Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (12/23)

Please note that this will be the final edition of Illinois Insights for the year. We will resume our publication after the holidays on Monday, January 6.

Thank you for your continued readership. Happy Holidays!

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Nearly 300 new Illinois laws take effect in 2025 

“When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Day, 293 new state laws will take effect. Those include some of the defining bills of the 2024 legislative session and others that will change how people get IDs, evaluate job postings and even cancel gym memberships. In addition to the laws taking effect on Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage will rise to $15 to complete a ramp up initiated during Gov. JB Pritzker’s first month in office in 2019,” by Capitol News Illinois.

New Illinois law cracks down on drivers parking on shoulders near O’Hare 

“Drivers picking up or dropping off passengers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport will be restricted on where they can park their vehicles around the area. Under the provisions of the O’Hare Driver Safety Act, drivers will be prohibited from stopping or standing vehicles on the shoulders of highways within a one-half mile radius of the eastern entrance to the airport beginning on Jan. 1, 2025,” by NBC Chicago.

Worried about grid reliability, Illinois officials seek to boost renewables, energy storage 

“But in Illinois, after years of sweeping reforms to the energy industry and growing demand for electricity, that premise is coming into question. Several experts – including those involved in crafting the state’s energy reform, current and former regulators, and those in the renewable energy industry – are warning that prices will spike this summer and rolling blackouts could become necessary in the coming years. That is, unless the state takes action to make sure enough electricity is available – in the right place and at the right times of day,” by Capitol News Illinois.

More Illinois universities are covering tuition for low-income households, but issues with cost remains 

“Roosevelt University announced it will start offering a free tuition program this month, the Roosevelt Pledge, and in September, the University of Illinois Chicago announced its plans to launch its own version, UIC Aspire, next fall,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago School Board Fires CEO Pedro Martinez 

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hand-picked school board voted Friday to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, taking a step their predecessors had resisted and capping a months-long campaign by the mayor and teachers union to oust the schools chief. The board voted unanimously to fire Martinez without cause, which under the terms of his contract means he will stay on the job for six more months — through the end of the current school year — and then receive severance pay of about $130,000,” by Block Club Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson losing three leaders at end of year

“Mayor Brandon Johnson will be on the hook to fill three key slots in his administration as the calendar turns on the new year. His comptroller, chief policy officer, and the head of the city’s Department of Family and Support Services are all headed for the exits,” by the Chicago Tribune.

City Stops Tracking Migrants As It Closes Remaining Shelters 

“Chicago is ending services targeted specifically at helping migrants after more than two years of challenges and uncertainty. With the migrant landing zone officially closed Thursday, the city said Friday it will stop issuing daily shelter census updates, marking the end of a pivotal chapter in its response to the migrant crisis,” by Block Club Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s difficult 2025 budget fight portends even harder financial situation for 2026

One issue loomed in aldermen’s anxious speeches last week in the lead-up to a vote on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget for next year: 2026. Though the mayor ultimately eked out a 27-23 win on his $17.1 billion 2025 spending plan, City Council members both for and against it warned the chaos and delays that punctuated the past few months may pale in comparison with the intractable problems waiting with the next one,” by the Chicago Tribune.

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: Remembering Steve Cozen

With the recent passing of Cozen O’Connor founder and chairman, Steve Cozen, our team reflects with gratitude on the privilege of knowing and working with Steve, a visionary leader who had a profound impact on our firm and the community. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Kyle Anderson.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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