Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (12/20)

Please note that the final edition of Illinois Insights for the year will be sent on Monday, December 23. We will resume our publication after the holidays on Monday, January 6. Starting January 6, Illinois Insights will be sent biweekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Thank you for your continued readership, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker scores $820 million green fuel investment for Illinois

“Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. will build an $820 million sustainable aviation fuel facility in southern Illinois, in the latest investment as Governor J.B. Pritzker moves to position his state as a center for new technologies and clean energy,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

ICC approves amended ComEd grid improvement plan with $600 million rate hike

“The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved a revised multi-year power grid improvement plan that would increase electric bills for Commonwealth Edison customers by more than $600 million over four years, 11% less than the utility proposed,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois sees most significant wage drop in the country since 1935, data shows 

“Illinois nearly 100 years ago could boast the highest national average for an entry level hourly wage, but it currently ranks close to last amongst other states. Coming from the top spot in 1935, Illinois now ranks 39th. Average entry level workers earn $14.06 hourly in Illinois, but in 1935 they would have earned $15.43 hourly with inflation adjustments,” by The State Journal-Register.

ISBE legislative priorities include closing student ticketing loopholes, banning expulsion for students’ kindergarten through second grade  

“The Illinois State Board of Education’s legislative agenda includes student discipline and teacher licensure. The board approved a list of proposed legislative priorities this week, after some debate about proposals regarding school discipline,” by The Daily Line.

State lawmakers consider Tier 2 pension changes as new session approaches  

“Changes that would make Illinois pension systems compliant with Social Security by improving benefits for government employees hired since 2011 could be on the table when lawmakers return to Springfield in January. the latest benefits structure for employees entering the government workforce after 2010, known as Tier 2, has raised concerns about its compliance with Social Security and fairness to public employees,” by Capital News Illinois.

Starting Jan. 1, IL media companies must report 120 days before out-of-state sale

“Among the nearly 300 new laws set to take effect Jan. 1 in Illinois is one impacting potential sales of local media outlets to out-of-state buyers. Senate Bill 3592 passed the Senate in April. Sponsor of the bill state Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, said it requires local media outlets looking to sell to an out-of-state buyer to provide a 120-day notice to the state and their staff,” by The Center Square.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

CPS board eyeing exit plan for CEO Martinez that would allow him to remain in job 6 months, sources say

“The Board of Education is leaning toward firing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez without cause at a special meeting Friday evening, triggering a portion of his contract that allows him to remain in his role for six months, according to several sources. The board is then considering installing Sean Harden — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick for new board president — as co-CEO during that time to freeze out Martinez, two sources said,” by WBEZ Chicago.

Mayor’s campaign takes contributions from top airport concessions executive. Another ethics rule violation?  

“The top executive of a food and beverage concessionaire at O’Hare and Midway airports — whose business operations there are regulated by City Hall — contributed $1,000 to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign fund, elections records show. Neither City Hall nor Friends of Brandon Johnson will discuss whether the contribution from the CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality violated an ethics rule barring city contractors from giving to a mayor’s campaign fund,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Cook County Board of Review fires aide with criminal background

“A Democratic Cook County elected official fired an aide who had pleaded guilty in federal court and testified in a corruption case against his brother before he was hired, according to records obtained by WBEZ,” by Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago officials warn of potential boil order for drinking and cooking water this weekend on South Side

“Just days before the holidays, the city is warning thousands on Chicago’s South Side of a potential boil order for drinking and cooking water during a large water main repair this weekend,” by Chicago Tribune.

CTA locks down Red Line extension funding before Trump takes office

“The Chicago Transit Authority has locked down nearly $2 billion in federal funding for the Red Line extension, securing money some worried could be at risk after President Joe Biden leaves office in a month. The Federal Transit Administration intends to sign an agreement that will contractually obligate the $1.9 billion in federal grants to the project, according to an announcement from Illinois’ congressional delegation,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Dozens of elected officials demand Cook County chief judge make immediate changes in domestic violence court

“Almost 30 Chicago-area elected officials — from alderpersons to district councilors — signed a letter Thursday demanding Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans move quickly to permanently reassign Judge Thomas Nowinski and begin a review of all pretrial services procedures at the Domestic Violence Courthouse,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Process Trumps Substance

With only a few weeks until the GOP assumes unified control of government, Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials are mired in a debate over the best legislative strategy to advance party-line reforms to tax policy, border security, energy policy, and defense spending come 2025.

While many industries will likely feel some relief from the change in antitrust enforcement regimes, President-elect Trump’s nominees to lead this regulatory effort may mean Big Tech is not as lucky.

The battle to be the GOP’s next leader is already swirling but President-elect Trump isn’t the type to step away quietly.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: The Road Ahead: Searching Beyond the Beltway

With the 2024 election in the rearview, what’s next for a Republican-controlled Washington? We look beyond the Beltway to purple states like Pennsylvania and the 2025 off-year elections in Virginia and New Jersey, seeking insights that could shape the nation’s political future. Featuring Public Strategies’ Towner French (Washington, D.C.), Kyle Anderson (Pennsylvania), and Julia Hammond (Virginia).

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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