Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (8/9)

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE 

— Illinois’ rank as a place to do business rises — to 17th: “The study is from CNBC, the financial news network, which for the fourth year in a row raised Illinois’ ranking. The state now is 17th, up from 19th last year, right behind Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and just ahead of New York and New Jersey. Illinois was ranked 30th as recently as 2019,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

— State revenue continues year-to-year increase alongside positive economic signals: “State revenue figures increased in July compared to July 2022, according to the latest report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), as economic indicators show the economy is still going strong this year,” by The Daily Line.

— Jury of 6 men, 6 women selected as perjury trial gets underway for ex-top aide to Madigan: “Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz has signaled one witness will likely be former state Rep. Greg Harris, who was secretly recorded by the FBI speaking with a longtime Madigan ally about becoming majority leader,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— July saw highest Illinois cannabis sales this year at $140 million: “Most of the weed sales were to state residents, which totaled $104.2 million,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Pritzker Administration Announces $10M in Grants to Strengthen Mental Health Services in Schools: “Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the State of Illinois is accepting grant applications from schools and agencies that support child and adolescent health for a share of $10 million in federal funding intended to strengthen mental health services for students across Illinois,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO 

Minyon Moore tapped as chair of 2024 Democratic Convention

The DNC unveiled its leadership team for the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with Chicago native Minyon Moore named as the chair of the event.

Moore got her start working for Rev. Jesse Jackson on his 1988 presidential campaign and Operation PUSH, now known as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. She would later work in the Clinton administration and on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Moore also served as an advisor to Joe Biden during the Supreme Court nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

“I am grateful to the team members who have already been working hard, and know that through their work, and the strong team we continue to build, that this convention will be a success,” Moore said in a statement. “I can’t wait to showcase all that Chicago and the Democratic Party have to offer as we celebrate the renomination of President Biden and Vice President Harris next year.”

The DNC team and the host committee will work closely but separately on numerous logistical aspects of the convention, including fundraising and activities both inside and outside the arena. The host committee is led by Democratic donor and fundraiser Michael Sacks.

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Transportation advocates urge new CDOT commissioner who uplifts community voices, rethinks Vision Zero: “A group of transportation advocacy groups on Monday sent Mayor Brandon Johnson an open letter detailing the characteristics they want to see in a new leader for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT),” by The Daily Line.

— Johnson urged to pick Snelling for top cop as signs point in that direction: “Mayor Brandon Johnson was urged Monday to choose counterterrorism Chief Larry Snelling to be Chicago’s next police superintendent with all signs pointing in that direction after in-person interviews with all three finalists,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Chicago’s ‘bikeability’ is behind the curve in recent cycling studies: “Two studies using different metrics determined that Chicago has work to do to make roadways more bike friendly,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.