Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (9/16)

September 16, 2024

ILLINOIS

 

Pritzker names James Jennings as next director of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

 

Gov. JB Pritzker has named James Jennings the new director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, pending Senate approval. Jennings has been serving as interim director since July after former Director John Kim retired. Jennings has worked for the Illinois EPA since 2013.

 

A full press release can be found here.

 

| AROUND THE STATE

 

On Witness Stand, Former AT&T Lobbyist Describes How Madigan Ally Got $22,500 Contract

“Federal prosecutors showed the emails to a jury on Thursday in their trial against La Schiazza, who they accuse of bribing Madigan with a contract for Acevedo, one of Madigan’s political allies,” by WTTW.

 

Downstate federal trial poses latest test for Illinois gun ban

“Legal wrangling over Illinois’ sweeping gun ban is set to resume Monday in East St. Louis, where a federal judge will consider a challenge to the constitutionality of a law that is almost two years old and has so far withstood a barrage of challenges from gun rights advocates,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

Legislators continue talks on pharmacy benefit manager reform 

“The House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee held a hearing Wednesday on specialty drugs and how PBMs play a role in what medications a person can obtain. The hearing was the latest in a series of meetings held by the committee over the last six months that have featured often a dozen witnesses explaining what PBMs do or how PBMs create hurdles for consumers,” by The Daily Line.

 

CHICAGO

 

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

 

Mayor Brandon Johnson slow on push to put civilians in CPD jobs

“Mayor Brandon Johnson has made little progress hiring civilians to new administrative positions in the Chicago Police Department this year, leaving mostly unfulfilled his promise to move the cops now doing that work to the street to fight crime,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

Last-ditch attempt to keep ShotSpotter snuffed out by parliamentary counter-maneuver

“Proponents of the gunshot detection technology wanted to force a City Council vote Wednesday on an ordinance empowering CPD Supt. Larry Snelling to sign a new contract with ShotSpotter. But by putting it on her committee agenda for Monday, Ald. Michelle Harris can prevent full Council action later next week,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Finance committee to consider wrongful murder conviction settlement, Pilsen TIF District expansion and TIF funding for myriad housing projects

“The City Council finance committee on Monday will consider an $11.6 million legal settlement, an expansion of the tax increment financing (TIF) district in Pilsen and millions in TIF dollars to various projects citywide. The Committee on Finance will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers,” by The Daily Line.

 

City Closes Gold Coast Homeless Shelter Used To House Tent City Residents During DNC

“The city promised to replace the shelter and connect its residents to housing — but some said what was offered was far less desirable,” by Block Club Chicago.

 

FEDERAL

 

Beltway Briefing: Cats, Dogs, and Taylor Swift

 

Did the minds of any voters change after the Harris-Trump debate? Does the debate matter for down ballot races? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

 

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

 

 

 

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