Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (3/24)

March 24, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois bill improving drinking water quality signed into law 

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to enhance the quality of public drinking water in Illinois. This law will require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to conduct statewide samplings of certain community water supplies to assess the levels of dangerous chemicals,” by WAND.

Pritzker vetoes bill that would have required warehouse workers to know their quotas 

“Gov. JB Pritzker issued a rare veto Friday of a bill that would require warehouse workers in Illinois to know quotas they must meet at their jobs,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Two Pritzker-backed proposals, including community college initiative, stalled 

“One bill would authorize community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs. The other proposal centers on reforming local government structures, particularly townships,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois 

“The study, commissioned by the state’s Capital Development Board, found that PLAs in Illinois have enhanced bid competition, helped to lower construction costs for taxpayers and increased business for firms owned by people of color, women and veterans,” by Capitol News Illinois.

How Trump administration measures have hit Chicago and Illinois 

“Over the first nine weeks of President Trump’s latest term, Chicago and Illinois institutions have emerged as prime targets for the administration’s scrutiny,” by Axios.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

CTA, Metra, Pace say they will have to cut services by 40% in 2026 if state doesn’t intervene 

“The three agencies on Friday initiated the latest in a pressure campaign on state lawmakers to appropriate more state money. The agencies face a $700 million-plus budget deficit next year when federal pandemic grant money runs out,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Brandon Johnson taps former Northwest Side alderman as Springfield lobbyist 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson has tapped former Ald. John Arena to lobby on behalf of Johnson’s administration in Springfield, providing the progressive Northwest Side politician with his second City Hall job since losing a bitter reelection fight in 2019,” by the Chicago Tribune.

City contractors give cold shoulder to Mayor Johnson’s request for 3% price cut 

“Of the 250 responses returned by the close of business Friday, 62 agreed to cut their already-negotiated prices by 3%, while 59 others rejected the mayor’s request. The remaining 129 want to have “more conversations” with Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Seven Chicago school board members say they oppose reimbursing city for disputed pension payment 

“Seven Chicago School board members say they oppose a plan to allow Chicago Public Schools to reimburse the city for a highly disputed pension payment — kneecapping for now the city’s efforts to close its budget books,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

City ordered to speed installation of signals to assist visually impaired pedestrians 

“U.S. District Judge LaShona Hunt’s has ordered the city to speed the painfully slow installation of electronic audio signals, which are now in place at just over 3% of Chicago’s 2,800 intersections,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Method to Trump’s Tariff Madness

President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have roiled the business community. However, there are likely limits to how far he is willing to push the uncertainty, while some of the more targeted measures enjoy support from domestic beneficiaries.

President Trump has put innovation at the heart of his approach to AI but has maintained export controls on the emerging technology, an indicator that his focus is primarily on the domestic AI industry in “America First” fashion.

From investigations to funding, higher education across the country is feeling President Trump’s attempt to reform an institution he’s long derided.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The Shutdown That Wasn’t

The first quarter of 2025 has been a wild ride in Washington, from the government shutdown that wasn’t to a shifting political battleground between the executive branch and the courts. Featuring Public Strategies’ Patrick Martin, Towner French, 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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