Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (6/16)

June 16, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. Pritzker Signs Seventh Consecutive Balanced Budget 

“Governor JB Pritzker, alongside Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, signed the $55.1 billion FY26 state budget package, marking a continuation of Illinois’ commitment to fiscal responsibility and investment in key sectors,” by WICS.

Gov. JB Pritzker defends Illinois sanctuary laws at congressional hearing, accuses Trump of “abuses of power” 

“Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday defended Illinois’ sanctuary laws protecting undocumented immigrants at a hearing before Congress, while accusing President Donald Trump of “abuses of power” by deploying the military to Los Angeles in response to protests against his administration’s immigration crackdown,” by CBS Chicago.

Illinois license plate cameras used illegally by out-of-state police, Giannoulias says 

“The state of Illinois is investigating an automatic license plate reader system used in a northwest suburb after a Texas sheriff accessed the system to look for a woman who recently had an abortion,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois AG Raoul wins court injunction challenging Trump’s election order 

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of attorneys general, won a court injunction challenging President Trump’s executive order on elections,” by My Stateline.

Ex-Speaker Madigan sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison for bribery, corruption 

“The sentence, which also includes three years’ probation after his prison term and a $2.5 million fine, follows a jury’s split verdict in February,” by Capitol News Illinois.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Uber, unions reach labor peace deal in exchange for dropping driver wage hike ordinance 

“The Illinois Drivers Alliance, anchored by the Service Employees International Union Local 1 and the International Association of Machinists Mechanics Union Local 701, announced Monday morning that Uber has agreed to not fight its efforts to organize an estimated 100,000 rideshare drivers across Illinois. The deal came just before a scheduled City Council committee vote Monday afternoon on the pay raise package,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Following ICE subpoena, Chicago city clerk suspending online municipal ID program portal 

“The Chicago city clerk is suspending the online application portal to a municipal ID program recently subpoenaed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the latest defense from local officials grappling with the threat of mass deportations under Republican President Donald Trump,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Public transit agencies begin planning for ‘doomsday’ funding scenario 

“Transit agency officials in Chicagoland met this week and formally began the process of planning for next year’s budget, including drawing up plans for major service cuts and potential layoffs,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Key City Panel Advances Measure That Would Allow Alderpeople to Block New Short-Term Rentals

“With the endorsement of the City Council’s License and Consumer Protection Committee, the measure is set for a final vote by the full City Council on June 18,” by WTTW.

Community Desk Chicago partners with city to launch grant for community-owned properties 

“The city of Chicago announced Monday it’s investing millions in a new grant program that aims to build generational wealth and give Chicagoans a chance to revive vacant buildings in their neighborhood,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The Certainty and Uncertainty of Trump Walking It Back

President Trump has regularly moderated some of his boldest policy proposals after experiencing pushback, resulting in policy wins that may have otherwise been unachievable, but at the same time creating significant policy uncertainty over long-term business decisions.

With government spending already tracking well above FY24 levels, the spotlight is turning to the GOP’s domestic policy agenda and its projected several trillion dollar deficit impact.

With a goal of quadrupling the size of the country’s nuclear power capacity in just 25 years, the Trump administration aims to usher in a nuclear renaissance.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The NYC Political Season Heats Up

With New York City’s primaries just weeks away, the political season is heating up. Who are the key candidates in the mayoral, comptroller, and city council races? What dynamics and strategic alliances are emerging? What role will federal decision-making play in shaping the city’s future—and how are local candidates positioning themselves in response? Featuring New York Public Strategies’ Katie Schwab, Jamie Ansorge, and Ashley Thompson DiNardo.

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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