Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (1/6)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois lawmakers consider an array of measures in final days of lame-duck session 

“Illinois lawmakers over the weekend teed up bills on issues ranging from clean energy and criminal justice to public health and child welfare for consideration before a lame-duck session ends on Tuesday and a new General Assembly is sworn in,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Statewide police body camera requirement kicked in Jan. 1, but full compliance picture unclear 

“Under one of the few significant mandates of the controversial 2021 SAFE-T Act that was backed by both advocates for police reform and law enforcement, every police officer in Illinois as of New Year’s Day is required to wear a body camera while on duty,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Pritzker EPA vows to step in as Trump calls for massive cuts to environmental protection

“As the new top environment cop in Illinois, James Jennings knew coming in his job would be challenging no matter who won the presidential election… Topping Jennings’ agenda is expanding the state’s efforts to slow climate change, taking more aggressive action to protect Illinoisans from toxic forever chemicals, speeding up the removal of brain-damaging lead pipes and addressing environmental justice concerns,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Task force recommends tornado shelters in warehouse following deadly 2021 storm 

“A task force created in the wake of a deadly Metro East tornado has issued recommendations for better protecting warehouse workers… Illinois lawmakers established the Warehouse Safety Standards Task Force in January 2023 to study warehouse safety in response to the Edwardsville tornado, and it issued its final report last month,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Regulators OK statewide electric grid upgrades, rate increases 

“Illinois utilities are set to invest more than a billion dollars into upgrading the state’s electric distribution grid, resulting in higher rates for customers around the state. The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved scaled-back plans submitted by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois, the electric utilities for northern and southern Illinois, respectively,” by Capitol News Illinois.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago leaders prepare for ‘TIF cliff’ as several city special taxing districts expire 

“One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s signature projects is an ambitious plan to spend $1.25 billion over five years to build affordable housing, rehab or construct new commercial buildings and issue small business loans across Chicago. Helping fund the progressive program is a seemingly unremarkable fiscal detail: The money borrowed for the work will be paid back with property tax dollars being freed up across the city as controversial tax increment financing districts, or TIFs, begin to expire,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago welcomed a wave of new businesses in 2024, anticipates continued growth in 2025

“Dozens of new businesses joined the Chicago market this year, either by expanding to the Windy City or opening their first locations here. The trend is expected to continue into 2025, according to Christy George, president and CEO of statewide economic development organization Intersect Illinois… In its annual economic report, Intersect Illinois concluded the state saw more than $12 billion in new business investments and added nearly 13,000 new jobs thanks to double-digit growth in business expansions and relocations over the past year,” by the Chicago Business Journal.

Judge bars Chicago Board of Education from teachers union contract talks without CEO approval   

“A Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that the Chicago Board of Education may not block schools chief Pedro Martinez from doing his job and may not attend teachers contract negotiations without his approval. Judge Joel Chupack granted Martinez’s request for a temporary restraining order in a Christmas Eve ruling from the bench, marking another dramatic turn in the power struggle between the CEO and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hand-picked board members,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Violent crime is declining in Chicago, but crime prevention funds are too

“Steve Gates has spent the last two years making the Roseland community safer through his nonprofit street outreach group. Gates’ nonprofit, Reimagining Roseland Community Collective, is one of several small violence prevention groups funded by federal grants issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. As that grant money dries up, Gates and other nonprofit leaders worry about how they will continue their work amid signs of progress,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

After long holiday break, jury in Madigan corruption trial back for more defense testimony

“After an extended 18-day holiday break from testimony, the jury in the corruption trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan will be back to work Monday to hear more defense witnesses in a case inching to the finish line. Before the panel was sent home for the holidays on Dec. 19, the trial’s spotlight had finally turned to Madigan’s defense team, whose witnesses so far have offered a far different picture of the powerful Democratic speaker than the image of a conniving and opportunistic political machine boss painted by prosecutors,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Process Trumps Substance

With only a few weeks until the GOP assumes unified control of government, Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials are mired in a debate over the best legislative strategy to advance party-line reforms to tax policy, border security, energy policy, and defense spending come 2025.

While many industries will likely feel some relief from the change in antitrust enforcement regimes, President-elect Trump’s nominees to lead this regulatory effort may mean Big Tech is not as lucky.

The battle to be the GOP’s next leader is already swirling but President-elect Trump isn’t the type to step away quietly.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Remembering Steve Cozen

With the recent passing of Cozen O’Connor founder and chairman, Steve Cozen, our team reflects with gratitude on the privilege of knowing and working with Steve, a visionary leader who had a profound impact on our firm and the community. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Kyle Anderson.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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