Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (7/22)

July 22, 2024

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker, Durbin, Duckworth join chorus of Illinois support for Kamala Harris as president

“Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who had been on shortlists as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden, said Monday morning he had spoken to Harris and told her the president’s decision ‘came as a genuine surprise,’” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

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Pritzker signs bill establishing carbon capture and sequestration regulation; temporary pipeline moratorium

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB1289 on Thursday that places up to a two-year moratorium on carbon pipeline construction while implementing new regulations on permitting and land use,” by The Daily Line.

Pritzker enacts 68 bills impacting drivers, immigrants, child victims, mobile homes

“On Friday, Pritzker’s office announced dozens are now law, including a measure preventing professional license denial or disciplinary action against someone based solely on immigration status or an immigration violation,” by The Center Square Illinois.

Kathy Salvi takes over Illinois GOP with eye on expanding Republican voters  

“Kathy Salvi took over the Illinois Republican Party on Friday with Republicans in a good mood. After Illinois Republicans entered Republican National Convention (RNC) week facing questions about internal divisions, members put on a united face in Milwaukee behind nominee Donald Trump with aspirations of moving past their own differences in Illinois,” by The Daily Line.

Illinois continues to struggle to fill vacancies on public boards, state audit shows

“State boards and commissions tasked with solving some of Illinois’ biggest problems have been left with hundreds of vacancies for appointed positions and often didn’t have enough members to conduct business, a report released last month from the state auditor general found,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Texas Gov. Abbott promises buses of migrants will continue to Chicago, other sanctuary cities  

“Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said during the Republican National Convention he will not be backing off the buses of migrants he has sent to Chicago and other sanctuary cities,” by The Daily Line.

Despite sitting in Rules Committee, fight over natural gas legislation not over

“Advocates of the mayor-backed plan to effectively ban natural gas in most cases in new construction are pushing back at the notion the legislation is dead after it has lingered in the City Council’s rules committee this year,” by The Daily Line.

Council delays vote on new zoning chair, lobbyist campaign finance restrictions, as hate flyering ordinance and Zoning Board of Appeals appointments pass

“The City Council on Wednesday approved a measure to penalize groups that distribute hateful literature and similar materials, appointments to fill the vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals and an ordinance that could make it more difficult for the proposed Chicago River swim to be permitted,” by The Daily Line.

La Spata introduces proposal to reduce citywide speed limit, institute resident reporting system for parking violations

“A coalition of alderpeople introduced a legislative package to City Council this week that includes a reduction in Chicago’s default speed limit, a working group to suggest equitable enforcement measures and a measure enacting residential reporting of parking violations. The package of proposals is geared toward reducing pedestrian and cyclist deaths from traffic crashes to zero,” by The Daily Line.

Plan Commission approves 37-story residential tower on Near North Side, Fulton Market developments

“The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday gave approval to a new residential development planned for the edge of Lincoln Park and Old Town and new residential developments in Fulton Market,” by The Daily Line.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: The last Biden v. Trump edition of the Beltway Briefing

This RNC is being hailed as one of the best stage-managed conventions ever. All eyes now shift to see who comes out of Chicago as the Democratic nominee. One thing is certain, this will not be a normal August.

Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

Cozen Currents: In Trump’s Image

Even if this year’s Republican Party platform is shorter than usual, former President Trump’s influence is evident in not only the policies it proposes, but perhaps more so in the ones it avoids.

In a series of cases this term, the Supreme Court has eroded the authority of the administrative state, with major implications for President Biden’s regulatory agenda, future presidents, and lobbying.

Although House and Senate lawmakers are quickly advancing their own versions of FY25 spending bills this summer, they are unlikely to forge a compromise until the winners of this November’s elections are seated in the new year.Read the Cozen Currents 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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