Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (8/2)

August 2, 2023

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE 

— Pritzker Administration Relaunches ‘Opening Doors’ Homebuyer Assistance Program With Additional $20 Million Investment: “Governor JB Pritzker announced the reopening of a homeownership program designed to help working-class families and underrepresented communities of color throughout the state of Illinois,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

— Northwestern hires former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review how it reports hazing: “Lynch will make her findings public after examining the university’s accountability mechanisms, the university announced Tuesday,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Cook County inks 12-year deal to receive solar power from new plant near Springfield: “County officials announced the county’s first power purchase agreement with a new solar energy facility Tuesday. The agreement to supply solar energy to the county is expected to make a dent toward achieving the county’s clean energy goals,” by The Daily Line.

— Forest Preserve District allocates more than $40 million in additional revenue from property tax hike: “The Forest Preserves of Cook County have begun to take advantage of millions of dollars in new revenue stemming from a property tax levy increase authorized by voters last fall. The forest preserve district is using the additional funds to make headway on projects and initiatives that were previously constrained by budgetary tightness, district spokesperson Carl Vogel said,” by The Daily Line.

CHICAGO

Jacquelyn Rosa appointed as city’s Chief Philanthropy Officer 

On Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that Jackie Rosa will serve as the City of Chicago’s Chief Philanthropy Officer.

“It’s an honor to serve the City of Chicago in this capacity and I will bring my passion for multi-sector collaboration and investment to impact our city’s most pressing issues,” said Jackie Rosa. “Critical to this work is engaging community in order to make meaningful developments that reflect our priorities.”

Rosa has worked for nearly two decades in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with experience in equitable grantmaking, place-based investment, and community and civic engagement.

Recently, Rosa worked at United Way of Metro Chicago, leading philanthropic investments in 18 communities across the city’s South and West sides, including suburban Cook County.

Rosa was the recipient of the 2016 Hispanics in Philanthropy Next Generation Fellowship and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from DePaul University.

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Chicago transportation commissioner Gia Biagi announces her departure: “Gia Biagi ushered in the electric scooter era and pioneered the outdoor dining program that helped restaurants and bars survive the pandemic,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— New Chicago Board of Education Members Announce Several Operational Changes at First Full Meeting: “At the first meeting of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new Board of Education, members announced a host of sweeping changes they say are aimed at improving transparency, community engagement and elevating issues important to stakeholders,” by WTTW.

— Migrants Moved Out Of South Loop Police Station As Lollapalooza Looms: “Families were moved to the newly opened Broadway Armory shelter in Edgewater as city officials work to move migrants out of local police stations,” by Block Club Chicago.

— Lead sponsor of Bring Chicago Home referendum proposal confident it will pass by January deadline: “The deadline for the City Council to approve a referendum question for the 2024 General Primary Election asking Chicagoans if they support the so-called Bring Chicago Home proposal is Jan. 2, and the lead sponsor of the proposal is confident the measure will pass by the end of the year,” by The Daily Line.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: Age: Wisdom or Uncertainty? 

Explore the pros and cons of an aging federal government, the criminal entanglements of former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, and the glimmer of hope on the 2028 presidential horizon.

Featuring: Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Rodney Davis.

Listen to the 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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