Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (7/23)

July 23, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Fiscal differences remain as Illinois lawmaker urges for transit special session

“State Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, made the call Monday during a ceremony to mark the reopening of four Chicago Transit Authority train stations on the city’s North Side. ‘I as a state senator am calling on my colleagues to come back to Springfield and have a special session so that we can fully fund public transit. We need a special session today, not next month and not in the veto session,’ Simmons said,” by the Center Square.

CPS board members ask Pritzker, lawmakers to call special session on school funding

“They say this is an urgent need not just for Chicago, but for school districts across the state that also are grappling with budget troubles as federal COVID-19 relief money runs out and the Trump administration puts other federal funding in jeopardy,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

New Illinois law aims to make it easier to evict squatters 

“The measure, signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday, clarifies what has long been a point of contention over how authorities should handle squatters — people who are living in a residence without the permission of the property’s legal tenant or owner,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Feds weigh in on lawsuit challenging how Illinois maintains voter registration rolls

“The U.S. Department of Justice added its voice this month to a lawsuit by private entities accusing the state of Illinois of failing to properly maintain a statewide voter registration list, in violation of a 1993 federal law,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Illinois joins suit to block Trump administration from barring undocumented immigrants from public benefits

“The suit, announced Monday, seeks to stop a series of orders from federal agencies that would block people from the early childhood education program Head Start, Title X family planning, adult education, mental health care and community health centers based on immigration status,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson wants CTA smoking crackdown after aldermen’s call 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson promised Tuesday to crack down on smoking on Chicago Transit Authority trains and buses, latching onto an effort already underway in the City Council. Johnson signed an executive order directing city departments to send social workers onto the transit system and City Hall lobbyists to push for more safety funding in Springfield,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago CFO says property tax hike likely in 2026 budget package

“Chicago Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski said the city will likely seek to raise property taxes to address next year’s budget deficit. “It is likely that that will be part of the package,” Jaworski said in an interview at Bloomberg’s New Voices event in Chicago,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Public Housing Resident Leaders Don’t Want Walter Burnett In Charge Of The Chicago Housing Authority 

“Resident leaders of multiple Chicago Housing Authority developments said Tuesday that Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) isn’t the person they want leading the agency, portraying him as unaware of the needs and concerns of residents,” by Block Club Chicago.

Online sports betting, legal video gaming could be cash cow for Chicago, alderpersons say

“Ald. William Hall (6th), chair of the Council’s Revenue Subcommittee, pegged the overall jackpot from video gaming at $1.1 billion, with $955 million of that amount going to the state of Illinois. Chicago and other municipalities get $164 million, Hall said at a subcommittee hearing Monday,” by the Chicago Sun Times.

Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget office of ‘systemically’ delaying paychecks 

“Chicago Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration of deliberately slowing down paychecks for dozens of employees this summer in a fiery email that warned the city was jeopardizing its compliance with the federal consent decree,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – GOP and Democrats Are Both in Your Debt (Literally) 

The federal debt has grown dramatically in recent years, with both parties pursuing significant deficit spending, the impacts of which will likely not be fully clear for several years.

President Donald Trump scored a win with the passage of a $9 billion rescissions package last week but Trump 2.0’s spending cuts are just getting started.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Summer Snapshot: Epstein, AI and Public Trust

What’s top of mind for voters this summer? While the Epstein files dominate airwaves, pocketbook issues remain center stage. How are leaders leveraging infrastructure investments—especially in artificial intelligence—to spur economic growth? And how does voter trust vary across levels of government when it comes to delivering on these promises? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Jim Davis.

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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