Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (4/16)

April 16, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. Pritzker, other Governors issue joint letter in response to CMS Proposed Rule

“Multiple governors, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, issued a join letter to the director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in regards to health insurance marketplace regulations and coverage,” by WSILTV.

IL Attorney General says department will need extra 15 million dollars this year 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said his department will need an extra 15 million dollars this fiscal year. Raoul told a senate committee on Tuesday that on top of the several services his office does to protect consumers in the state, his team has added a lot of hours battling federal lawsuits with the Trump administration,” by KWQC.

Homeschool bill stalls in Illinois House, but sponsor says it’s still alive 

“A bill that would tighten homeschooling regulations in Illinois missed a key deadline on Friday. But its sponsor, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, said it’s still alive — and she’s working on changes recommended by fellow lawmakers to get it passed,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Sen. Emil Jones III takes witness stand in his own defense at federal corruption trial 

“After nearly five days of testimony, state Sen. Emil Jones III’s federal corruption trial appeared to be nearing its end Tuesday afternoon — until the senator unexpectedly took the witness stand,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois Head Start providers worry about the future as Trump eyes potential cuts 

“Blythe and other Head Start providers in Illinois are concerned about the future of the 60- year-old federal program that serves children from birth to 5. Almost $500 million flowed from the federal government directly to Illinois Head Start providers during fiscal year 2024, according to the Illinois Head Start Association,” by Chalkbeat.

Trump Administration tariffs continue to polarize Illinois, nation 

“Illinois’ state treasurer is sounding the alarm over the Trump Administration’s trade tariffs on other countries. Treasurer Michael Frerichs is calling on Congress to take action,” by The Center Square.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson gets union backing, but aldermen stall housing loan fund plan 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson reached a buzzer beater union deal Wednesday morning to clear the way for his “Green Social Housing” plan, only for aldermen to spurn his hopes for quick vote by sidelining the measure moments later,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Supporters rally for industrial zoning ordinance aimed at curbing pollution 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to introduce the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance during today’s session. The proposal will require applicants seeking a zoning change to allow “heavy industrial land uses” to conduct a cumulative impact study “to assess potential environmental and health impacts” as part of the approval process,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Trump’s threats to federal funding: ‘We’re not going to negotiate with terrorists’ 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson lambasted President Donald Trump dangling the possibility of cutting federal funding over Democratic leaders as “terrorism” in a Tuesday news conference during which he offered few specifics on how he would fight back,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Mayor Johnson now has to consider whether to bring ShotSpotter back to Chicago 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson is now being forced to reconsider his decision to shut down the controversial ShotSpotter system — a move that set off a search for police technologies that some business leaders have slammed as slipshod and frantic,” by WBEZ Chicago.

Downtown alderman’s new proposal would give Chicago police power to declare roving teen curfews citywide 

“A downtown alderman said Wednesday he’s negotiating with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration on a new citywide teen curfew, averting what was expected to be a City Council showdown over how to address chaotic gatherings during the summer despite the mayor’s office saying a deal has not been reached,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago names a City Hall vet as acting aviation commissioner 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed a City Hall veteran as acting commissioner of the Department of Aviation while the city searches for a replacement for Jamie Rhee, who retired yesterday,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Trump’s Personal Touch on Tariffs

President Trump relies on his worldview and instincts when it comes to tariff policy, creating a regime where winners and losers will be heavily driven by his own perceptions and preferences.

GOP lawmakers recently adopted a framework for the party’s domestic policy agenda that would allow the party to go bigger than expected on tax reform, outlining a plan to permanently extend the expiring individual tax rates from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while also implementing many of the tax policy changes President Trump championed on the campaign trail.

Federal highway spending and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act both expire next year. What follows in their place will determine the future of infrastructure in the US.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The State of Play on Tariffs and Taxes

President Trump is leveraging bold strategies to pursue his economic and fiscal agenda. With Republican control of the executive and legislative branches, the party is pursuing symbiotic priorities: tariffs and tax cuts. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

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.

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