ILLINOIS
AROUND THE STATE
Illinois House Republicans demand Pritzker cut migrant services
“Illinois House Republicans want to cut migrant services as a way to handle the budget deficit facing Illinois. The state is looking at a $3.2 billion budget deficit where Gov. JB Pritzker said it's the perfect opportunity to show "Illinois can govern itself." House Republicans' answer to that is cutting migrant services, where they claim billions are being wasted on undocumented immigrants,” by WAND.
Gov. JB Pritzker stresses importance of federal education funding amid latest threats from Trump
“Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday continued his offensive against President Donald Trump’s policy initiatives, raising concerns over new reports that the White House is seeking to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, a move the governor said could deprive Illinois of essential federal funding,” by the Chicago Tribune.
Raoul doubles down on protecting gender-affirming care in Trump era
“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined 14 other state attorneys general to double down on a commitment to protect access to gender-affirming care following an executive order from President Donald Trump’s administration aimed at stopping federal dollars from paying for it,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
New study finds Illinois retail generates $112 billion in economic investment annually
“A new study conducted by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center shows Illinois retailers generate $112 billion in economic investment annually. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association told reporters Tuesday that retail is the state's largest private sector employer, with 1.3 million people working in the industry,” by WAND.
Hoping to “Trump Proof” Students’ Civil Rights, Illinois Lawmakers Aim to End Police Ticketing at School
“Citing an urgency to protect students’ civil rights in a second Trump administration, Illinois lawmakers filed a new bill Monday that would explicitly prevent school police from ticketing and fining students for misbehavior,” by Pro Publica.
CHICAGO
MORE FROM CITY HALL
Breach Between Johnson, Business Leaders Widens Amid Renewed Focus on Tax Hike Push
“Leaders of Chicago’s business community pushed back Tuesday after Mayor Brandon Johnson accused them of working to defeat a measure to give the Chicago City Council the power to hike real estate transfer taxes to benefit “corporations” and the “ultra rich” at the expense of working people in Chicago,” by WTTW.
City asks judge to reconsider ruling on how TIF dollars are awarded
“Arguing it could grind government to a halt, city attorneys are asking a Cook County judge to reconsider a ruling that Chicago’s process to award economic development funding broke public meeting requirements,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Johnson to testify at Congressional probe of sanctuary cities
“Mayor Brandon Johnson will travel to Washington D.C. next month to testify before a Congressional panel on Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city that prohibits local law enforcement from partnering with federal immigration officials,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Brandon Johnson continues to push for Bears lakefront stadium
“Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to advocate for a new Chicago Bears lakefront stadium, urging state legislators to get on board with a plan that calls for $2.4 billion in public subsidies,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
What is Chicago's exposure to potential cost-cutting efforts in federal real estate?
“The General Services Administration, which oversees the federal government's roughly 360 million-square-foot portfolio, could be a target of the cost-reduction efforts led by President Donald Trump's newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. In Chicagoland, more than 3.1 million square feet is leased by the GSA, with 23 leases totaling nearly 700,000 square feet set to expire this year or next,” by the Chicago Business Journal.
FEDERAL
Cozen Currents - How Trump Trumps
The Trump administration is stretching the limits of presidential power. Though the White House has hit some roadblocks, it is making progress in disrupting how the federal government works.
Many of President Trump’s threatened tariffs are being used as leverage to achieve other policy goals. But some are the policy goals themselves and can’t be negotiated away.
In an expansive interpretation of presidential power, the Trump administration previewed its plans to cut federal spending through budget impoundment in an Office of Management and Budget memo early last week.
Read the Cozen Currents here.
Beltway Briefing - Trump’s Second Week: From Order to Chaos
Trump’s return to the White House began with a decisive policy rollout but quickly unraveled amidst confusion, uncertainty, and tragedy. A hastily issued OMB memo freezing aid to 2,600 programs—only to be swiftly reversed—sparked confusion and concern. This was compounded by Trump 2.0’s first major crisis with the tragic commercial aviation disaster on the shores of the Potomac. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French and Kyle Anderson.
Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.