Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (9/8)

September 8, 2023

ILLINOIS

| AROUND THE STATE

Illinois Lt. Gov. to lead delegation to Japan

“The Lieutenant Governor’s first international delegation to Tokyo will focus on strengthening economic cooperation between Illinois and Japan and promote Illinois as a leader in corporate recruitment, retention and expansion through Illinois Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Programming throughout the delegation will tap into sustainability and innovation,” by NPR Illinois.

Madigan won’t run for committeeperson, marking full stop end to his political career

“Madigan, 81, will not seek reelection as the 13th Ward Democratic committeeperson — an elected position he’s held since Richard J. Daley was mayor and Richard Nixon was in the White House. Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, a Madigan protege whom he shared office space with, is circulating petitions for the spot, according to Quinn’s spokeswoman,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

With historic bail reform measures set to take effect, Cook County officials detail court changes

“The historic reforms will take effect Sept. 18 across the state, marking a major change in the way decisions will be made around whether a defendant will be released from jail while awaiting trial. Though other jurisdictions have moved to eliminate or reduce money as a factor, Illinois was the first to pass it in the form of statewide legislation,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Pritzker weighs in on statehouse staffers attempting to unionize

“Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday addressed the situation when asked at an unrelated event. ‘Workers can collectively bargain wherever they are, and as far as I am concerned, and I believe the speaker feels the same, that that goes for every position in the state,’ Pritzker said,” by The Center Square.

Unions call for transparent pension reform process after blindside hit in 2010

“Multiple union officials testified in front of Wednesday’s House Personnel and Pensions Committee asking the lawmakers to resolve discrepancies between the Tier 1 and Tier 2 pension plans through a process that includes more public input than when the second level was passed in 2010,” by The Daily Line.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Measure to eliminate Chicago’s tipped wage clears first major hurdle

“In a procedural voice vote Wednesday without significant opposition, the Rules Committee, which includes the entire City Council, voted to send the measure back to the Workforce Development Committee. If the full City Council approves the same action at its meeting Sept. 13, a final vote on the ordinance would likely be set for the Oct. 4 City Council meeting,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mayor Brandon Johnson says he’ll run for reelection, says youth are the key to Chicago’s success

“In a one-on-one interview at the Economic Club of Chicago on Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson laid out his plans for leading the city. He also announced that he planned to run for reelection in 2027,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Aldermen, mayor and other Chicago officials set for another, albeit small, pay bump

“One year after some City Council members accepted a nearly 10% pay hike that roiled Chicago politics amid a citywide election, aldermen are slated to decide later this month whether to forgo another automatic raise tied to inflation,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Committee approves labor contracts for thousands of city workers

“Seven thousand city tradespeople would continue to receive the prevailing wage paid to their counterparts in private industry, thanks to a five-year contract ratified Thursday by a City Council committee. The five-year agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2022 and continues until June 30, 2027,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Pedestrian and Traffic Safety committee approves measure requiring city to compile, study fatal traffic crash data

“The ordinance would add a chapter to Title 9 of the city code requiring the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to conduct a ‘timely analysis’ of every fatal traffic crash in Chicago reported to the Chicago Police Department,” by The Daily Line.

Migrants would move from police stations to big tents in ‘winterized base camps’ under mayor’s new plan

“Nearly 1,600 asylum-seekers would be moved out of Chicago police stations ‘before the weather begins to shift and change’ and into ‘winterized base camps’ equipped with massive tents, under a plan unveiled Thursday by Mayor Brandon Johnson,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

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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