Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (9/17)

September 17, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker says President Donald Trump is ‘losing it’ after latest Chicago National Guard threat 

“President Donald Trump again vowed to deploy the National Guard to Chicago ‘against’ the opposition of Gov. JB Pritzker, prompting the Democratic governor on Tuesday to label the president’s latest comments a possible sign of ‘dementia’ after a month of on-and-off threats by Trump to mobilize the military to the city,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

Oversight panel objects to new Illinois prison mail policy

“A legislative oversight panel formally objected Tuesday to a new administrative rule that temporarily allows the Illinois Department of Corrections to withhold mail from incarcerated people and instead deliver electronically scanned copies of correspondence they receive from the outside,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Downstate will get ‘something’ from Chicago transit bill according to Illinois House Speaker

“While the Speaker of the House Chris Welch said it will benefit Downstate, he can’t give any details on what changes it will make to statewide transit. ‘Transit is important not just to northern Illinois, but to downstate Illinois just as well,’  Welch said,” by Central Illinois Proud. 

IL Freedom Caucus Chair files articles of impeachment against Gov. JB Pritzker

“The Illinois Freedom Caucus chairman and husband to local Congresswoman Mary Miller has filed articles of impeachment in the Illinois General Assembly against Governor JB Pritzker,” by WLDS. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Budget Task Force Recommends Tax Hikes, Higher Fees To Close $1 Billion Gap

“The group’s recommendations include 45 ‘cost-saving’ measures and 39 ‘revenue measures,’ some of which would require approval by the Illinois General Assembly and could not be implemented by the mayor and City Council alone,” by Block Club Chicago. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson orders police to work with protesters if Trump ‘tramples constitution’

“Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday that orders Chicago police to ‘collaborate with protest organizers to develop a mutually acceptable alternative plan’ when Trump-controlled law enforcement disrupts legal protest,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

City Council committee defies Mayor Johnson by voting to lift Chicago ban on video gaming

“Over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s strong objections, a City Council committee agreed Tuesday to back legalizing video gaming at more than 3,500 Chicago restaurants, hotels, theaters and bowling alleys,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

Battle over Chicago police disciplinary hearings moves to state Supreme Court

“Chicago’s largest police union is asking the state Supreme Court to weigh an appeal of a lower court ruling that requires public hearings for officers accused of egregious misconduct,” by the Chicago Sun Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: The Rise of the Base

Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani’s political rise has implications for national politics. 

Industrial policy is alive and well under President Trump, with the semiconductor industry at the forefront of this experiment, even if his preferred policies are drastically different from those of former President Biden. 

A battle over extending expiring tax credits for millions of Americans who receive their health care insurance through the Affordable Care Act has become intertwined with the latest shutdown showdown. Read the Cozen Currents here. 

Beltway Briefing: Two Realities, One Nation

America faces unprecedented division. With citizens operating from two incompatible sets of facts and losing any sense of common ground, the dehumanization of both parties is pushing the nation toward a dangerous tipping point in political violence. How can today’s leaders rise to meet this moment? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French 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

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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