Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (11/6)

November 6, 2023

ILLINOIS

Rulemaking filed for Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act

The Illinois Department of Labor has issued the first notice of rulemaking for the Paid Leave for All Workers Act.

The JCAR Flinn report can be found here. The full rulemaking can be found here.

AROUND THE STATE

Lawmakers returning for final 2023 session days with unresolved issues waiting

“A quiet first week of veto session last month has left many top issues unresolved as lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday for the final three days of session this year. [Issues include the  Invest in Kids scholarship tax credit, Pritzker’s veto of a bill that would lift the state’s ban on new nuclear reactor construction, Chicago elected school board maps, and legislation that aims to take guns from those accused of domestic violence],” by The Daily Line.

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban

“In a 2-1 ruling Friday, a federal appeals court declined to block enforcement of the state’s assault weapon ban as well as similar local ordinances, saying the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution are not absolute,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Gov. Pritzker, IDPH Announce $3.5M to Boost Mental Health Services for Youth Across Illinois

“Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the State of Illinois has awarded $3.5 million in funding to 19 different applicants across the state to support post-pandemic child and adolescent health,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

Illinois Department of Insurance fines Blue Cross Blue Shield again for violating the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act

“The state agency previously fined Blue Cross Blue Shield in March more than half a million dollars for violating laws related to network adequacy. Agency officials say they have fined the company an additional $231,900 because Blue Cross Blue Shield has delayed implementing changes to their provider directories to address the network adequacy violations from the first fine,” by WCIA.

Cook County Health data breach exposes personal information of 1.2M patients

“An unauthorized individual in April accessed computer systems of a third-party provider previously contracted by Cook County Health,” by NBC 5 Chicago.

CHICAGO

Ald. Ramirez-Rosa steps down as mayor’s City Council floor leader, Zoning chair after chaos erupts at special City Council meeting

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) announced Monday morning he is resigning from his posts as Mayor Johnson’s Council floor leader and as chair of the City Council’s Zoning Committee effective December 1, to “allow time for an effective transition.”

His resignation follows a chaotic special City Council meeting Thursday that was called by five alderpeople to attempt to force a vote on whether a referendum should be added to the March primary ballot asking Chicago voters if the city should remain a sanctuary city.

The Black Caucus issued a statement Saturday describing Ramirez-Rosa’s actions as “bullying” and calling for him to be stripped of his leadership positions.

MORE FROM CITY HALL

2024 budget ordinances to begin making their way through committees Monday

“Chicago’s proposed budget is made up of several separate ordinances detailing how the city will bring in revenue via tools like fines and fees and how it will spend the money it has. Members of two City Council committees are set to take initial votes on the various budget ordinances Monday. The City Council Committee on Finance will meet first at 10 a.m. The Committee on Budget and Government Operations is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m.,” by The Daily Line.

Jury selection begins as Ed Burke, ‘figurehead of the old regime,’ faces historic corruption trial

“Burke is charged with racketeering, bribery and extortion in a case that has been pending nearly five years,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Environment committee to hold hearing on Peoples Gas rate hike request

The City Council Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy will meet Monday for a subject matter hearing on the effect a proposed rate hike from Peoples Gas Company would have on city residents. The environment committee, which kicks off its meeting at 10 a.m. in Room 201A at City Hall, will also consider two ordinances. The first concerns the removal of the Carnotite Moratorium Area from city code, and the second ordinance would formalize a system for complaints about private hauling firms that handle recyclable materials or other waste that is not handled by the city,” by The Daily Line.

Chicago to get $336 million loan from EPA to replace 30,000 lead water pipes

“Combined with a required city match of roughly the same amount, to be financed with general obligation bonds, an estimated 30,000 of the city’s 400,000 lead service lines will be replaced during the next three years,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Nikki Haley: A 2024 GOP Alternative?

As the new speaker moves forward with an Israeli aid package, antisemitism is spreading across the globe. Meanwhile in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Donald Trump’s façade begins to crumble under the weight of mounting indictments, positioning Nikki Haley as a formidable alternative to the former president. Featuring CPS’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Listen to the full Beltway Briefing here.


If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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