Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (3/10)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker’s $300M proposal seeks to attract developers to abandoned sites that now draw only vandals 

“The Pritzker administration said the program would create jobs and support community revitalization, and the project would attract new businesses, potentially leading to billions of dollars in private investment. The five sites in the proposal were identified as “high priority,” though others might be considered in the future,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Alicia Tate-Nadeau, first woman to lead state’s disaster response, leaving post

“Illinois Emergency Management Agency director Alicia Tate-Nadeau — who was tasked with overseeing the state’s pandemic response — is leaving her position later this month,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Republican bills aim to assist Illinois in its battle against fentanyl 

“Illinois Republican senators have filed bills that would combat the state’s fentanyl crisis and further punish major possessors of the drug. One bill would reclassify a fentanyl overdose as a “poison,” while another would consider major fentanyl possessors a threat to public safety,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois Joins Lawsuit Seeking to Halt ‘Illegal’ Mass Firings of Federal Workers 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined on to a wide-ranging lawsuit that seeks to halt the mass layoffs of federal probationary employees under President Donald Trump’s administration and the reinstatement of those who have already been terminated,” by WTTW.

Legislators raise concerns over IL bill revising Secure Choice Savings Program 

“Workers at companies that don’t offer a retirement plan are automatically enrolled in the Secure Choice Savings Program and the automatic contribution starts at 5% of the employee’s paycheck. House Bill 1435 would amend the Secure Choice Savings Program Act and change penalty criteria for employers who fail to enroll employees in the program and remit contributions,” by The Center Square.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

CPS budget amendment targets CTU contract, disputed city pension payment 

“The Board of Education is considering an amendment to this year’s Chicago Public Schools budget that could finally force a decision about whether it will make a disputed pension payment and how it will pay for a new Chicago Teachers Union contract that is still being negotiated,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Cook County housing authority union workers ratify contracts, earn raises after telling of struggle to pay bills 

“Housing Authority of Cook County union workers ratified two new union contracts this week, earning average salary floor raises of 4% and 7% and annual cost of living wage increases of 3% and 4%,” by the Chicago Tribune.

New data breach exposes 700,000 CPS students’ info 

“Chicago Public Schools and law enforcement are investigating a data breach that exposed current and former students’ personal information. Cleo, a file transfer software vendor used by the school district, was the subject of a cyberattack late last year in which student data was accessed and published to the dark web, CPS said in a statement,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Anthony Quezada frontrunner for 35th Ward seat as Mayor Brandon Johnson outlines selection process

“As Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration details his process for picking a new alderman to represent Logan Square and other Northwest Side neighborhoods, all signs point to one politician: Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Amid Loop vacancies, Chicago’s property tax burden shifts to neighborhoods 

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit five years ago, property values have fallen downtown, and that’s shifted a greater portion of Chicago’s tax burden away from the heart of the Loop and onto homeowners and business owners elsewhere in the city, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis has found,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Follow the Money

A fight between the two parties over the power of the purse is increasing the odds of a government shutdown later this month.

Several contributors to Project 2025 have gone on to major roles in the Trump administration, and the policy document offers a guide to understand the policies of Trump 2.0.

Republicans have their very own ideas about what types of energy they prefer, even within the category of renewables.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The (Not-So) State of the Union?

Between Trump’s Address to Joint Session of Congress, his fluctuating trade and tariff policies, and the threat of a government shutdown, politicos question whether the president’s actions are more performance than policy. With no clear leader or unified message, how much longer will Democrats remain disorganized? And, are Republicans stuck in a “team mentality,” prioritizing loyalty over scrutiny of DOGE? Featuring Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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