Category:Uncategorized
Chicago’s Bold New Vision: Green Social Housing for a Sustainable, Equitable Future
Last week, Chicago City Council committees on Housing and Finance convened for negotiations and discussions on a monumental—and markedly contentious—green social housing plan. This comes nearly two months after Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing introduced an enabling ordinance in the Chicago City Council, allowing the City to establish an independent nonprofit with the authority to serve as the Green Social Housing (GSH) developer. The GSH model tackles both housing insecurity and climate change head-on by developing permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes in every community. Spearheaded by the Chicago Department of Housing and the Illinois Green New Deal coalition, this initiative is poised to reshape how housing is built, owned, and lived in across the city.
The European Accessibility Act is Looming as Corporations Race to Comply
The European Accessibility Act (the Act/EAA) aims to increase market opportunities for accessible products and services on both the consumer and business level. Accessibility is an essential factor in making buying decisions in today’s world; showing that companies are committed to diversity and inclusion in a time where it is increasingly important. The Act covers a wide variety of products and services that are important for those with disabilities and that may not be accessible across the European Union (EU). Such products and services include: computers or operating systems, smartphones, audio-visual media services, banking services, etc. Although the European Accessibility Act is advertised as a manageable compliance requirement, inconsistent enforcement across EU member states, vague exemptions, and widespread corporate unpreparedness suggest that it will be a significant regulatory challenge.
DEI Under Fire: Corporate Compliance After Trump’s Executive Orders
In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government and, by extension, influencing private-sector compliance. These executive actions, presented as a means of restoring merit-based hiring and eliminating what the administration described as “illegal discrimination,” have had profound effects on corporate compliance efforts across industries. While the immediate legal impact has primarily affected federal agencies and contractors, the broader implications have created uncertainty within corporate America, forcing many companies to reassess the scope and structure of their DEI initiatives. This article examines the legal and regulatory ramifications of these executive orders and explores how they have influenced corporate compliance strategies in the evolving landscape of workplace diversity policies.
The RegTech Revolution: Automating Compliance in a Complex Regulatory Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations face an ever-expanding array of regulations and compliance requirements. To navigate this complex environment, many businesses are turning to Regulatory Technology, or RegTech, to automate compliance processes. While automation promises increased efficiency and reduced costs, it also raises concerns about added complexities and potential risks. Is relying on technology to handle compliance a prudent strategy, or would this add layers to an already tangled web?
$TRUMP: The President’s Overconfident Approach to Crypto
On the campaign trail in 2024, the then-former president Trump made his ties to the crypto industry clear, such that crypto leaders were optimistic about the future in terms of regulations. Upon his entry into office, President Trump solidified this stance by signing an executive order: “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.” This executive order lightens the regulations on crypto currencies and promotes the presence of crypto in the American economy. Some industry leaders, however, are hesitant about the President’s actions.
Heartland for Sale: The Risks of Foreign Investments in American Agriculture
Recently, there has been an increased concern regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land in rural America. This growing concern among lawmakers has led to the introduction of several bipartisan bills this year that restrict foreign investments in United States agricultural land. In part, these bills have been introduced as a response to a study published earlier this year by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), which identified potential national security risks in foreign investments in United States Agriculture. Currently, the only federal law regulating foreign investments in agricultural land is the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). AFIDA established a nationwide system to collect and record data regarding foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land. The law requires foreign investors in U.S. agricultural land to report holdings and transactions to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Furthermore, twenty-four states already have legislation in place restricting foreign individuals, entities, or both from owning land, with four states refining their laws to improve enforcement this year. Although the issue of foreign investment is complex, it is necessary that the USDA and other agencies adequately protect against the national security risks posed by foreign investment while also recognizing that not all foreign ownership in U.S. agricultural land is a threat to national security.
No One Can Watch the Chicago Bulls! And Other Reasons Why the MLB, NBA, and NHL Need to Consider Nationalizing Their Media Rights.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are the TV channels that show a sports team’s games in a local area. Due to a demand for sports by television viewers over the past few decades, RSNs created large revenues from local media rights deals (TV contracts) for professional sports leagues. This issue impacts several of the major professional leagues: the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB). Currently, due to the trend of cord-cutting and a lack of regulation by the league offices, many fans are left without a viable way to watch their local teams, including much of the City of Chicago.
What the Indian Child Welfare Act Means for Tribal Sovereignty
The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) has been considered the “gold standard” of child welfare best practice from experts in the field. This is because it requires active efforts to keep children safe in their homes and connected to their families, communities, and culture. For the past 46 years, ICWA has stood as a powerful force in protecting Native American children and preserving Indigenous cultures. Considering that reunification is the most common goal for children in foster care, ICWA is an essential means of reaching this goal in a culturally responsible way for Native American children. Further protections at the state level as well as expanding ICWA are necessary to protect tribal sovereignty in the removal of their children.
Streamlining Regulatory Compliance in Chicago’s Real Estate Development
In December 2023, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took a significant step toward revolutionizing the city’s real estate development process by signing Executive Order No. 2023-21. This directive tasked 14 city departments with identifying the key barriers that complicate housing and commercial development that subsequently lead to delays, increased costs, and uncertainty. The goal was to find solutions to accelerate the approval processes, reduce regulatory redundancies, and streamline compliance with city, state, and federal regulations, ultimately making Chicago’s real estate development process more efficient and predictable.
No “Moore” Realization Events?
In June 2024, the Supreme Court will decide on a case that may completely upend one third of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Moore v. United States calls into question whether the 16th Amendment authorizes Congress to tax unrealized gains without apportionment among the states.