Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (12/11)

December 11, 2024

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov JB Pritzker appoints former Chicago transportation official to head IDOT

“Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced that he has appointed former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transportation chief as the state’s secretary of transportation,” by The Chicago Tribune.

Illinois pensions face near-record $144B funding hole — but show some signs of progress

“Despite a roaring stock market and a sharp increase in state contributions, Illinois government-worker pension funds are swimming in a near-record amount of red ink,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Conversations continue between Illinois agriculture officials, industrial hemp stakeholders regarding testing rule changes

“After Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) leaders previously clarified the department’s proposed changes to Illinois hemp testing and licensing rules are not meant to regulate the sale of hemp-derived products, legislators briefly revisited the issue during their Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meeting Tuesday in Chicago.” by The Daily Line.

Welch, Harmon tell Bears, Sox to look elsewhere as tough budget year looms

“With the state facing one of its toughest budgets in recent memory as the last of pandemic-relief money fades away, legislative leaders are practicing how to say no. That starts with the Chicago Bears and the White Sox, each of which are looking for state money to build new stadiums,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson $17.3B budget and $68.5M property tax hike squeak through committees

“The Finance Committee’s 14-12 vote and Budget Committee’s 17-to-16 vote set the stage for the marathon budget stalemate to end Friday, averting what might have been Chicago’s first budget shutdown,” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

CPS School Board is not expected to act on CEO Pedro Martinez’s contract on Thursday

“The Board of Education has not scheduled a vote to fire or otherwise push out Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez this week, which threatens to prolong the drama around his job status through the holidays and into the new year,” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

Training for newly-elected Board of Education members postponed without explanation

“Some newly elected school board members told the Tribune on Tuesday that next week’s training sessions — scheduled to prepare them to join the Chicago Board of Education — were abruptly postponed without explanation,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago City Hall evacuated due to fire, officials say

“Chicago City Hall and the County Building were evacuated Wednesday after a fire broke out in the records storage area,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: America First 2.0

President-elect Trump is likely to use tariffs as a means to an end in many cases, but some of his tariffs will actually be the end in themselves this time around.

Trump is doubling down on his commitment to “America First” principles but he will enter office amid a far more complex geopolitical environment than when he first became president.

With China sinking to the US’s third-largest trading partner, the US relationship with Canada and Mexico is arguably more important in the second Trump administration than the first, particularly ahead of planned trade negotiations in 2026.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Move Fast and Break Things

What will Trump 2.0 look like? Central to the incoming administration’s vision is the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), designed to streamline federal operations and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks. What challenges could derail these ambitions? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

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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