Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (5/28)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Big issues for Illinois legislative session’s final week include public transit, pension reform and Bears 

“Illinois lawmakers head into the final days of their spring session this week looking for ways to close a substantial gap in the budget while at the same time shoring up ailing public transit operations and taking steps to fix inequities in the state’s pension system,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois bill proposes major RTA, CTA governance changes 

“Legislation filed in the Illinois House of Representatives would overhaul the Regional Transportation Authority, giving the organization a new name and more control over the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace, which provide rail and bus service across the city and suburbs,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Democrats are winning in fight against Trump, says Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has become a key figure in the Democratic legal battle against Trump’s executive orders and policies,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Responding to Supreme Court, lawmakers look to expand lawsuit protections for press 

“Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that allowed a defamation suit against the Chicago Sun-Times to progress,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Federal appeals court hears challenge to IL’s mass transit concealed carry ban

“Whether a federal district judge was right to declare the state’s ban on carrying concealed firearms on mass transit as unconstitutional is up to an appeals court. The case Schoenthal v. Raoul, filed in 2022, challenges Illinois’ concealed carry law that carves out places like mass transit where people licensed to carry concealed  firearms are prohibited from carrying, ” by The Center Square.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Illinois budget battle: What Chicago needs from Springfield 

“Chicago officials are keeping a close eye on Springfield as lawmakers there work in the final days of the legislative session to hammer out a state budget that appeases interest groups and municipalities while protecting taxpayers,” by WGN.

Mayor Brandon Johnson urges ‘expediency’ in addressing CTA fiscal cliff 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday reiterated his urgency for Springfield to hammer out a deal addressing the Chicago Transit Authority’s fiscal cliff before the legislative session ends this week, while remaining vague on his latest demands,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Wall Street rating agency revises City Hall’s financial outlook to ‘negative’

“A Wall Street rating agency on Tuesday assigned an A- bond rating to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s upcoming plan to borrow more than $600 million for infrastructure, housing and economic development, but revised the outlook to “negative,” signaling a future downgrade,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CTA has paid some workers not to work since the pandemic, costing taxpayers more than $1 million, report says 

“The Chicago Transit Authority paid more than $1 million to employees to stay at home and not work since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a newly released report. The workers were paid for a five-day work week when they were on the job only three days a week, according to the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General, which investigates misconduct complaints against CTA employees,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Alderperson proposes ordinance to pause elimination of tipped wage, but opponents warn it would cause hospitality workers to ‘suffer’ 

“A Lakeview alderperson introduced an ordinance at last week’s City Council meeting to freeze in place Chicago’s phased elimination of the subminimum wage for tipped workers after restaurant and hospitality industry groups warned it had already contributed to job losses,” by The Daily Line.

CPS board eyes candidates for interim and permanent CEO

“The appointment to the high-profile role is time-sensitive, as outgoing Chicago Public Schools’ CEO Pedro Martinez is set to leave his position on June 18. The interim chief will lead the district through the start of the next school year, after which a permanent replacement will step in,” 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.

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