Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (2/24)

February 24, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker proposes $500M to turn state properties into development-ready sites 

“A $500 million proposal by Gov. JB Pritzker to turn state-owned properties into shovel-ready real estate projects is part of a proposed $55.2 billion spending plan unveiled Wednesday,” by the Chicago Business Journal.

Black, Latino lawmakers criticize Pritzker’s proposed budget

“Majority Party Democrats had mixed reactions to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday, with leadership in the General Assembly offering praise amid criticisms from members of the legislature’s Black and Latino caucuses,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois schools chief tells districts to follow state law, not Trump threats 

“Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders told school districts to continue teaching Black, Asian American, and LGBT history, and to provide education to students regardless of their citizenship status as required by state law,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Illinois expanded tax credits for some workers and families but the money isn’t being claimed, experts say 

“Illinois expanded its earned income tax credit in 2024, giving low- to moderate-income workers a bigger break on their 2023 state income tax filing. But many taxpayers who receive the federal EITC are unaware that the state program exists. Workers who qualify for the federal EITC generally qualify for the Illinois EITC, since the requirements are similar,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Illinois innovation grants invest $2.3 million to pair tech startups with universities 

“A statewide program is giving out $2.3 million in innovation grants in an effort to further grow Illinois as a national tech hub. The Innovation Voucher Program aims to promote research and development partnerships between small- and midsized businesses and the state’s higher education institutions,” by the Chicago Business Journal.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Critics stall final vote on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $830 million bond issue for infrastructure projects 

“Following a heated debate, opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to issue $830 million in bonds to fund various infrastructure projects stalled a final vote on Wednesday over objections to its 30-year repayment schedule,” by CBS Chicago.

State cracks down on Chicago gas utility as other utilities ask for rate increase 

“State regulators on Thursday ordered Chicago’s natural gas utility, Peoples Gas, to abandon its approach to a long-beleaguered pipeline replacement program. Consumer advocates praised the decision, but the company said the decision could cost customers,” by Capitol News Illinois.

City touts mission to target employee ties to hate groups; community demands police be the priority 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new task force focused on digging into extremism among employees was met with fierce demands for fast, decisive action at a Sunday town hall after months of pressure from the city’s watchdog and progressives to root out such elements, specifically among Chicago police,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Metra paid a law firm over $1.5M for an internal investigation that it won’t release, raising transparency questions 

“Metra hired a team of outside lawyers, who worked more than seven months, to conduct an internal investigation that cost the agency nearly $1.57 million. But the outcome of the 2023 investigation remains shrouded, after the rail agency refused to make public reports or memos produced by the law firm, McGuireWoods,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Parents Defending Education challenges Chicago district’s Black Student Success Plan as discriminatory 

“An out-of-state advocacy group filed a federal antidiscrimination complaint challenging Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan the day after the district released its long-awaited blueprint,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Sausage-making Process of the GOP’s Big, Beautiful Bill 

Republicans’ legislative agenda is plodding along, as they seek to reach intra-party agreement on the fiscal contours of their reconciliation package.

President Trump, new agency leadership, and congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork to provide the regulatory clarity the crypto industry has long sought.

Once esoteric issues of corporate law have even fallen into the ever-expanding circle of partisanship, leading some notable firms to reincorporate in Texas from Delaware.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Where are the Democrats?

President Trump appears to be following through on his promises, while the Democratic Party seems unprepared to effectively counter his actions. The question arises: who will step forward as the leader to challenge this trajectory? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Kyle Anderson.

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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