Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (6/10)

June 10, 2024

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Chair of Illinois Democratic Party floats state law granting work permits to immigrants

“Rep. Lisa Hernandez declined to give a timeline on any proposal, which she says could authorize more than 400,000 undocumented immigrants to work,” by WBEZ.

Pritzker heads to Canada to discuss trade opportunities

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is heading north of the border for a four-day trade mission in hopes to garner stronger economic ties with Canada. There, the governor will give the keynote address at the 2024 U.S.-Canada Summit in Toronto and hold meetings with business and government leaders between Monday and Thursday,” by the State Journal-Register.

Welch not worried about any fractions in caucus over budget votes

“House Democrats have generally got on board with state budget bills in recent years, but it was notable when multiple Democrats opposed this year’s budget and nearly sank a plan to increase taxes on businesses to help pay for the spending,” by The Daily Line.

Illinois Legislature puts the brakes on a carbon capture boom

“A two-year moratorium on pipelines would be a first in the Midwest. Already, more than 20 capture wells have been proposed,” by WBEZ.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

CPS, CTU to Hold First-Ever Contract Negotiation Session Open to the Public Friday

Chicago Public Schools parents, students and community stakeholders will be able to participate in the first ever round of public bargaining between the district and Chicago Teachers Union later this week. The CTU announced the sides have agreed to schedule an open contract bargaining session Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Marquette Elementary School, 6550 S. Richmond St., in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood,” by WTTW.

Finance committee to consider bond issuances for LaSalle Reimagined housing projects

“The regular agenda includes various measures allocating tax increment financing (TIF) dollars to citywide projects, bond issuances for office space-to-housing conversions and millions of dollars in proposed settlement agreements in police misconduct cases,” by The Daily Line.

Mayor Johnson opposes 8 p.m. downtown curfew for minors

“Ald. Brian Hopkins floated the idea of a curfew after a violent attack on a couple in Streeterville, but if the mayor has his way, Hopkins’ trial balloon won’t leave the ground,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago Police set record for overtime in 2023, and trend is continuing this year

“Last year set records for the number of overtime hours worked by Chicago Police officers – and that trend is continuing this year, with the summer just getting started. There are also additional needs this year with months of massive events on the schedule, notably including the Democratic National Convention in August,” by CBS Chicago.

Democratic National Convention poised to drive up hotel room rates this summer — even more than Lollapalooza

“Lollapalooza is typically the busiest hotel weekend of the year for Chicago. But a Sun-Times search shows average daily hotel room rates during the Democratic National Convention may be nearly $50 higher during its four-day stint in Chicago. Average rates during NASCAR’s race here in July trail those two events,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing, Biden’s Age Concerns: GOP Deflection or Democratic Panic?

With the Trump hush-money verdict in, Trump supporters are more emboldened than ever in their backing of the former president. Meanwhile, concerns are reignited over Biden’s age — is this merely a Republican deflection, or are Democrats genuinely panicking? In an effort to rally support, Biden might be playing politics at the Southern Border with his latest Executive Order restricting immigration, but is it too little, too late? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, the Hon. Rodney Davis, and Kyle Anderson.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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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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