Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/20)

May 20, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL commissioner as Arlington Heights, Indiana sites remain at forefront 

“With days left until a deadline to pass legislation this spring, Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged he had recently spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and maintained that the Bears and NFL are only considering a new stadium in Arlington Heights or Indiana — not Chicago,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

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Pritzker pushes for pause on data center tax breaks amid power crunch

“Gov. JB Pritzker renewed his call to suspend tax incentives for data centers amid an AI-fueled construction boom that many blame for rapidly rising electricity costs,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

IL Senate passes bill expanding LIHEAP eligibility, sends plan to Pritzker 

“The Illinois Senate passed legislation Tuesday to protect low-income families from rising utility rates. This plan could increase the income eligibility threshold for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” by WAND News. 

Illinois joins suit arguing Trump grad loan caps threaten healthcare workforce 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., in suing the Trump administration over new federal limits on graduate student loans that critics say could deepen shortages of nurses and other healthcare workers, the Washington Post reports,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Former Exelon exec approved as city’s new top watchdog 

“David Glockner, a former federal prosecutor and compliance executive at ComEd’s parent company, was swiftly approved as the city’s Inspector General after being nominated for the post by Mayor Brandon Johnson in April,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes to name permanent CTA leader  

“Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the Chicago Transit Authority board to select a permanent leader just weeks before a new state law limits his control over the executive appointment process at the mass transit agency,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago delays tipped wage phaseout after restaurant pushback

“Chicago’s plan to phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers will be delayed by two years under a compromise approved today by the City Council, handing restaurants a longer runway to adjust to higher labor costs and dealing a setback to one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s signature labor victories,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

City Council approves $54.7M tax break to jump-start United Center development 

“The City Council on Wednesday approved a $54.7 million property tax break that developers say is critical to secure financing for their $7 billion plan to turn a sea of parking lots around the United Center into a massive residential and entertainment complex,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: The Genius of Stability

The Trump-Xi summit projected stability and goodwill but delivered few concrete agreements. There was positive momentum toward a fall Washington summit, though underlying tensions and unresolved issues are reminders of the relationship’s fragility. 

Historically, the high price of gas translates into an equally high political cost for the party in power. 

Congress will begin considering the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this summer. The NDAA authorizes Department of Defense activities but as a must-pass bill, it can also serve as a legislative vehicle for lawmakers’ priorities that have some nexus to defense. 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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