Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (6/29)

June 29, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois to see greater protections from ‘junk fees,’ ticket-buying bots, Gov. JB Pritzker says 

“Illinoisans will soon see fewer unexpected “junk fees” and greater protections from robots snatching up concert tickets, lawmakers and Gov. JB Pritzker said at a signing for a handful of consumer protection bills Thursday,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

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Pritzker signs bill protecting medical records for abortion patients in Illinois  

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act into law on Wednesday, which prevents abortion information from being shared with out-of-state entities, shielding it so abortion-seekers are protected from potential retaliation for receiving legal healthcare in Illinois,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signs 3 bills to boost protection for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans 

“Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a ceremony for the signing of three bills to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans on Sunday morning,” by CBS News. 

Cocktails-to-go, new state agency among laws taking effect July 1

“In addition to the state’s nearly $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget being implemented and the 1-cent motor fuel tax increase being suspended for the remainder of the year, 14 news laws will go into effect on Wednesday,” by Capitol News Illinois.  

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Johnson takes first step toward creating stand-alone city department to reduce gun violence

“Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order Thursday to begin the potentially costly process of delivering on his promise to create the stand-alone city department focusing exclusively on reducing and preventing gun violence,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes City Council to adopt tenants rights package 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson added pressure to aldermen Monday as they began to vet his plan to overhaul Chicago renters’ rights with changes like capped move-in fees and a rental registry,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Mayor’s financial task force proposes Downtown congestion fee, service tax, restructuring electricity taxes 

“A follow-up report commissioned by Mayor Brandon Johnson lays out an array of revenue-generating options that includes a sales tax on virtually ‘all consumer services,’ taxing high-volume electricity users at a higher rate, and imposing a congestion fee on ‘vehicles entering or exiting a designated central area during peak periods,’” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

After CHA showdown with Johnson, Matthew Brewer enters mayor’s race

“Businessman and corporate attorney Matthew Brewer is running for mayor after leading a heated public fight with Mayor Brandon Johnson over control of the Chicago Housing Authority,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: How Far Can Progressives Progress?

Progressives are gaining electoral momentum and shifting the Democratic Party to the left, though their success may have limits on the national stage. 

From the impact of GLP-1 medications to how the Food and Drug Administration approves drugs, much of the policy debate around pharmaceuticals centers on one number: a pill’s list price. 

A growing gap between the White House’s China diplomacy and Congress’s hawkish legislative agenda is emerging, with the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act likely to be where the two approaches collide. Read the Cozen Currents here.

The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation: 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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