Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (8/25)

August 25, 2023

ILLINOIS

Mapes found guilty of perjury, obstruction of justice

Former Speaker Mike Madigan’s chief of staff and former executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois Tim Mapes was convicted of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice Thursday.

After a three-week trial and five hours of deliberation, jurors found Mapes guilty of lying and producing misleading statements while under oath in March 2021 in a failed attempt to protect his former boss from a federal corruption investigation.

Mapes is now the seventh person to be convicted by a federal jury in Chicago this year as a result of political corruption investigations. He will be sentenced in January and faces a maximum of five years for perjury and up to 20 years for attempted obstruction.

| AROUND THE STATE

Latest hearing on pension proposal exposes point of contention between lawmakers and among pension systems

“Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) is leading meetings of the House Personnel and Pensions Committee every other week this summer to discuss HB4098, a broad pension reform plan that is also co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock). Wednesday’s third hearing on the bill focused on a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) proposed by the bill,” by The Daily Line.

Gov. Pritzker & MicroLink Devices Announce Manufacturing Expansion in Niles as Part of REV Illinois

“Governor JB Pritzker and MicroLink Devices announced a new Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement for the company’s $9.5 million facility expansion in Niles. The expansion will enable the company to grow its design and manufacturing operations for the production of state-of-the-art solar cells and solar sheets, with a new state-of-the-art testing and assembly lab,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

More than 66,000 slated to receive up to $5,000 for unclaimed property, state treasurer says

“Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs worked with lawmakers to create enhancements to a program that uses state records and technology to automatically return lost money to qualifying residents without the need to gather paperwork or file a claim,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago sues Kia, Hyundai over ‘car theft crisis’

“The complaint alleges Kia and Hyundai failed to equip their U.S. cars with anti-theft technology after a surge in thefts sparked by videos on TikTok and YouTube showing how to steal cars without keys,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Johnson offers hope for keeping Bears in Chicago

“In an interview on his first 100 days in office, Johnson characterized his conversations with the team as productive. The mayor did not elaborate on a specific plan or possible sites for a new stadium but described current talks as a listening phase that has established the rapport needed for progress,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

An estimated 68,440 Chicagoans experienced homelessness in 2021, new report says

“The number of people experiencing homelessness in Chicago increased between 2020 and 2021, according to a new estimate from Chicago Coalition for the Homeless,” by the Chicago Tribune.

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.

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