Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (1/26)

January 26, 2024

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

State education board to seek $653M increase in upcoming budget year

“The Illinois State Board of Education endorsed a budget request Wednesday that includes a $653 million increase in funding for PreK-12 public schools,” by Capitol News Illinois.

After suburban pushback, Cook County leaders propose exempting parks, school districts from paid leave requirements

“Cook County leaders are moving to exempt thousands of suburban park and school district employees from a new Cook County ordinance that strengthened paid leave policies by allowing workers in the county to take time off for any reason, not just sickness,” by the Chicago Tribune.

‘Karina’s Bill’ supporters urge lawmakers to help protect domestic violence victims

“Groups fighting gun violence made a plea Wednesday morning for Illinois lawmakers to pass a bill that would require police to remove firearms from a home under specific orders of protection in domestic violence cases,” by CBS 2 Chicago.

CHICAGO

Treasury Secretary Yellen delivers national policy speech at Economic Club of Chicago

On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivered a keynote address at the Economic Club of Chicago, touting Bidenomics and emphasizing the importance of the middle class in America’s economic landscape.

“Our economic agenda is far from finished. There’s much more the President and I would like to do to support the middle class,” Yellen said.

Reflecting on the Biden administration’s efforts, Yellen said that the economy has seen job growth, low unemployment, a record stock market, and receding inflation.

“Put simply, it’s been the fairest recovery on record. We see this in gains not only for middle-class Americans, but also across demographic groups,” she said.

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s job performance rated fair to poor by majority of Chicago voters in new poll

“About 20% of 500 registered voters surveyed this month, in a poll financed by school choice advocates, said they approve of how Chicago’s mayor is doing his job, while 70% rated his performance as fair or poor,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago City Council puts off final votes on police arbitration ruling, new restrictions on dollar stores

“The Chicago City Council opted to punt on a few key items on the agenda on Wednesday, including controversial changes to police disciplinary procedures, and new restrictions on dollar stores,” by CBS 2 Chicago.

Aldermen sign letter urging Johnson to scrap 60-day migrant shelter policy

“More than a dozen Chicago aldermen on Thursday called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to scrap his 60-day shelter limit policy for migrants, the latest sign the City Council’s recent streak of independence has swelled with the city’s controversial responses to the humanitarian crisis,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for Gaza cease-fire ahead of heated resolution vote

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson backed calls for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza Wednesday ahead of a hotly contested vote on a City Council cease-fire resolution set for next week,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Johnson calls concept for Sox ballpark development at The 78 ‘the way new stadiums should and could look’

“Johnson was speaking after a Chicago City Council meeting at which alderpersons also put off approval of restrictions on dollar stores and approved about $7 million in legal settlements,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

City Council ordinance calling for more transparency now stuck in committee

“An ordinance calling for more transparency around how federal COVID dollars are spent by the city is now languishing in a City Council committee,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: 2024’s Home-Grown Geopolitical Risks

  • A second term for former President Trump would mean the return of his “America First” foreign policy, including its resulting geopolitical uncertainty.
  • President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have successfully lowered the temperature in the US-China relationship and established a floor. But this floor’s strength will be tested in 2024 as American politicians compete to prove their “tough on China” bona fides.
  • The domestic politics of US involvement in geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are testing President Biden’s ability to maintain his fragile political coalition.

Read the Cozen Currents article here.

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.

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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