Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/13)

May 13, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker urges feds to release $1B in broadband funds to Illinois

“Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, urging him to approve Illinois’ proposal for federal broadband infrastructure funds,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

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State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence. Here’s how. 

“With Congress yet to act on reining in artificial intelligence, that obligation has fallen into the laps of individual states. And as the 2026 spring session of the General Assembly in Springfield nears an end date of May 31, Illinois lawmakers are making a final push to get state AI regulations over the finish line,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Giannoulias pushes Chicago mayoral conversations off to after session 

“Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday that he’s ‘focused right now on finishing the session’ but acknowledged that conversations about a widely-speculated 2027 campaign for Chicago mayor are just on the horizon,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

Lawsuit claims Illinois’ redistricting law unconstitutionally prioritizes race 

“A former Illinois lawmaker has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s redistricting law, arguing it unconstitutionally requires race to be a factor in drawing legislative maps. Jeanne Ives, a Republican and Illinois voter, filed the complaint May 8 in U.S. District Court against Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and its executive director,” by MyStateline. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Subminimum wage would be frozen at 76% of the minimum pay, but only temporarily, Council panel proposes 

“The hourly pay of Chicago’s tipped workers would be frozen at 76% of the minimum wage for the next two years for large restaurants and the next four years for smaller establishments, after a compromise advanced Tuesday without Mayor Brandon Johnson’s involvement,” by Chicago Sun-Times. 

City Council committee advances $54.7M tax break asked for by developers of 1901 Project around United Center

“Alders advanced a $54.7 million tax break out of committee Monday asked for by the developers of a $7 billion plan to reshape 55 acres around the United Center with housing, retail, entertainment space and a public plaza,” by WGN-TV.  

City Council members want Johnson to tackle replacing ShotSpotter

“It looks like Chicago will have to get through another surge of summer violence without gunshot detection technology. That much was evident after a City Council hearing Tuesday that produced more questions than answers,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas fined $214,000 by ethics board for campaign finance violations

“Former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is being fined $214,000 for violating campaign finance rules by accepting excessive contributions from people who were doing business with the city, the Chicago Board of Ethics announced Tuesday,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: The Power of the Primaries

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais is likely to result in more safe Republican congressional seats in the short term and ensure that the current redistricting battle continues in the long term. 

Even before the Callais decision expands the number of safe GOP seats, the party is staring down several marquee intra-party primary battles this month. These battles could impact both the GOP’s midterm prospects and its legislative agenda for the next several years. 

The primary battles between the different wings of the Democratic Party will influence not just Democrats’ chances of winning in November, but how they will govern. 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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