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 has given $5 million to a super PAC supporting his longtime running mate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, in her bid for the U.S. Senate, answering critics who questioned whether he would help boost her candidacy financially,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Illinois and 11 other states vying to become an early primary nominating state for the 2028 Democratic presidential campaign — a move that could boost a potential White House bid by Gov. JB Pritzker — advanced to the next round of the selection process Saturday at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws panel,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“A state commission dedicated to documenting misconduct by federal immigration agents and making policy recommendations issued its initial report Friday, while also adopting a new direction to look at high-ranking White House officials,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville is floating Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as what he calls the Democratic Party’s strongest potential standard-bearer in the 2028 presidential race,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday directing Chicago police to collect evidence, investigate and potentially refer for felony prosecution criminal charges against federal immigration agents accused of misconduct,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson may try again to convince Chicago voters to pass his ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum, a top mayoral aide said Thursday, arguing that ballot questions in California and elsewhere normally ‘don’t get passed the first time,’” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Chicago’s general obligation bonds are struggling in the market amid lingering tension between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council over the 2026 budget that could be causing ‘headline risk,’ according to analysts,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“In an escalation of an ongoing turf war over low-wage school district employees, the Chicago Teachers Union has accused the Chicago Board of Education of conspiring with a rival union to undermine its bargaining unit,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel no longer will have to testify about an alleged “code of silence” at the Chicago Police Department, after a federal judge reversed an earlier ruling that would have allowed him to take the stand in a lawsuit over a botched police raid,” by CBS News.
Despite the domestic affordability concerns and global disruption they cause, President Trump is unlikely to back away from his use of tariff threats, as they remain his go-to foreign policy tool.
White House officials are considering a wide range of housing policy actions in an effort to address voters’ affordability worries ahead of the midterms.
On the surface, it looks like polarization has Congress lurching from crisis to crisis without anything getting done. Look closer, you’ll find that bipartisanship is alive and well — when both sides have the right incentives. Read the Cozen Currents here.
30 days into the Mamdani administration, New York City finds itself blanketed in snow and ice as early signals from City Hall begin to take shape. The New York Public Strategies team examines key appointments, executive actions, and evolving relationships with Washington, while previewing the state and federal races to watch ahead of 2026. Featuring Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman (DC), Jamie Ansorge (NY), and Rose Christ (NY). 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
