Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (9/15)

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

State, local courts and prosecutors ready to implement cashless pretrial system on Monday  

“Nearly 10 months after it was first supposed to take effect, Illinois will become the first state to end cash bail on Monday. The controversial Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA), the portion of the SAFE-T Act that revamps the pretrial system and eliminates cash bail, will take effect on Monday following an Illinois Supreme Court ruling earlier this year upholding the law,” by The Daily Line.

Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology selected as national awards finalist by NASCIO

“The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has been selected as a finalist for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awards that will be announced during their annual conference in October,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

Illinois Gaming Board Caps Historic Summer at September Meeting

“The Illinois Gaming Board marked an historic summer overseeing the opening of three newly authorized casinos and a new sportsbook, among other significant actions as reported during today’s September meeting,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

Bears hold off stadium-subsidy efforts in Springfield — for now

“The Chicago Bears won’t push for state legislation this fall that would subsidize their plan to build a $5 billion stadium-anchored campus in Arlington Heights, likely pushing the measure back until 2024 at the earliest,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CHICAGO

Various measures introduced, approved by Chicago City Council 

In the first meeting since its summer recess, the Chicago City Council introduced and approved various measures Thursday.

Amid mounting tension and extensive debate surrounding the ongoing migrant crisis, the City Council voted 45-4 to accept $33 million in federal grants to help the city provide shelter and services for asylum-seekers. Separately, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that he and Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights Beatriz Ponce de Leon will  travel to Washington, D.C., next week to talk to federal officials about how to “better coordinate our efforts.”

Mayor Johnson and alderpersons re-introduced the “Bring Chicago Home” resolution to fight homelessness. The measure, if approved, would ask Chicago voters on the March 2024 ballot whether the city should implement a 3-tiered real estate transfer tax on property sales.

The City Council advanced an ordinance to eliminate Chicago’s “subminimum wage” for tipped workers, referring the legislation to the Committee on Workforce Development. If approved in committee sometime this month, the measure would go to a full council vote during its next meeting on October 4.

With no discussion, the City Council approved a $25 million settlement award to two men wrongfully convicted of murder over three decades ago, one of the city’s largest police misconduct settlement awards in years.

The City Council also approved Johnson’s appointment of Chasse Rehwinkel as the city’s comptroller and a measure approving the reappointment of Angela Tovar as the city’s chief sustainability officer.

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Silverstein introduces overhaul to hate crimes ordinance, providing new definitions, tracking mechanisms and reporting requirements

“Among the changes in the so-called Chicago vs. Hate Ordinance (O2023-0003932) the most notable are the addition of a new, more inclusive term that accounts for non-criminal hate incidents, new tracking mechanisms for hate crimes, non-criminal incidents, graffiti and vandalism and expanded requirements for city officials to keep and share reports on instances of hate,” by The Daily Line.

Obama Center Gentrification Fears Lead To South Shore Affordable Housing Ordinance Proposal

“South Side alderpeople introduced the South Shore Affordable Housing Ordinance on Thursday. A similar affordable housing protections ordinance for Woodlawn passed in 2021,” by Block Club Chicago.

Chicago alderman’s new proposal could limit sale of hemp-derived products

“Chicago Alderman Brian Hopkins introduced an ordinance Thursday that would only allow state-licensed marijuana stores to sell most THC products,” by Fox 32 Chicago.

Mayor Johnson Announces The Exploration Of A Municipally Owned Grocery Store

“Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a partnership with the Economic Security Project to start on a pathway towards the opening of a municipally owned grocery store in Chicago,” from the Office of Mayor Johnson.

Zoning veteran picked to run city’s planning department

“Chicago Zoning Administrator Patrick Murphey, who has worked in various city planning roles across four administrations, will begin next week as DPD’s acting commissioner, according to a memo sent to department staff by outgoing DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: The Inseparable Line Between Governing and Campaigning 

Members of Congress have returned to Washington with a lengthy to-do list. Most pressing is appropriations given the potential for a government shutdown at the end of this month. Lawmakers will address this issue and others in the shadow of the upcoming 2024 elections.

President Biden’s regulatory agenda is picking up speed — and so are the legal challenges. However, court defeats and political victories are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Now that the Biden administration has released its list of 10 drugs that it plans to target for Medicare negotiations, the pharmaceutical industry is ramping up its counterattack.

Read the Cozen Currents article here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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