Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (10/19)

October 19, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker: Chicago’s in the mix as Bears stadium deal takes shape in Springfield 

“The state of Illinois will leave it up to the Chicago Bears to decide whether to build a stadium in the city or suburbs, but the team will have both options under a proposal being discussed ahead of the upcoming veto session of the General Assembly,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

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Handful of competitive suburban races rev up November General Assembly elections 

“A pair of suburban races for Springfield lawmakers are competitive fights heading into the Nov. 3 election, even as many incumbent politicians across the state are running unopposed,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.   

ICC approves reduced $82 million Nicor Gas rate increase reached in settlement with attorney general

“That’s because the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a settlement Thursday between Nicor Gas and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, which reduced the utility’s proposed rate increase from $221 million down to about $82 million,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Illinois medical debt relief program surpasses $1B goal in two years

“The state has erased over $1.4 billion in medical debt for almost 700,000 Illinoisans for pennies on the dollar, two years after launching a new relief program,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago mayor poll: Brandon Johnson’s approval at 22% and early excitement for Alexi Giannoulias 

“As candidates line up Monday and begin filing petitions to appear on Chicago’s Feb. 23 municipal ballot, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s bid for a second term faces strong headwinds, with Chicagoans at large disapproving of his job performance and likely voters showing little enthusiasm for him seeking reelection, a new poll found,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

Mayor’s Chicago Housing Authority board nominees defeated, stall at Council meeting

“Several of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s nominees to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners were either outright rejected or stalled at last week’s City Council meeting following concerns about the mayor stacking the board with allies who will fire the head of the agency — allegations the mayor has denied,” by The Daily Line. 

Supreme Court passes on Chicago parking-ticket case, but two justices sound alarm 

“The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to take up a challenge to the city of Chicago’s policy of immobilizing and confiscating all vehicles registered to an owner with as few as two unpaid parking tickets, with two justices expressing ‘serious concerns’ about the city’s ‘vast and lucrative’ vehicle-forfeiture system,” by the Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Giannoulias, Quigley, Wilson — But Not Johnson — Among First to File Signatures Ahead of Chicago’s February Mayoral Election 

“The first batch of candidates seeking to deny Mayor Brandon Johnson a second term each filed tens of thousands of signatures Monday to officially get on the Feb. 23 ballot, waiting in line for hours among aspiring alderpeople, staff members, lawyers and candidates for other offices,” by WTTW News.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: A Tale of Two Primaries

Vice President JD Vance has a key advantage over other potential contenders for his party’s nomination for the White House. 

By contrast, the conversation over possible Democratic presidential candidates is so wide that consensus may take a long time to emerge. 

The Senate’s unanimous passage of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act last month provides tax writers with a possible base for a year-end tax package. However, the legislation will need to compete for time with must-pass spending legislation and a national defense policy bill on a crowded lame-duck calendar. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: The Midterm Spirit

With three weeks until Election Day, the battle for control of Congress is entering its final stretch. Our team examines the closely contested Senate races, competing interpretations of the polls, and why narrow margins could extend uncertainty beyond election night. They also explore what a shift in power could mean for congressional oversight and a crowded lame-duck agenda. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer (DC), Mark Alderman (DC), and Sean Clerget (DC). Listen here.

Authors

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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