Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (1/22)

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Governor Pritzker and Nexamp Announce Company’s New Headquarters in Chicago

“Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Nexamp, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined local leaders and partners to announce that Chicago will serve as Nexamp’s second national headquarters. As the nation’s largest community solar provider, Nexamp’s expansion in Illinois will create 50 new jobs as part of more than $2 billion in planned investments in the state through its existing projects and development pipeline,” from the Office of Gov. Pritzker. 

Lawmakers propose state board to regulate prescription drug prices 

“Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine) and Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) filed HB4472 to establish the Health Care Availability and Access Board that would regulate the price of prescription drugs in Illinois. Like the Commerce Commission considers rate changes proposed by energy providers, the board would consider price changes proposed by drug manufacturers to help keep drug costs affordable. Illinois would be the ninth state to have such a board if the bill becomes law,” by The Daily Line. 

Pritzker Administration Announces The Second Cohort of the Governor’s Office Academy of Leadership (G.O.A.L.)

“Governor JB Pritzker and the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) proudly unveil[ed on Friday] the participants selected for the second cohort of the Governor’s Office Academy of Leadership (G.O.A.L.) program,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker. 

CHICAGO

Mayor shares new migrant strategy behind closed doors

 On Friday, Mayor Brandon Johnson briefed aldermen on the city’s new plan to combat the migrant crisis: no new shelter space, including industrial tents. Instead, the city will work with churches and private individuals to find beds for asylum seekers. A copy of the briefing report obtained by Politico Playbook can be found here. 

Aldermen were told that placing migrants into housing will be easier now that the state has case managers in nearly all of the city’s 28 shelters. 

 When asked about the report, Gov. JB Pritzker said: “We do not have enough shelter as it is in the city of Chicago. The city has not told the state where they would like us to put our resources to build new shelters or help them build new shelters. So we can’t help if they don’t identify those locations. And we need to make sure that we’re not ending shelter capacity as the city is now planning to do at the end of winter. If you think this problem is going to end when the temperature warms up, it’s not. We still need shelter for people. So I’m deeply concerned and I’m hoping that at least the plan that I read this morning … is not one that they will end up carrying out.”

 The city fired back with a statement this afternoon, saying the City of Chicago “has carried the entire weight of the new arrival mission, sheltering nearly every asylum seeker sent to Illinois.” 

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Proposal would require Council approval to spend any federal relief funds over $1 million

“The sponsors, Ald. Bill Conway and Ald. Scott Waguespack, want to avoid a repeat of late 2023, when Johnson transferred $95 million in COVID relief without getting the Council’s OK first,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

South Loop alderman throws support behind new White Sox stadium after meeting with developer

“Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, met Friday with Related Midwest, which owns the vacant 62-acre plot called ‘The 78,’ she said in a statement. Her backing of the prospective stadium as a ‘positive anchor’ for the development, long promised for the untapped parcel, brings critical support to the project,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

Finance Committee to consider approval of municipal depository designations, millions of dollars in legal settlements

“The City Council Committee on Finance will convene for two meetings Monday morning on the designation of more than a dozen financial institutions as municipal depositories and the approval of legal settlements,” by The Daily Line. 

Mayor appoints insurance exec to key post on World Business Chicago board

“Mayor Brandon Johnson is elevating insurance executive Charles Smith to replace Mellody Hobson as vice chair of World Business Chicago. Smith is the founder and CEO of CS Insurance Strategies. His appointment was announced Monday and is expected to be approved by the WBC board at its first-quarter meeting,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: The Economic Psyche of 2024 Voters

As GOP candidates gear up for the New Hampshire Caucus, the shadow of Donald Trump looms large against his GOP challengers, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who fail to effectively criticize the former president and appeal to his unwavering MAGA base. Come November, the 2024 presidential outcome will ultimately be shaped by the economic psyche of voters. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing 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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