Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (2/23)

February 23, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Gov. JB Pritzker urges Bears to “make their intentions known” in stadium tug of war between Illinois and Indiana 

“A day after Indiana lawmakers took a major step to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker turned up the pressure on team, calling on ownership to make clear if they’re still interested in staying in Illinois and stop sending mixed signals,” by CBS Chicago.  

Subscribe

Juliana Stratton ad with anti-Trump expletive draws attention in Democratic primary race for US Senate

“Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Juliana Stratton unveiled her campaign’s first TV ad Thursday, a controversial half-minute spot that includes six people, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, hurling an expletive at President Donald Trump,” by the Chicago Tribune.  

Pritzker demands $8.6 billion for Illinois residents after Supreme Court strikes Trump tariffs

“Gov. JB Pritzker demanded an $8.6 billion refund for Illinois residents from President Donald Trump on Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the White House’s broad array of foreign tariffs,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Illinois lawmakers push university funding overhaul amid regional enrollment drops and U. of I. opposition

“With enrollment plunging at many of Illinois’ regional universities, state leaders are again pressing a sweeping overhaul of higher education funding — one that would steer more money to smaller campuses despite firm opposition from the state’s flagship system, the University of Illinois,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Johnson’s press secretary leaving to join NYC’s Zohran Mamdani

“Cassio Mendoza, the press secretary for Mayor Brandon Johnson, is leaving Chicago to join New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s communications team,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.  

Cook County’s top prosecutor outlines plan to charge ICE agents with crimes

“Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke unveiled new guidance Thursday for prosecuting the alleged crimes of federal immigration agents, after denouncing a plan put forth by Mayor Brandon Johnson and facing mounting pressure to do more to address the feds’ at times aggressive and violent tactics,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Chicago Police Department’s Compliance With Consent Decree ‘Too Slow’: Federal Judge 

“City officials’ efforts to comply with the federal court order requiring the Chicago Police Department to stop routinely violating Black and Latino Chicagoans’ constitutional rights are ‘too slow,’ the federal judge overseeing the reform effort said Saturday,” by WTTW. 

Minneapolis and Chicago mayors to deliver unofficial rebuttals to Trump’s State of the Union address

“Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will join several other Democratic elected officials and well-known actors in giving unofficial responses to President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, according to a news release about the event,” by CBS News.  

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: States Are Rushing In Where Congress Fails to Tread

Congress’s lack of action on tech issues leaves an opening for states to take the lead on regulation, which has created a patchwork of laws across states. 

While a prolonged shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security will have unequal impacts across its various agencies, the immigration policy changes discussed have sparked interest from a broader set of stakeholders due to their potential far-reaching impact. 

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized its revocation of the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases last week, with major consequences for environmental regulation going forward. Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: In-Conversation: Kathryn Lowell on Leadership & Presence in Turbulent

Executive coach, image consultant, and author Kathryn Lowell joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on leading with presence and trust in moments of uncertainty. Kathryn explores how trust is built by “going first,” what it means to project presence without proximity, and why human skills like listening and intuition matter more than ever in today’s workplace. Together, they examine how leaders can serve as a steadying force for their teams, balancing authenticity and authority in a world shaped by simultaneous technological, economic, and political disruption. Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

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.

About Cozen O’Connor

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.

Explore Articles and News

See All News