Morning Spin: Pritzker boasts of Poshard backing, but they’re a political odd couple

Sept. 25--Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker has received the backing of Glenn Poshard, a former congressman and unsuccessful governor candidate.

The retired president of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale remains a popular figure to some Downstate voters and potentially could help Pritzker among more socially conservative Democrats. At the same time, Pritzker has been defending his progressive credentials in a primary field where he and his rivals are trying to out-progressive each other.

In aligning with Poshard, Pritzker is trying to thread a needle. Poshard's socially conservative views likely were a factor in costing him the 1998 election against Republican George Ryan. Given their views, Pritzker and Poshard are quite the political odd couple.

In a new endorsement video, Poshard lauds Pritzker's support of early childhood education and plans for "equal educational opportunities." Contrast that with Poshard's governor campaign where he advocated for the right of local school districts to seek waivers of the state law that banned spanking in schools.

"It's certainly not something that I would choose to use. But I don't think that the state should be mandating the use of it or the non-use of it to local school districts," Poshard, a former teacher, said at the time.

Pritzker is backing a measure to expand taxpayer funding for abortion to women on Medicaid and covered by state employee health insurance. Poshard opposed abortion rights as a governor candidate and member of Congress.

Pritzker once served as chairman of the advisory board of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. As an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress in 1998 on the North Shore, he proposed a ban of the sale of handguns. Poshard was a gun rights advocate during his tenure in Congress, though as a candidate for governor he softened his staunch opposition to gun control by supporting a ban on some types of semi-automatic weapons.

Pritzker also has been a major and longtime supporter of gay rights, and last year chaired the anniversary gala for Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest advocacy group. Poshard opposed gay rights and as a candidate for governor, he told activists that some property owners should have the right to refuse to rent to people based on their sexual orientation.

"I am so proud to have the endorsement of a distinguished leader like Glenn Poshard," Pritzker said in announcing the endorsement.

"He has served his community in so many different ways and changed the state for the better with his commitment to public service. As an elected official, an advocate for children and an educator, Glenn Poshard has always fought for what's right," Pritzker said. (Rick Pearson)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will speak at the groundbreaking for the Daley College Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing Center at Richard J. Daley College.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will give remarks at the 20th Anniversary for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools.

*U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will hold a morning event at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center to talk about the health care debate in the Senate.

*John Yonan, Cook County superintendent of transportation and highways, will speak to the City Club of Chicago.

*The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate will meet.

*The week ahead: On Tuesday, the City Council's Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development will meet, and Democrat Fritz Kaegi launches his campaign for Cook County assessor. On Wednesday, the city Aviation Committee meets, as does the Committee on Public Safety. And the City Club will host a panel discussion titled "Illinois State Finances: What's Next?"

From the notebook

*No AG bid for Nekritz: Democratic state Rep. Elaine Nekritz has become the latest would-be candidate to succeed Attorney General Lisa Madigan to decide against a run.

"Spending time with my family as we celebrated Rosh Hashanah, we determined that this is not the right time in our lives to expend the energy required to serve as a statewide candidate and constitutional officer," the Northbrook lawmaker posted on Facebook.

Nekritz is leaving the Illinois House.

*Another lawmaker departure: Republican State Rep. Reggie Phillips of Charleston won't run for re-election next year, adding to the list of lawmakers departing Springfield.

Phillips was among the Republicans who voted for a tax hike and spending plan earlier this year despite Gov. Rauner's opposition.

Since Gov. Rauner was sworn into office in January 2015, at least 44 of 118 House seats and at least 15 of 59 Senate districts have already seen or will see changes by the time next year's elections are concluded. Here's an interactive list if you're keeping track.

*On the "Sunday Spin": Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Mike Gelatka, past president of Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association; Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League; and Democratic consultant Tom Bowen. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720. Listen to the full show here.

What we're writing

*Sen. Harmon to lift hold on abortion coverage expansion bill, sending it to Rauner, who's offered mixed signals.

*How Preckwinkle's pop tax backfired.

*Rauner's approach on Republican health care plan draws criticism from Democrats who want his office.

*State approves red light cameras for intersections that were already safe.

*Illinois Lottery selects new private manager.

*Feds: Ex-Teamsters boss' extortion of Chicago film studio grows to $325,000 and began 2 years earlier.

*McHenry County still not following new immigration law, defense attorneys say.

*Rauner vetoes geolocation privacy bill aimed at protecting smartphone users.

*Chicago police union files labor complaint over new use-of-force changes.

*90 years later, an upgraded South Shore rail line is on track.

*Defiant Mel Reynolds to go on trial Monday on misdemeanor tax charges.

What we're reading

*Chicago to host tennis' Laver Cup, an all-star team tournament, in 2018.

*Wheaton College at first stood by players accused of hazing, letter shows.

*Pretty hot story, here.

Follow the money

*The Democratic Party of Illinois reported $73,000 in contributions.

*The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform tracks the week's big donations.

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

Beyond Chicago

*NFL vs. Trump this weekend.

*Pentagon tests lasters and nets to use against ISIS drones.

*GOP health care plan finds another Republican detractor.

*Germany's Merkel wins fourth term.

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