Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (8/12)

August 12, 2024

ILLINOIS

Governor Pritzker takes bill action

On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed over 260 bills into law. A bill list can be found here.

Notable bills include:

  • SB 3463, which amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and establishes a more streamlined procedure for automatically expunging juvenile records;
  • SB 3455, which allows the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to evaluate the property tax system in the state;
  • HB 2363 prohibits the sale, distribution and manufacture of screw or bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps beginning January 1, 2026, and of in-base compact fluorescent lamps or linear fluorescent lamps the following year;
  • HB 4768, which creates the Landlord Retaliation Act and prohibits landlords from retaliating against their tenants;
  • SB 2960 bans small and single use plastic bottles in hotels with 50 rooms or more starting July 1, 2025 and for any hotel regardless the size on January 1, 2026;
  • HB 4592 allows the SOS to issue mobile ID cards and driver’s licenses;
  • SB 3481 is a battery recycling law that requires battery sellers or distributors to develop a recycling stewardship program for small- to medium-sized batteries by 2026. Medium-sized batteries include those made for electric bikes and scooters.

Pritzker also signed bills enhancing regulations regarding artificial intelligence, including a bill (HB 3773) to protect employees from artificial intelligence discrimination in the workplace, and require transparency about the use of AI for employment-related decisions. HB 4762 creates protections for performers and other individuals from wrongful use of AI voice or melody replicas, effective immediately. And beginning next year, HB 4875 prohibits the use of digital replicas created by AI in certain content without authorization of the recording individual.

And today, Pritzker signed SB 3514, the final outstanding bill of the 2024 Spring Session. The bill makes the Calvatia gigantea, or “giant puffball” the official mushroom of Illinois.

Pritzker has now signed more than 460 bills without issuing any vetoes.

| AROUND THE STATE

Legislators discuss transit system’s impact on quality of life and solutions beyond funding

“The Senate Transportation Committee held on Friday the third part of a series of six hearings to discuss potential public transportation reforms ahead of a $730 million projected deficit for fiscal year 2026,” by The Daily Line.

State sued by conservative think tank over new pro-union law

“The Illinois Policy Institute filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Illinois Department of Labor, making the nonprofit one of the first to challenge the pro-labor legislation, called the Worker Freedom of Speech Act, which protects workers from their employers’ anti-union messaging,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Parking meter deal violation could cost Chicago over $100 million

“Chicago Parking Meters, the private company with a monopoly on the city’s paid street parking, filed a lawsuit in April asking the court to enforce an arbitration panel’s ruling that determined the city twice shorted the company under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

Mayor Brandon Johnson Issues Request for Proposal for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program

“The program aims to support the economic recovery of small businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

 

Street closures to begin for DNC in Chicago as security fencing installed

“Street closures were scheduled to begin Monday for the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as crews started installing security perimeter fencing, marking the first of several days of closures in the lead-up to the major event,” by NBC 5 Chicago.

 

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: Special Edition: Meet Coach Walz

Hailing from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Governor Tim Walz joins Vice President Kamala Harris as her Democratic running mate in her bid to secure the White House this November. But who is Tim Walz? Can the Harris-Walz ticket secure the blue wall? How will he govern as Harris’ number two?

Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and John Reich (Minnesota).

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

 

 

 

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

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