Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (3/26)

March 26, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois AG pushes for more funding amid legal battles with Trump administration

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is pushing for additional funding for his office as it takes on a host of lawsuits and legal filings against actions by the Trump administration,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois’ child welfare agency failed to produce critical reports after child deaths 

“The state agency responsible for keeping Illinois’ most vulnerable children safe has failed to produce legally required public reports after examining what went wrong in hundreds of cases of child deaths and thousands of serious injuries, the Illinois Answers Project reports,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Sanctuary Policies ‘Protect Public Safety,’ Groups Argue In Response To Justice Department Lawsuit 

“As the federal government continues to pursue its lawsuit against Chicago, Cook County and Illinois over their “sanctuary” policies, local legal groups this week filed a brief arguing that sanctuary laws actually promote public safety — and encourage economic growth,” by Block Club Chicago.

Rockford Pregnancy Care Center, Diocese of Springfield sue state of Illinois 

“A Rockford-based anti-abortion, pregnancy support group and the Diocese of Springfield are suing the state of Illinois over a law they say violates their religious beliefs and constitutional rights,” by The State Journal-Register.

Gov. Pritzker Touts Illinois’ High-Tech Economy and Future at SXSW 

“Governor Pritzker joined technology executives and enthusiasts at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas to showcase how Illinois is positioning itself as a leader in the sectors of tomorrow and growing the economy through high-tech industries,” by the Citizen News Paper Group.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Johnson warned to seek Council OK before taking action to cover $175M CPS pension payment

“Fifteen independent City Council members put Mayor Brandon Johnson on notice Tuesday: Any move he makes to use city funds to cover a $175 million pension for nonteaching school employees must be made with legislative consent,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

City Council wants answers on CPS pension conflict 

“With it becoming increasingly unlikely the Board of Education reimburses Chicago for a disputed $175 million pension payment, members of the City Council are demanding answers from the Johnson administration,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CPS staff in a political tug-of-war: What to know about Chicago’s $175 million pension battle 

“Who picks up the bill for the disputed $175 million pension payment for nonteaching CPS staff has been a looming question mark for the district in recent weeks and months. It is part of what led to the resignation of the previous school board and the subsequent firing of schools’ chief Pedro Martinez late last year,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CPD cracking down on sloppy appearance of some cops, or face reprimand, according to scathing internal memo 

“Chicago Police Department brass are cracking down on the appearances of some district officers who could face reprimands, according to a scathing internal email sent out this week by a police leader,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Race, wealth disparities underlie turnout for ballot questions hitting voters’ wallets

“An analysis from the Cook County treasurer’s office — ahead of the April 1 suburban consolidated elections — reveals turnout on tax-related referendums is highest in areas that are predominately white, wealthy and mostly homeowners,” by WBEZ Chicago.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Democrats Struggle Over Where to Draw the Line

The recent fight over government funding exposed deep divisions among Democrats as they face President Trump. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are the most unified they’ve been in recent years.

Faced with competing pressures to make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s expiring provisions permanent while also offsetting the cost, GOP lawmakers are eyeing an accounting trick that would zero out the deficit impact on paper of an extension of current tax policy.

President Trump is not shy about making it known he would prefer a low interest rate environment. With his repeated efforts to pressure the Federal Reserve raising questions about the central bank’s independence, this issue is likely to come to a head with Trump’s selection of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s replacement in 2026.

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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