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

ILLINOIS

Pritzker signs BIPA reform into law

Earlier today, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a bill (SB 2979) that updates liability guidelines in the Biometric Information Privacy Act.

The measure, sponsored by state Senator Bill Cunningham, limits the number of claims accrued from its current per-scan method of calculation to a much more conservative per-person method.

The new law also modernizes consent to include the use of electronic signatures.

The amendments are a direct response to the Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc. majority opinion’s call to the Illinois General Assembly to “make clear its intent regarding the assessment of damages.”

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| AROUND THE STATE

Gov. Pritzker Signs Language Equity and Access Act

“Today Governor JB Pritzker signed SB3762, the Language Equity and Access Act, into law. The bill requires the Governor’s Office of New Americans (ONA), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), to craft, implement and oversee statewide language access requirements. The legislation seeks to ensure that language proficiency is not a barrier for Illinoisans seeking to access state agency resources,” from the Office of Governor JB Pritzker.

Assessor floats ‘circuit breaker’ approach to mitigating burdensome tax bill spikes on homeowners, other reforms

“Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi discussed rising tax bills for homeowners when he faced questions from the County Board of Commissioners for the second time in a week on Monday,” by The Daily Line.

Pritzker wants Fed to lower interest rates amid layoffs at Illinois companies   

“Workers at multiple Illinois manufacturing facilities have faced layoffs in recent months and Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates to help businesses facing new economic struggles,” by The Daily Line.

Pritzker touts another win as United Airlines buys green fuel for O’Hare

“Gov. J.B. Pritzker scored another win before Democrats meet in Chicago next month, with United Airlines becoming the first carrier to tap his tax credits to purchase green jet fuel for use at the city’s main airport,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Eileen O’Neill Burke is getting money from Cook County, appellate judges in her race for state’s attorney

“Illinois Supreme Court rules allow judges and judicial candidates to give money to political candidates. But some other jurisdictions ban or limit judges or judicial hopefuls from giving money to candidates or political groups,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces the Release of the 2024 ARPA Recovery Plan Annual Report

“The Chicago recovery efforts, under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration, are yielding significant progress according to the latest 2024 Road to Recovery Plan Performance Report outlining the transformative use of $1.887 billion in federal funds aimed at uplifting the City’s most vulnerable communities,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Racing the clock, Johnson speeds up spending of federal pandemic funds

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration reported Thursday it has ‘obligated’ 90% of Chicago’s allotment of federal stimulus funds and spent 83% of it,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

How the DNC intends to promote Chicago’s neighborhoods — not just downtown

“DNC and Chicago leaders want some of the expected 50,000 guests to visit tourist attractions beyond the renowned Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the Bean, or the skydeck of the Willis Tower, forever known to locals as the Sears Tower,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces the Upgrade of Chicago’s Ratings by Fitch Ratings, Inc.

“Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Fitch Ratings, Inc. has upgraded the City of Chicago’s General Obligation (GO) rating to ‘A-’ from ‘BBB+,’ and Chicago’s Sales Tax Securitization Corporation’s (STSC) senior lien bonds to ‘AAA’ from ‘AA+. The ratings agency has also maintained its outlook for both STSC and GO at Stable,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Botched Little Village smokestack implosion wasn’t my fault, Chicago city official says of dust storm fiasco

“Finally meeting with community residents more than four years later, Buildings Commissioner Marlene Hopkins faulted a contractor and city health officials for not planning for and containing the dust after developer Hilco demolished the old Crawford coal-burning power plant,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Johnson wants to summon Council back to session in August to install Sigcho-Lopez as Zoning chair

“Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to interrupt the City Council’s traditional summer recess to install Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) as Zoning Committee chair over continued objections from business leaders,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: How Harris is Different

Compared with President Biden, Vice President Harris is less of an institutionalist, would likely enter office with different priorities, and has closer relationships with Silicon Valley.

Vice President Harris’ ascension to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket and Senator JD Vance’s (R-OH) addition to the GOP ticket have raised questions about both parties’ policy trajectories, but the outlook for 2025 tax negotiations isn’t so different than it was before the political shakeup.

Even if Vice President Harris did not radically change President Biden’s foreign policy, as expected, her agenda stands at significant odds with the strategy former President Trump is pitching.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Kamala Harris: A Choice for Double-Haters?

With Vice President Kamala Harris rising to the top of the Democratic ticket, the “double-haters” now have a choice this November. The shift from President Joe Biden to Harris has energized the Democratic base, bringing young voters back into the fold. What role will gender and race play in the election? Who will she select as her running mate?

Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.