Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (9/22)

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Governor Pritzker Issues Statement on Biden Administration’s Work Permit Expansions

“Governor Pritzker issued the following statement after the announcement that President Biden and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will expand temporary protections, including work permits, to thousands of recent asylum seekers in Illinois and across the country,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

County board approves grant funding for migrant care, water bill debt assistance program, numerous collective bargaining agreements

“The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to accept grant funding to assist asylum seekers, but Board President Toni Preckwinkle noted it was a one-time allotment as the county continues to spend millions per month to care for new arrivals,” by The Daily Line.

Pritzker Administration Provides $19 Million for Community Revitalization

“The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved $19 million to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across Illinois,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

IDFPR Announces New Director of Banking

“The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced Wednesday that Susana Soriano will serve as the next Director of Banking,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

Committee approves ordinance to raise minimum wage for tipped workers

Members of the Committee on Workforce Development voted 9-3 to advance an updated version of an ordinance (O2023-0002995) that, if approved by the full City Council Oct. 4, would phase out the “subminimum” wage for tipped workers in Chicago over the next five years (instead of an initially proposed two-year phaseout).

The negotiated compromise between Mayor Johnson and the City Council, worker advocacy groups, and the restaurant industry, would gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers by 8% each year to close the current 60% wage gap and to match the full minimum wage by July 1, 2028.

Late last week, the Illinois Restaurant Association attempted to introduce an ordinance (O2023-0004205) that would raise the minimum wage only for tipped workers who work at restaurants with an annual revenue of $3 million or more.

After his counterproposal was sent to the Rules Committee by Johnson’s floor leader Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), however, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said the five-year phase-in is “a compromise we can all live with.”

Johnson, who campaigned on a promise to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers, called the agreement a “huge step forward in delivering a fair wage for workers, many of whom are Black and Brown women who are heads of households and anchors of their communities.”

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago, Community Leaders Publicly Release Cumulative Impact Assessment Report

“Community and City of Chicago leaders publicly released the findings and recommendations from a 15-month process to develop Chicago’s first Cumulative Impact Assessment, a citywide project to provide data on how environmental burdens and other stressors vary in impact across the city,” from the Office of Mayor Johnson.

Johnson administration defends contract with private defense firm to prop up migrant ‘base camps’

“The administration says it’s looking into whether it can staff the tent camps with local organizations once they are built,” by WBEZ.

Chicago treasurer denies wrongdoing in exclusive interview after IG launches ethics investigation

“Chicago’s embattled city treasurer spoke publicly Thursday for the first time about allegations of possible illegal and unethical behavior leveled against her,” by ABC 7 Chicago.

Alderpersons get chance to grill Snelling before final superintendent appointment vote next week

“Larry Snelling, chief of the Chicago Police Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, will undergo likely rounds of questions from alderpersons Friday as a City Council committee takes a first vote on whether to confirm him as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to lead the Chicago Police Department,” by The Daily Line.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team will scrap INVEST South/West name, but not its aims

“Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature development program INVEST South/West will be no more, at least in name, under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration,” by WBEZ.

Chicago Plan Commission approves Fulton Market apartment tower that will reserve 30% of its units as affordable

“The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved a plan for yet another apartment tower in Fulton Market, along with a strategy to boost the number of affordable housing units it provides,” by the Chicago Tribune.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: Is the gov shutdown just a “ritualistic ceremony”?

As the CPS team returns from August Recess, the Beltway is in a downward spiral with a looming government shutdown, a crisis at the southern border, mounting indictments for former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, and a House impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Listen to the full Beltway Briefing here.

Cozen Currents: The Politics of Soul-searching

• President Biden’s and former President Trump’s reactions to the United Auto Workers strike against the Big Three automakers underscores that neither political party can take the support of blue-collar workers for granted anymore.
• The intra-party conflict within the GOP over continued funding for Ukraine is emblematic of the growing influence of populist forces relative to the waning power of the party’s establishment.
• Artificial intelligence continues to be a hot topic in Washington, DC, and the emerging technology threatens to create challenges for the 2024 election.

Read the Cozen Currents article here.

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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