Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (10/14)

ILLINOIS

Pritzker Secures a $20.6 Million Investments in Illinois during state economic mission to Japan 

Last week, Governor Pritzker and a delegation of over 50 people including leaders from the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and the business industry went to Japan with an economic mission to bring more Japanese investment to Illinois. Japan is one of Illinois’ strongest economic partners as the state exports $2.6 billion worth of exports to Japan each year.

Upon returning home, the governor announced that the state secured a $20.60 million investment from Sysmex America that is expected to create 110 new manufacturing jobs in Illinois.

During this trip, state leaders participated in a series of meetings that focused on clean energy and quantum. Governor Pritzker discussed plans for the new quantum park in Chicago; and representatives from the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago discussed their work on quantum and potential collaboration with Japanese companies. Pritzker participated in a roundtable discussion on clean energy where he discussed the accomplishments of the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and workforce development programs.

AROUND THE STATE

Future of Chicago-Area Public Transit Hangs in Balance as State Lawmakers Wrap Up Hearings on Agency Funding, Oversight

“The hearings have focused not just on the idea of restructuring, but also on the many ways transit benefits public health, the economy, and the climate. Leaders from all the transit agencies and the RTA have been a consistent presence, along with a wide array of stakeholders: community leaders, passengers, employees, business interests, researchers and advocates,” by WTTW.

Suburban office demand is at its highest in 2 years. You couldn’t tell that from vacancy numbers.

“The share of available office space across the suburbs inched up over the last three months to an all-time high of 31.4%, according to data from real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle. The new vacancy rate is up from 29.7% one year ago and 22.1% at the beginning of the public health crisis, having now hit new record highs for 15 consecutive quarters,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Democratic lawmakers renew calls for safe firearm storage, stolen gun reporting bills

“Gun control could be a top priority for state lawmakers during the veto session next month. Democratic leaders are determined to get guns out of the wrong hands,” by WAND News.

As lawsuits and strike threats fly, Pritzker calls on Stellantis to live up to its commitments on Belvidere plant

“The United Auto Workers union says it is prepared to possibly strike after claiming Stellantis hasn’t kept its end of the bargain to reopen the idled Belvidere assembly plant,” by Capitol Fax.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Johnson City Council Liaison, Erik Martinez, resigns

“Martinez joined the Johnson administration last year and had been leading Johnson’s day-to-day lobbying of the city council since early September of this year. Martinez said in a statement he was, “‘proud of the work Mayor Johnson and this administration has accomplished during my tenure,’” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CTU funds fund opposing candidates in Chicago Board of Education in District 1

“Custer, the teachers union-backed candidate, has amassed more than $82,600 in direct and in-kind contributions and transfers into her campaign committee as of Oct. 11. That’s more than double what her opponent has raised,” by The Daily Line.

Mayor Johnson announces a London-based tech company will be opening its U.S. headquarters in Chicago

“The company plans to open in Chicago with three employees and expand to 50 in the next few years. It’s evaluating three potential office locations in the city,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

New Southwest Side police station gets a push from Illinois congressmen

“In a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson Friday, U.S. Reps. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, Sean Casten and Brad Schneider added federal muscle to the campaign for a new police station in the Chicago Lawn District, serving the second-largest geographic area with the fewest officers,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Messaging is Everything, Beltway Briefing

The Harris-Walz campaign has focused heavily on one message: vote against Trump. Will relying solely on an anti-Trump message carry enough weight to win this time? Will voters cast their ballots based on their real interests — or merely the perception of those interests? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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