Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (6/18)

June 18, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois House transit leader says special session still possible 

“A key legislative leader says he’s open to the idea of a special session in Springfield to work out a fix on mass transit. “I’d be open to it,” said Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, one of the legislative leaders in the Illinois House of Representatives,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Illinois Democrats, immigration advocates denied entry into ICE processing center in visit Wednesday 

“Four Illinois Democratic members of Congress joined immigration and human rights advocates Wednesday morning at a suburban federal immigration processing center, demanding entry into the facility to check on the conditions of the detainees held there,” by the Chicago Tribune.

State Rep. Davidsmeyer calls for Democrats to donate campaign funds from Madigan-led committees 

“A Republican representative from Murrayville wants 57 Democratic lawmakers to donate campaign funding to charity if it was given to them by groups previously led by former House Speaker Mike Madigan,” by My Journal Courier.

You may pay more for gas, see less plastic under new Illinois laws in effect soon

“While the new year typically brings the bulk of new laws to Illinois, a few new or updated pieces of legislation will go into effect Tuesday, July 1, as well,” by the Belleville News-Democrat.

“Too Anti-Business for New York”: ATRA Calls on Illinois Gov. Pritzker to Veto SB 328 

“The American Tort Reform Association called on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, warning the bill would create unprecedented liability for businesses across the country. In a letter to Gov. Pritzker, ATRA said the bill would undermine the Pritzker administration’s “Open for Business” economic growth plan,” by the Legal Reader.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago City Council approves snap curfew aimed at ‘teen takeovers’

“The City Council on Wednesday narrowly approved a plan to empower Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling to issue curfews anytime, anywhere in the city, with 30 minutes’ notice. The Council voted 27-22 to pass the measure,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Brandon Johnson warns Trump that Chicago has ‘to go as far necessary’ to protect the Constitution 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson declared Tuesday that Chicagoans “have to go as far as necessary” to “protect our Constitution” as the Trump administration sets its sight on the city as a target for militarized immigration enforcement,” by WBEZ Chicago.

Cook County preparing for $211M budget deficit for 2026 

“Cook County is predicting a $211.4 million budget shortfall for 2026, a relatively modest gap that officials said was more of an estimate than usual thanks to extraordinary uncertainty coming out of Washington,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Two aldermen want their wards out of Northwest Side anti-gentrification zone 

“Alds. Felix Cardona Jr., 31st, and Gil Villegas, 36th, plan to introduce an amendment to the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance at today’s council meeting to pull out the portions of their wards it covers,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Ald. Jim Gardiner cleared of ethics charge, $20K fine; ethics board chair stepping down 

“After roughly four years of investigations, $20,000 in levied fines, and bureaucratic battles, the Chicago Board of Ethics board cleared 45th Ward Ald. Jim Gardiner this week of allegations that he used city resources to retaliate against a constituent,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Democrats’ Not So Invisible Primary

The race for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination is wide open and the field is beginning to take shape. Major lanes include former Biden administration officials, governors, and senators.

As stablecoin legislation advances one step closer to becoming law, an even more sweeping effort to create a regulatory framework for a wider array of digital assets is gaining momentum in Congress.

While President Trump is fixated on tariffs, the standoff between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly focused on respective export controls that cover strategic supply chain chokepoints.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – In-Conversation with the Wall Street Journal’s Gregory Zuckerman

Award-winning Wall Street Journal writer Gregory Zuckerman joins host Howard Schweitzer to explore how today’s political landscape is shaping global markets. Drawing on nearly 30 years of reporting, Zuckerman offers sharp insights into the intersection of markets, politics, policy, and culture. Featuring Public Strategies’ CEO Howard Schweitzer and WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman.

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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