Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (11/15)

November 15, 2024

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Lawmakers confront costly choices as state workers rally for better pension benefits

“At issue are concerns over reforms made to Illinois’ beleaguered pension system in 2011. Workers hired after that date were placed into a “Tier 2” system that offered reduced benefits. The overall goal of creating the “Tier 2” plan was to shrink a pension debt that now runs to $141 billion,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois lawmakers discuss bill prohibiting carbon capture near major water source

“Legislation to prohibit carbon capture and sequestration activities near a sole-source aquifer supplying drinking water to over 500,000 residents across 14 counties in Illinois is causing a stir in Springfield,” by The Center Square. 

Senate GOP sounds alarm on impending projected $3.2 billion budget deficit – though it still might be early to do so, Dems counter

“Upon their return to Springfield early this week, Illinois Senate Republicans voiced concerns about the state’s looming $3.2 billion budget deficit projection,” by The Daily Line.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

City Council unanimously rejects property tax increase proposal as mayor says he will ‘not negotiate my values’

“The City Council voted down Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $300 million property tax increase proposal at a special meeting Thursday, meaning the city will have to find other ways to close a $982.4 million budget gap,” by The Daily Line.

Mayor Brandon Johnson makes no promises after warnings over proposed police reform cuts

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday pushed back on criticism that his Chicago police budget plan endangers the department’s compliance with the federal consent decree, despite dire warnings from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the court-ordered independent monitor,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Top mayoral aide says ‘worldview’ has changed since she openly pushed to defund police

“Three members of Mayor Johnson’s City Council leadership team had demanded that Kennedy Bartley, chief external affairs officer, be fired for calling police “f—ing pigs” and talking openly about defunding police in a series of podcast interviews before taking her city job,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Will Chicago arts scene see a funding boost next year from City Hall?

“Arts advocates are looking closely at next year’s department of cultural affairs budget amid an uncertain time for cultural institutions nationwide,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: What Makes this Time Different

 The second Trump term will be very different from the first. President-elect Trump and his team will enter office more prepared to enact much of their agenda through an aggressive expansion of executive power.

With the Senate majority set to flip, the Senate GOP caucus will hold its own leadership elections tomorrow to determine which lawmakers will steer Trump’s agenda through the upper chamber.

With Trump’s return to the Oval Office, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) job will get a bit easier, but it still won’t be easy.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Trump’s Return: The Power of Listening in Politics

On Tuesday, voters sent a clear message to Washington: the country is on the wrong track, and they’re looking for solutions in an ever-changing world. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, Julia Hammond, and Meagan Foster.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing 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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