Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (7/17)

July 17, 2023

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE 

— Gov. Pritzker Continues United Kingdom Trade Mission with State Business and Education Leaders: “Today, Governor JB Pritzker continued the delegation phase of his trade mission to the United Kingdom with meetings with government and education leaders as well as a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— Illinois Supreme Court expected to rule on elimination of cash bail Tuesday: “Illinois Supreme Court Clerk Cynthia Grant issued a notice Friday indicating that the court expects to file its ruling at 9 a.m. Tuesday deciding a lawsuit over the constitutionality of the state’s plan to eliminate cash bail, a key element of the criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act,” by the Daily Herald.

— Illinois is among the states pushing for U.S. census corrections to boost funding: “In his correction request, Gov. JB Pritzker didn’t specify how many people he believes were missed but cited the bureau’s estimate of almost 2% of the population,” by WBEZ.

— Rev. Jesse Jackson handing the reins of Rainbow/PUSH to Dallas pastor: “After ceding day-to-day operations last year, Jackson, 81, is formally handing the reins to his successor, the Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, a senior pastor of friendship at West Baptist Church in Dallas. Haynes’ appointment is expected to be announced this weekend at the annual Rainbow/PUSH convention, sources said Friday,” by the Chicago Tribune.

— New District 214 superintendent calls for ‘fair deal’ in Bears tax talks: “Like Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, new Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Superintendent Scott Rowe called for fairness in reaching a tax deal with the team in Arlington Heights,” by the Daily Herald.

CHICAGO

Mayor Johnson launches campaign to close Chicago’s device gap

In partnership with World Business Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson today announced the launch of a month-long campaign encouraging Chicago’s business community and large organizations to donate computers and laptops no longer in use in an effort to bridge the City’s digital divide.

The donated devices will be data-wiped and refurbished to help as many as 260,000 Chicago households who don’t have a computer at home.

Organizations interested in donating their retired computers can fill out a pledge form and will be contacted by PCs for People or Compudopt, the City’s two partnership non-profits, to schedule a pickup.

Interested donors can learn more and make a pledge at chi.gov/DeviceDonation.

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Workforce Development committee to consider measure supporting UPS workers, resolution to create youth employment subcommittee: “The City Council Committee on Workforce Development will consider a resolution Monday to support the union representing United Parcel Service (UPS) workers and a measure creating a subcommittee on youth employment,” by The Daily Line.

— As progressives gather in Chicago, Brandon Johnson’s election and state’s social policies celebrated: “Brandon Johnson’s election as mayor and Illinois’ enactment of liberalized social policies under Gov. J.B. Pritzker served as rallying points for the three-day Netroots Nation conference, the largest national gathering of progressives and a precursor to next year’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago,” by the Chicago Tribune.

— Lori Lightfoot, Ald. Jim Gardiner accused of ethics violations that could trigger fines: “Former mayor is in the hot seat over reelection campaign emails; Council member allegedly used city employees to punish a critic,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Alderpeople Call To End ‘Subminimum’ Wage For Tipped Workers: “The mayor and his allies donned aprons in solidarity with workers’ advocates who say the base hourly rate for tipped workers such as restaurant servers should be the same as their untipped counterparts,” by Block Club Chicago.

— City Council committee tiptoes toward sidewalk snow removal mandate: “Chief sponsor Gilbert Villegas (36th) wanted to move more quickly, but his colleagues worry it could create an unrealistic and costly expectation,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Authors

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About Cozen O’Connor

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