He has served as chair since 2024 and as a precinct committeeman since 2012.

— Ultimate Brunch: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood will host the “Ultimate Women’s Power Brunch” in Chicago on May 8 with fellow U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez keynoting. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who’s retiring and who for years held a similar event, will be honored at Underwood’s bash. We’re expecting big names in the room. Details here

— KUDOS: Sen. Dick Durbin will be presented with the 2026 Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government by University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen in a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 29.

— Jahmal Cole on his plan to live in all 77 Chicago community areas: The CEO and founder of the nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City says, “ I want to learn as much as I can. I want to build relationships. There’s only so much virtual trust you can build on Facebook and Instagram,” by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman and Joel Ortiz

We asked what won’t change in a hundred years.

Janice Anderson: “Death and taxes.”

Robert Barry: “Chicago’s love for attending a game at Wrigley Field on a summer afternoon.”

Matthew Beaudet: “Government raising taxes and imposing new taxes.”

Charles Keller: “Chicagoans will still proudly call it ‘democracy’ while being ruled by the same Democratic union politicians and patronage system that has run the city for generations.”

Peter Oprisko: “The ever-constant battle between good vs. evil.”

Jaimey Sexton: “The Packers will still suck.”

Alison Pure-Slovin: “Antisemitism: we have thousands of years of history to substantiate my claim.”

Patricia Ann Watson: “Mothers and ‘some’ fathers’ instant love and protection of their offspring.”

Next question: When did you fall asleep at a performance?

KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION

— Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House on Tuesday honoring the late Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie. Watch here

— Trump extends Iran ceasefire, blockade amid uncertainty over peace negotiations, by POLITICO’s Aaron Pellish

— In California, Israel is emerging as a defining Democratic test, by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White

— Mark Cuban is moving on from Kamala Harris, by POLITICO’s Lauren Gardner

— Terry L. Bruce, a former member of Congress who also served as an Illinois state senator, has died. He led the Democratic Study Group — better known as the Crazy 8 — a group of independent-minded legislators. Obit here

— Today: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul will join Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and Oregon AG Dan Rayfield in St. Paul, Minnesota for a town hall to discuss their work and priorities related to oversight of the Trump administration. Livestream here starting at 6 p.m.

— May 5: Former Congressmember Gabby Giffords headlines a reception and preview screening of “Good Morning, Buffalo,” a documentary about the 2022 shooting in Buffalo, New York. Details here

TUESDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats Mike Matejka for correctly answering that Griggsville tackled its mosquito problem by attracting purple martins — birds that can eat thousands of mosquitoes daily. Resident J.L. Wade built birdhouses to keep the birds in the area, successfully reducing the mosquito population. It earned the town the nickname “The Purple Martin Capital of the Nation.”

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who was the Illinois House Democratic Leader who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism in World War II? Email: skapos@politico.com.

Ald. Greg Mitchell, Judge Jean Cocozza, former state Sen. Laura Kent Donahue, CEO at Michael Reese Health Trust and former Ald. Ameya Pawar, Raise Marketplace founder George Bousis, business consultant Stephanie Leese Emrich, businesswoman and philanthropist Sue Carey and The Wall Street Journal’s Shayndi Raice

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