Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (1/21)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office inks new deal with outside lawyer to advise in Chicago Bears stadium talks 

“Gov. JB Pritzker’s office signed a new $25,000 contract late last month with an outside attorney to continue advising the administration in negotiations with the Chicago Bears through the end of June as the NFL franchise seeks to pressure Springfield to act this spring on a proposal that would aid plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

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Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act into law, nonviolent felony records to be automatically sealed in 2029

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a monumental bill into law Friday to automatically seal records for people convicted of nonviolent felonies. Democrats have spent years working on the Clean Slate Act with grassroots advocates and law enforcement,” by WAND News. 

Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability  

“‘Affordability’ will be the word of the year, and Welch said members of his House Democratic caucus will be making decisions about their priorities through that lens,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

One year and 51 lawsuits later, Illinois Democrats lament ‘chaos’ of second Trump administration 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul choked up Tuesday while recounting the state’s first year of legal battles against the second Trump administration, including the effort to limit birthright citizenship — a campaign that felt personal to the son of Haitian immigrants,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Illinois wage inequities improve slightly, persist despite transparency efforts: report

“Wage inequities persist in Illinois’ workforce, although data suggests the state, on average, is doing better than others, according to a new report from the University of Illinois,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson says he will not try to buy back Chicago parking meters 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday the city will not try to buy back Chicago’s parking meters after all, following days of speculation over whether he would attempt to find a way out of an infamous sale almost two decades ago,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

City Council OKs compromise ban on intoxicating hemp

“Most intoxicating hemp products will be banned in Chicago on April 1 after the City Council approved a modified ordinance that exempts beverages,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

City Council panel applauds new downtown hotel surcharge 

“Downtown hotel owners got resounding support from key Chicago aldermen on a plan to bolster tourism spending by taxing themselves, moving forward a proposal that could more than double the budget of the city’s marketing arm,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Mayor Johnson budget defeat, other challenges threaten reelection chances 

“Just over a year before the 2027 mayoral election, Brandon Johnson is in danger of becoming a one-term mayor — and his defeat in the most recent battle over City Hall’s 2026 budget is only part of the reason why,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Push to Expand CPD’s Curfew Power Stalls After Last-Minute Revision 

“A proposal designed to expand the Chicago Police Department’s power to impose a curfew to stop large gatherings of teens stalled Wednesday after supporters of the push balked after a last-minute effort to revise the measure,” by WTTW. 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Can We Bank on Fed Independence? 

The Fed’s credibility, and as a result, the efficacy of its monetary policy toolset, is at stake in this week’s Supreme Court case over President Trump’s attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. 

In the absence of comprehensive federal rules on AI, a patchwork of state laws in red and blue states alike is developing. 

As with much of government, the Trump administration is also changing business as usual at the Pentagon. Read the Cozen Currents here.

In-Conversation: Jamie Metzl on the Superconvergence of the AI, Biotech & Genetics Revolutions

Technology and health care futurist Jamie Metzl joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the amazing technological revolutions defining our era. As artificial intelligence, genetics, and biotechnology converge at unprecedented speed, the time between transformative revolutions—from fire and agriculture to industrialization and now AI—continues to shrink. Together, they explore what this superconvergence means for humanity, why innovation is accelerating faster than our institutions, and how the choices made today will shape the future of civilization. Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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