Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS) announced that Jessica I. Monahan — a transportation policy expert who has secured federal funding for a range of nonprofits, local governments, Fortune 100 companies, emerging businesses, and government contractors — has joined its Washington D.C.-based lobbying team as a senior principal.
May 25, 2022
Gov. JB Pritzker today signed two pieces of legislation intended to expand and improve access to children ’s mental health services, particularly for children in foster care.
Senate Bill 3889 forms a Children ’s Mental Health Council to research and recommend legislative action for children with mental and behavioral disabilities, particularly around residential placement needs.
House Bill 4306 amends the Children and Family Services Act to require all youth in foster care be assigned a mental health provider to perform well-being assessments and forms the Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force.
More information is available here.
In a 41-7 vote, the Chicago City Council today approved a package authorizing a $1.7 billion casino and entertainment venue in River West.
While the ordinance sailed through committee, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and one of her most frequent critics – Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25) – got into a shouting match over the process, which the latter lambasted as a “sham. ”
Still, despite their sparring, the vote – the end of the mayor ’s long and winding effort to bring the matter before the City Council – paves the way for Bally ’s to bring a casino, five restaurants, and a 200-seat sports bar to Chicago.
The city is relying on tax revenue from the casino to shore up its beleaguered police and fire department pensions through a $40 million, one-time upfront payment – and an estimated $200 million annual benefit once the permanent casino is fully operational, likely by 2026.
The casino proposal now heads to the Illinois Gaming Board, which will further vet to the plan ’s investors, community support, and financial resources later this year.
On Tuesday, Ald. Michael Scott (24) – a key ally of Mayor Lori Lightfoot – announced ( F2022-35) he would resign his seat on June 3.
“The ongoing challenges with public safety, the pace at which resources reach our community, and the pandemic has taken its toll, ” Scott wrote in his resignation letter. “I have personally worked extremely hard to address these issues, and at times at the detriment of my own family. And after much thought and consideration, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my elected role of Alderman. ” After stepping down, Scott will move to a position at Chicago-based film company Cinespace, where he will see industry and community relations.
Following Scott ’s announcement, Lightfoot initiated the process to fill his seat. Interested candidates must have lived in the 24th ward for at least one year prior to their appointment, demonstrate their passion for public service, and most importantly, have “proven themselves to be someone who represents the 24th Ward community, ” according to a press release from the mayor ’s office.
Interested candidates are able to submit applications to aldermanicvacancy@cityofchicago.org or mail applications to City Hall care of the 24th Ward Vacancy Committee. Applications are due by June 7th, 2022 by 5:00 PM CT. Once applications close, the names and resumes of each applicant will be made publicly available, and a committee will begin reviewing each application thoroughly.
Read the full briefing here.
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.
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April 25, 2024
April 25, 2024
April 24, 2024
