Topspin A downtown alderman is sending a warning to businesses along the Chicago Riverwalk that have irked nearby residents with the music they play. Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, has introduced a measure to ban broadcasted or live music at alcohol-serving venues east of Michigan Avenue — even as he's scheduled meetings with those businesses to work out a less-severe remedy. He says he's received a host of complaints from Streeterville residents. "I introduced this ordinance to hang over their head like the sword of Damocles to make sure that they behave," Reilly said. "My hope is we will have productive meetings in the next week or two to get these operators on the right path, and my plan is to hold that legislation in committee until it's needed, and hopefully it won't be." Reilly proposed the music ban last week. At the same time, Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced a set of new 10-year agreements with five Riverwalk venues. One of those is Island Party Hut, a Polynesian- and Caribbean-themed restaurant and bar that along with boat rides offers live "island music" on the weekends. Aldermen typically leave evaluation of business proposals to both the mayor's office and the local alderman, in most cases giving the local alderman the final say in deference to the unwritten rule of aldermanic privilege. When asked about Reilly's proposal, Emanuel's office emailed a reply expressing "serious concerns about its potential to threaten the Riverwalk's economic and recreational vitality." The proposal was under review, it added. The city's share of revenue from Riverwalk venues is helping pay off tens of millions of dollars in federal loans used to expand and improve what has become an increasingly popular warm-weather attraction that the mayor frequently touts as a signature achievement. The statement from the mayor's office also called the Riverwalk "a thriving attraction" that "strives to be a good neighbor." City rules limit broadcast and live music to 50 decibels and require it to end by 8:30 p.m., it noted. But Reilly said those rules have not always been followed by "a couple" of Riverwalk businesses he declined to identify. "We expect them to do much better this year, and if they don't, I'll have no choice but to pass this ordinance," he said. "So hopefully we could work it out." (Hal Dardick) What's on tap *Mayor Emanuel will deliver remarks at a tour of Whitney M. Young, Jr. Library. *Gov. Bruce Rauner will tour Niles West High School in the afternoon and appear at a Lincoln Forum event downtown in the evening. *Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy will unveil his property tax reform plan. *Democratic attorney general candidate Kwame Raoul and the Chicago Teachers Union will hold a morning news conference at union headquarters. *Several state legislative committees will have a joint hearing at the Bilandic Building to talk about legal marijuana, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is planning to testify. *The week ahead: On Tuesday, the Democratic governor candidates will square off in their first televised debate. On Thursday, the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee meets, and Illinois Film Office Director Christine Dudley will speak to the City Club of Chicago. And the Illinois House's session scheduled for this week has been canceled. From the notebook *Rauner's new take on federal tax overhaul: Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner appeared on a Joliet radio station and said the GOP-led tax overhaul in Washington was "punishing" to the middle class for capping the deduction of state and local taxes at $10,000. But late last week, the governor unveiled a new "point of view" blog on the state website. He lauded the new federal tax law and said it means "tax relief is coming for the vast majority of Illinois families and businesses starting in 2018." It's the latest of shifting positions Rauner has had on Republican efforts in Washington. The governor previously declined to discuss his thoughts on changes to the tax code, saying he had "no obligation to comment on every possible policy change in Washington." In his new blog post, Rauner said: "Members of Illinois' middle class will keep more of their hard-earned dollars as a result of the federal tax changes." Rauner said seven out of 10 federal tax returns in Illinois do not itemize deductions and will be able to take advantage of a doubled standard deduction and lower tax rates. He said "most families who itemize their returns will also see lower taxes," even with the cap on state and local tax deductions and a $750,000 limit on mortgage interest for new home sales. If anything, Rauner said he sees the new federal tax law as sending "a clear message to the Illinois General Assembly: Get busy reducing state and local taxes." Rauner has long been rebuffed in calling for freezing and making it easier for citizens to reduce local property taxes. And he's also called for a rollback of the state income tax hike enacted last year. (Rick Pearson) *On the "Sunday Spin": Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Rebecca Shi of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition, and appearing separately were two Democratic attorney general candidates: Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and state Sen. Kwame Raoul of Chicago. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-720 AM. Listen to the full show here. What we're writing *Pritzker bears brunt of attacks at Democratic governor forum over property tax breaks, Blagojevich wiretaps. *Organizers say 300,000 gather downtown Chicago for Women's March. *What a federal government shutdown means in Chicago. *Emanuel heckled about police academy during University of Michigan appearance. *Duckworth calls Trump "a five-deferment draft dodger." *Federal judge blasts Emanuel administration lawyers for failing to turn over crucial evidence. *Sen. Donne Trotter, known for budget expertise and bow ties, retires. *Michigan Avenue to get first two downtown red light cameras. *Illinois Tollway withdraws proposal for $9 million contract after comptroller complaint.
*Parents of NIU student who died in 2012 fraternity hazing can proceed with lawsuit, the Illinois Supreme Court rules. What we're reading *Prosecutors say "serial stowaway" got past TSA, spent night at O'Hare before flight to London. *LA Times Publisher Ross Levinsohn to take unpaid leave of absence. *Amazon creates new playbook for headquarters searches. Follow the money *Democratic attorney general candidate Kwame Raoul reported $86,650 in contributions. *Here's the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform's take on cash in the governor's race after last week's big campaign finance deadline. *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Beyond Chicago *Government shutdown starts Trump's second year in office, continues into workweek as Senate adjourns Sunday without deal. *President suggests "nuclear option" in Senate to end shutdown. *How words define immigration debate. *20 years after the Clinton scandal. | 
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