Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS), the government and public affairs affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced Tamara Hinton has signed on to lead its fast-growing strategic communications practice.
June 3, 2022
A Sangamon County Circuit Court judge denied a petition to block Amendment 1 from Illinois ’ November 2022 ballot.
The proposed constitutional amendment, the Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment, would codify employees ’ rights to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing to negotiate “wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. ”
The case against the proposal – brought by a group of parents and teachers from Chicago Public Schools – alleges the amendment ’s adoption would violate the National Labor Relations Act and even grant union leaders the right to override certain state laws.
But the judge ’s order shoots those claims down, positing that “Even accepting as true all of Petitioners ’ allegations, there are no reasonable grounds to permit suit. Petitioner ’s claims fail as a matter of law, and impermissibly seek an advisory opinion as to ‘constitutional issues … [which] may never progress beyond the realm of the hypothetical. ’ Slack v. Salem, 31 Ill. 2d 174, 178 (1964). ”
Attorneys for the plaintiffs from Liberty Justice Center and Illinois Policy Institute say they will appeal.
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO and onetime city budgeteer Paul Vallas launched his second campaign for mayor of Chicago this week, saying what the city “suffers from most is a crisis in leadership. ”
Vallas last ran for mayor in 2019 and received 5.4 percent of the vote, placing him 9th amid the crowded field of 14 candidates.
The situation is expected to be similar this cycle: in addition to Vallas, Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces competition from a growing list of declared contenders, including Ald. Ray Lopez, Ald. Roderick Sawyer, local businessman Willie Wilson, veteran cop Frederick Collins, and state Rep. Kam Buckner. Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and current Chicago Ald. Brian Hopkins are also reportedly polling for potential mayoral runs.
Chicago’s next mayoral election is slated for February 2023.
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.
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.
April 19, 2024
April 19, 2024
April 18, 2024
