Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (1/17)

January 17, 2024

ILLINOIS

Illinois House forms working group for new arrivals

The Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday announced the formation of a new legislative working group to address issues surrounding the ongoing influx of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in the state.

The “New Arrivals Working Group” will assess both the state government’s policy response and the budgetary approach to handling the migrant crisis. The working group will be led by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who has twenty years of experience as an immigration attorney.

“The recent influx of migrants into our state provides challenges and opportunities that require thoughtful engagement and consensus building,” House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) said in a statement. “We know this issue will be an important part of conversations this session, which is why I’m putting together a diverse team with strong, relevant backgrounds ready to act as needed. Rep. Gong-Gershowitz has decades of experience understanding the complex issues related to immigration, and I’m confident she will lead this group with the skill, knowledge and compassion required.”

The other members of the working group include Reps. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook), Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago), Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard), Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago), and Dave Vella (D-Rockford).

| AROUND THE STATE

Illinois businesses must share ownership details under new federal law; here’s what you need to know

“Deputy Secretary of State Scott Burnham estimated up to 900,000 small and midsize businesses in Illinois may be affected by the law,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Lawmakers clear path for assault weapon registration rules

“The legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted along party lines Tuesday to let the rules go into effect, ending months of negotiations and debate between supporters of the law and gun rights advocates,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Additional Funding to Municipalities to Support Asylum Seekers

“A total of $17 million will go toward building capacity outside of Chicago, Illinois Welcoming Centers, and the Immigrant Family Resource Program,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

House Republicans planning to make advocating for Illinois residents a priority during election year session   

“As talk about how to address the migrant situation emerges as a potentially major topic of the 2024 spring session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said her caucus will be focusing on advocating for Illinois’ existing residents to ensure their needs aren’t put aside in favor of the new arrivals,” by The Daily Line.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

DNC picks Democratic National Convention event and construction managers

“The Democratic National Convention Committee and host committee have chosen four firms to handle the DNC’s event management and construction, among them a Black-owned Chicago-based company,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

City Not Opening More Migrant Shelters For Now, Citing Budget Constraints

“The city is not opening more migrant shelters as officials defer to state leaders to provide more shelter beds, documents show,” by Block Club Chicago.

Ethics Committee to hold hearings on outside income for alderpeople, audit of DFSS rapid rehousing program

“The City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight will hold subject matter hearings Thursday on the ability of alderpeople to earn outside income and on an audit of a city department’s efforts to help homeless people find housing. The ethics committee will meet at 1 p.m. in City Council chambers,” by The Daily Line.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: Decoding The Iowa Caucus

With the Iowa Caucus officially kicking off the presidential campaign, the Public Strategies team analyzes past nomination paths and illustrates scenarios for a presumptive Biden-Trump 2024 rematch. While Nikki Haley may have a “Hail Mary” with Independents in New Hampshire, former president Donald Trump’s momentum among the GOP base appears to be inescapable.

Listen to the full Beltway Briefing here.

Can the Ungovernable Govern?

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is out to prove that his ungovernable caucus is capable of governing.
  • Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Jonathan Kanter had a rough 2023, but with some momentum to start 2024, they are likely to continue with their progressive approach to antitrust.
  • Despite the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs, the crypto industry will continue to face skeptical Biden administration regulators in 2024.

Read the Cozen Currents 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.

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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