Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (5/21)

May 21, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois Lawmakers Discuss Budget Priorities as Legislative Deadline Looms 

“Lawmakers are working to hammer out a balanced spending plan amid federal funding uncertainties and mounting pressure from agencies asking for more money. The Illinois General Assembly has a May 31 deadline and has to weigh what to prioritize with limited resources,” by WTTW.

Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly 

“A bill that bans carbon sequestration over, under or through portions of the Mahomet Aquifer passed out of the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Prisoner Review Board reform, changes to police hiring clear General Assembly 

“The House voted 74-37 to approve Senate Bill 19, which contains a series of reforms designed to include victims’ participation in Prisoner Review Board decisions. The measure now needs only a signature from the governor to become law,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Attorney General Raoul Urges Federal Court To Keep Open U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Civil Rights Offices

“Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to maintain three offices within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that are meant to oversee the agency, protect people’s civil rights and help noncitizens with immigration matters,” by the RiverBender.

Gov. Pritzker, IDOT award $139.2 million to enhance local transportation options statewide

“Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday that $139.2 million will be allocated through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. This funding aims to improve local travel options and enhance the quality of life in communities throughout the state,” by WAND.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

With DOJ probing city’s hiring practices, Mayor Johnson now demands that DOJ probe Trump hiring decisions 

“A defiant Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday urged the U.S. Justice Department, which is now investigating his administration’s hiring practices, to launch a similar probe of what he said is the predominantly white administration of President Donald Trump,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Teen ‘snap curfew’ ordinance stalls in City Council; Mayor Brandon Johnson’s position unclear 

“The effort to give Chicago’s police superintendent the power to declare “snap curfews” to curb large teen gatherings stalled Wednesday in the City Council. The ordinance faced a scheduled vote, but Alds. Jason Ervin, 28th, and Andre Vasquez, 40th, used a procedural maneuver to delay its consideration,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Mayor Johnson says he wants the Bears to stay in the city and has done everything he can — now it’s out of his control 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson says he wants the Bears to stay in the City of Chicago and that he’s done everything he can to keep one of the NFL’s original franchises from leaving for the suburbs. But now, the mayor says, it’s beyond his control,” by WGN 9.

Ethics board cites 7 aldermen for being late filing their annual financial interest forms 

“The Chicago Board of Ethics on Tuesday fined an alderman and published the names of six others who, according to the board, failed to file their financial interest statements in time,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Housing Authority hires former EPA staffer to lead new environmental safety division 

“The Chicago Housing Authority has hired a former Environmental Protection Agency staffer to head up a new division focused on environmental concerns and hazards for residents living in more than 21,000 units of public housing as part of a series of initiatives for 2025 aimed at offering a course correction for the embattled agency,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Known Unknowns of Trump 2.0

House Republicans have made significant progress on their version of the reconciliation bill encompassing much of President Trump and the GOP’s legislative agenda in recent weeks, but they will still need to negotiate changes with their Senate counterparts as Trump remains impatient to sign the bill into law.

Trump’s tariff policies have created a cloud over global trade, but his moves to ratchet back his initial proposals in recent weeks have tempered some of this uncertainty. While the exact path forward for his America First approach to geoeconomics and geopolitics has not yet become fully clear, it appears to be more transactional in nature than based on any grand strategy.

DOGE founder Elon Musk is taking a step back in the Trump administration but Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought is poised to carry the torch on spending cuts.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Middle East Deals, Reconciliation, and Birthright Citizenship

As Republicans continue negotiations to finalize the reconciliation package and the Supreme Court takes up oral arguments on birthright citizenship, Trump heads to the Middle East to pursue a series of economic deals—from AI chips to a Qatari jet. Meanwhile, Biden launches a media blitz to repair his image. Featuring Public Strategies’ Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Meagan Foster.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing 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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