Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (7/10)

ILLINOIS

Pritzker signs Healthcare Protection Act

At the RUSH Professional Building in Chicago earlier today, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Healthcare Protection Act into law.

The legislation, a top priority for Pritzker this year, aims to make healthcare more accessible by deterring predatory insurance practices.

The new law requires insurers to conduct mandatory 90-day audits in order to maintain accurate, up-to-date lists of providers in their networks. The bill also bans step therapy, a tactic used by insurance companies to require patients to try and fail alternative treatment options before they can receive care their doctor recommends. It also prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization before a patient can receive mental health treatment and requires insurance companies to post procedures that require prior authorization.

“For thousands of Illinoisans, the reforms in this bill will mean the difference between people suffering with curable health conditions and getting the care they need in a timely manner,” Pritzker said at the conference. “For some, this bill will quite literally save their lives.”

The law takes effect January 1.

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| AROUND THE STATE

CTA, Metra, Pace, leaders oppose legislation to merge them into single public transit agency

“While the business community calls for reform, each transit agency and the RTA, which is the governing body that oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, are against the consolidation. They argue it will not make each organization better,” by ABC 7 Chicago.

Pritzker says he’s ‘all in’ for Biden — but won’t take himself out of presidential run speculation

“Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday said she would not become a candidate if President Joe Biden opts out. But Pritzker, who has been on shortlists as a potential replacement, wouldn’t make the same vow,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Data residency ordinance held in technology committee for the second time

“The City Council Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development on Tuesday postponed for the second time an ordinance requiring city data to ‘be processed, stored, transmitted and disposed of’ within United States jurisdiction in many but not all cases,” by The Daily Line.

Yearslong Push to Make Chicago City Council More Independent From the Mayor Falters

“A push to expand the power of the Chicago City Council to operate independently from the mayor and city attorneys failed to win the backing of a key city panel Monday, preventing the yearslong effort from advancing,” by WTTW.

Cut traffic, connect to the lake to reboot Mag Mile: study

“Bringing life back to the vacancy-plagued Magnificent Mile calls for scrapping two lanes of vehicle traffic and adding a dynamic new way to connect it to Lake Michigan, among other new recommendations from the world’s largest design firm,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Major Accomplishments Since Launch of Cut The Tape Initiative

“Mayor Brandon Johnson today made three major announcements as part of his signature Cut the Tape initiative to streamline and expedite housing and commercial development. The announcements include the completion of several policy initiatives that were outlined in the Cut the Tape Report, the appointment of Abigail Sullivan as the inaugural Director of Process Improvement, and the creation of the Cut the Tape Task Force consisting of nearly 50 development leaders,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Mayor Johnson caught in the middle of CPS-City Hall pension disagreement

“CPS plans to release its budget this week after a month’s delay. Sources say much of the discussion focused on a large pension payment CPS wanted the city to resume paying,” by WBEZ.

Mayor hardens stance on gun violence after more than 100 people shot in Chicago during holiday weekend

“A ‘heartbroken’ Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday declared ‘there will be consequences’ for those responsible for ‘wreaking havoc on my streets’ over the long holiday weekend,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Trump Version 2.0

Last month’s debate shone a spotlight on President Biden’s age and fitness for office, shifting focus away from former President Trump’s controversies, at least for now.

Arguably the most important consequence of a second term by former President Trump is that the unspoken institutional framework built up over decades, used to analyze how policies are made and implemented, will no longer apply.

Former President Trump’s return to the White House would not mean a return to his exact same America First foreign policy, but rather a more emphatic version.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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