Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (12/17)

December 17, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

JB Pritzker signs transit bill that should avert major service cuts, but cautions that ‘transformation’ takes time 

“Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday celebrated his enactment of a new law that advocates say will avert catastrophic service cuts on Chicago’s public transit systems and make the region’s trains and buses safer and more reliable — even as he acknowledged ‘transformation takes a little bit of time,’” by the Chicago Tribune. 

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Illinois leaders ‘won’t back down’ following Trump’s order limiting AI regulation 

“Illinois lawmakers vowed to keep fighting for protections against artificial intelligence after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to shield tech companies from state laws,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois Republicans tell President Trump to reject Michael Madigan pardon request 

“The three Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation are asking President Donald Trump to deny former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s request for a pardon, writing that it ‘would send a dangerous message that public officials can betray the public trust with impunity,’” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Illinois running low on power as AI data centers spike electricity demand 

“Illinois is running out of power. That’s the word from state analysts trying to figure out whether there are enough sources of electricity to keep the lights on in the coming years,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Illinois fails to collect wages owed to workers in Cook County 

“Hundreds of workers in Cook County have spent years — and in some cases more than a decade — waiting for payday, an Injustice Watch investigation found,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Rival Budget Proposal Advances Calling for $473M in New Taxes, $35M From Advertising on Light Poles and City Vehicles

“The rival budget plan unveiled just hours before the vote, which sends it to the full City Council, calls for more than $473 million in new taxes and relies on $35 million in revenue from advertising on city light poles and in other public spaces,” by WTTW News. 

Chicago’s interim DCASE chief aims to steady arts sector and city cultural department 

“Acting cultural commissioner Kenya Merritt said Monday she plans to steer more city grant funding to the department’s Neighborhood Access Program to bolster cultural programming across Chicago,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

Chicago Mayor’s $3.8 Billion Debt Proposal Faces Pushback

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to sell $3.8 billion in bonds was reduced Tuesday by $1 billion after facing opposition from a key member of the city council finance committee as the deadline to pass a 2026 budget nears,” by Bloomberg. 

Cook County considers appeal in case over unconstitutional tax sales 

“Faced with a ruling that Cook County may be liable for the equity homeowners lose when their properties are sold to pay past-due property taxes, Treasurer Maria Pappas is asking to pause the high-profile lawsuit while her office considers an appeal,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

 

FEDERAL

In-Conversation with Howard Schweitzer: Bestselling Author Annie Duke on Making Better Decisions

Bestselling author, decision strategist, and former professional poker champion Annie Duke joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on how leaders can improve the quality of their decisions to achieve better outcomes against the backdrop of a “world on tilt.” Together, they unpack common cognitive errors, leadership biases, and everyday decision traps—and discuss how reframing our thinking can help navigate an uncertain world. Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

Cozen Currents: AI-merica First

President Trump issued an executive order that seeks to block state AI laws, but his own party is divided over the issue. 

The Trump administration’s decision to approve the sale of Nvidia’s H200 semiconductors to China represents a significant departure from the previous consensus in Washington on sales of advanced chips to China. 

The Trump administration is pursuing efforts to decrease its reliance on Chinese critical mineral supply chains not only through a whole-of-government approach domestically but also the uncharacteristically multilateral support of allies and partners abroad. Read the Cozen Currents 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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