Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (4/6)

April 6, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois pursues abortion coverage for people with little or no insurance

“Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats have added a new abortion access measure to their agenda that would allow people with limited or no insurance to get financial assistance for abortion care in Illinois,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

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Supreme Court declines challenge to Illinois law restricting guns on public transit 

“The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to take up a challenge to an Illinois law that prohibits the carrying of firearms on public transportation unless they are unloaded and secured,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

In ‘unprecedented’ move, feds sue Illinois and other states over prediction markets rules

“The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is asserting federal authority over fast-growing prediction markets with lawsuits against Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona that challenge state efforts to regulate the multibillion-dollar industry,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

What E-15 gasoline is and why Pritzker is pushing for it amid high gas prices 

“Gov. JB Pritzker wants to expand the use of what’s known as E-15 gasoline. He sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging for a swift passage of legislation to permanently allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline,” by NBC Chicago. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson angles for CHA control amid city agency turmoil. Is it too late?

“The turmoil across the three agencies comes less than a year out from a potential Johnson reelection bid and could fester into a campaign-trail albatross for the freshmen mayor, whom opponents hope to paint as an inexperienced executive,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Acting CHA leader tells staff it’s business as usual, defying Johnson’s attempt to block CEO hire

“Despite Mayor Brandon Johnson’s insistence he has no authority to do so, the interim leader of the Chicago Housing Authority is continuing in the job and says the agency is moving full steam ahead with the CEO appointment the mayor is attempting to block,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s agenda under fire in Springfield  

“Illinois lawmakers head into the busy back half of the spring legislative session seeking to quash signature parts of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s agenda, from his attempts to tax businesses based on their number of employees to his policy eliminating tipped wages,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Mayor Johnson’s administration ‘reflexively hostile to oversight,’ outgoing Chicago inspector general says  

“Mayor Brandon Johnson has shown himself to be ‘reflexively hostile to oversight’ and has ‘not lived up to’ his campaign promise to govern as a reformer, outgoing Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said Thursday,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Iran Refuses to Follow Trump’s Playbook 

President Trump has focused on foreign policy in his second term and scored a win in Venezuela, though Tehran’s leverage makes Trump’s assault on Iran significantly different. 

The idea of a second budget reconciliation bill is gaining momentum again but continues to face complications from the internal dynamics of the GOP.

As lawmakers race to resolve the outstanding issues preventing digital asset market structure legislation from becoming law, Trump administration regulators are implementing their own market structure rules using their existing authorities. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation: Michael Gips on Navigating Risk in a Polycrisis Era

Security and risk expert and author Michael Gips joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on risk assessment, decision-making, and leadership when certainty is not an option. While most leaders are focused on the immediate pressures of the moment, security and risk professionals are scanning the horizon, identifying fractures in the foundation of institutions before they become crises. From AI-driven disruption to politically fueled threats, they operate where ambiguity is constant and the stakes are high. Together, they explore how these professionals stay grounded and persuade leaders to prepare for risks they cannot yet see, and why that mindset is increasingly essential across every sector. Listen 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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