Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Braxton Plummer as principal in its Cherry Hill office.
“Senate President Don Harmon will not have to pay a nearly $10 million fine for violating state campaign finance laws last year after the State Board of Elections deadlocked Tuesday on approving the fine,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Gov. JB Pritzker has deposited $25.5 million from his vast personal fortune into his campaign fund with four months to go until Illinois’ March 17 primary elections and a year before voters will decide whether to give the billionaire Democrat a historic third term in Springfield,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“After the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it is redefining the scope of the nation’s bedrock clean water law to limit the wetlands it protects from pollution and destruction, environmental groups are urging Illinois legislators to establish safeguards,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Illinois driver’s licenses and identification cards will officially enter the digital realm this week. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Tuesday that people will now have the option to add their Illinois-issued licenses and IDs to the digital wallets on their cellphones,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“The significant increase in the number of times Chicago police officers have used force against Chicagoans since 2022 threatens the effort to reform the Chicago Police Department, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office told a federal judge on Tuesday,” by WTTW.
“Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th), the city’s acting Zoning Committee chair, said Tuesday he has given Mayor Brandon Johnson a year-end ultimatum: Make his committee post permanent with control over his own staff or he’s done with the time-consuming job,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion 2026 budget rejected his proposed revenue package this week, but the message that the plan is in need of an overhaul fell largely on deaf ears,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is joining the 2027 race for mayor of Chicago, but she doesn’t want to talk about it until after she is safely reelected next year to an eighth term in the job she has held since 1998,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“A number of alderpeople oppose Johnson’s proposed corporate head tax, which would impose a monthly $21 per employee tax on companies with more than 100 employees, arguing it will stifle business growth in Chicago,” by WTTW.
“The Chicago Police Department continues to make slow progress towards reforming its training, policies, and practices, but there are two distinct areas where it is lagging behind court-ordered reforms,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
With the shutdown over, Democrats must determine if they want to make a point or make a difference on extending the Affordable Care Act’s expiring enhanced premium tax credits. Republicans must decide whether to support extending the premium tax credits or pursue alternative health policy solutions to limit premium increases for their constituents.
The Supreme Court appears likely to at least curtail President Trump’s ability to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, which could mean refunds for importers but will not mean the end of the president’s sweeping tariff proposals.
Senators continue to make progress toward a crypto market structure bill, releasing fresh legislative text earlier this month, but the road to a presidential signature remains long and winding. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst of NBC News, joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation about how data shapes America’s understanding of politics—and even sports. From the Democratic sweep in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York to long-term voter realignment, Kornacki breaks down what the numbers reveal about turnout, trust, and the future of American democracy. 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.
January 8, 2026
January 8, 2026
January 7, 2026
