Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (9/20)

September 20, 2023

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE 

Some downstate counties struggled as bail reform took hold this week; one didn’t even try applying the new law

“For more than two years leading up to Illinois’s historic end to cash bail, counties south of Chicago had been warning they didn’t have the staffing or the resources to overhaul their pretrial systems. When the law went into effect Monday, some of those officials were relieved to see a slow start to the unprecedented remaking of the state’s court system,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

“Kendal Parker will serve as a Board Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. Parker is the Senior Director of Inclusive Engagement for UIC Advancement at the University of Illinois Chicago,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Proposal to raise minimum wage for tipped workers in Chicago advances in City Council

“Marking a victory for Mayor Brandon Johnson and fellow progressives on the City Council, a measure that would make Chicago the largest American city to independently abolish a subminimum wage for workers who get tips moved forward on Wednesday,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Christy George, top Pritzker aide, named executive director of Chicago DNC host committee

“Christy George, Pritzker’s first assistant deputy governor for budget and economy, will serve as the host committee’s permanent executive director effective Sept. 25. The host committee is tasked with raising between $80 and $100 million for the presidential convention, taking place Aug. 19-22,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Lolla gave Chicago economy a $422 million jolt, study says

“According to a report commissioned by Lollapalooza promoter C3 Presents and conducted by Texas-based research group AngelouEconomics, Lollapalooza generated more than $422 million for Chicago’s economy, compared to $336 million last year,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Report confirms city’s South and West sides face highest pollution burdens

“Pollution disproportionately affects Chicago’s South and West sides, and polluter industries are moving from the city’s white neighborhoods to Black and Latinx communities, a report released Monday shows,” by The Daily Line.

Some West Loop residents apprehensive about new migrant shelters; others already volunteering to help

“Monday’s gathering in the Union Park gymnasium in the West Loop was the most recent in a string of community meetings to inform residents about soon-to-open migrant shelters across Chicago as the city scrambles to house an increasing number of asylum-seekers arriving from border states. Currently, more than 2,000 migrants are sleeping on the floors of police stations and the city’s airports,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Duckworth blasts ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ senator for blocking vote to confirm U.S. attorney in Chicago

“Sen. Tammy Duckworth blasted Sen. J.D. Vance on Tuesday for blocking a confirmation vote for April Perry to be the next U.S. attorney in Chicago, while Sen. Dick Durbin is working behind the scenes to find a way to break the hold the Ohio Republican has on her confirmation. Perry’s nomination was advanced to the Senate floor last week from the Judiciary Committee, but her confirmation vote is in limbo because Vance is blocking Department of Justice nominees to protest the feds going after former President Donald Trump,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Pritzker joins Clinton, Whitmer to discuss political strategy on abortion ahead of 2024  

“Gov. JB Pritzker reaffirmed his position as a leading Democrat on abortion policy on Tuesday when he joined former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to strategize about how Democrats should use abortion as a top election issue in 2024,” by The Daily Line.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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About Cozen O’Connor

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