Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’ Connor (6/9)

ILLINOIS

Gov. Pritzker takes bill action 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker today signed 90 bills passed during the Spring session. Find the entire bill list here.

AROUND THE STATE 

— Preckwinkle says guaranteed income program part of government’s ‘special obligation’ to tackle racial, economic injustices during keynote address: “Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle delivered the keynote address at the 21st annual Basic Income Guarantee Conference Thursday morning and called the county’s guaranteed basic income pilot program an example of the government’s role in righting historical wrongs. This year the conference was held in Chicago’s West Loop,” by The Daily Line.

— Bill awaiting Pritzker’s signature prevents out-of-state law enforcement from using license plate reader data to track people traveling for abortions: “A bill (HB 3326) on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk takes aim at states that limit abortion by prohibiting out-of-state law enforcement agencies from using automated license plate reader (ALPR) data obtained in Illinois to track women traveling to the state to have an abortion” by The Daily Line.

— Governor Pritzker Announces $15 Million In New, Competitive Homeownership Assistance Program: “Governor JB Pritzker announced the opening of a new homebuyer program designed to help increase home purchase accessibility for low- and moderate-income individuals, families and seniors interested in purchasing a home in Illinois,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

Mayor Brandon Johnson extends 12 weeks of parental leave to Chicago Public Schools

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday extended the 12 weeks of paid parental leave to Chicago Public School teachers and school support staff beginning in the 2023-24 school year, a benefit already provided to all 32,000 city employees.

Currently, Chicago Public Schools offers birthing parents 6-8 weeks of short-term disability leave, while non-birthing parents are allotted two weeks of paid leave.

Details are expected to be finalized over the summer and approved by the board.

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Johnson urged to fire CTA and CHA chiefs: “Ald. Jeanette Taylor argued that CHA CEO Tracey Scott deserves to be ousted because the agency has failed to deliver on its fundamental mission — and the same goes for CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— CDOT has given away more than 900 free bikes through program launched last year: “A little over one year since the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced it would give away 5,000 bikes, the program has distributed 913 free bikes to Chicagoans,” by The Daily Line.

— Swifties give Chicago hoteliers a boost: “Chicago booked a record number of hotel rooms last weekend as Taylor Swift played three Eras Tour concerts in the city,” by Crain’s Business Chicago.

— Ald. Jim Gardiner Moving 45th Ward Office To A Bigger Space: “A new location for the office has not been chosen yet, but they’re ;exploring options,’ staffer Erin Lach said. They are not sure if it will remain in Jefferson Park, she said. The office will remain open until a new location is found,” by Block Club Chicago.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: Congress Passes Debt-Ceiling Bill, Averting Default

After weeks of political impasse and tense negotiations, the Senate voted 63-36 to approve bipartisan legislation to raise the nation’s debt limit, sending the compromise bill to the White House ahead of a projected Monday default deadline. The result, at least until January 2025, will allow the Treasury to immediately resume paying bills with borrowed funds and it will impose spending caps on portions of the budget for two years.

Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, and Towner French discuss this truly bipartisan success and break down the final tallies in both chambers. Also, as former VP Pence is set to launch his presidential campaign on June 7, they also ponder what impact it will have on the growing 2024 Republican primary.

Listen to the full Beltway Briefing here.

Cozen Currents: What Does Congress Do Now?

• The Fiscal Responsibility Act is passed, the debt ceiling is raised, and a DC-manufactured crisis is averted. While there are lessons to be gleaned from the theatrics, there’s  consequential legislation to come later this year that won’t necessarily follow the same political path.
• Many of 2023’s most pressing technological issues, including data transfer, artificial intelligence, and data privacy, are transnational in nature, presenting a challenge to national policymakers and requiring international cooperation to address them.
• The Republicans hold a structural advantage in 2024 over Democrats in the race for control of the Senate. With trillions in spending and taxes on the line, the GOP establishment is trying to take a more hands on approach in competitive seats without upsetting the MAGA base.

Read the Cozen Currents article here.

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