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

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. Pritzker Proposes Expanding Access to Four-Year Degrees at Community Colleges

“Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined students and leadership from Lewis and Clark Community College to propose a new community college baccalaureate degree program. Through this consumer-driven, student-centered program, community colleges would be enabled by the State to offer four-year bachelor degrees,” by the Office of the Governor JB Pritzker.

Federal funding freeze lifted for some Illinois clean energy projects 

“With the fight over a federal clean energy funding freeze entering its second month, two of the biggest prizes in Illinois are emissions-reduction grants totaling more than $570 million. Now, the state appears closer to claiming both of them. Money from an expected $430 million in federal Climate Pollution Reduction grants was blocked until Feb. 19, but the state can now access it, according to a statement from Gov. JB Pritzker’s office,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Lawmakers grill mass transit leaders as clock ticks toward funding ‘cliff’ 

“The transit agencies were peppered with questions from lawmakers during a House hearing this week about their shortfalls in planning, organization and execution of services. Lawmakers have said for months the agencies will not receive new state funding without major reforms to their operations happening first,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Legislation aims to help first-time homebuyers 

“As the cost of housing continues to rise, Illinois realtors are pushing legislation to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to save for a down payment. Senate Bill 148 would enable Illinois residents to open a special kind of savings account that could only be used to pay eligible costs for the purchase of a single-family residence,” by Capitol News Illinois.

People with developmental disabilities can wait years for community placements, state records show 

“Across Illinois’ seven state-operated developmental centers for people with developmental disabilities and medical or behavioral needs — known as SODCs — more than 200 residents were seeking placement elsewhere as of last month, close to 15% of the total population in those centers, according to records from the Illinois Department of Human Services,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s upcoming testimony before Congress will unfold in an arena of political risk — and theater

“On Wednesday, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will put Johnson and three other Democratic mayors in the hot seat, where GOP members will try to score political points off them over their respective laws blocking local police from assisting in immigration enforcement,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Tapped As Next Park District Boss. Now, Logan Square Needs A New Alderman 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), one of City Council’s most prominent progressives and a close mayoral ally, to run the Chicago Park District,” by Block Club Chicago.

Chicago school board approves nearly $4 million in legal settlements 

“The Chicago Board of Education approved nearly $4 million in legal settlements Thursday, including a $2.7 million payment to the family of a boy who was beaten by an adult in the bathroom of a West Side elementary school in 2018,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.

Judge grants retrial on bribery counts in ‘ComEd Four’ case involving Madigan

“A federal judge Monday granted a new trial on some counts in the “ComEd Four” case involving former House Speaker Michael Madigan, saying the Supreme Court’s ruling last year on a key bribery statute means the jury was not instructed properly,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Bally’s Chicago $250 million IPO stalled at SEC; casino refunding deposits of potential minority investors 

“In a setback to its fundraising efforts and inclusive equity obligations to the city, the $250 million Bally’s Chicago initial public offering for minority investors failed to close as planned in February after it stalled at the Securities and Exchange Commission,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – America (First) at an Inflection Point

President Donald Trump’s return to office was always likely to raise tensions with the European Union, but the emerging clashes, exacerbated by differences in negotiating styles, are creating a divide that will likely denote a meaningful inflection point in transatlantic relations.

As President Trump has expanded the big tent of the Republican Party to encompass more working-class voters, the GOP’s approach to labor policy is evolving.

One of President Trump’s top priorities is boosting the development of AI, and that means solving the technology’s insatiable appetite for energy.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The Cost of Musk’s Efficiency Revolution

Most Americans agree the federal government overspends and our debt is unsustainable. But Elon Musk’s approach at the Department of Government Efficiency is challenging assumptions—not about the problem, but the execution. Instead of the usual bureaucratic reshuffle, he’s taking unprecedented action, with ripple effects reaching localized federal workers. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Kyle Anderson.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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