Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (7/9)

July 9, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

360,000 Illinois Residents To Lose Food Assistance Due To Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ Pritzker Says 

“Gov. JB Pritzker warned the state cannot fill cuts to the United States’ signature food assistance program under the “Big Beautiful Bill” that President Donald Trump has signed into law,” by Block Club Chicago.

Attorney General Raoul Joins Coalition Opposing Unlawful Termination Of Environmental Justice Grant Program 

“Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for unlawfully terminating the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program,” by the RiverBender.

JCAR approves new rules to improve voter registration through state agency 

“New rules heard by JCAR Tuesday would begin a ‘website transfer” to combine the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) system with the state Board of Elections’ online voter profile,” by The Daily Line.

‘We think about the state in the same way’: Mitchell ready to back up Pritzker 

“At 38 years old, Christian Mitchell has been inside most corners of state government as a top advisor on political campaigns, state legislator, deputy governor and civic engagement leader at a major university,” by Capitol News Illinois.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Should two-thirds City Council approval be needed for future borrowing? One mayoral critic thinks so 

“Southwest Side Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) wants to raise the threshold for approving city borrowing from a simple majority, or 26 votes, to a two-thirds majority, or 34 votes. That would allow 17 members to block future borrowing,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Lawsuit over Cook County tax sales gets class-action status 

“Cook County’s delinquent tax sales, which have been on shaky ground since the U.S. Supreme Court deemed the system unconstitutional three years ago, are now being challenged by a class of former homeowners who together may have lost millions of dollars in home equity,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Johnson ‘seriously considering’ City Council dean Walter Burnett to run Chicago Housing Authority 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he is seriously considering City Council dean Walter Burnett (27th) to take over a Chicago Housing Authority that has fallen short on delivering on promises of the “Plan for Transformation” made after CHA high-rises were demolished,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Coach houses return to City Council’s agenda — and reignite a zoning argument 

“Mayor Brandon Johnson and the lead sponsor, Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, both believe the time has come to test the City Council’s willingness to green-light more housing in the city while giving up a small measure of control over development in their wards,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke Released From Federal Prison After 9 Months Following Corruption Convictions 

“Former Ald. Ed Burke has been released from federal prison, less than 10 months after he began serving a two-year sentence following his convictions in his landmark corruption trial,” by WTTW.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – Who Can Follow Trump?

While only six months into President Trump’s second term, the contours of the race to succeed the president are starting to take shape, with his ability to weigh in on his preferred candidate looming large over the contest.

With an AI Action Plan coming on July 23rd, the Trump administration understands that winning the race for AI will require a lot of necessary relevant infrastructure — namely, the energy to supply data centers.

The Supreme Court wrapped up its 2024-25 term with an affirmation of the Trump administration’s view of expansive executive power.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing – Political Upheaval in the Capital of Capitalism

New York Democrats nominated a Democratic socialist in the Democratic primary for mayor, sparking national debate over the future of the Democratic Party, its ideological direction, and the role of moderates. What does this mean for New York City, New York State, and national politics? Meanwhile, have events in the Middle East bolstered President Trump’s political standing and foreign policy chops? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer and Rose Christ.

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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