Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (4/30)

April 30, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

State legislators oppose Chicago mayor’s desire for more taxpayer dollars 

“A number of Illinois legislators are making it clear that they oppose spending more state taxpayer dollars on Chicago unless city officials improve their failing financial practices,” by The Center Square.

Illinois Head Start, other child care programs sue Trump administration over proposed cuts 

“Illinois Head Start Association, along with several other Head Start associations from across the country, filed a lawsuit against the federal government late Monday over its plans to eliminate the early childhood development programs nationwide,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Audit findings reveal late payments, poor internal controls at IL higher ed board

“The Illinois Board of Higher Education is facing questions from lawmakers about financial noncompliance and late payments to schools,” by The Center Square.

After-school programs continue push for state aid 

“Advocates for after-school programs that provide tutoring, recreation and other services made their case again Tuesday for a $50 million state appropriation to restore programs in some schools where funding has run out and to expand them into more schools,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois Attorney General urges Congress to block halt of health research, protections 

“The Illinois Attorney General led a coalition in urging Congress to block the stoppage of health impact research, backed by the Trump administration,” by WCIA.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson pitches ‘modest’ Springfield wish list 

“Johnson’s staff said this week he has four priorities for his Springfield visit: securing $12.5 million in new revenue from amending the prepaid cellphone tax; preserving $27.5 million from keeping the 911 surcharge extension in Chicago; investing in the joint city-state shelter system for migrants and homeless people, as laid out in Pritzker’s budget; and increasing funding for Chicago Public Schools via statewide grants,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago City Council committee to vote on new teen curfew proposal 

“The public safety committee will vote on a proposal by 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins to allow Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling to activate snap curfews with at least 30 minutes notice in order to curb teen takeovers,” by CBS.

Violent Crime Down In Chicago, Matching National Trend, City Leaders Say 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Department Supt. Larry Snelling are touting a decline in violent crime this year in Chicago, a shift that comes as cities across the country have seen a reduction in homicides and other crimes since a post-pandemic spike,” by Block Club Chicago.

CPS plan to help Black students in crosshairs of Trump’s Education Department 

“President Donald Trump’s Department of Education has launched an investigation into Chicago Public Schools, alleging that a plan meant to improve educational outcomes for Black children discriminates against other races,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Despite Trump’s order, Chicago consent decree mandating police reform ‘will remain in effect’ 

“One of the executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on Monday seeks to end all federal consent decrees governing reform efforts by police departments across the country. But Chicago’s consent decree — in place since 2019 — isn’t going anywhere, according to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – He Said, Xi Said

The US and China are locked in a trade war that both Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping seem to want to de-escalate, but a standoff over who initiates a dialogue and at what level is making it challenging to find an off-ramp.

The upper ranks of the Pentagon may be subject to turmoil but this is unlikely to substantively affect the outlook for the defense sector.

Elon Musk is preparing to scale back his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), having shaken up government contracting and trimmed the size of the federal workforce. But whether DOGE’s efforts will make a long-term dent in federal spending will be determined by factors outside of its control.

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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