Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (6/4)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

With electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector 

“Heading into the end of the legislative session, consumer advocates, renewable energy industry groups and environmental advocates were hopeful about a bill that would have overhauled Illinois’ energy industry,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Inside Illinois’ FY 2026 budget: little to no new funding for K-12 schools, early childhood education 

“Illinois lawmakers passed a $55 billion budget with slim increases to early childhood education programs and K-12 schools. The lack of new dollars for programs comes as schools grapple with smaller budgets since federal COVID-19 relief expired,” by Chalkbeat.

Critics say feds should regulate crypto, not states, as Illinois bill advances 

“Illinois government officials will be tasked with regulating the digital currency industry with a measure ready to be sent to the governor’s desk. Before adjourning spring session, the legislature approved Senate Bill 1797. State Rep. Edgar González, Jr., said the measure ensures regulations apply to financial product providers, not blockchain innovation,” by The Center Square.

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Illinois congressman’s appeal of mail-in voting

“Bost and a pair of Illinois primary delegates for President Donald Trump sued the Illinois State Board of Elections in 2022, arguing that the state’s law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day violates the federal law establishing an “Election Day.” Both a lower federal trial court and federal appeals court have ruled Bost lacked standing to sue,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois freezes permitting of new cannabis shops

“After five years of legal recreational cannabis, Illinois has 260 operational retail shops and another 103 entrepreneurs with “conditional licenses” won via permit lottery — meaning there are still 137 dispensary permits left to award before the state hits its cap of 500. But the 137 dispensary permits are on hold indefinitely, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, told Crain’s,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Brandon Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the ‘ultra rich’ to avert mass transit cuts 

“Following state lawmakers’ failure to pass a mass transit funding bill, Mayor Brandon Johnson urged the Illinois General Assembly Tuesday to steer clear of taxes that hammer working people, and instead turn to the “ultra rich” to pony up $770 million to avert layoffs and service cuts at CTA, Metra and Pace,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Aldermen, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration officials argue over credit downgrade 

“As the city gets set to borrow $518 million for infrastructure projects and $92 million more toward Mayor Brandon Johnson’s massive affordable housing plan, aldermen and the mayor’s team argued Tuesday over which of them are to blame for recent credit downgrades that will end up costing taxpayers more,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Implement a Chicago grocery tax, Mayor Brandon Johnson tells aldermen 

“Johnson’s top finance leaders urged aldermen to implement the tax soon during a Tuesday meeting of the City Council’s Revenue Subcommittee. Failing to install the tax would blow an additional $80 million hole in Chicago’s 2026 budget as the city already faces a budget gap of around $1 billion, Budget Director Annette Guzman said,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CTU threatens to sue over proposed CPS budget cuts 

“The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to sue the Chicago Board of Education over budget plans proposed by outgoing schools chief Pedro Martinez that it says constitute unfair labor practices and violations of the recently ratified contract,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Cook County hits pause on tax sales deemed unconstitutional 

“The delinquent tax sales that the U.S. Supreme Court declared unconstitutional in 2023 will shut down in Cook County for seven months to give state legislators more time to change state law, County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Certainty and Uncertainty of Trump Walking It Back

President Trump has regularly moderated some of his boldest policy proposals after experiencing pushback, resulting in policy wins that may have otherwise been unachievable, but at the same time creating significant policy uncertainty over long-term business decisions.

With government spending already tracking well above FY24 levels, the spotlight is turning to the GOP’s domestic policy agenda and its projected several trillion dollar deficit impact.

With a goal of quadrupling the size of the country’s nuclear power capacity in just 25 years, the Trump administration aims to usher in a nuclear renaissance.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The NYC Political Season Heats Up

With New York City’s primaries just weeks away, the political season is heating up. Who are the key candidates in the mayoral, comptroller, and city council races? What dynamics and strategic alliances are emerging? What role will federal decision-making play in shaping the city’s future—and how are local candidates positioning themselves in response? Featuring New York Public Strategies’ Katie Schwab, Jamie Ansorge, and Ashley Thompson DiNardo.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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