Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (4/15)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Amid artificial intelligence explosion, lawmakers debate best path to regulate 

“Committees in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have heard bills that would implement various restrictions and give recommendations on the use of AI in state government and certain industries. The state already has some laws in place, but legislators raised concerns about the harm AI may still be causing consumers,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

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Pritzker pushes back on concerns housing initiative would overrule local control 

“Gov. JB Pritzker advocated for his housing plan and pushed back on concerns that it would overturn local control, concerns Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Chicago) said are valid,” by The Daily Line.  

Costs of Illinois state employee health benefits continue steep rise

“Officials from the Department of Central Management Services told a legislative panel Tuesday they expect to see an increase of $380 million, or 9%, in total costs to the system in fiscal year 2027. That would bring total expenses paid by all funding sources to about $4.6 billion,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

Bears leaders meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker’s staff on push for Arlington Heights stadium deal 

“Team leaders are meeting with staff from Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on Wednesday as state lawmakers consider a so-called ‘megaprojects bill,’ which would give the team tax certainty if they build a new stadium in Arlington Heights,” by CBS Chicago.  

Will this be the year the state legislature approves a cellphone ban in schools? 

“As the Illinois legislature once again considers a statewide cellphone ban in schools, it looks to success stories like the Latin School to propose a bill aimed at addressing mental health and enhancing student success,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Feds refuse to grant Mayor Brandon Johnson ally waiver to take over Chicago Housing Authority

“The federal government on Wednesday officially declined to give former Ald. Walter Burnett a waiver in his longshot bid to lead the Chicago Housing Authority, the latest and perhaps final setback for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s close ally,” by the Chicago Tribune.   

City Council appoints new Zoning Committee chair 

“The council voted to install Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, as chair of the Zoning Committee and moved Ald. Derrick Curtis, 18th, to chair the Economic Development Committee currently led by Villegas. The deal was sealed last night when the council’s Black Caucus voted to support Villegas for the zoning position over freshman Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, who has led as acting chair for fits and starts since November 2024,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

City Council Fails to Override Mayor Johnson’s Veto That Would Block End to Tipped Minimum Wage 

“The Chicago City Council failed Wednesday to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto of a measure designed to reverse a 2023 City Council vote to phase out the tipped minimum wage, keeping one of Johnson’s major legislative accomplishments intact,” by WTTW. 

Council turns up heat to find replacement for ShotSpotter 

“Opposition City Council members are demanding hearings to determine why Chicago is headed into yet another summer without the crime-fighting tool known as ShotSpotter,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Chicago moves to buy Greyhound station, but key alderman demands more details

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration took a major step Tuesday toward buying the downtown Chicago Greyhound station in a bid to maintain a building for intercity bus riders to embark and disembark,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: The Battle for the Soul of the Democratic Party

Democrats are favored to retake control of the House in the midterm elections. However, the composition of their expected majority remains to be determined by ongoing primaries and will make a difference in terms of their agenda. 

President Trump’s recent decision to adjust his tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper underscores his intention of pressing on with tariffs, despite his defeat at the Supreme Court and the looming trade talks with the US’s biggest trading partners. 

As Republicans in Washington debate whether to advance federal election reform legislation by relaxing filibuster rules or pursuing budget reconciliation, several GOP states are passing their own election laws. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation: Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh on Bridging Divides in a Fragmented World

Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh—the first Druze woman elected to the Israeli Knesset and the first non-Jewish anchorwoman to broadcast Israel’s main evening news in Hebrew and Arabic—joins Howard Schweitzer, CEO of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on cross-cultural leadership and shared humanity in a divided world. Drawing on her experience across government and global platforms like the World Economic Forum and Munich Security Conference, she reflects on what it means to lead across cultural, political, and societal divides. Together, they explore geopolitics, the current conflict in the Middle East, rising global polarization, and the leadership traits required to build trust, foster dialogue, and drive progress across communities. Listen here.

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