Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (3/31)

March 31, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. Pritzker to embark on trade mission to Mexico 

“Gov. JB Pritzker will lead a delegation of public and private business leaders on a three-day trade mission to Mexico, to strengthen the state’s relationship with the country in the wake of President Donald Trump issuing tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and other countries,” by the Chicago Business Journal.

Despite Trump order, Illinois won’t require voter proof of citizenship 

“Illinois voters casting ballots in the April 1 consolidated elections will not be required to show proof of U.S. citizenship, despite an executive order issued this week by President Donald Trump,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s push to allow community colleges to offer 4-year degrees faces uphill climb in Springfield 

“The governor’s office and proponents from Illinois’ community colleges say the proposal would allow more Illinoisans to access degrees in fields that could use more workers, such as nursing and cybersecurity,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois’ rainy-day fund, emergency reserves lowest in country 

“With barely two weeks of reserves in its rainy day fund, new data from Pew Research shows Illinois now ranks last among all 50 states in its ability to withstand a financial crisis,” by The Center Square.

Illinois lawmaker proposes state takeover of Chicago Public Schools 

“State Representative Curtis Tarver has proposed HB 4017, which would place Chicago Public Schools (CPS) under the Illinois Finance Authority due to financial concerns, effectively overriding the new hybrid school board,” by Fox 32 Chicago.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announces LaKenya White as acting head of COPA 

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday announced the appointment of an acting interim chief administrator for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability,” by CBS.

Mayor Brandon Johnson adds Springfield alderwoman to lobbying team 

“Weeks after tapping a former Chicago alderman to help lobby for the city in the state capitol, Mayor Brandon Johnson is adding a Springfield alderwoman to his once-skeletal state team,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Johnson officials blast CPS chief Martinez in letter to City Council on pension stalemate 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s financial team wrote a blistering critique of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s refusal to reimburse the city for a $175 million pension payment in a letter sent to the City Council today,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

With Chicago’s mass transit system on the fiscal precipice, what solutions are on the table? 

“State lawmakers remain focused on reforming Chicago mass transit as they discuss two bills to either merge the agencies or empower the Regional Transit Authority. But legislators have all but refused to talk about immediate funding solutions,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Contentious overhaul of electronic-monitoring program in Cook County arriving after brewing for years 

“After months of planning and discussion, the Cook County sheriff’s office starting Tuesday will no longer accept new electronic monitoring participants, marking the beginning of a shift in one way pretrial justice is handled in Cook County,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

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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