Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (12/13)

December 13, 2024

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Legislators, mental health experts debate Illinois bill allowing for easier access to psychedelics treatments

“While Illinois lawmakers and mental health professionals pushed for support of related legislation, some also expressed concern on Tuesday about allowing those struggling with severe psychological issues easier access to psychedelic treatments,” by The Daily Line.

IBM will join Illinois’ sprawling quantum park on South Side, state aims to be ‘the global quantum capital’

“Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced that IBM will partner with the state to create a new national quantum algorithm center in Chicago — marking the first Fortune 500 company to join the soon-to-be-constructed Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the South Side,” by Chicago Sun-Times.

Recent incidents prompt heightened Statehouse security

“Visitors coming to the Illinois Statehouse to see their lawmakers in action, or just to tour the historic building, may see longer lines to get through security screening during the upcoming legislative sessions,” by Capitol News Illinois.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Vote delayed on Johnson’s $17.3 billion 2025 budget over lack of support

“After not securing enough support in the City Council to be approved, a final vote on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17.3 billion budget is being delayed until at least next week,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Commercial properties underassessed in Cook County, report finds

“An unprecedented look at Cook County’s valuation of offices, warehouses and big apartments found that in the suburbs the values of those commercial buildings have been set too low, that there is little uniformity in the way they are assessed and that appeals don’t boost the accuracy of the process,” by the Chicago Tribune.

New member joins CPS board for heated debate over Acero school closures

“Chicago Public Schools officials presented a new plan to potentially absorb seven Acero schools slated for closure, at a late Board of Education meeting Thursday evening that began with a surprise development and then dragged on for hours,” by the  Chicago Tribune.

 City subsidy increased for third time to spur Congress Theater rehab

“A City Council committee agreed Thursday to up the ante to save the landmark Congress Theater amid warnings that the deteriorating movie palace-turned-concert-venue won’t make it through another brutal Chicago winter,” by Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: America First 2.0

President-elect Trump is likely to use tariffs as a means to an end in many cases, but some of his tariffs will actually be the end in themselves this time around.

Trump is doubling down on his commitment to “America First” principles but he will enter office amid a far more complex geopolitical environment than when he first became president.

With China sinking to the US’s third-largest trading partner, the US relationship with Canada and Mexico is arguably more important in the second Trump administration than the first, particularly ahead of planned trade negotiations in 2026.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Move Fast and Break Things

What will Trump 2.0 look like? Central to the incoming administration’s vision is the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), designed to streamline federal operations and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks. What challenges could derail these ambitions? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

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

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

Explore Articles and News

See All News