Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (6/22)

June 22, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker continues Illinois Prisoner Review Board restructuring following controversial rulings

“Four new members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board began work Monday on a panel whose controversial early-release decisions have repeatedly tested Gov. JB Pritzker politically and whose most consequential decision led to the homicide of an 11-year-old Chicago boy,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

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Linda Holmes, a 20-year Illinois Senate Democrat, will step down from ballot 

“The Illinois Senate’s fifth-most senior Democrat will retire after this fall’s veto session, marking the second member of the chamber’s leadership team to plan their exit from state government in recent months,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

Pritzker vetoes spending items accidentally included in Illinois budget, including $500B typo 

“Gov. JB Pritzker used his item and reduction veto powers to eliminate $500.4 billion of spending mostly erroneously included in Illinois’ fiscal year 2027 budget. The majority of that came from a single mistake that would’ve given more than $500 billion to an NAACP branch in Chicago,” by ABC Chicago. 

Pritzker, Welch waiting for Bears to make next play on stadium deal before lawmakers act 

“Gov. JB Pritzker gave Chicago Bears fans hope earlier this month when he said he’s open to a special session to keep the team in Illinois. However, Democratic leaders say they’re not bringing lawmakers back to work until the Bears return to the negotiating table,” by WAND News. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Cook County faces $550M budget shortfall, the largest gap under Preckwinkle 

“Cook County is staring down a $550 million budget gap for 2027, the biggest deficit projection in County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s tenure due in large part to inflation and an anticipated healthcare crisis induced by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to cite parking meter NDA, even as owner says it was lifted

“Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to claim a confidentiality agreement bars him from sharing information about the sale of Chicago’s parking meter system with aldermen and the public, even as the system’s owners say they lifted the restrictions and nothing is stopping him,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

City officials debate mayor’s proposed $425M in TIF funds for ‘The 78,’ Chicago Fire soccer stadium 

“A debate is underway over whether the city of Chicago should use tax increment financing funds to support ‘The 78,’ a development project that includes a proposed Chicago Fire soccer stadium,” by ABC Chicago. 

Controversial Fulton Market high-rise gets City Council sign-off

“​The Chicago City Council has approved a Fulton Market high-rise that city planners told it to reject, opening the door to Loop-scale density in the former meatpacking corridor,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: By the Numbers

Traditional midterm indicators, from generic-ballot polling to consumer sentiment, point to Democratic gains in the House in the November midterm elections. However, mid-decade redistricting has produced a narrower, GOP-leaning battlefield. This places a ceiling on Democrats’ potential gains and gives the GOP a chance to retain its majority should the political environment change between now and the fall. 

President Trump’s recent executive order on AI has shifted the debate over federal regulation of the technology. Meanwhile, blue and red states are filling the void left by the absence of binding federal rules. 

The World Cup will bring the world to America’s doorstep, as well as a set of complications for federal, state, and local governments. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation w/ Howard Schweitzer: Wharton Professor Judd Kessler on Hidden Markets, Incentives & the Systems Shaping Society

Judd Kessler—author of Lucky by Design, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, and a leading voice in behavioral economics—joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on the “hidden markets” and incentives shaping modern life. Drawing on his research at the intersection of behavioral economics and real-world decision-making, they explore how “hidden markets” influence opportunity, power, leadership, and institutional outcomes across business, government, and society. 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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