Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/6)

May 6, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Springfield gets some breathing room on state budget

“State lawmakers are getting some welcome financial news as they prepare to pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Revenue is holding up. March and April individual income tax receipts are up 4.1% from a year ago, according to a new report just released by the Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

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DOJ seeking Illinois voter data to purge suspected noncitizens, documents suggest

“The Trump administration’s lawsuits seeking access to sensitive voter registration data in Illinois and dozens of other states is one part of a broader effort to purge state voter rolls of suspected noncitizens, according to documents filed recently in federal court in Springfield,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

Illinois cities fight Pritzker’s housing plan with their own proposal

“An effort by Gov. JB Pritzker to spur homebuilding statewide wrongly overrides local authority and ignores many feasible steps that could help make housing more affordable, according to an association of Illinois municipalities,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

Illinois bill would create new AI commission to study job losses, workforce displacement 

“A new proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would create a statewide commission to study how artificial intelligence could affect jobs, wages, and workforce training across Illinois, including in the Rockford region,” by MyStateline. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Johnson Blasts State Lawmakers’ Focus on Bears Proposal as ‘Mismatch’ With What People ‘Are Most Concerned About’ 

“State lawmakers should be focused on making sure cities and towns, including Chicago, can fund essential services while making life more affordable for residents — not crafting a plan to give the Chicago Bears a property tax break on a stadium in Arlington Heights, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday,” by WTTW.  

New Zoning chair Villegas begins chipping away at backlog of stalled projects

“Newly appointed Zoning Committee Chair Gilbert Villegas led his first meeting Wednesday and started chipping away at the backlog of 138 projects stalled by the stalemate over who should head up one of the City Council’s most powerful committees,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Buckner pushes back on Chicago mayor’s characterization of Bears bill 

“Rep. Kam Buckner is pushing back on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s characterization of his megaprojects bill as a giveaway for large developers that would harm Chicago,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

City Council committee backs banning sweepstakes machines over Mayor Johnson’s objections 

“A City Council committee determined to maximize revenue from video gambling terminals and eliminate competition for them moved Tuesday to ban sweepstakes machines over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s objections,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Surviving and Suceeding in Trump’s Evolving Orbit 

Success in President Trump’s orbit hinges on loyalty, political savvy, and a willingness to stay out of the spotlight — traits long held by his inner circle but also seen in some notable newcomers. 

Border Czar Tom Homan and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent exemplify how both a long-standing loyalist and a newcomer can find enduring success within the administration. 

President Trump has made foreign policy a priority of his second term and has delegated to a mix of trusted informal advisors and senior administration officials. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: The Road to 2028 Starts Now

With 36 gubernatorial seats up for grabs, the 2026 elections will shape policy outcomes and political momentum heading into 2028. Key battlegrounds like Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Kansas highlight how issues such as affordability, energy costs, and economic conditions are likely to drive voter behavior. National dynamics—from presidential politics to tensions in the Middle East—add another layer of influence, underscoring the growing importance of governors in voters’ everyday lives. Public Strategies’ Pat Carey (IL), John Dunn (IL), and Julia Hammond (VA). 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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