Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (4/8)

ILLINOIS

Pritzker appoints Sen. Gillespie as Acting Director of Dept. of Insurance

On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the appointment of State Sen. Ann Gillespie as Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI).

Gillespie will replace current Director Dana Popish Severinghaus, who will step down from her role on April 15. Popish Severinghaus has served as the Director since January of 2021.

Gillespie will resign her Senate seat to take the position. She has served in the Senate since 2019.

| AROUND THE STATE

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough dies at 73

“Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, a trailblazing Maywood Democrat who served in public office for more than two decades, has died. She was 73,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Number of students receiving Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships soared in program’s final year, according to state data

“The program supported more than 15,000 students with scholarships in the 2023-24 academic year, a 56% increase from the previous year, according to Department of Revenue data,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Gun cases in Chicago turned down by feds at higher rate than in most cities

“Federal prosecutors are less likely than those in most other places — including New York and Los Angeles — to approve gun charges. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is taking up some of those rejected cases,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Johnson plans to ‘Cut the Tape’ for developers to speed up housing builds

“Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new plan Friday to streamline and speed up the housing and commercial development approval process and spark construction,” by the Chicago Tribune.

New migrant shelter opening at Chicago’s St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

“After months of delay, a new migrant shelter for families is opening at the shuttered St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Portage Park later this month, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced late Friday,” by the Chicago Tribune.

City proposes key change to O’Hare airport rebuild, after months of negotiations with airlines

“In a letter to airlines this week, the city proposed changing the sequencing of construction on a new Global Terminal and nearby satellite concourses,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Reform Groups Say CPD’s Plan to Handle Protests Around DNC Violates First Amendment, Consent Decree

“A new policy that would allow mass arrests of protestors during the Democratic National Convention violates the First Amendment and should be reversed, a coalition of reform groups told the federal judge overseeing efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department,” by WTTW.

Economic Development Committee to vote on appointment of chief information officer

“The City Council Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development will meet Tuesday to vote on several appointments, including the appointment of a chief technology officer, and the renewal of a property tax incentive. The committee will consider the appointment (A2024-0008353) of Nick Lucius as chief information officer. Lucius has served as the city’s chief technology officer since 2022 and before that served as the chief data officer,” by The Daily Line.

FEDERAL

Biden Walks the Political Tightrope: The Economy & Immigration, Beltway Briefing

The intricate interplay between economic perceptions and immigration places President Biden in a delicate balancing act with swing state voters. Given the outcomes of the past two elections hinged on this pivotal electorate, the prevailing political polarization and prominence of these issues could be enough to tip the scales. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and the Hon. Rodney Davis.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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