Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (6/17)

June 17, 2024

Editor’s note: There will be no Illinois Insights update on Wednesday, June 19^th. Updates will resume on Friday, June 21^st. 

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Stevenson Expressway upgrades included in latest round of Gov. Pritzker’s $41B transportation plan

“A total of $364 million is earmarked for Interstate 55 upgrades on 49 bridges from Wolf Road to the Chinatown feeder ramp, highlighted by full rebuilds of the Harlem and Cicero Avenue interchanges that are among the busiest in the state,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Speaker Welch asks IL high court to toss ruling barring Dems from blocking many GOP candidates from fall ballot

“Initially known as Senate Bill 2412, the law amended state election rules to block political parties from slating candidates to run for office after the primary election, unless they had first run in their party’s primary election,” by the Cook County Record.

Pritzker says bump stock ruling won’t affect Illinois

“In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a ban on bump stocks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the ruling should have no impact on Illinois but other states will take action,” by The Center Square Illinois.

Taxpayer-subsidized medical debt relief program ready for Pritzker’s desk

“Sponsored by state Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, House Bill 5290 seeks to alleviate medical debt for families across the state residing in households with individuals falling below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level or saddled with medical debt equating to 5% or more of their household income,” by The Center Square.

CHICAGO

Johnson names Carla Kupe as Chief Equity Officer 

During the City of Chicago’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza, Mayor Brandon Johnson today announced the appointment of Carla Kupe as the Chief Equity Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ).

According to the press release, Kupe will “develop an implementation and oversight framework for advancing equity across city departments to propel the Johnson Administration’s commitment to a more just and inclusive Chicago for all.”

Kupe previously served as the first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Compliance at the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General. She is the founder and CEO of The Impact Alliance LLC, a consulting enterprise focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism/colonialism. Kupe is also the co-founder of CZL P.C., a Black-Women led and owned law firm.

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

South Side Alderman Pledges To Sleep Outside On Troubled Block For ‘Next Few Weeks’ To Deter Crime

“Starting Friday, Ald. David Moore said he will be sleeping in a tent on 73rd Place in Englewood to ward off drug dealers. ‘That’s going to be my new house,’” by Block Club Chicago.

Chicago Teachers Union holds first-ever public bargaining session with CPS on ‘Green Schools’

“Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools held their first-ever public bargaining session emphasizing their agreement on “Green Schools,” a series of proposals aimed at modernizing schools to reduce their environmental impact and mitigate the effects of climate change and air pollution on CPS students,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago school board hopefuls to submit petitions for first time ever

“The week-long process begins Monday, when hopefuls can start turning in to Chicago election officials the minimum 1,000 signatures needed from residents who support their candidacy in one of 10 districts. The races will shape up by the June 24 deadline,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Ed Burke seeks sentencing delay

“Former Ald. Ed Burke is asking a federal judge to delay his upcoming sentencing until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the appeal of a corruption case involving the former mayor of Portage, Ind. Burke’s attorneys filed a motion today requesting the delay in sentencing, which is set for June 24 before U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: The Politicization of the Bench 

Returning to Capitol Hill for the first time post-presidency, Trump found support among Republican leaders and members aiming to emulate the party’s 2016 success. Immigration and economic challenges remain top concerns for American voters, mirroring the recent rise of the far-right in Europe. Shifting focus to the Supreme Court, concerns about judicial politicization, ethics, and impartiality underscore the need for reform to preserve the system’s credibility. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

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