Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/11)

May 11, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois lawmakers face budget deadline, Bears stadium fight and insurance battle with 3 weeks left

“With less than three weeks before the Illinois General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment, lawmakers are in a race to finish a multibillion-dollar budget while navigating threats from Washington, a simmering fight over soaring insurance rates, a stadium deal that could decide whether the Bears stay in Illinois and a cascading set of debates over who should pay for it all,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

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Battle continues over Illinois law to limit credit card fees

“A battle over credit card transaction fees continues after a federal appeals court on Friday sent the case about a new Illinois law seeking to limit so-called swipe fees back to District Court,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Illinois cities unveil rival housing plan to Gov. JB Pritzker’s sweeping zoning plan 

“Pushing back against Gov. JB Pritzker’s most ambitious legislative initiative of the year, an organization representing Illinois cities and towns had competing housing legislation introduced Thursday — a bill that claims to share the governor’s goals of expanding housing supply but strips out the mandates that have alarmed local leaders across the state,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

IL Senate committee passes utility bill transparency bill, ICC wants amendment

“The Illinois Senate is moving forward with a plan to help you see fees included in your utility bill. This bill could require an online portal detailing utility charges to consumers separate from delivery and supply charges,” by WAND.  

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, other leaders press lawmakers for more funding 

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and an army of suburban mayors descended on Springfield on Wednesday to call on the General Assembly to boost funding for local governments,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

Dozens Of Developments Advance At City Hall As Zoning Committee Finally Meets Again 

“After a three-month hiatus, the City Council’s influential zoning committee finally met for just the second time this year on Wednesday, when alderpeople advanced plans for dozens of developments that, if completed, will collectively bring almost 2,000 housing units to Chicago,” by Block Club Chicago. 

DNC scouting party tours Chicago this week to weigh 2028, 2032 convention picks 

“Chicago will get a chance to strut its stuff on a big stage this week as the Democratic National Committee sends a delegation here to ponder the city’s prospects of hosting the party’s presidential nominating conventions in 2028 and 2032,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Chicago health department leaves millions of federal COVID dollars on the table 

“But behind the scenes, his health commissioner voluntarily returned tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 grants to the federal government months before expiration — funds that could have gone to disease surveillance to help prepare for an outbreak or racial equity programming to improve health outcomes across the city,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Surviving and Succeeding in Trump’s Evolving Orbit 

Success in President Trump’s orbit hinges on loyalty, political savvy, and a willingness to stay out of the spotlight — traits long held by his inner circle but also seen in some notable newcomers. 

Border Czar Tom Homan and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent exemplify how both a long-standing loyalist and a newcomer can find enduring success within the administration. 

President Trump has made foreign policy a priority of his second term and has delegated to a mix of trusted informal advisors and senior administration officials. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation: Susan Eisenhower on Ike from D-Day to the White House

What does it actually take to lead at the highest stakes moments in history — and what can that teach us about leadership today? Susan Eisenhower, founder of The Eisenhower Group and granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation that goes behind the history books and into the real story of how Ike led. From his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom while at West Point to commanding the Allied Forces on D-Day to the presidency, Howard and Susan explore what made Ike’s leadership both extraordinary and deeply human — his authenticity, his humility, his willingness to accept failure, and his belief that democracy itself must be actively defended. Drawing on personal family insights that no historian could access, the discussion illuminates a model of principled leadership that feels not just relevant but urgently necessary. 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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