Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (7/16)

July 16, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces she’s not running for reelection, keeps door open for Chicago mayoral run 

“Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Wednesday she would not run for a fourth term in 2026 as the state’s top fiscal officer, opening the door for her to challenge Brandon Johnson in what would be her second bid for Chicago mayor,” by the Chicago Tribune.

After Pritzker’s attacks on State Farm, insurance industry sees another push for rate review coming to Springfield | WGLT 

“The head of Illinois’ insurance industry trade group said Tuesday that Gov. JB Pritzker’s attacks on State Farm were “unfortunate” and likely part of a push to give state regulators new power to reject rate increases,” by WGLT.

Illinois among 24 states suing Trump administration over frozen education funding

“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has once again joined a coalition of other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration, this time for blocking education funding as the school year is set to begin across the country,” by NPR Illinois.

Illinois lawmaker proposes ban on foreign clean energy components to protect grid, national security

“An Illinois Republican lawmaker has filed a bill to ban the use of renewable energy components made by foreign adversaries in any Illinois energy projects. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin told WAND News her plan could protect the state’s energy grid and national security,” by Wand News.

Illinois Head Start Association seeks to add new Trump immigration rules to its ongoing lawsuit

“Early childhood education advocates, including the Illinois Head Start Association, are seeking to expand their ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration to include new immigration status checks that the plaintiffs say are unlawful,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

City Council Fails to Override Mayor Johnson’s Veto of Plan to Give CPD Power to Declare ‘Snap Curfews’

“The Chicago City Council failed Wednesday to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto of a measure that would have allowed Chicago Police Department officials to preemptively impose a curfew anywhere in the city and begin enforcing it with just 30 minutes notice,” by WTTW.

Granny flat ordinance stalls at City Council

“A City Council vote to legalize granny flats and coach houses citywide was delayed today, even as supporters were prepared to make further concessions to accommodate opponents,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Johnson’s crackdown on retail window signs stalls

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to improve both public safety and retail corridor aesthetics by cracking down on businesses that cover or block more than 25% of their “public-facing window space” ran into a buzz saw of opposition Tuesday amid concern about the impact on struggling retailers,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

Chicago transit’s $771M fiscal cliff could shrink because of extra sales tax

“The coming fiscal cliff for mass transit in Chicago is starting to look less steep than originally predicted, thanks to a tax on e-commerce that took effect in January,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Sterling Bay’s Lincoln Park project advances after Ald. Waguespack drops opposition

“A long-stalled Sterling Bay development in Lincoln Park is almost certain to be approved by the City Council after local Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, dropped his opposition ahead of a key vote,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Is Three a Crowd?

Elon Musk has announced his desire to build a third party but money alone isn’t enough to build a sustainable third party in modern-day America.

Uncertainty is a feature, not a bug, of President Trump’s trade policies, and the dizzying array of tariff threats underscores the never-ending questions and instability that the actions raise.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and GOP fiscal hawks are already talking up the possibility of passing a second (and even a third) reconciliation bill before the midterms, but neither time nor legislative history are on their side

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – The Trump Agenda Six Months In

With the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” now behind us, domestic legislating has slowed. Is foreign policy now the dominant element of Trump 2.0? Meanwhile, Democrats remain fractured, struggling to find a unified narrative. How will these dynamics shape the road to the midterms? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Kyle Anderson.

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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