Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (7/24)

July 24, 2023

ILLINOIS

Gov. Pritzker celebrates opening of new Lion Electric factory in Joliet

Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and business leaders in Joliet on Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Lion Electric’s newest electric vehicle manufacturing facility.

The 900,000 square foot facility is the largest all-electric U.S. plant dedicated to medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle production and is expected to have a production capacity of 20,000 buses and trucks per year.

The Canadian-based company first announced plans to build its new facility in May 2021 after deciding to take advantage of Illinois’ new electric vehicle (EV) tax credits negotiated in CEJA.

Friday’s event came at the end of Governor Pritzker’s weeklong trade mission trip to the U.K. to promote Illinois’ electric vehicle industry and its clean energy initiatives.

AROUND THE STATE 

— Gov. Pritzker Announces Seventeen Appointments to Boards and Commissions: “Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— IDPH Announces $10 Million Program to Provide Air Purifiers to Improve Air Quality in Day Care Centers: “Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the state is offering more than 20,000 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers at no cost to Day Care Centers in Illinois to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. To receive air purifiers, plus a three-year supply of filters, Day Care providers must fill out an online request form by July 31,” from the Office of Governor JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Biden to create Emmett Till national monument at Chicago church where his open casket was displayed: “A White House official said Biden will sign a proclamation Tuesday to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Chicago and Mississippi,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Reporter Yvette Shields, foremost expert in municipal finance who was ‘so brilliant but so kind,’ dies at 57: “A veteran reporter for The Bond Buyer, Ms. Shields died suddenly last week. She was 57,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: The federal government needs a facelift

Media coverage of political extremes and fringe politicos skews the American people’s perception of the federal government. With boomers passing the baton to the next generation, the nation has an opportunity to shift this narrative and select more aspirational leaders for the next chapter.

Listen to the full Beltway Briefing here.

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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