Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Bentley Graves as principal in its Minneapolis office.
“Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he is asking fellow Democratic governors to convene and discuss ways to hold President Donald Trump and his administration accountable in the courts for their aggressive immigration enforcement actions — even if that accountability comes after the president is scheduled to leave office in 2029,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“A plan to significantly boost funding for public education in Illinois has been introduced to both houses of the state Legislature as some lawmakers aim to eventually tax millionaires and digital advertisement to help bridge billions needed to finance schools,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“While Indiana officials play up their efforts to lure the Chicago Bears across the border for a new stadium, Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday that he and his staff have made ‘progress’ to incentivize the football team to stay in Illinois,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“A judge denied the banking lobby’s attempts to stop implementation of an Illinois law that exempts state and local taxes and tips from so-called swipe fees charged by credit card processors,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“The verdict on Darren Bailey’s 2022 campaign for governor was decisive. The race was called in Gov. JB Pritzker’s favor nearly immediately after polls closed, and Pritzker won a 12-point victory,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Top mayoral aides assured the City Council on Monday that the full $260 million advance pension payment will be made, and that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to make that payment in two installments to ease a cash flow crunch will not trigger another costly reduction in Chicago’s bond rating,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The aldermen who approved the 2026 budget over the objection of Mayor Brandon Johnson are rebranding themselves as the Budget Accountability Coalition and forming working groups to monitor the implementation of their plan,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Beale is sending a letter Wednesday to the Illinois Gaming Board meant to serve as official notification that City Hall has lifted the video gambling ban, and that acceptance of license applications for video gambling can begin,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Union officials are bracing for a wave of layoffs targeting custodians who work in Chicago city government buildings due to a $12 million cut in the facilities budget in the spending plan Mayor Brandon Johnson and aldermen put together for 2026,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Despite lingering concerns about the impact on business, the City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety on Monday approved a newly revised ordinance that would authorize Chicagoans to use their cellphones to provide recorded evidence of bus, bike lane and crosswalk parking violations,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
President Trump’s pick for Federal Reserve (Fed) chair, Kevin Warsh, will only be able to deliver on the administration’s promised lower rates and structural Fed reforms if he can build consensus among his colleagues.
While the 2026 Senate map favors Republicans to keep their majority, this year’s political environment benefits Democrats.
A hearing in the Senate last week explored what autonomous vehicle companies want more than anything else: comprehensive, national regulation. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, the first woman to hold the office, is just weeks into her first term and already facing a high-velocity legislative session under unified Democratic control. As lawmakers move quickly on long-standing priorities, can the self-described moderate governor hold Virginia’s political “purple” center, or will progressives pull the state left? As the 2026 midterms approach, could Virginia offer an early preview of how governing realities collide with electoral politics? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer (DC), Julia Hammond (VA), and Heidi Hertz (VA). 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 11, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 11, 2026
