Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (12/13)

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

State agrees to drop enforcement of law aimed at anti-abortion clinics accused of deception

“The state has agreed to drop enforcement of a law backers said was aimed at deterring deceptive practices by anti-abortion pregnancy centers following a legal challenge by anti-abortion groups,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Gov. Pritzker Celebrates mHUB Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

“Governor JB Pritzker joined mHUB leadership, local elected officials, business leaders, and members of Illinois’ entrepreneurial community to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of mHUB’s new headquarters,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

Oversight committee continues to consider assault weapons registration rules

“The Illinois State Police (ISP) have made several changes to the agency’s rules for the assault weapons registration process in response to feedback at public hearings while a legislative oversight committee plans to make a final decision about the rules next month. The committee decided not to adopt the rules on Tuesday and will consider them at the committee’s next meeting on Jan. 16,” by The Daily Line.

Pappas posts Cook County property tax bills online

“Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posted the first round of next year’s county property tax bills on her office’s website, letting taxpayers find out how much they’ll owe more than two months before the March 1 due date, a big change from previous years’ delays,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Illinois awarded $52.8 million for Bloomington project to improve rural transportation and mobility

“The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that it has received a $52.8 million federal grant to rebuild Illinois 9 in Bloomington as part of a new federal program to increase mobility, improve safety and generate regional economic growth in rural areas,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

Mayor signs EO to streamline approval of housing and commercial development 

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Monday aimed at making the process for obtaining city approvals related to commercial and residential developments more efficient.

According to a news release from the mayor’s office, the executive order “requires 14 City departments to evaluate their existing processes and propose solutions that facilitate development by removing bottlenecks and accelerating review and approval timelines.”

The Executive Order will also: (1) Require relevant departments to submit a report within 90 days to Deputy Mayor of Business and Neighborhood Development Kenya Merritt on proposed changes to streamline processes and incentivize commercial and housing development; and (2) Establish a Director of Process Improvement in the Mayor’s Office tasked with managing implementation across City departments and sister agencies.

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

City’s paid leave policy delayed by six month

“Without a word of debate, the City Council officially delayed implementation of Chicago’s new sweeping paid leave policy by six months on Wednesday. The six-month delay will help ensure businesses have a longer lead time to understand and comply with the new provisions in the ordinance before potentially running afoul of the rules,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Police contract approved, arbitrator’s disciplinary ruling rejected at another stormy City Council meeting

“Mayor Brandon Johnson was forced to call for a recess after public observers gathered in the third-floor gallery overlooking the City Council chambers banged on the glass and shouted from their seats,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The City Council will revisit migrant issues that sparked chaos in October

“After failing to reach a compromise meant to simmer down tensions that have repeatedly boiled over in the City Council in recent months, a special meeting has been called for Thursday that may again ratchet up the pressure over the city’s migrant response,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Brandon Johnson reverses council public seating plan that had drawn fire

“Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday shelved the city’s new policy curtailing public audience seating in City Council chambers, following outcry over the chilling effect the restrictions could pose on the openness of government proceedings,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Closed CVS In Little Village To Become State-Funded Shelter For 230 Migrants

“The city and state are working to transform the closed store at 2634 S. Pulaski Road into a shelter for families with children for six months, leaders said at a community meeting Monday night,” by Block Club Chicago.

The Civic Federation names a new chief

“Joe Ferguson, the former inspector general who investigated the city’s response to the murder of Laquan McDonald, will become president of the Civic Federation of Chicago, succeeding Laurence Msall in the watchdog role nearly a year after his death,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: It’s Still the Economy, Stupid

• As James Carville quipped in 1992, “It’s the economy, stupid.” This likely still holds true for 2024.
• Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s (R-SC) campaign for the GOP presidential nomination has been building momentum in recent weeks. But she still has considerable distance to make up between her and former President Trump.
• The Biden administration has put the fintech sector squarely in its crosshairs with proposed rulemakings from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Read the Cozen Currents article 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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