Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (10/22)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker talks city budget, Bears stadium with Chicago business and civic leaders 

“Gov. JB Pritzker discussed plans for economic growth in Chicago at a fireside chat Tuesday with business and civic leaders, saying he opposes a proposed head tax on employees of large businesses,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

Republican race for Illinois governor already spiraling downward over questionable campaign tactics

“The devolution of Illinois’ Republican Party continued Tuesday as a candidate for governor refused to denounce two political operatives tied to a right-wing fake newspaper website that published a story containing an internet link detailing salacious allegations against a rival, while a new candidate emerged with a controversial background as a gambling mogul,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Trump administration slams Illinois, says National Guard power is solely president’s

“The Trump administration today fired back at Illinois and Chicago in a U.S. Supreme Court reply brief, calling one of their key arguments “outlandish” and saying the question of whether to call up the National Guard is ‘committed exclusively to the president’s discretion,’” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Illinois counties split on handling delinquent tax sales after Supreme Court rebuke

“Two and a half years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Illinois and other states take an unconstitutional route to collecting delinquent property taxes, five suburban counties are going ahead with their sales of unpaid taxes this fall,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

State election board deadlocked on $10M campaign fine against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon 

“The Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked Tuesday on whether to slap a nearly $10 million fine on Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s political committee for allegedly accepting donations beyond campaign financing limits,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Wary aldermen begin Chicago budget talks as Gov. JB Pritzker says he opposes head tax 

“That challenge only grew more complicated away from council chambers when Gov. JB Pritzker came out in opposition to the reinstated $21-per-employee ‘head tax’ on larger businesses that Johnson has proposed to raise an estimated $100 million to help balance the budget,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Record $1B TIF surplus emerges as key point of friction in Mayor Johnson’s proposed 2026 budget 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused Tuesday of proposing a $1 billion tax increment financing surplus to bail out the Chicago Public Schools at the expense of neighborhood improvement projects, a move roundly condemned by City Council members,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

City Council grills Johnson team on head tax, new revenue plans 

“Facing a wary City Council, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team signaled today it’s willing to scale back the city’s revived corporate head tax — even as it defended the levy as crucial to closing a $1.2 billion budget gap,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

City pursuing the idea of installing slot machines at O’Hare and Midway airports, Council members told 

“Chicago is actively pursuing the possibility of installing slot machines at O’Hare and Midway Airports — and Bally’s has identified a site for those machines at Midway, a top mayoral aide disclosed Tuesday,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

Ald. Jessie Fuentes files claim for $100K in damages after ICE arrest at Humboldt Health Hospital 

“Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, who represents the city’s 26th Ward, has filed a federal claim against the government for damages after she was arrested by a federal agent at Humboldt Health Hospital earlier this month,” by CBS News.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Next Month’s Preview of Next Year’s Midterms

Voters head to the polls to elect governors in Virginia and New Jersey next month, the highest-profile races before next year’s midterm elections. 

The latest flare-up between the US and China highlights the ever-present instability in the relationship that will make securing a comprehensive agreement between the world’s two largest economies difficult, even if President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting later this month occurs without incident. 

With China flexing its advantage in critical minerals in trade talks underscoring dependence on them, the US as well as private companies are seeking to mitigate China’s leverage here. 

Beltway Briefing: Trump’s Global Footprint & America’s Shutdown

From hostage negotiations in the Middle East and peace talks in Ukraine to strikes on suspected cartel vessels off Venezuela’s coast, President Trump appears active on virtually every major global front. Yet as the government shutdown grinds on at home, the question remains: when will he weigh in and push to bring it to an end? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin here.

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