WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced that Sean Clerget has joined as senior principal in its Washington, D.C., office.
“Gov. JB Pritzker’s office signed a new $25,000 contract late last month with an outside attorney to continue advising the administration in negotiations with the Chicago Bears through the end of June as the NFL franchise seeks to pressure Springfield to act this spring on a proposal that would aid plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a monumental bill into law Friday to automatically seal records for people convicted of nonviolent felonies. Democrats have spent years working on the Clean Slate Act with grassroots advocates and law enforcement,” by WAND News.
“‘Affordability’ will be the word of the year, and Welch said members of his House Democratic caucus will be making decisions about their priorities through that lens,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul choked up Tuesday while recounting the state’s first year of legal battles against the second Trump administration, including the effort to limit birthright citizenship — a campaign that felt personal to the son of Haitian immigrants,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Wage inequities persist in Illinois’ workforce, although data suggests the state, on average, is doing better than others, according to a new report from the University of Illinois,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday the city will not try to buy back Chicago’s parking meters after all, following days of speculation over whether he would attempt to find a way out of an infamous sale almost two decades ago,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Most intoxicating hemp products will be banned in Chicago on April 1 after the City Council approved a modified ordinance that exempts beverages,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Downtown hotel owners got resounding support from key Chicago aldermen on a plan to bolster tourism spending by taxing themselves, moving forward a proposal that could more than double the budget of the city’s marketing arm,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Just over a year before the 2027 mayoral election, Brandon Johnson is in danger of becoming a one-term mayor — and his defeat in the most recent battle over City Hall’s 2026 budget is only part of the reason why,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“A proposal designed to expand the Chicago Police Department’s power to impose a curfew to stop large gatherings of teens stalled Wednesday after supporters of the push balked after a last-minute effort to revise the measure,” by WTTW.
The Fed’s credibility, and as a result, the efficacy of its monetary policy toolset, is at stake in this week’s Supreme Court case over President Trump’s attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.
In the absence of comprehensive federal rules on AI, a patchwork of state laws in red and blue states alike is developing.
As with much of government, the Trump administration is also changing business as usual at the Pentagon. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Technology and health care futurist Jamie Metzl joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the amazing technological revolutions defining our era. As artificial intelligence, genetics, and biotechnology converge at unprecedented speed, the time between transformative revolutions—from fire and agriculture to industrialization and now AI—continues to shrink. Together, they explore what this superconvergence means for humanity, why innovation is accelerating faster than our institutions, and how the choices made today will shape the future of civilization. Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.
Legislative Analyst
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.
February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026
