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

September 20, 2024

ILLINOIS

 

| AROUND THE STATE

 

Mistrial Declared After Jury Deadlocks on Whether Ex-AT&T Boss is Guilty of Bribing Michael Madigan

“A federal judge on Thursday declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked in their deliberations over whether former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza bribed longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via a no-work contract for the speaker’s political ally,” by WTTW.

 

Lake County Board chair supports plan to consolidate transit governance with more Cook County representatives

“While many suburban officials have pushed back on plans to consolidate Chicago-area public transportation agencies in a governing structure that includes more Cook County representatives, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said she believes it makes sense to defer most representation to the state’s largest county and user of public transit,” by The Daily Line.

 

Smell of burnt cannabis alone no longer justifies a police search of a vehicle, Illinois Supreme Court rules

“Reversing a previous ruling from before the legalization of marijuana, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the smell of burnt cannabis alone is not enough to justify a warrantless police search of a vehicle,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

Cook County commissioner pitches a property tax relief fund for struggling homeowners

“Commissioner Bridget Gainer wants to take $15 million from an estimated $100 million the county expects to get from overdue property taxes to start the fund,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

CHICAGO

 

Mayor Johnson vows to veto ShotSpotter, company to remove gunshot sensors

 

The Chicago City Council on Wednesday voted to suspend the rules and empower Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling to bypass the mayor’s decision and sign a new contract with ShotSpotter. Aldermen voted 33-14 to move the contracting power from Johnson to Snelling, one vote short of a veto-proof majority.

 

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his intention to veto the measure, calling it “illegal” and leaving him “no choice but to veto.” Johnson said he plans to issue a request for information from companies to “find technology that works.”

 

The contract was originally set to expire in February, but Johnson negotiated a last-minute extension to keep the system online through the summer. The device’s parent company, SoundThinking, said it would begin the process of removing roughly 2,000 sensors from across Chicago beginning on Monday.

 

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the company said: “We are gratified by the support of the many alderpeople and civic leaders across the city who recognize the undeniable fact that ShotSpotter saves lives. We are pleased with City Council’s decision yesterday and view their heart-felt testimony and resulting vote as a powerful message from the citizens of Chicago regarding the role and value of ShotSpotter across the Chicago neighborhoods that we serve today … With the overwhelming support of the City Council, we remain hopeful that a resolution to extend the lifesaving gunshot detection technology can be found.

 

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

 

Mayor Brandon Johnson and The Chicago Department of Housing Announce First Developments to Receive New Bond Proceeds

“Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) is pleased to announce the first two developments receiving financing from the HED bond. In a strategic approach to funding housing, Mayor Johnson pledged to allocate $230-250 million for the construction and preservation of affordable rental homes,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

 

Johnson accused of picking another police-related fight with City Council

“Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused Thursday of picking a new police-related fight with the City Council — this time surrounding the longstanding demand for a new Southwest Side police district to speed response times. The new district would alleviate the burden on the existing Chicago Lawn District, which serves the second-largest geographic area with the fewest officers per capita,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

City Council OKs New Rules to Fight Gentrification, Displacement on Northwest Side

“New rules designed to prevent the displacement of longtime residents by preserving affordable housing will soon be in place in parts of Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, West Town and Humboldt Park, the culmination of a yearslong fight against gentrification,” by WTTW.

 

Chicago officials unveil plan to merge homeless and migrant shelters into one system

“Local leaders on Thursday revealed details about a proposed plan to merge homeless and migrant shelters in Chicago and what a unified shelter system could look like,” by CBS News.

 

Terminal dogfight? Greyhound running illegal bus service outside Union Station, Amtrak alleges

“It’s the latest drama in the countdown to Greyhound’s possible departure from its West Loop terminal when its lease ends in October. The city has not said where Greyhound may be allowed to relocate its bus service,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Longest-serving Chicago alderman Ed Burke will report to prison Monday; unclear where he will serve

“Legendary Chicago City Councilman Ed Burke is just days from his surrender to federal prison,” by ABC 7 Chicago.

 

FEDERAL

 

Cozen Currents: The Fight for the Center

 

As undecided voters tune into the presidential race’s post-Labor Day sprint, former President Trump and Vice President Harris are rapidly unveiling new populist economic policy proposals in a race to capture the economic center.

 

Former President Trump is all in on tariffs as a centerpiece of his foreign policy. While this was already the case during his first term, he is expected to rely more heavily on them during a second term, seeing them not only as a means to an end, but sometimes as the end itself.

 

After voters have their say this fall, each party will hold elections to determine their respective leadership in the House and Senate. There are no doubts who will be leading the Democrats in each chamber, but it’s an open question for the Republicans, at least in the Senate.

 

Read the Cozen Currents here.

 

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.

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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