Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (3/17)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois eyes taxing drivers by the mile rather than by the gallon of gas 

“Under proposed legislation, Illinois would explore the viability of reducing reliance on the state’s gas tax by putting in place a “road usage charge,” essentially a tax on the number of miles driven,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Illinois lawmakers weigh new proposal to set guardrails around AI 

“Illinois educators are asking state lawmakers to create guidelines around the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, as AI-powered tools are becoming a part of our daily lives,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Illinois Attorney General settles its lawsuit against a company that published personal information of hundreds of thousands of Illinois voters

“A publishing company sued by Democratic Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul for improperly publicizing personal dates of birth and home addresses for hundreds of thousands of voters has settled the case without admitting criminal wrongdoing,” by WBEZ Chicago.

USDA cuts $26.3 million grant for Illinois schools, child care centers to purchase food from local farmers 

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled a $26.3 million federal grant that would have helped Illinois K-12 schools and child care centers purchase food from local farmers for school meals and snacks, the Illinois State Board of Education said Wednesday,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Lawmakers mull betting on internet gambling while existing industry warns it’ll fold 

“Some lawmakers are pushing for Illinois to join eight other states that have legalized internet gambling, also known as iGaming. It’s a tempting possibility in a year when the state is facing a possible budget deficit and uncertainty about normally solid sources of federal funding as President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are cheering for cuts,” by Capitol News Illinois.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

City Hall officials push Chicago Board of Education to refinance debt, pay pension reimbursement 

“Chicago aldermen and City Hall officials suggested the city could withhold other funding for Chicago Public Schools if the new school board doesn’t reimburse the city $175 million to cover a portion of a pension payment for some school staff,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Cook County assessor fixes hundreds of misclassified properties following Tribune-Illinois Answers investigation

“Nearly half a billion dollars in taxable real estate value has been added onto the Cook County rolls after the county assessor fixed hundreds of mistakes identified in an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project and Chicago Tribune,” by the Chicago Tribune.

City clerk wants closer scrutiny of CTA, CPS, Chicago’s other sister agencies 

“City Clerk Anna Valencia has joined forces with Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) on a resolution directing the Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Operations to create a subcommittee charged with ‘examining the process for appointing board members at sister agencies and establishing best practices relating to transparency, accountability and the democratic process,’” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago-area housing organizations see HUD grants abruptly cut or in limbo

“Chicago-area housing organizations are facing funding cuts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with some recently receiving termination notices for grants while others are in limbo as they wait for overdue contracts or to see what happens with expected awards,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Johnson and other big-city mayors asked to meet with DOJ task force on antisemitism    

“Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with mayors from three other major U.S. cities, is being asked to meet with the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism to discuss the city’s response to alleged incidents of antisemitism in schools and on college campuses,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Regulatory State(s)

The Trump administration marks a departure from the high-water mark of federal regulation under former President Biden, leaving a regulatory vacuum for the states.

The Trump administration is scrutinizing government contractors amid efforts to reduce government spending. However, not all contracts are equally at risk, and some other reforms being pursued could create new opportunities for contractors.

The GOP is looking to reform Medicaid without cutting beneficiary benefits to significantly help pay for its massive tax cuts package. The political and practical challenge is that many of the reforms under discussion would ultimately affect benefits and available services, and because of this will be politically difficult.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Fast and Furious Tariffs

Both the Republican and Democratic parties have consistently failed to meaningfully address the growing national debt and deficit across multiple administrations. Has this ongoing fiscal neglect paved the way for movements like MAGA to present alternative solutions aimed at restoring economic competitiveness? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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