Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/27)

May 27, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Governor JB Pritzker open to pausing gas tax increase set for July 1

“Illinois’ gas tax is set to automatically increase by about a cent this July 1. But Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’s open to pausing that increase to help drivers struggling with high gas prices,” by ABC7 Chicago. 

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Bill regulating powerful AI models advances as advocates say it’s only the first step

“The Illinois Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to advance a bill that would regulate how large artificial intelligence model developers handle transparency and catastrophic risk,” by Capitol News Illinois.   

‘Junk fee’ ban heads to Pritzker’s desk

“Three years after the bill was initially introduced, the Illinois Senate passed a measure to ban junk fees, which are charges added to the total cost of ticketed events, hotels, tech and other goods and services,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

How the Illinois Senate’s housing proposals compare to Pritzker’s BUILD plan

“With just days left in the spring legislative session, Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled an eight-bill housing package incorporating tweaked elements of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD, plan and a slew of progressive initiatives,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s health commissioner exits

“The city’s public health commissioner, Dr. Olusimbo Ige, is exiting the Chicago Department of Public Health, the mayor’s office confirmed late Friday, after allegations of a hostile work environment and significant turnover within the department,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Amid power struggle with Brandon Johnson, CHA’s Matthew Brewer weighs running for mayor 

“Matthew Brewer, the Chicago Housing Authority’s operating chair who is embroiled in a power struggle with Mayor Brandon Johnson, is seriously considering entering the race for mayor,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

New York investment firm set to buy Chicago parking meters after infamous deal 

“A new owner is in the process of buying Chicago’s parking meter system, setting them up to take advantage of the infamous deal that privatized them nearly two decades ago,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

51 candidates are running for Chicago’s first fully elected school board 

“Tuesday was the deadline to enter the race for a seat on Chicago’s first fully elected school board. All 20 district seats and the citywide president position will be up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: An Unprecedented President

President Trump is finishing his project of fully remaking the GOP in his image through party primaries. 

The crypto market structure legislation (known formally as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) cleared the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with bipartisan support. However, the legislation still needs more Democratic votes and key concessions before it can pass the full Senate ahead of an effective August deadline. 

Addressing housing affordability remains a focus of intense bipartisan interest ahead of the midterms, exemplified by lawmakers’ efforts to resolve the differences between the Senate’s and House’s competing versions of a comprehensive housing reform bill. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: New Jersey’s Energy & Affordability Crisis

Rising utility costs and affordability concerns are reshaping the political conversation in New Jersey. As residents grapple with higher energy bills, housing costs, and property taxes, Governor Mikie Sherrill’s administration is pursuing an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy aimed at balancing affordability, reliability, and long-term planning. As political pressure grows around energy policy and cost-of-living concerns, New Jersey may be emerging as an early test case for how candidates navigate economic pressures ahead of the 2026 midterms. Featuring Public Strategies’ Jamie Ansorge (NY), Braxton Plummer (NJ), along with Lyndsay Ruotolo (NJ), member of Cozen O’Connor’s state attorneys general practice. 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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