Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (2/10)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Judge declines to extend ‘swipe fee’ injunction to credit unions, applies it to out-of-state banks 

“A federal judge on Thursday declined to issue an injunction to stop an Illinois law that bans certain credit card fees from applying to credit unions while extending its previous injunction to apply to out-of-state banks,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois and 21 other states file lawsuit challenging ‘devastating’ cuts to federal health research funding 

“Illinois is co-leading a lawsuit filed by 22 states Monday challenging a Trump administration plan to limit certain types of federal grant payments for health research — an action the states say could be “devastating” but that the federal government says will ensure money goes toward research and not administrative costs,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Gov. Pritzker signs Karina’s Bill into law, aiming to remove firearms from those accused of abuse 

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed Karina’s Bill into law Monday, a measure that requires law enforcement officers to promptly remove firearms from those accused of abuse,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Illinois braces for impact of new and potential tariffs: ‘Who will feel the consequences? Everyday Americans.’ 

“The new tariff on China will take a toll on trade between Illinois and China. It could really complicate matters for farmers in the state, who worry more retaliatory tariffs could be placed on the agricultural products they export if the nations’ trade war escalates,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Behind-the-scenes staff acrimony mirrors public tension between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker 

“Hours before Gov. JB Pritzker suffered a rare defeat in Springfield over a hemp bill opposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, the governor’s chief of staff withdrew from a short-lived effort to convene with Chicago and Cook County counterparts to plan for President Donald Trump’s second term,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Teachers Union rejects neutral arbitrator recommendations for a new contract 

“A neutral arbitrator recommended Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union agree to a new contract that includes, among other things, annual raises between 4% and 5%, 90 new librarians hired by 2029, and more family engagement coordinators,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Months After Axing ShotSpotter, City Seeks Proposals For ‘Gun Violence’ Detection System 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is seeking proposals from vendors for “gun violence detection technology,” just a few months after the city canceled its long-running contract with ShotSpotter parent company SoundThinking,” by Block Club Chicago.

$1.25M settlement to family of Dexter Reed stalls in City Council committee amid heavy opposition

“Amid heavy opposition, a City Council committee on Monday did not vote on a controversial $1.25 million settlement that would have compensated the family of Dexter Reed, who was shot to death by police officers after Reed shot and wounded one of them during a traffic stop,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Bally’s IPO for women and minorities can go through, judge rules 

“A federal judge has refused to block the Bally’s Chicago initial public offering of a 25% stake to women and minority investors, saying a challenge to the IPO on race-discrimination grounds was unlikely to succeed,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

SEIU ‘under attack’ from CTU, union says 

“Two of the unions that helped get Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson elected are now at odds. The Service Employees International Union said it’s under attack by the Chicago Teachers Union,” by ABC 7 Chicago.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – How Trump Trumps

The Trump administration is stretching the limits of presidential power. Though the White House has hit some roadblocks, it is making progress in disrupting how the federal government works.

Many of President Trump’s threatened tariffs are being used as leverage to achieve other policy goals. But some are the policy goals themselves and can’t be negotiated away.

In an expansive interpretation of presidential power, the Trump administration previewed its plans to cut federal spending through budget impoundment in an Office of Management and Budget memo early last week.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Federal Agencies Under Siege?

The Trump administration has frozen federal government operations and is systematically dismantling agencies, sometimes acting as a wrecking ball and other times using a strategy of gradual erosion. Will Congress step up to check the executive, or continue to rely on the courts? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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