Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (10/18)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Huge stacks of cash give Illinois Democrats advantage in final weeks of campaign

“Fall quarterly financial reports continued to confirm an ongoing trend in Illinois politics: despite Republicans’ best efforts, Democrats have virtually unlimited resources thanks to a multi-million-dollar cash advantage,” by The Daily Line.

Cannabis sales revenue drops for the first time

“Statewide marijuana sales revenue dropped 2% in September, the first year-over-year decline since recreational cannabis became legal four years ago,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

You Can Now Renew Your Driver’s License at The Grocery Store

“The Secretary of State pilot program, rolling out in 15 Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, Kroger and Meijer stores, lets Illinois residents renew their driver’s licenses and vehicle registration in as little as two minutes,” by Block Club Chicago.

CHICAGO

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez speaks to City Council’s education committee on CPS budget solutions 

On October 16th, the City Council Committee on Education and Child Development heard from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez on his recommendations to fix CPS’ budget deficit. Outgoing members of the CPS Board of Education and new Board of Education members were invited to the committee hearing; however, no board members were present in the committee hearing.

During the six-hour hearing Martinez recommends that the city declare $1 billion in tax increment financing (TIF) surplus and allocate $484 million in TIF funds to the school district to meet the costs. Martinez argued that CPS needs the surplus to cover the cost of a $175 million pension payment for nonteacher school staff and an estimated $150 million for a new collective bargaining agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union and a new school principals union.

Members of the committee expressed frustration with the lack of planning from CPS to address the post-pandemic budget shortfall. Federal pandemic relief funds were spent on COVID relief money for staff. Martinez argued that federal relief for staff was needed to help staff better support students during the pandemic.

Martinez made a call for members of city council to advocate for more funding from members of the General Assembly in Springfield. He advocated for state legislation that would allow CPS to pursue taxes through ballot referendums for repairing and renovating school buildings.

Mayor Johnson’s budget speech is scheduled for October 30th,  with department hearings to be scheduled from November 6th to the 20th.

MORE FROM CITY HALL

News in brief: Assessor releases results of North Chicago Township reassessment; Pedestrian and Traffic Safety committee to consider speed limit reduction proposal

“The Cook County assessor released the latest information about the triennial reassessment of Chicago Thursday, and alderpeople next week will consider a proposal to lower Chicago’s default speed limit,” by The Daily Line.

In race for Cook County’s top prosecutor, it’s Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke vs. Republican Robert Fioretti

“Burke is a former prosecutor, law division judge and appellate court justice. Fioretti last ran for the office as a Democrat in a failed bid to unseat State’s Attorney Kim Foxx during the 2020 primary,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

Biden puts Mayor Johnson on faster timetable to replace Chicago’s toxic lead water pipes

“The cost to replace 400,000 lead service lines will be more than $14 billion. The Johnson administration and Council members say the city doesn’t have the money. Chicago has more lead service lines than any other U.S. city,” by the Chicago Sun Times

Less than a year after construction, city spends $27K to change long-contentious Lincoln Park bike project

“A Lincoln Park bike installation that became a flashpoint for neighborhood tensions that can surround cycling projects has been partly revamped, less than a year after it opened,” by the Chicago Tribune.

DNC’s impact on Chicago economy was $371 million, new convention report says

“The Democratic National Convention in Chicago generated $371 million in economic impact for the city and $28.7 million in state and local tax revenue, according to an economic study released Thursday,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

All Geopolitics Are Local

The presidential election will be decided on domestic issues, but Vice President Harris and former President Trump are still touting their foreign policy platforms as they seek to woo voters.

In America, the two parties are divided on whether to join the electric vehicle transition but are united against Chinese imports. In the European Union, the situation is exactly reversed.

Former President Trump, Vice President Harris, and members of Congress have proposed no shortage of new tax benefits as they seek to curry favor with voters, but revenue offsets are in far shorter supply.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Messaging Is Everything

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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