Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (8/1)

PUBLIC HEALTH 

— Public Health Officials Announce 35,371 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease Over the Past Week. From The Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker.

— As Monkeypox Spreads, Here’s What to Do if You Contract the Virus: “Those who catch monkeypox often start to display flu-like symptoms, such as fevers, headaches and swelling.” From NBC 5 Chicago.

ILLINOIS

Gov. Pritzker signs executive order to establish an Office of Opioid Settlement Administration 

Gov. Pritzker announced Friday the creation of a statewide agency to oversee the distribution of approximately $760 million over the next two decades to Illinois cities and neighborhoods most affected by the opioid epidemic.

Illinois is one of 52 states and territories to receive remediation monies from the national $26 billion opioid settlement agreement with three of the country’s major pharmaceutical distributors: Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, and one manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson.

The companies were sued for their role in creating and fueling the nationwide opioid epidemic by using deceptive marketing tactics to downplay the risk of addiction from opioid-based painkillers.

The agency will ensure (1) opioid remediation funds align with the State Overdose Action Plan (SOAP) and (2) are used equitably to fund recovery and treatment programs in the counties and municipalities with the most urgent need by considering factors such as population, opioid usage rates, overdose deaths and the amount of opioids shipped into a region.

AROUND THE STATE

— Pritzker Administration Issues Second Wave of Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses: “Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today issued 28 additional Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses to applicants selected in three lotteries for 185 licenses,” The Office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

— Gov. Pritzker Announces $15 Million in Additional Funding to Support Local Festivals and Tourism Across the State: “Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Friday announced $15 million in funding to support tourism sector across Illinois, through the second round of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program offered by the State.” From The Office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

— Batinick-proposed bill would hold parents criminally liable for their child’s gun crimes: “As state lawmakers search for a solution to gun violence and mass shootings, Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) wants lawmakers to take an extra step to hold parents accountable if they sign off on gun owner permits and their child uses a gun in a crime,” by The Daily Line.

— Pritzker wins state party leadership battle after U.S. Rep. Kelly exits, clearing path for governor’s choice: “U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly on Friday withdrew her bid for a second term as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, clearing the way for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to install his pick to lead the party, state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez,” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

CHICAGO

Mayor Lightfoot awards $6.5 million in DCASE grants to Chicago nonprofit arts organizations

Mayor Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced 280 financial grants awarded to Chicago nonprofit arts organizations as part of the City of Chicago’s 2022 CityArts Program.

“The continued, equitable revitalization of our arts and culture scene remains essential to our ability to recover from this pandemic on a socioeconomic level,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I’m proud to increase our grant funding in support of local artists and arts organizations to advance our recovery and bring beauty and life back to our neighborhoods.”

As previously announced, the 2022 City budget provided $26 million in new arts and culture investments. Funding for the CityArts Program has increased by 280% in the last year, climbing from $1.7 million in 2021 to $6.5 million in 2022.

The list of grantees and additional information regarding upcoming grant opportunities can be found at ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.

MORE FROM CITY HALL

— City Council members want to put the brakes on NASCAR’s Chicago street race: “Alderpersons Pat Dowell (3rd), Sophia King (4th) and Brendan Reilly (42nd) are upset NASCAR could occupy part of Grant Park for two weeks next summer,” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

— West Loop apartment tower, South Loop dispensary among new development plans sent to City Council: “A 36-story apartment tower is the largest of more than a dozen new planned development applications introduced to the City Council last month, promising to toss more than 350 new homes into the West Loop’s gushing development pipeline,” by The Daily Line.

— Lightfoot announces deal to keep Lollapalooza in Grant Park for another decade: “The mayor made the announcement onstage to throngs of screaming fans, appearing alongside festival founder Perry Farrell,” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

FEDERAL 

Beltway Briefing: Ready, Set, Recess

Heading into August recess, Congress is on the cusp of delivering President Biden two back-to-back legislative victories: on Wednesday, after more than a year of wrangling and frustration, Senate Democratic leaders and Joe Manchin announced a reconciliation agreement for a sweeping tax-and-spend plan known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The breakthrough bill includes $433 billion in new federal spending, including $369 billion in energy and climate change investments, and is designed to generate an estimated $739 billion in revenue and reduce federal deficits by $300 billion over 10 years.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, a $280 billion funding package that will boost the U.S. semiconductor industry and cut reliance on chip products from foreign sources.

You can listen to this and any of the previous Beltway Briefing podcast episodes here.

IN OTHER FEDERAL NEWS

— Kamala Harris to announce $1 billion to US states for flooding, extreme heat: “Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce the grant programs Monday at an event in Miami with the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other officials,” by Fox 32 Chicago.

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