Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (2/12)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Civic Federation Says Illinois Should Extend Sales Tax to Services to Help Bridge $3B Budget Deficit

“Illinois should extend its sales tax to services like haircuts, dry cleaning and plumbing, the nonpartisan Civic Federation recommended in a report out Wednesday — a week before Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to share his much-anticipated budget proposal,” by WTTW.

Lawsuits with Trump administration stretching Illinois attorney general’s resources 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced this week he has joined yet another multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time over its decision to slash funding for university research grants through the National Institutes of Health,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois Realtors unveils legislative agenda aimed at easing housing shortage 

“With housing costs rising sharply in recent years, a statewide real estate industry group has unveiled a package of five legislative proposals aimed at easing the burden on buyers and renters,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

With Madigan conviction and feds on the line, are Illinois politicians getting the message?

“The feds are listening. That’s the message Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu sent last month during Michael J. Madigan’s trial as lawyers discussed a wiretapped call Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman had with disgraced former Ald. Danny Solis,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Illinois halts poultry exhibitions, sale events over bird flu concerns 

“The Illinois Department of Agriculture is issuing a 30-day suspension effective Tuesday, February 11, 2025, on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu,” by NPR Illinois.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Michael Madigan found guilty of bribery conspiracy as jury renders partial verdict 

“Jurors found Michael Madigan guilty of bribery conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud in a partial mixed verdict rendered this morning after two weeks of deliberations in the former Illinois House speaker’s high-profile corruption trial,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Johnson warns of City Hall housecleaning triggered by disloyalty: ‘If you ain’t with us, you gotta go’ 

“Johnson’s ominous warning that heads are about to roll before the midpoint of his term came during an appearance Monday night at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 754 E. 77th St. It was the first in a series of appearances Johnson is calling his “Faith in Government” initiative,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Finance Committee signs off on Johnson’s $830 million general obligation bond issue

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to issue $830 million worth of general obligation bonds to bankroll a year’s worth of capital projects cleared a City Council committee Monday amid questions about borrowing that much money when federal funding is at risk and the impact of the city’s recently reduced-bond rating,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago scaling back its vision for a city-owned grocery store 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration announced in 2023 its ambitions to open a municipally owned grocery store in Chicago. It has since scaled back that vision and now intends to open a city-supported public market, according to the Chicago Tribune,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Transportation committee approves changes to ban on parking cars solely for sale purposes, delays vote on measure to require nominees to lead CTA to testify 

“The City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way on Tuesday delayed a vote on an ordinance that would require the nominees to lead the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to testify before the transportation committee before starting their roles,” by The Daily Line.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Elon Everywhere All at Once

Elon Musk, leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, is moving quickly to reshape the federal government. His purchase and transformation of Twitter, now X, provides a template.

Musk is also leading the charge for the executive branch to cut back on government spending. Still, there are limits to what he can achieve despite having strong internal allies like Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought.

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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