Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (7/28)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE 

— Van Pelt announces resignation from Senate after skipping spring session: “Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced Wednesday she will resign from the Illinois Senate on Tuesday after she didn’t participate in the spring session. Van Pelt represents the 5th Senate District, which stretches from the West Loop to Cicero Avenue and south to north from 16th Street to Fullerton Avenue including parts of the Wicker Park and Old Town neighborhoods. She currently chairs the Senate Local Government Committee,” by The Daily Line.

— Gov. Pritzker and DCFS Join Groundbreaking on Expanded Youth Care Facility: “Governor JB Pritzker joined Hoyleton Youth and Family Services today to break ground on a once in a generation construction project that will provide a new model of care for vulnerable youth 9-18 years old living in residential care,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Strengthening Protections Against Misinformation at ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’: “Governor JB Pritzker signed SB1909 into law, also known as the Deceptive Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers Act,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— Gov. Pritzker Announces New REV Deal & Breaks Ground on Expanded Facility in Du Quoin: “Governor JB Pritzker, Prysmian Group, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined local leaders and partners to announce a new Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement and break ground on Prysmian Group’s expanded facility in Du Quoin,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Increasing Mandatory Supervised Release Transparency, Advancing Criminal Justice Reform in Illinois: “Further advancing public safety and criminal justice reform in Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 423, implementing mandatory supervised release (MSR) reforms,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

City Council progressives reignite discussions on “mansion tax”

At a three-hour Housing Committee subject matter hearing Thursday, alderpersons discussed the long-stalled “Bring Chicago Home” ordinance and efforts to get a real estate transfer tax on the 2024 ballot.

As proposed, the ordinance would increase the transfer tax from 0.75 percent to 2.65 percent on homes that sell for over $1 million. The estimated $150 million in additional revenue would be used to fund homelessness services.

Opponents to the tax quickly stated that other proposals, like a marginal tax rate or a graduated rate, could win more support from voters at the ballot box. Additional concerns also arose such as creating exemptions for grocery stores in food deserts, small business owners and affordable housing properties who may be inadvertently affected.

“I’m hopeful for the conversations we’re going to have over the next couple of months,” said Ald. Maria Hadden, the lead sponsor of the proposal. “We’re going to get this done.”

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Chicago Bears And Mayor Johnson Continue Talks To Keep Team In City: “The Chicago Bears and Mayor Brandon Johnson are continuing talks over the team’s future in the city after its plans to leave for the suburbs hit a road bump,” by Block Club Chicago.

— Chicago, Milwaukee Seek Extra $50 Million to Cover Convention Security: “Congressional delegations from Wisconsin and Illinois are seeking $75 million for each host city to cover security for the presidential nominating conventions, up from the $50 million that is currently slated. That amount hasn’t changed since 2004,” by Bloomberg.

— ‘No rule of law’: City Council members decry criminal activity outside migrant shelters: “During a three-hour hearing on the migrant crisis, Ald. Jeanette Taylor accused top mayoral aides of portraying a ridiculously rosy picture that doesn’t match the ugly conditions on the ground,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— New Chicago Public Schools board lays out ambitious agenda for school system: “The newly seated board, hand-picked by Mayor Johnson, leans heavily on activists with experience in organizing and with nonprofit groups,” by WBEZ.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: Why Nobody Wants to Think About the 2024 Elections

• The 2024 presidential race is taking shape with the first GOP presidential debate next month and primaries just over six months away. But many voters aren’t interested in the race yet, probably due to the majority’s lack of interest in the most likely outcome: a Biden-Trump rematch.
• Control of the Senate is the Republicans’ to lose in 2024. Of course, the Senate GOP has demonstrated the ability to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory over the last two election cycles due to poor candidate quality. With new tactics though, will the third try be the charm?
• The winner of next year’s presidential election is expected to (barely) carry a closely-contested House despite weak coattails, with control of the lower chamber hinging on a handful of races, some of which may be based on redrawn congressional maps.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

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.

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