Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (4/10)

April 10, 2023

PUBLIC HEALTH 

— IDPH Reports 14 Illinois Counties at an Elevated Community Level for COVID-19, from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE 

— Pritzker, Raoul say abortion pill access will be maintained in Illinois as court battle plays out: “Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul say the abortion drug mifepristone will continue to be available in Illinois while a federal court battle rages in two other states over the legality of the pill,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

— Stakeholders call for changes to properties with sales-in-error: “Stakeholders for delinquent properties are asking lawmakers to make reforms to state law governing properties with sale in error. The House Revenue and Finance Committee held a meeting Thursday with input from county treasurers, property tax attorneys and some community members as they weigh options for property tax reform to handle how properties that are hit with sales in error labels are governed,” by The Daily Line.

— Johnson says decision yet to be made on relinquishing county board seat as mayor-elect reflects on tenure: “Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson has not decided when he will relinquish his seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, but he said it’s likely he will make one final appearance at the April board meeting in a few weeks before he takes office on the fifth floor of City Hall in May,” by The Daily Line.

— Gov. Pritzker Announces $127.9 million in Awards for Local Transportation Enhancement Projects: “Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced that $127.9 million has been awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) to expand travel options and enhance quality of life in communities throughout the state,” from the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO

Gov. Pritzker, Mayor-elect Johnson briefly discuss finances in first meeting

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson had their first meeting Friday, where they discussed broad details about Johnson’s proposed revenue plan.

While the two did not talk through many specifics, Pritzker made clear his opposition to the mayor-elect’s proposal to increase the tax on financial transactions by $1 or $2 per securities trading contract. “I have not stood for a transaction tax because I think it would be easy for those companies and those servers to move out of the state,” Pritzker said.

Both Pritzker and Johnson expressed a commitment to “making sure that working people can live and thrive and grow in the city of Chicago,” which includes supporting jobs and small businesses by investing in the city’s neighborhoods.

After the meeting, Pritzker added he believes Johnson’s victory will boost the city’s bid to bring the 2024 Democratic National Convention to Chicago, saying “he brings a real excitement to the job, I think, to the people of Chicago, and I think that’s being felt in Washington, D.C.”

Johnson will be officially sworn in on May 15, just four days before the Illinois General Assembly is set to adjourn, meaning many of his proposals may not likely be addressed until legislators return for the fall session.

MORE FROM CITY HALL 

— Key City Council committee to vote on AFSCME collective bargaining agreement: “The City Council Committee on Workforce Development is set to vote Monday on the city’s contract with AFSCME Council 31, the labor union that represents thousands of city workers. Both the ordinance containing the labor agreement and a separate measure that would raise pay for city workers, including department commissioners who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, are set to be introduced directly during Monday’s committee meeting. Neither is publicly posted,” by The Daily Line.

— Lightfoot administration quietly re-upped ShotSpotter contract Johnson has vowed to cancel: “A ShotSpotter spokeswoman said the multi-million-dollar deal was extended in October, the same month Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson declared his candidacy,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL

Beltway Briefing: From a New York Courtroom to the Taiwan Strait

Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Rodney Davis, and Patrick Martin ponder the legal and political implications of the former President’s arraignment. And, as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing, they also discuss the ramifications of the meeting in California on Wednesday between House Speaker McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai.

Listen to the full 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

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.

Explore Articles and News

See All News