Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (8/7)

August 7, 2024

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Illinois politicians react to Tim Walz as VP pick

“Vice President Kamala Harris officially announced her running mate is Minnesota governor Tim Walz, and Illinois politicians are voicing their approval for the pick. Governor J.B. Pritzker said he’s fully committed to helping Harris and Walz get to the White House,” by WCIA.

IDFPR will finally purchase online licensing system

“The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) announced Tuesday, in addition to modernizing outdated processes, it has reached an agreement to secure a new professional licensing system for individuals whose careers require a license to work in Illinois,” by Capitol Fax.

Open house to be held on Redefine the Drive effort as proposals have come under scrutiny by lawmakers, advocacy groups

“The Chicago Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation are set to host a public open house Thursday on the Redefine the Drive effort, which aims to pair the replacement and reconstruction of crucial infrastructure elements on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive with improvements to the boulevard,” by The Daily Line.

New Illinois law aims to give free ID cards to citizens leaving correctional facilities

“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill on Tuesday that’s aimed at providing free identification cards to more people exiting correctional facilities in Illinois. The state already provides identification cards to people leaving the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, but the new law expands the program to every county jail and federal prison in the state,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Cook County spends federal, state, local tax dollars on transportation projects

“Preckwinkle announced nearly $8 million in county taxpayer dollars to leverage nearly $42 million in local, state and federal taxpayer funds,” by The Center Square.

Cook County announces new health center near site of former Michael Reese Hospital

“Cook County Health and the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management will invest $10 million in the new 26,000-square-foot health center near the site of the former Michael Reese Hospital,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Local hospitality industry leaders see long-term benefits for city past the week of Democratic convention

“The Democratic National Convention is estimated to generate $150 million in revenue across restaurants, hotels, bars and other places around the city when the four-day event occurs later this month, according to the city’s tourist arm, and business and hospitality groups are preparing ways to maximize their slice of the economic boon,” by The Daily Line.

Chicago Police to get the bulk of $75 million in DNC security funds

“A budget breakdown of the $75 million in federal security funding Chicago received for the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) shows that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) will get the vast majority of the funds. The Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will also get some of the federal funding,” by The Triibe.

Mayor Johnson calls off meeting to confirm Zoning chair

“Brandon Johnson couldn’t persuade his City Council allies to interrupt their August recess and get the 26 votes needed for a meeting quorum,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Joins City Leaders, Partners For Grand Re-opening of CTA Green Line Station at Damen and Lake

“Mayor Brandon Johnson joined 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Tom Carney and Near West Side stakeholders to announce the re-opening of the new CTA Damen Green Line station at Lake Street and Damen Avenue,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

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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

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