Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (9/11)

September 11, 2024

September 11, 2024

 

ILLINOIS

 

| AROUND THE STATE

 

Legislators renew push for new gun storage standards after school shooting

“Illinois lawmakers are renewing a push to pass new laws on gun storage after a 14-year-old was responsible for a mass shooting at a Georgia high school,” by The Daily Line.

 

Pritzker says he has not had any discussions with city about its budget deficit

“‘They have not approached us about any of it. I’ve read things in the newspaper by, I think, mostly by advocates, not really the city, about what they might want. But, no,’ Pritzker said,” by Capitol Fax.

 

Jury selected in trial of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Michael Madigan

“Opening statements are set for Wednesday morning in the trial of former AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza, who is accused of funneling payments to an acolyte of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to win the powerful Democratic leader’s support for legislation in Springfield,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

CHICAGO

 

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

 

Head of Johnson’s legislative affairs team resigns amid staff shake-up

“Sydney Holman, the city’s deputy mayor of intergovernmental affairs, submitted her resignation on the heels of an office reshuffling last week that was perceived to lessen her influence within the administration,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

 

Johnson’s chief liaison to emboldened City Council resigns

“Sydney Holman’s resignation as deputy mayor of intergovernmental affairs could not come at a more difficult time. Mayor Brandon Johnson is heading into what is certain to be a difficult budget season and struggling to find the votes to confirm his choice for Zoning Committee chair, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Three City Council leaders demand ouster of top mayoral aide who called police ‘f—ing pigs’

“In podcast interviews in 2021 and earlier this year, Johnson aide and former executive director of United Working Families Kennedy Bartley talked openly about defunding or the ‘abolition’ of police,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

City Council spars over ShotSpotter once again as end date in Chicago nears

“Aldermen called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to abandon his plan to end the city’s use of the technology at a Public Safety Committee hearing Monday. Johnson plans to phase out ShotSpotter over the course of two months starting Sept. 22, fulfilling a campaign pledge,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

New chief procurement officer appointment advances through contracting committee

“Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts to the post in July after the previous head of the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) was removed following the approval of a severance agreement by the City Council,” by The Daily Line.

 

City officials to shutter 3 migrant shelters as need for beds lessens

“The city has about 5,000 unused beds in migrant shelters. It will ‘re-evaluate the beds needed for the remainder of the year.’ Closing the shelters will eliminate 3,030 beds,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

FEDERAL

 

Cozen Currents: The Debate Over Defining Harris

  • With Election Day approaching quickly, both candidates are trying to make tonight’s debate as consequential as the last one.
  • The contest for the 2025 Senate majority is coming down to the wire, but recent polling indicates that, while Democratic candidates are overperforming in key races, a favorable map for the GOP may ultimately win out.
  • California lawmakers sent a major bill on AI to Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) desk late last month, but it’s unclear if he will sign it. Either way, the measure sets a precedent for regulating the emerging technology.

 

Read the full Cozen Currents here.

 

< 60 Days Out: An Unprecedented Election, Beltway Briefing

 

The media’s narrative has Democrats viewing the presidential race through rose-colored glasses, but this election will be decided by razor-thin margins. While the Harris-Walz campaign positions itself as the “changemakers,” many Americans are still unsure what their vision of “change” truly means. Tuesday’s first Harris-Trump debate gives former President Donald Trump a critical chance to redirect the conversation from personality politics back to policy. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer and Mark Alderman.

 

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

 

 

Authors

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

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