Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (10/16)

ILLINOIS              

AROUND THE STATE

Panel discusses proposals to shore up Illinois’ unfunded pension liability

“The Better Government Association hosted a pension roundtable in Chicago Tuesday to take up ideas to address Illinois’ $140 billion unfunded liability,” by The Center Square.

Senate wraps up months of hearings on transit reform

“The committee held six hearings since July focused on different aspects and purposes of public transportation and heard upwards of 24 hours of testimony. While the first five hearings focused on issues pertaining to Chicago-area public transportation and were held around northeast Illinois, the committee wrapped up Tuesday focusing on downstate,” by The Daily Line.

Gun violence, public corruption top issues for Cook County state’s attorney candidates

“Combating gun violence and prosecuting public corruption are among the top priorities for Cook County state’s attorney candidates Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke, a retired appellate court judge, and Republican Bob Fioretti, a former Chicago alderman,” by The Daily Herald.

Greenwood hoping to win back seat after unexpected 2022 loss to Rep. Schmidt

“Schmidt won 2022’s contest by about 2,000 votes after Greenwood had already served two terms in Springfield and rose to a leadership position,” by The Daily Line.

Jury selection enters second week in landmark Madigan corruption case

“U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey had initially planned to have opening statements Tuesday, but the unexpectedly slow pace of jury selection has put proceedings about a week behind schedule. Opening statements may not be given until Monday,” by The Chicago Tribune.

Nov. 5 referendums in Chicago’s suburbs: School building projects, backyard chickens and even a roundabout

“About two dozen government bodies in Chicago’s suburbs will ask voters for more money or other changes in the Nov. 5 election. The referendums cover a range of issues from $420 million in school improvements in Naperville and Aurora to whether to allow backyard chickens in Thornton,” by Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez speaks before City Council committee on budget

“CPS CEO Pedro Martinez is speaking before Council members in an Education Committee hearing to discuss the district’s budget,” by ABC7Chicago

Civic Federation calls on mayor to avoid raising property taxes

“Mayor Brandon Johnson should consider every option to avoid raising property taxes to close a $982 million budget gap for 2025, including hiking sin taxes, raising fees on garbage collection, implementing employee furloughs and putting a pause on making an advanced pension payment, according to the Civic Federation,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mag Mile offices would become residences under developer’s proposal

“The North Michigan Avenue conversion would add more than 300 apartments — including affordable housing — to a stretch of Chicago that is seeing more office vacancies,” by Chicago Tribune.

Bally’s Chicago casino enters 2nd year on the rise, but behind projections in loaded Illinois market

“State revenue analysts remain bullish on the future Chicago casino’s prospects, but it’s not clear just how big the windfall could be in a state with 15 other casinos and a litany of other gambling options,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

4-way Chicago Board of Education race in Far North Side district features candidates with 6-figure coffers

“Ebony DeBerry, Maggie Cullerton Hooper, Kate Doyle and Bruce Leon are competing to represent District 2 on the partially elected Chicago Board of Education next year. District 2 includes the North Side neighborhoods of Edgewater, West Ridge, Albany Park, Rogers Park, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Peterson Park and Budlong Woods,” by The Daily Line.

Greyhound Extending Lease at Downtown Station Just As It Was Set To Close

“Greyhound will continue operating out of its Downtown terminal temporarily, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday — just days before the bus line was expected to vacate the facility,” by The Daily Line.

City Hall may have disqualified itself from getting millions in federal housing dollars

“The city of Chicago may have made itself ineligible for $7 million in federal housing dollars it applied for last week, because of a long-standing legal battle over housing for people with disabilities,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

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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