Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (3/27)

March 27, 2024

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

One week and half a million votes later, still no Democratic nominee for Cook County state’s attorney

“Unofficial results show Eileen O’Neill Burke now leads Clayton Harris III 50.15% to 49.85%. Both campaigns say they are prepared for next steps in the contest,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Gov. Pritzker Appoints Robert Vickery as Next Director of Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

“Governor JB Pritzker announced his appointment of Robert Vickery, a leader in juvenile justice reform for nearly two decades, as the next director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) pending senate approval. Vickery currently serves as Interim Director of IDJJ, following the selection of previous Director Heidi Mueller to lead DCFS in February. Before his position as Interim Director, Vickery served as the Deputy Director of Programs from 2017 to 2024,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

Pritzker leans into role as Illinois’ CMO

“Pritzker is leaning into the promise he made when running for governor that he’d be the state’s chief marketing officer. Illinois needs to rev up its economic development game to reverse stubborn population and job-growth trends that have been a drag. The state’s population growth has been minimal, and job growth has lagged the nation,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Johnson now has two vacancies to fill on zoning board

“Sam Toia, the head of the Illinois Restaurant Association, has stepped down from an appointed position on the city’s quasi-judicial Zoning Board of Appeals, doubling the vacancies on the board that Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to address,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Chicago Park District union workers authorize strike

“SEIU Local 73 members seek pay raises, more hiring and health benefits and have called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to intervene,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Moody’s downgrades Bally’s rating

“Bally’s rating dropped to B2 from B1, according to an announcement yesterday from Moody’s. Its probability-of-default rating also fell to B2-PD from B1-PD. The company’s outlook changed from stable to negative,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Chicago Is Getting An Elected School Board And Candidates Are Starting To Emerge

“Tuesday is the first day people can collect signatures to get on the ballot for Chicago’s first school board elections. Chicago voters will head to the polls on Nov. 5 to choose 10 of 21 members to serve on the Board of Education beginning Jan. 15, 2025. After those elections, the mayor will also appoint 11 members,” by Block Club Chicago.

Chicago’s migrant website obscures details on where $300 million was spent

“Those details remain largely hidden from the public, in part because of how the City of Chicago structured its migrant operation – by outsourcing much of the staffing and operations work to private companies,” by NBC 5 Chicago.

Ask voters about taxpayer subsidies for Bears, Sox stadiums, former Gov. Quinn says

“Armed with a new poll showing overwhelming opposition to taxpayer-subsidized stadiums for the Bears and White Sox, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is launching the political version of a goal-line stand,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Casting Trump II: The Sequel, Cozen Currents

A second Trump administration would likely include both familiar faces from his first term and newcomers, but a lack of institutional guardrails means that former President Trump’s personnel choices will be particularly consequential.

Like many issues facing President Biden, the decision to support the creation of a more secure critical minerals supply chain requires trade-offs between competing interests, in this case posing China hawks against environmentalists.

Medicare faces heavy but increasingly unavoidable tradeoffs as weight-loss products like Ozempic and Wegovy are on track to become the best-selling drugs of all time.

The Cozen Currents can be read here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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.

Explore Articles and News

See All News