Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (12/3)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker signs bill allowing Illinois to issue state-specific vaccine guidelines

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Tuesday that he said will protect Illinois residents from ‘junk science’ undermining evidence-based vaccine regulations at the federal level,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

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Pritzker calls $75M Northwestern settlement ‘capitulating’ to Trump

“Gov. JB Pritzker criticized Northwestern University’s $75 million settlement with the Trump administration as ‘capitulating to extortion,’” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Ray LaHood, former GOP congressman and Obama’s transportation secretary, named head of Edgar Fellows program

“Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood has been named to lead the Edgar Fellows program, which promotes bipartisan leadership in Illinois government. He succeeds its founder, the late Gov. Jim Edgar,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

Illinois officials warn rental car companies that it is illegal for immigration agents to swap license plates  

“Illinois state officials have given national rental car companies official notice that immigration enforcement agents using their vehicles are not allowed to swap the rental’s assigned license plates for other plates to disguise the vehicles, and if they do, the rental car companies could be held liable,” by NBC News.  

Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Homeland Security regarding U.S. citizens caught up in immigration raids

“But that is false, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a six-page letter to Noem that demands answers about the department’s detention of U.S. citizens and cites Chicago Tribune reporting,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Aldermen call for garbage fee and liquor tax increases instead of corporate head tax

“A City Council majority came out with a budget plan Tuesday that raises garbage collection fees and liquor taxes while eliminating Mayor Brandon Johnson’s corporate head tax entirely for 2026, hours after he delivered a stinging rebuke to opponents of his controversial levy proposal,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

City committee approves controversial hemp ban

“Despite opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson, local entrepreneurs and the hospitality industry, a City Council committee advanced a measure today that could effectively ban intoxicating hemp products in Chicago by the end of the year,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

Mayor Brandon Johnson makes emotional plea for embattled corporate head tax proposal

“His voice breaking with emotion, Mayor Brandon Johnson tried again Tuesday to salvage a corporate head tax proposal shot down by the City Council’s Finance Committee and roundly condemned by business leaders,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins to introduce revised teen curfew proposal for downtown Chicago

“Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) said the revised curfew proposal is still being drafted and could be completed by the end of the week. He said the new draft will come with some compromises from the version that was vetoed by Johnson last summer,” by CBS News. 

Budget Woes: Mayor, Council Clash Over Programs That Feds Once Paid for That Johnson Wants to Keep — on The City’s Tab 

“As city leaders scramble to close a $1.2 billion budget gap, Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to preserve multiple city programs that were created by or expanded through federal pandemic rescue money, arguing they’re effective and have contributed to the city’s sharp drop in crime,” by the Illinois Answers Project. 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Trump Blames the Message But Not the Messenger

Democrats’ electoral success last month has put increased attention on the affordability issue facing voters and raised questions about what President Trump and Republicans will do, but so far, the indications are that the main emphasis will be on adjusting the message rather than policy. 

Lawmakers are racing to make up for lost time in negotiations over full-year government spending bills as the January 30th deadline to fund the federal government through the end of FY26 rapidly approaches. 

Congress is expected to pass the National Defense Authorization Act by year-end and the legislation presents an opportunity for other bills to hitch a ride and become law as amendments. Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: In-Conversation: Steve Kornacki on Data, Democracy, and Decoding America’s Elections

Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst of NBC News, joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation about how data shapes America’s understanding of politics—and even sports. From the Democratic sweep in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York to long-term voter realignment, Kornacki breaks down what the numbers reveal about turnout, trust, and the future of American democracy. Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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